Originally Posted By Tapas

Costco is selling the Apple 2024 Mac Mini Desktop Computer with the M4 chip base model for $479.

This makes it the best bargain in Computers for 2024.

Amazon is selling this for $559.

https://www.amazon.com/Apple-2024-Desktop-Computer-10%E2%80%91core/dp/B0DLBTPDCS/


While the 16GB of Unified Memory is adequate for most tasks, the internal storage of 256GB is limiting.

You can easily overcome this by attaching an external SSD drive.
Here is a step by step guide on how to move your HOME folder to your External Drive.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtIbGq6Od6o

It is easiest to do this when you power up your M4 Mac Mini for the very first time.
You can also move your Applications folder to your External Drive. All your new Applications will get populated in this new location. However, the factory installed Applications that come with the M4 Mac Mini cannot be moved. They take up about 1.6GB of disk space.

This is the 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD you can buy for $103.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9Y48V73

This is the SSD Enclosure you can buy for $98.

https://ziketech.com/products/zikedrive-usb4-40gbps-nvme-m-2-ssd-enclosure-z666

Apple’s upgrade path is too steep. It does not make any sense.
If you were to upgrade the base model with 32GB of Unified Memory and a 2TB internal SSD, you would be paying $599 + $400 +$800 = $1,799
It is no longer competitive at this price point.

A more sensible path is to buy the base model and add an external SSD.


Don't confuse unified memory (The way the CPU reacts with the ram) with normal memory you get in a standard PC, as due to the way it works it allows for less to perform better than what it should. (You don't need quite as much)
You will regret it if you go with 25GB of Ram, even if you transfer the complete OS to an external drive. (Go for 512GB either from Apple or 3rd party suppliers like in the Mac Studio)
Shop around, you can get a just as good enclosure for a lot less than the one you posted. (Should be about a $20 saving)
When moving critical files to an external drive, pay a bit extra and go for recognised brand name rather than trying to save a few $. (Alternative backup the cheaper drive manually on a separate drive hourly rather than daily)
Most of the You Tube videos you see are by users, not computer techs, so don't take everything they say as gospel.

Bill
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