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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: wehideandseek on September 03, 2024, 06:41:54 PM
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Ready to stop using my laptop for editing (WavePad & AdobeAudition).
Processor = Intel 17 4.2 GHz
500GB hard drive
RAM = 1.6G
Am i setting myself up for a PITA if it can't update past Ventura think i'll be ok w/ AdobeAudition & WavePad).
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Personally, I would be hesitant. All current releases are on Apple Silicon and Apple is pretty notorious for dropping support for old systems. Audition is also picky about older OSs. The most affordable Apple option, in my opinion, is an M1 MacMini. M2 is better, but more expensive. You can probably make it work, though, if you are good at that sort of thing...
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Thank you aaron!
Also looking at a Mac Studio at the pawn shop for $900...
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I'm using a iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019) with a 3.1 GHz 6-Core Intel Core i5 processor and 128 GB 2667 MHz DDR4, cant complain. Some apps have begun to phase to a newer OS, but I figure I still have another 5-6 years on this machine before it becomes a burden.
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Mac Mini's are awesome. I have an M2. Buy a nice monitor and a card reader, good to go. They can be had cheap
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New Mac Mini M4 is supposed to be announced next week. It will probably be more like $600, but it will be WAY faster, and more importantly get updates for a lot longer than a non-Apple silicon Mac's.
That also means the current M2 Mac Mini will get cheaper. Wal-mart has recently started selling the older Apple models for a very fair price. Unsure if they'd carry the Mac Mini, but someone likely will sell the old stock.
M2 Mac Mini is going to be plenty fast for audio (I use one for editing video, but only small projects). M4 will just get you longer updates. It will be faster too, but M2 is plenty fast for audio.
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I appreciate the continued feedback.
Just saw this at the pawn shop.
What do y'all think?
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Unless you intend to edit 4k video the Studio is overkill for audio. Basically the Studio is going to have more CPU cores that most audio software is going to need.
If $900 is in your price range I'd wait it out until next week and pick up that M4 Mac Mini. It likely will cost $600. Bonus it comes with a warranty where that used Studio won't.
The Mac Studio is a killer machine though.
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Thanks F.
I want to get more into video (producing small multimedia clips for my NPR affiliate / transferring old DVC masters) but I'm not out there shooting docs / producing films.
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I am using a nearly identical iMac i7 since 2019, and it's still just fine for me. I got it as an Apple refurb, it is a BTO item they had. I use external SATA SSDs on USB3 for Final Cut ProX video editing or Reaper audio edits and it's fine for me, didn't bother with Thunderbolt due to added cost. I did up the RAM to 40GB right away. That said, Apple Silicon is the future for sure, and I recently bought a refurbed Macbook Air M2, with the thought of having a small portable and maybe accessorizing it for desktop use. It's a bit unsettling how fast they change M processors, however the iMac is still my daily driver. Here are some +/- thoughts;
+ (plusses)
..seems cheap, if working OK. Talk them down, offer $200!
..assuming 27 inch, the 5k screen is very good; cannot be used as a standalone screen
..I don't have a problem with speed for FCP videos, Reaper, or Affinity Photo, but I might be happier with newer speeds. Just use all SSDs and Thunderbolt or USB3.x storage.
..very quiet, unless pushed hard and fan activates
..built-in speakers are surprisingly decent
- (minuses)
..it's a 2017 computer, so without the latest speeds for Thunderbolt/USB, graphics, etc.
..old enough that aging electronic components may be a consideration; it could die tomorrow
..500GB SSD is small now, and may be due for upgrade due to size & wear. PITA to open up the computer and install a larger SSD, which is a special Apple size. You could run everything from an external Thunderbolt SSD.
..When Apple drops security support for the last MacOS it runs, you have to decide to risk keeping it online, or disconnect it and run it iso. Similar for apps, you may have to run older apps.
..camera is 720p and not great, so Zoom calls are subpar.
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Thanks F.
I want to get more into video (producing small multimedia clips for my NPR affiliate / transferring old DVC masters) but I'm not out there shooting docs / producing films.
That's pretty much what I use my MacBook Air M2 for (basically the same as the current Mac Mini with a keyboard and monitor). Very basic 1080p video edits of under 10 minutes. Also for editing my live recordings on the road. Works fine for that. No experience with transferring old DVC tapes, but I'm sure it can handle it.
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Thanks so very much Glouie; so very helpful to have the pros/cons broken down like that!
I had no idea i wouldn't be able to use the iMac as a standalone screen / monitor by itself or in conjunction w/ an upgraded system. Got some good thinking to do...
BlueSky, F, will start poking around the M4 Mac mini. Appreciate that tip!
And thanks as well ol dirt; definitely in the pros side of the equation.
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Mac Mini's are awesome. I have an M2. Buy a nice monitor and a card reader, good to go. They can be had cheap
I have an M2 and it is great. When I first got it, I was astonished by how much faster it was compared to my previous Windows machine. As Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) put it, "M2 Mac Mini is going to be plenty fast for audio".
An awesome MacMini accessory is the Satechi Stand & Hub, which comes in two versions with/without SSD capability. It provides SD and microSD slots, plus some (non-charging) USB and USB-C ports.
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An awesome MacMini accessory is the Satechi Stand & Hub, which comes in two versions with/without SSD capability. It provides SD and microSD slots, plus some (non-charging) USB and USB-C ports.
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That's what I meant by card reader :D I have the same sorta thing by a different name. It holds a mini HD and SSD stick. My only complaint with it is that for use it requires using the 2 rear USB-C ports on the min, at least mine does. It's not as fast as internal SSD, but it is still very fast. Basically, use the internal Mac SSD for processing/speed and when completed move it to other long term storage.
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That's what I meant by card reader :D I have the same sorta thing by a different name. It holds a mini HD and SSD stick. My only complaint with it is that for use it requires using the 2 rear USB-C ports on the min, at least mine does. It's not as fast as internal SSD, but it is still very fast. Basically, use the internal Mac SSD for processing/speed and when completed move it to other long term storage.
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^ 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.
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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.
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Cool, cool.
Think i'll pass & appreciate y'all saving me a headache down the line.
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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
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Thanks Ryan! That is helpful advice.
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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 (https://www.startech.com/en-us/search?search_term=ssd%20usb)
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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...
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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/ (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1746353-REG/apple_mmfj3ll_a_mac_mini_with_m2.html/)
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Looks like that rumored M4 Mac Mini didn't materialize.
M2 Mac Mini is still a great machine.
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Looks like that rumored M4 Mac Mini didn't materialize.
huh? They haven't done the fall Mac announcements yet
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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.
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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.
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yeah there should still be a mac event late october/early november