Topic: Would You Buy This Used iMac For $265?

[aaronji]

^ The Satechi only uses one USB-C port. I have the one without the SSD slot, but I am pretty sure that one also uses only one slot. The other nice thing about it is that the size and color, even the texture, match the mini pretty perfectly, so you barely even notice it's there. The power lights are also the same color and line up vertically. A very well designed accessory that hasn't given me any problems over the nearly year and a half that I've owned it.

[detroit lightning]

I also have a M2 Mini that works great. Also just picked up a M1 MacBook Air for $650 at Walmart - getting a bit dated, but fine for most use. Had started by trying to find a cheaper Chromebook option, but decided to spend a bit more and get something a lot more functional.

Have been using it for a few weeks and it works just fine.

[wehideandseek]

Cool, cool.
Think i'll pass & appreciate y'all saving me a headache down the line.

[RyanJ]

Just FYI, DVC transfers on new Apple computers are a PITA. I run an old Mac Mini from 2014 in order to do any sort of legacy transfers. The loss of the firewire port has really diminished the newer Macs to do any sort of VHS, MiniDV, HDV transfers. I have been through the ringer trying to make dongle after dongle after adapter for the new Macs to recognize this older media. Especially with the loss of the Blackmagic Intensity Shuttle being supported on the newer Macs, I can't think of an easier way to run video transfers properly.

I'll be devils advocate, that Mac Studio would do well with video editing capabilities. I have an M1 Max MB Pro and M1 Mac Mini, neither of which have big hard drives. I have external SSDs that run all of my files and the native SSD running programs/applications. It works pretty well. For the Mini I run a Satechi hub that has an M2 SSD for my iTunes library and an OWC dock to add more ports to the Mac Mini as well. Again, all works well for me. You can see the Mac Mini setup here: https://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=205043.0

[wehideandseek]

Thanks Ryan! That is helpful advice.

[morst]

If you're looking for storage options for a "small" mac, check out https://owc.com for 0TB (empty / unpopulated) thunderbolt SSD cases (or USB-C or USB-3) and add your own storage.
Seems like the Satechi which has been mentioned holds your choice of storage as well. I'll be looking into those.
 


There are other brands, but besides Startech, I shan't recommend any by name.
https://www.startech.com

[wehideandseek]

Thanks Tom!

Just popped into Best Buy & they have an "excellent" GeekSquad condition mini 2 for $516...

Ryan,
I'm waiting for that Studio to drop price @ pawn...

[morst]

Just popped into Best Buy & they have an "excellent" GeekSquad condition mini 2 for $516...

If that's an 8 GB / 256 internal, that's not a super special deal. I don't prefer B&H anymore, but for price comparison, they have similar items with a price configuration tool that shows 8/256 as ~$500 bucks right now
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1746353-REG/apple_mmfj3ll_a_mac_mini_with_m2.html/

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Looks like that rumored M4 Mac Mini didn't materialize.

M2 Mac Mini is still a great machine.

[scb]

Looks like that rumored M4 Mac Mini didn't materialize.

huh? They haven't done the fall Mac announcements yet

[attymski]

You'll be able to do a lot with that computer but just know the clock is now ticking to obsolescence for the intel chips. The advice to get a new Mac Mini is good advice. I'd even go as far to say that you could buy a second hand M1-M3 and get a great value. I have been buying Apple products for decades and I almost always buy them through Apple on their refurb page. Unconfirmed but it all seems brand new, repackaged and its sort of Apples way of having a sale. Its very different than other refurbs where they might show signs of use. Ive never had a single problem in 20+ years doing that.

[Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B)]

Looks like that rumored M4 Mac Mini didn't materialize.

huh? They haven't done the fall Mac announcements yet

I thought it was going to be announced with the iPhone. Forgot about the later Mac announcements.

[scb]

yeah there should still be a mac event late october/early november