Just how good is the CHEAPEST Mac Mini in Davinci Resolve FREE?!

Summary

Alex Mists from Alex Tech reviews the entry-level £599 Mac Mini, paired with the free version of DaVinci Resolve for video editing. He explores the Mac Mini's 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16GB memory, noting its smooth handling of 4K and 6K footage. Despite the small 256GB SSD, external SSDs provide ample storage. The Mac Mini performs impressively for editing, rendering at speeds up to four times real-time, with only minor frame drops for heavy effects. Overall, it proves an affordable, efficient option for 1080p and moderate 4K editing, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious video editors.

Takeaways

• 😀 The base model Mac Mini, priced at £599, is a capable machine for video editing, especially when paired with the free version of DaVinci Resolve.
• 😀 The Mac Mini features a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16-core neural engine, and 16GB unified memory, which significantly improves its performance compared to previous generations.
• 😀 The main limitation of the Mac Mini is its 256GB internal SSD, which may not be sufficient for larger projects, but external SSDs can be used for additional storage.
• 😀 External storage, like the Ugreen NVMe SSD enclosure, is crucial for handling large media files efficiently, offering fast transfer speeds up to 3000MB/s.
• 😀 DaVinci Resolve loads quickly and handles 4K and 6K footage with impressive responsiveness, even when importing and navigating large project files.
• 😀 Basic editing tasks, like trimming, cutting, and applying transitions, run smoothly and efficiently, even for 4K projects.
• 😀 Despite its compact size, the Mac Mini operates quietly and remains cool during regular video editing tasks, making it an ideal machine for quiet work environments.
• 😀 Simple color grading and basic transitions run flawlessly, but more complex Fusion effects, like digital glitches, can cause frame drops.
• 😀 Rendering speed is impressive, with 4K projects rendering at around 100 frames per second, achieving up to four times real-time export speeds.
• 😀 The Mac Mini is suitable for most 1080p and 4K editing needs, but for more demanding tasks like heavy effects or multi-cam editing, performance may require some adjustments (e.g., lowering playback resolution).

Q & A

What are the specifications of the base model Mac Mini reviewed in the video?

The base model Mac Mini reviewed in the video includes a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 16GB of unified memory (RAM), and 256GB of SSD storage.

How does the Mac Mini handle external storage?

The Mac Mini has five USB Type-C ports, three of which are Thunderbolt 4, capable of up to 40Gbps transfer speeds. This allows users to connect external SSDs for additional storage, which is necessary due to the 256GB internal SSD.

What external storage solution did the reviewer use for the Mac Mini?

The reviewer purchased a Ugreen external NVMe SSD enclosure for about £60 and paired it with a 2TB NVMe SSD for approximately £100. This setup provided faster speeds than the internal SSD.

How quickly does DaVinci Resolve start up on the Mac Mini?

DaVinci Resolve starts up very quickly on the Mac Mini. The reviewer demonstrated that the program launched almost instantly from the loading screen, providing a smooth experience right from the start.

How does the Mac Mini perform when handling large 4K and 6K footage in DaVinci Resolve?

The Mac Mini performs impressively well with large 4K and 6K footage in DaVinci Resolve. The reviewer was able to load and work with large 110GB project files without noticeable lag, demonstrating responsive playback and editing, even when working with various video formats like H.264 and anamorphic.

What kind of editing tasks did the reviewer perform in DaVinci Resolve using the Mac Mini?

The reviewer performed a variety of tasks including trimming, cutting, ripple deletes, linking audio, color grading, and applying titles and effects. The Mac Mini handled these tasks smoothly, especially when working with 1080p or moderate 4K projects.

Does DaVinci Resolve’s free version work well on the Mac Mini for everyday editing?

Yes, the free version of DaVinci Resolve works very well on the Mac Mini for everyday editing. The Mac Mini handles 4K footage with ease, and even tasks like color grading, audio syncing, and simple effects are processed quickly and efficiently.

What limitations did the reviewer encounter while using DaVinci Resolve on the Mac Mini?

The main limitation encountered was with more demanding Fusion effects, which caused frame drops. However, this issue could be mitigated by lowering the playback resolution or using proxies, allowing for smoother performance.

How did the Mac Mini perform during the rendering and exporting process in DaVinci Resolve?

During the rendering and exporting process, the Mac Mini performed very well. The reviewer noted that the rendering speed was about 100 frames per second, four times real-time speed, and an eight-minute 4K project was exported in just 2 minutes and 12 seconds.

Who is the Mac Mini with DaVinci Resolve free version suitable for?

The Mac Mini with the free version of DaVinci Resolve is ideal for casual video editors or content creators who work primarily with 1080p video or moderate 4K projects. It’s a great choice for those looking for an affordable, efficient editing setup without the need for high-end hardware.