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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.
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.
Apple's Mac mini here is framed as a compact, fast desktop that can handle everyday work well and even some gaming, with strong single thread performance and Mac efficiency helping 16GB go further than expected. The small form factor is a major draw, and external storage or a Thunderbolt NVMe dock can make 256GB workable for lighter setups. The main knocks are the fixed RAM and storage, which block upgrades and make the price feel high for a near $800 machine. That makes it best suited to buyers who can live within the base configuration.
People doing light everyday computing, because the base model is described as fast for surfing, office work, and other light-duty tasks.
Creators and coders whose workloads stay within 16GB, because Apple silicon can feel snappier than a PC with more RAM for video editing, compiling code, and local models.
Power users who need to upgrade memory or storage later, because the RAM and NVMe are fixed and a larger configuration means selling and rebuying the machine.
At $779.99, the price is seen as high for a 16GB/256GB configuration, especially compared with recent lower-priced Mac mini deals and open-box alternatives. A nearby Micro Center open-box unit around $700 or an M4 16/256 deal around $679 has been cited as a better value.
16GB is enough for many everyday and even some heavier tasks because Apple silicon can stretch memory further than a typical PC. It may still be too little for users who want 24GB or more for their workload, especially if they expect to keep many apps or models open at once.
256GB can work if you plan to use external storage from the start, including Thunderbolt NVMe docks or small external SSDs. It is a poor fit if you want to keep large game libraries or lots of local files on the internal drive, since the storage is fixed and not user-upgradeable.
No, the RAM and internal storage are fixed, so you cannot upgrade them later. That makes the base configuration a long-term commitment and can force a sell-and-rebuy path if your needs grow.
It can handle gaming better than a light-duty-only machine, with videos showing the base model running modern games at 1080p/60fps or 1440p with Metal upscaling. It is still not ideal if you want to install very large game libraries on the internal 256GB drive.
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.
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.
I have 2TB externals that are smaller than a deck of cards. It doesn't kill a small form factor unless you choose to do so.
Apple lovers aren't nearly as bad as Apple haters! It is obvious who in these comments have never tried a Mac and just see 16/256 and nope out because they are stuck in a PC/Windows mindset and world.
I'm a PC person and a gamer, but I have a MBP through my job. 16/256 easily works. This isn't meant for someone wanting to install 100GB games. Is it dumb you can't upgrade the RAM & Storage? Yes! But should that be a deal breaker, I guess it's up to you.
What Windows option are you going with at this price point with the power and small form factor? Go ahead, I'll wait.
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.
And you'll never understand why it works. Stuck in a Windows mindset
Only good for surfing internet and light duty tasks.
It has one of the highest scores in single thread speed, so as long as what you are doing doesn't require massive amounts of memory (16GB seems goes further on mac architecture) it would be perfect for many people. Not a bad device at all.
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It has one of the highest scores in single thread speed, so as long as what you are doing doesn't require massive amounts of memory (16GB seems goes further on mac architecture) it would be perfect for many people. Not a bad device at all.
I was a Mac to PC user around 2007. They lost their mojo going to Intel. PC were better at the time and viruses finally under control (one of the reasons I jumped to Mac around 1997). Jumped back to Macfew years ago and don't use a PC unless I have to. My only loyalty is to the best tool. Mac is it, for now
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.
apple computers are designed with unified architecture which is why the storage isn't expandable. it's next generation compared to existing systems you can upgrade an expand. because computers get incrementally faster each year, to me trying to upgrade an old system is a lost cause anyway. just refresh the whole thing every several years instead. you get more bang for your buck. apple silicone systems have much higher available bandwidth between cpu and ram, and just runs a lot more efficiently and faster than any competitors. if you look into some lectures on computer architecture, you'll understand more about the topic (i didn't mention arm vs x86 because it's confusing for the overview, but it's semi relevant to this topic). the macs and macbooks are definitely good value if you ask me. hope that was a bit helpful
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.
I remember just a couple months ago these were still obtainable at $499, although with the M4. The prices are stupid because of the NAND and RAM shortage with AI. I've also been a Mac user since the old Classic Mac OS days.
If there wasn't a component shortage I'd bet the price would be similar to the previous gen and 16/256 would be more acceptable.
Last edited by TD912 October 23, 2026 at 08:40 AM.
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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.
Agree 100% on the storage. But for the RAM, I'm not sure it's feasible for the unifed memory systems, the timings are just too short. That might be part of the downvotes.
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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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Apple's Mac mini here is framed as a compact, fast desktop that can handle everyday work well and even some gaming, with strong single thread performance and Mac efficiency helping 16GB go further than expected. The small form factor is a major draw, and external storage or a Thunderbolt NVMe dock can make 256GB workable for lighter setups. The main knocks are the fixed RAM and storage, which block upgrades and make the price feel high for a near $800 machine. That makes it best suited to buyers who can live within the base configuration.
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Apple lovers aren't nearly as bad as Apple haters! It is obvious who in these comments have never tried a Mac and just see 16/256 and nope out because they are stuck in a PC/Windows mindset and world.
I'm a PC person and a gamer, but I have a MBP through my job. 16/256 easily works. This isn't meant for someone wanting to install 100GB games. Is it dumb you can't upgrade the RAM & Storage? Yes! But should that be a deal breaker, I guess it's up to you.
What Windows option are you going with at this price point with the power and small form factor? Go ahead, I'll wait.
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If there wasn't a component shortage I'd bet the price would be similar to the previous gen and 16/256 would be more acceptable.
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