512gb vs 1tb ssd mac mini

Mardiel8128 said:

Hello folks, do you think 512gb ssd is enough with 16gb ram? Its my first mac, I've been using windows since I born. I am afraid that one day I won't have space for install programs or download. Or would you recommend to buy an external drive

• System drive (in my case I just went for 256 GB)
• 1 TB external SSD for my sample libraries, and BIAB installations (I know, no one knows what that is... it's a software to make backing tracks with, that is a VERY big installation). This drive also has most active projects on it. This is also my Time Machine backup drive for my MacBook Air.
• 4 TB external hard drive, for archived projects (some active projects that won't fit on the 1 TB SSD are on here, too)
• 1 TB ExFAT-formatted spinner - for compatibility with Windows/Linux. I have almost nothing on this drive, but it's nice in case I pull out my Bootcamp drive, which I do every once in a while.

• 1 TB server. I don't use this much, but I'll store the occasional VM and some archives on there
• 20 TB server, which currently is having issues, so I'm not using it. If I fix it, I'll probably use that for archives, too.

1. 1 TB boot drive (yes, he went for 1 TB for his boot)
2. 2 TB Samsung T5, which I think is where he stores active projects, I haven't asked him specifically though.
3. 1 TB spinner, dunno what he uses it for
4. 10 TB Seagate for archives
5. Another 8 TB Seagate, probably also for archives
6. One of those crazy Sabrent Thunderbolt drives that get like 3 GB/s read and write. He connects this to his 16-inch MBP when not at home on his desktop.

rm5 said:

I'd recommend going for the 512 GB to save money, and then buy a couple of drives... this is how I have mine set up:

• System drive (in my case I just went for 256 GB)
• 1 TB external SSD for my sample libraries, and BIAB installations (I know, no one knows what that is... it's a software to make backing tracks with, that is a VERY big installation). This drive also has most active projects on it. This is also my Time Machine backup drive for my MacBook Air.
• 4 TB external hard drive, for archived projects (some active projects that won't fit on the 1 TB SSD are on here, too)
• 1 TB ExFAT-formatted spinner - for compatibility with Windows/Linux. I have almost nothing on this drive, but it's nice in case I pull out my Bootcamp drive, which I do every once in a while.

My miscellaneous storage that I don't use very often:

• 1 TB server. I don't use this much, but I'll store the occasional VM and some archives on there
• 20 TB server, which currently is having issues, so I'm not using it. If I fix it, I'll probably use that for archives, too.

That's how I have my system set up. Obviously, depending on what you do, you might have more or fewer drives. As an example, there's a guy I know who has the following configuration, which is absolutely ridiculous:

1. 1 TB boot drive (yes, he went for 1 TB for his boot)
2. 2 TB Samsung T5, which I think is where he stores active projects, I haven't asked him specifically though.
3. 1 TB spinner, dunno what he uses it for
4. 10 TB Seagate for archives
5. Another 8 TB Seagate, probably also for archives
6. One of those crazy Sabrent Thunderbolt drives that get like 3 GB/s read and write. He connects this to his 16-inch MBP when not at home on his desktop.

So that's a pretty extreme example. Does this help you at all?

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rm5 said:

Maybe I missed it, but what Mac are you looking at buying? An M1, M2, etc?

rm5 said:

Ok, thanks! What are you gonna do on the Mac? Anything super intense (like music production, video editing, 3D design, etc.), or basic stuff like office work? It's kinda hard for me to help you make a decision if I don't know your use case. Can you explain a little further?

Mardiel8128 said:

Thanks for the answer. I will use for word, excel, a lot of tabs open (edge, chorme), and light video editing. I plan to start my YouTube channel this year. Ocasional gaming and learning computer science.

I'm worried about the internal space, the ram I think i will go for the 16gb space, and also worried about 2 usbc. Because 1 usb port will be for mouse the other for the keyboard, 1 hdmi por the monitor, and for the headphones? Most of headphones come in usb and what about usb charger to iphone
Or a hub can handle it?

• Only 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports
• Can only drive 2 monitors, M2 Pro can drive three
• Limited to 24 GB of RAM rather than 32 GB

Mardiel8128 said:

I've been using windows since I born.

Mardiel8128 said:

Thanks for the answer. I will use for word, excel, a lot of tabs open (edge, chorme), and light video editing. I plan to start my YouTube channel this year. Ocasional gaming and learning computer science.

I'm worried about the internal space, the ram I think i will go for the 16gb space, and also worried about 2 usbc. Because 1 usb port will be for mouse the other for the keyboard, 1 hdmi por the monitor, and for the headphones? Most of headphones come in usb and what about usb charger to iphone
Or a hub can handle it?

rm5 said:

I think 16 GB of RAM will work fine for your use case. My M1 Air with 16 GB of RAM and 256 GB of storage handles tasks more intense than what you're doing just fine.

I'd get a USB hub for your keyboard and mouse/iPhone if you hook that up, and, if you need to connect more external drives, etc., you can get a dock for your Mac mini.

Keep in mind the limitations of the base M2 Mac mini though:

• Only 2 Thunderbolt/USB-C ports
• Can only drive 2 monitors, M2 Pro can drive three
• Limited to 24 GB of RAM rather than 32 GB

As a producer, I can say that you should avoid USB headphones at all costs—having headphones plugged into the regular 1/8-inch jack is the better way to go. USB headphones have been glitchy in my experience, and they also sound terrible.

What other questions do you have?

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FFabian said:

512 SSD will be fine. Get an external SSD for your large files and a Hub or a Display with an inbuilt hub to extent your port selection.

Mardiel8128 said:

do you recommend any ssd please

Jack Neill said:

Samsung T7 is what I've been using and it's been a great drive.