BASE M4 Mac Mini 16GB RAM NOT Enough?..My Experience After 2 Months! (HONEST REVIEW)

Summary

In this video, RJ shares his one-month experience with the M4 Mac Mini. He praises its performance for casual tasks but regrets purchasing the base model with 16 GB of RAM, finding it inadequate for demanding workflows like 4K video editing and 3D rendering. After upgrading to 24 GB of RAM, he noticed significant improvements in performance, including smoother editing, faster rendering, and seamless multitasking. RJ emphasizes the importance of upgrading RAM for creators and heavy multitaskers, recommending the Samsung M8 monitor as a perfect companion for the Mac Mini. The video concludes with a recommendation for those who plan to push their Mac Mini to its limits.

Takeaways

• 😀 The base M4 Mac Mini is a great compact machine for casual users with everyday tasks like browsing, email, and light photo editing.
• 🖥️ The 16 GB of unified memory in the base model is sufficient for basic tasks but struggles under heavier workloads like 4K video editing and 3D rendering.
• 💾 When RAM runs out, the system uses swap memory from the SSD, slowing performance and causing wear on the SSD, which can affect its longevity.
• 🎮 Upgrading to 24 GB of RAM significantly improves performance, especially for demanding tasks like 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro and 3D rendering in Blender.
• 📶 The 24 GB upgrade also improves multitasking, allowing seamless switching between apps and keeping multiple tabs open without lag or reloads.
• 💡 Apple's unified memory architecture means that the CPU, GPU, and neural engine all share the same memory, so more RAM improves overall system efficiency.
• ⏳ 24 GB of RAM reduces reliance on swap memory, ensuring smoother performance and longer SSD lifespan.
• 💵 Upgrading from 16 GB to 24 GB costs $250, which is a worthwhile investment for users with demanding workflows but might not be necessary for casual users.
• 🎯 The 24 GB RAM configuration strikes a balance between performance and cost, offering near workstation-level performance without the high price of a Mac Studio.
• 📊 The Samsung M8 monitor, paired with the Mac Mini, offers excellent value for money with 4K resolution, great color accuracy, built-in Smart TV features, and USB-C connectivity.
• ⚖️ For most casual users, the base model with 16 GB of RAM is perfect, but creators or heavy multitaskers should consider upgrading to 24 GB for future-proofing their setup.

Q & A

What was the initial experience with the base model of the M4 Mac Mini?

The initial experience with the base model was positive, as it handled everyday tasks like opening apps, streaming, and light photo editing without any issues. For casual users, the base model was a great choice.

What led to the decision to upgrade the RAM in the Mac Mini?

The decision to upgrade the RAM came after the user experienced performance slowdowns when pushing the machine with more demanding tasks like 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, 3D rendering in Blender, and keeping many tabs open in Firefox.

How does Apple's unified memory architecture impact performance?

Apple's unified memory architecture shares the same pool of memory between the CPU, GPU, and neural engine, which is efficient. However, it means that when the system runs out of RAM, it relies on swap memory, which slows down performance as SSDs are not as fast as RAM.

What happens when the system runs out of RAM and relies on swap memory?

When the system runs out of RAM, it uses the SSD as temporary storage, leading to slower performance. This can cause choppy playback, long render times, and additional wear on the SSD due to frequent writes, potentially reducing its lifespan.

What changes occurred after upgrading to 24 GB of RAM?

After upgrading to 24 GB of RAM, the user experienced smoother 4K video editing in Final Cut Pro, faster 3D rendering in Blender, and the ability to keep multiple Firefox tabs open without lag. Overall, the machine became much more responsive and efficient.

Why did upgrading to 24 GB of RAM make such a significant difference?

With 24 GB of RAM, there is enough memory to handle both the Mac OS and background processes without needing to rely on swap memory, allowing for smoother multitasking. This ensures that apps and tasks stay responsive, reducing the strain on the SSD.

What are the long-term benefits of upgrading the RAM?

Upgrading to 24 GB of RAM provides better longevity for the system, as it reduces reliance on swap memory and minimizes wear on the SSD, which is particularly important for a machine that the user plans to keep for several years.

How did Wondershare Recover It help in a previous situation?

Wondershare Recover It helped the user recover deleted files from a NAS during a critical moment, saving them from having to redo a project. The software is designed to recover photos, videos, and data from various storage devices and supports a wide range of file formats.

Why did the user choose 24 GB over 32 GB of RAM?

The user chose 24 GB of RAM because it offered the perfect balance for their needs, handling tasks like video editing and 3D rendering without pushing the system to its limits. Upgrading to 32 GB would have been overkill, as the M4 chip isn't a workstation processor and would hit its performance limit before reaching the RAM capacity.

How does the price of upgrading RAM compare to the Mac Studio?

Upgrading to 24 GB of RAM costs $250, which provides great value for users who need more performance without stepping into the Mac Studio territory. The Mac Studio starts at $1,999 and is designed for extreme workloads, making it unnecessary for most users who just need more RAM on the Mac Mini.