# Evaluating the Cost of Upgrading to the Mac mini M2 Pro
Written on
Chapter 1: Introduction
In my pragmatic approach to technology, I typically refrain from making changes unless necessary. Currently, I'm contemplating whether to upgrade to the Mac mini powered by the M2 Pro with 12 CPU cores. To help clarify my decision, let's examine the advantages and disadvantages of this upgrade, starting with the downsides.
Section 1.1: Reasons Against Upgrading
There are several compelling reasons to think twice about this upgrade.
Subsection 1.1.1: Manufacturing Process
The M2 chip utilizes the same 5nm manufacturing process as its predecessor, the M1. While it offers improved performance through higher clock speeds and additional CPU and GPU cores, this larger chip design generates more waste heat. If the existing cooling system remains unchanged, the Mac mini's fan could become noticeably louder, or worse, it may not efficiently dissipate heat, leading to thermal throttling.
Maintaining a quiet work environment is invaluable to me, so the thought of potentially sacrificing that peace for an upgrade is unappealing. I might opt to stick with my M1 Mac mini a bit longer while waiting for a more compelling alternative.
Subsection 1.1.2: Storage Concerns
As a demanding user, I find the storage options limiting. Colleagues have indicated that to avoid constraints, it's essential to upgrade to at least the 1TB version, which adds an additional $400 to the base price. Thankfully, Apple has some sensible pricing here; upgrading from 256GB to 512GB costs $200, and the same applies for the jump from 512GB to 1TB. Yet, this still represents a significant premium for a device starting at $599.
Section 1.2: The Price Dilemma
To upgrade to an M2 Pro with 12 cores and 32GB of unified memory—minimum requirements for my work—I'd be looking at a total cost of around $2199. Interestingly, this is close to the price of a base model Mac Studio, which offers superior performance without the added storage costs.
Chapter 2: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
The first video titled "Is This Worth The Upgrade? M2 PRO MAC MINI REVIEW" offers insights into whether the M2 Pro Mac mini is a worthy investment.
The second video, "DON'T Buy The Apple M2 Pro Mac Mini - Here's Why," discusses potential pitfalls of the upgrade.
While the extra CPU cores may enhance performance for tasks requiring more processing power, if your work leans heavily on graphics capabilities, the Mac Studio remains the better choice. Nevertheless, I find the Mac mini appealing for its computational efficiency.
Section 2.1: Reasons to Consider Upgrading
Now, let’s delve into why upgrading could be worthwhile.
Subsection 2.1.1: Enhanced Connectivity
If you’re currently using an Intel or even an M1 Mac mini, the M2 Pro version provides greater connectivity options. For those still on an Intel model, the upgrade to M1 might have felt limiting, especially regarding hardware compatibility or eGPU support.
For users like me who already own an M1 Mac mini, the M2 Pro brings valuable new connectivity options.
Subsection 2.1.2: Performance Gains
Choosing between the base M2 Pro with 10 cores or the M2 Max—virtually identical to the Pro with slightly fewer graphics cores—can be straightforward. I would opt for the 12-core option, as the additional CPU performance is beneficial for my work.
Subsection 2.1.3: Unified Memory Benefits
Another advantage is the unified memory. I would go for 32GB to eliminate the issues associated with swapping.
Section 2.2: When Not to Upgrade
If you currently own a base M1 Mac mini and are considering a switch to the base M2 version, the benefits may be minimal. You might hardly notice the increase in clock speeds, and the only significant reason for the transition would be a need for more unified memory without requiring additional CPU or GPU cores.
Conclusion
To answer the initial question, "How costly is an Apple Mac mini with M2 Pro?" it’s a solid investment if you’re using it for work. The enhanced power translates into improved efficiency, allowing for more to be accomplished in less time.
If your primary tasks revolve around graphics, the Mac Studio might be the better option. However, it’s wise to be cautious, as Apple tends to unveil new products unexpectedly.
Pragmatic Advice
My recommendation is simple: acquire technology when you genuinely need it. There's no benefit in waiting for hypothetical advancements. If your current setup suffices, consider holding out for the anticipated M3 chip, which will likely utilize a 3nm manufacturing process.
From a Financial Perspective
The costs associated with acquiring a new Mac mini depend largely on your choices.
Intrinsic Value Perspective
A machine like this can be invaluable. If I were to upgrade, the benefits would be evident almost immediately.
Will I upgrade to M2? — TL;DR — NO.
Given that my M1 Mac mini continues to meet my needs, I plan to hold off on the upgrade. I'll instead wait to see what innovations the upcoming M3 chip will bring.
Thank you for taking the time to read this piece! If you found it helpful, I appreciate your support through likes and comments. For more content like this, don’t forget to follow me! Cheers!