MAC M1: Is 16 GB sufficient?

Hi there,

I'm planning to upgrade my PC (Win) and was wondering whether the Apple M1 might be an option or I'd better stay with Win.

• My current setup: UAD Apollo (FW/TB), Cubase 11 Pro, Komplete.
• Workflow and Usage: Typically I use
  • 10-20 Intrument tracks (Kontakt instruments such as Guitar, Bass, Drums, Piano, some Orchestral)
  • 5-10 Audio tracks
  • 2-3 PlugIns for FX per track

The configurations in question are:
A) Apple Mac Mini 16GB
B) Intel i9-10900 64GB

I do not have any doubt that the M1 is capable but Is 16GB on the Apple sufficient to handle my requirements?
Any comments and advice very welcome....

Thanks
Paul

 

16GB should be fine but if you are producing already, I would suggest when you have one of these projects open, check your activity monitor for how much memory is eaten by your project. That is approx how much memory you need for your work, then you need whatever the OS takes and prob at least 30%% additional overhead. All of that tallied up is how much memory you need. If that comes out to less than 16GB, you are fine.

 

Thanks for your input. I checked and if MAC handles RAM the same way as Windows, then 16GB does not seem sufficient. So it looks like that I will stay on Windows.

 

Until NI decides to take proper use of the M1 marvels (which in the future could mean less ram involved into actual process due to codecs in a chip) the best option will be go for the intel and highest ram possible.
The problem is next year (june 22) is more or less when Apple Silicon transition will end so Apple should release similar specs machines before that moment and FOR READY software better performance.
That means if you compare these models now and buy today maybe your bet will be obsolete sooner than you will expect.
OTOH if brands like NI doesn’t catch the wave these will make longer that cycle... but competency will not being arm crossed.

Research first, expend later will be my advice. Money doesn’t grow at trees...

 

hey,
I would also take 16 gb ram for now and upgrade if needed. Unfortunately, I do not know if you can upgrade current Macs. With old models you could. Ultimately, I recommend staying with Windows for now.

 

This is why I use PC... Can easily upgrade Ram, CPU, GPU all when needed and for pennies and still run software from 20 years ago if needed. There is never a performance gain switching to Mac, only a difference in how the system works and is managed.

I have a MBP 2019 and they are well built and reliable, nothing to really fuss over in getting it to perform unlike some things with PC that can require some fiddling, but my MBP was about the same cost as my PC tower was to build 12 years ago and is not as capable in many areas, has a pathetic 256GB drive (which of course cannot be upgraded) and does not even have an external monitor connection unless you use one of only 2 USB C ports for it. For "only" $800 I could have got the next model with 512GB and 4 ports.... For me I just don't get why these are so desirable but that's not a concern for me to dive into.

 

Just look what djay pro on iPhone can do today and try to wonder what an M2 could do... when software developers catch the wave.
It’s an exponential grow that people is missing. In two years intel will be irrelevant for consumer electronics and app landscape would have change forever... and apple silicon is the key.

 

M1 can not (AFAIK) support more than 16 Mb. it uses a different memory architecture and I've seen some astonished videos of Logic Pro on 8Gb running fine