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Not true. There have been videos showcasing even this base model as a gaming PC (ex: ETAPrime's on YouTube). Runs modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. Kind of crazy how capable this thing is.
If you're near a Microcenter and don't mind open box, my local has a couple of those for $700. Good price and it's a brand new device so real unlikely to have wear and tear plus should still have Apple warranty
The Mac mini stands out as a compact desktop with strong Apple silicon performance, especially for everyday work, coding, and even some gaming. The 16GB memory and 256GB storage are often described as workable on macOS, with external drives and Thunderbolt docks making the small footprint easier to live with. The main drawback is the fixed RAM and storage, which rules out future upgrades and can feel limiting at this price. A capable small desktop if the base configuration fits your needs.
Users who keep files on external drives, because macOS can offload installs and a Thunderbolt dock can add NVMe storage under the machine.
Developers and video editors with moderate memory needs, because Apple silicon can feel snappier than a similarly specced PC in code compilation and HD editing.
People who want to install large games or keep huge local libraries, because 16GB and 256GB are not meant for 100GB installs and quickly push storage limits.
For typical everyday use, 16GB/256GB can be enough, and macOS can offload apps and data to an external drive with the right settings. It is a poor fit if you want to install large games or avoid external storage, because RAM and storage are not user-upgradeable.
No, the RAM and storage are fixed, so you cannot upgrade them later. If you need more memory or space down the road, the practical workaround is to buy a higher-spec model or use external storage from the start.
It can handle more than light web browsing, and videos have shown the base model running modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. It is still best suited to lighter gaming or titles that run well on Apple silicon, especially with only 16GB RAM and 256GB storage.
A nearby Micro Center can have open-box Mac minis around $700, and one local 2024 M4 mini 16/256 was listed at $679 with plenty in stock. Recent Costco and open-box deals were also cited as low as $299-$399 for older 16GB M3/M4 minis, so this Amazon price is not the lowest option mentioned.
If you're near a Microcenter and don't mind open box, my local has a couple of those for $700. Good price and it's a brand new device so real unlikely to have wear and tear plus should still have Apple warranty
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Oct 16, 2026 6:30 PM
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Oct 19, 2026 1:41 AM
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If ram and nvme were removable, I would buy in a heartbeat. Until then, I'll never own a Mac computer.Just knowing that I can buy a configuration and come to need more and I need to sell and rebuy the unit, hell no.
Idk why so many downvotes for my comment. I can acknowledge Apple makes good shit, I just can't justify being tied down with storage and ram. I own an iPhone and feel it's superior to every other device. I guess some people just commit 100% to being fanboys.I say this as someone who HATES windows and and trying to find every reason to move to Mac OS, and this is holding me back.
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Oct 19, 2026 6:20 PM
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Idk why so many downvotes for my comment. I can acknowledge Apple makes good shit, I just can't justify being tied down with storage and ram. I own an iPhone and feel it's superior to every other device. I guess some people just commit 100% to being fanboys.I say this as someone who HATES windows and and trying to find every reason to move to Mac OS, and this is holding me back.
Because people are loyal cultists to some brands and any criticism shall be punished. I've owned Macs back to a 233mhz G3 and lots between then and now. I'm not sorry to call out that 256GB of fixed hard drive is NOT enough for a computer costing nearly $1000. It forces you to buy external storage to do much of anything which defeats the point of having a small form factor computer. There's no reason to not make the HD user upgradeable other than to artificially raise the price on models that provide more space. At bare minimum, add a space and slot for an NVME SSD or something internally.
The RAM I can excuse given how Apple puts these together.. there are no user upgradeable 3rd party parts that work properly and even if they made it modular then that invites new bugs and security risks. That said, I still think they should be individually upgradeable/replaceable so that the spec could be improved down the road. These games are really only seen as reasonable by people who tend to upgrade every three years like clockwork.
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Oct 19, 2026 6:30 PM
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from NedStone
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Only good for surfing internet and light duty tasks.
Not true. There have been videos showcasing even this base model as a gaming PC (ex: ETAPrime's on YouTube). Runs modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. Kind of crazy how capable this thing is.
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from JayhawkDeals
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- although the 256gb in my opinion is the real travesty, even in a cloud first world. Need space for my repos locally!
With that out if the way, perhaps this thread can focus on the discussion that actually matters.
MacOS actually does a great job offloading everything important (even new app installs) to an external drive with a few settings. And Mac Minis in particular can get those cool docks that sit under them that take a NVMe drive and connect via Thunderbolt. You can easily get by with 256GB on a Mac, just budget to buy an external (and one of these docks if you want to go that direction) from the start.
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If ram and nvme were removable, I would buy in a heartbeat. Until then, I'll never own a Mac computer.
Just knowing that I can buy a configuration and come to need more and I need to sell and rebuy the unit, hell no.
Macs don't operate like a PC. Keep in mind that a PC needs 2x the RAM to come close to the performance of a mac. It's night-and-day. Apple silicon is more like a phone than a PC. An 8GB m1 from six years ago is still snappier than a Ryzen AM4 with 16GB of RAM when editing HD video, compiling code, or running local models.
It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
Last edited by FancyCemetery555 October 19, 2026 at 01:38 PM.
Macs don't operate like a PC. Keep in mind that a PC needs 2x the RAM to come close to the performance of a mac. It's night-and-day. Apple silicon is more like a phone than a PC. An 8GB m1 from six years ago is still snappier than a Ryzen AM4 with 16GB of RAM when editing HD video, compiling code, or running local models. It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
I realize that, but also realize the nvme does have a lifespan "terrabytes written" in today's age, 256GB, you'll go through the nvme so quickly. It's unacceptable for me to not be replaceable.
Not that it's the same, but if you're near the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park, the Micro Center there has the 2024 M4 Mini with 16/256 for $679. There's a metric ton of them in stock too. No shipping so you gotta make the pilgrimage.
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The Mac mini stands out as a compact desktop with strong Apple silicon performance, especially for everyday work, coding, and even some gaming. The 16GB memory and 256GB storage are often described as workable on macOS, with external drives and Thunderbolt docks making the small footprint easier to live with. The main drawback is the fixed RAM and storage, which rules out future upgrades and can feel limiting at this price. A capable small desktop if the base configuration fits your needs.
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The RAM I can excuse given how Apple puts these together.. there are no user upgradeable 3rd party parts that work properly and even if they made it modular then that invites new bugs and security risks. That said, I still think they should be individually upgradeable/replaceable so that the spec could be improved down the road. These games are really only seen as reasonable by people who tend to upgrade every three years like clockwork.
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With that out if the way, perhaps this thread can focus on the discussion that actually matters.
Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank
Just knowing that I can buy a configuration and come to need more and I need to sell and rebuy the unit, hell no.
It's not to say you can't get a good dedicated GPU for models (with +16GB of RAM) or the fastest Gen 4/5 NVMe and approach the level of mac performance, but notice how much a PC like that costs.
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