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New Mac mini

KankRat
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p.1 #1 · New Mac mini

Greetings I am currently using a 2018 3.6 GHZ I3. Quad Core Intel UHD Graphics 630 1536 16 gigs RAM DDR4 256 SSD

It was fine with my D7200 but recently got a Nikon D850. It's very slow with Lightroom now. Especially the auto noise reduction.

Would there be any improvement with this newer one?

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1859258-REG/apple_mu9d3ll_a_mac_mini_m4_10c_10cgpu_16gb_256gb.html/?ap=y&ap=y&smp=y&smp=y&store=420&lsft=BI%3A5451&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21417803242&gbraid=0AAAAAD7yMh0QdDJi-BpTuRvv43Y0u99M2&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwsrFBhD6ARIsAPnUFD1-ZHwLBjYSKmxxxDimN1gxeQoPmQOc4vBFthOwymFE2nkX02xBBfYaAmN6EALw_wcB
If not where is it lacking?

I don't do video, just stills. Shoot RAW 100%.

Looking to stay with Mac.

Aug 30, 2025 at 04:23 PM

Abbott Schindl
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p.1 #2 · New Mac mini

I'd probably bump it up to 24 GB of RAM and at least 512 GB SSD (1 TB would be better IMO). That machine's going to be so much faster than your current machine that you'll be glad you upgraded. Note that macOS Sequoia is its minimum os, so depending on what you're running now, you may lose some apps. The Mini will last you for many years.

Aug 30, 2025 at 06:03 PM

matoqui
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p.1 #3 · New Mac mini

I have the M4 Mac Mini and also a M4 MacBook Air each with a 512GB SSD (internal, the one inside the computer), and they work very well with Lightroom Classic. I store my LR catalog and also my images in an external SSD. I use 16GB of RAM without problems. These machines are very fast and quiet.

Aug 30, 2025 at 06:14 PM

Jack Flesher
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p.1 #4 · New Mac mini

Ideally, for stills you want at least 32gb ram, 48 or 64 a little better, and a 1tb ssd in an m4. The latest image software does utilize advanced graphics; and in Mac that usually comes on a faster chip when you spec more than the basic ram.

Aug 30, 2025 at 06:14 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #5 · New Mac mini

Base (1X)
Pro (2X)
Max (4X)
Ultra (8X)

I recommend the Pro as the minimum configuration, but prefer the Max config (not available in Mini). 32GB (or greater) is my RAM recommendation. Base (1X) + 16GB RAM config is noticeably lower performance. You could get by with only 24GB RAM with a Pro Config if needed to save a $$$, but I'd bump up from the Base + 16GB.

Aug 30, 2025 at 08:30 PM

rscheffler
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p.1 #6 · New Mac mini

The M4 chips will handle D850 files. By auto noise reduction, do you mean Adobe's AI Denoise? If so, that process is GPU intensive and the more GPU cores you throw at it, the faster it will be. With Apple's silicon, the biggest GPU core count jumps come with each tier - Pro, Max, Ultra. But this is more relevant if you want to reduce processing time as much as possible because you are working with large image sets. If you're processing single files here and there, or tens of files at a time, and don't mind waiting longer, the base chip or Pro version available in the Mini will still work.

Find the Art is Right youtube channel and check some of his benchmark/comparisons to get an idea how much more you may benefit from each successive tier.

Also, if you think you want to go with the M4 Pro Mini, and you're loading it up, price out the base M4 Max Studio as a comparison. It might be the better option if you can benefit from the 2x greater number of GPU cores. But of course it's easy on paper to keep this snowball rolling until it balloons way past your original requirements.

If the M4 Mini in your original post is what fits your budget, it will definitely be a significant improvement over your current system. For me I recently transitioned from an M1 Pro system to M4 Max because the 45MP Canon R5II files were causing Lightroom to become laggy on the M1 Pro, whereas on the M4 Max LR is very snappy. I went with a Max configuration because I use AI Denoise a lot and it significantly cut down on the time spent running that feature.

Aug 30, 2025 at 11:25 PM

KankRat
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p.1 #7 · New Mac mini

matoqui wrote:
I have the M4 Mac Mini and also a M4 MacBook Air each with a 512GB SSD (internal, the one inside the computer), and they work very well with Lightroom Classic. I store my LR catalog and also my images in an external SSD. I use 16GB of RAM without problems. These machines are very fast and quiet.

Thanks, what camera do you use?

Aug 31, 2025 at 07:43 AM

KankRat
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p.1 #8 · New Mac mini

rscheffler wrote:
The M4 chips will handle D850 files. By auto noise reduction, do you mean Adobe's AI Denoise? If so, that process is GPU intensive and the more GPU cores you throw at it, the faster it will be. With Apple's silicon, the biggest GPU core count jumps come with each tier - Pro, Max, Ultra. But this is more relevant if you want to reduce processing time as much as possible because you are working with large image sets. If you're processing single files here and there, or tens of files at a time, and don't mind waiting longer, the...Show more →

Thanks. I have been using both the newest DXO Mark Deep Prime (not the XD/2) and Adobe. The latter is slower. Just clicking on an image there is a lag right now of a few seconds. I also got a D810 and even those files are slower.
I notice the machine gets hot when I am running those. I even have the sate chi base under it and I believe there is a fan in there.

I'm going to make a wild guess that the RAM is soldered in. and I can't upgrade later if I wanted to.
The base model really does fit the budget, especially if it's on sale for $499. My wife needs a new PC too because hers is not going to support Windows 11 soon. She's doesn't like Macs so her using my old one is a no-go.

Aug 31, 2025 at 08:00 AM

matoqui
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p.1 #9 · New Mac mini

Right now I have: Nikon Z7, Z7ii, Fuji X-T5 and X-E5. I should sell some gear...

Aug 31, 2025 at 08:39 AM

KankRat
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p.1 #10 · New Mac mini

matoqui wrote:
Right now I have: Nikon Z7, Z7ii, Fuji X-T5 and X-E5. I should sell some gear...

okay. that should be plenty of pixels. Thanks.

Aug 31, 2025 at 09:33 AM

rscheffler
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p.1 #11 · New Mac mini

KankRat wrote:
Thanks. I have been using both the newest DXO Mark Deep Prime (not the XD/2) and Adobe. The latter is slower. Just clicking on an image there is a lag right now of a few seconds. I also got a D810 and even those files are slower.
I notice the machine gets hot when I am running those. I even have the sate chi base under it and I believe there is a fan in there.

I'm going to make a wild guess that the RAM is soldered in. and I can't upgrade later if I wanted to.
The base model...Show more →

Both RAM and storage is not upgradeable but the unified memory setup in current Apple silicon doesn't seem too limiting with low-RAM systems. For example my M1 Pro system is 16GB RAM and I could easily run LRC, Photo Mechanic and 10+ apps at the same time, including a ton of Safari tabs that I have a tendency accumulate and keep open. At that time I was primarily processing 24MP files and LRC generally worked fine. Memory pressure (as seen in Activity Monitor) would sometimes move into the yellow zone and a fair amount of swap was being used, but overall everything was still comfortably usable.

With 45MP files LRC became more noticeably laggy and I had to be more conscious about the number of apps and browser tabs running, but I think some of it had to do with it being M1 generation than purely RAM availability. M4 clearly has CPU improvements over M1, which is also important for LRC processes. I do think more RAM would be beneficial as it will likely increase longevity of the system, but if you need to maintain a certain budget, then get whatever M4 configuration it allows.

I would prioritize RAM over storage because you can always add external NVME SSD drives either via USB or Thunderbolt. For a while I did this with USB enclosures that were only 10gb/s (~1GB/s) transfer speed and it caused no problems with LRC. I've since transitioned all my external SSDs to Thunderbolt enclosures, but more to save time with large data transfers.

That said, if you use LR Denoise a lot, as you may know, the current implementation no longer generates a separate DNG file saved alongside the original RAW. Instead, LRC now saves this information in the catalog file and while it consumes less storage than generating DNGs did, it still has a fairly significant storage impact. For example, I currently have a LRC catalog of 3300 images that is a mix of 24 and 45MP files. All have had Denoise applied and the catalog is 35GB. The point being, if by default you keep the LR catalog on the boot drive, and you work from a single catalog for all your projects/images, over time it will balloon significantly due to the additional Denoise data. Combined with all the other system files, typical user files, plus current photo projects, could quickly fill 512GB. Since this change with how LR implements Denoise, I switched the location of catalogs to a folder within a project's folder on an external SSD and continue with the procedure I adopted long ago to create a new catalog for each project (I don't use LRC for management of all my images, therefore can live without the ability to fully utilize its DAM features). This keeps the LR catalog with the image files and completely off the boot drive, to minimize storage consumption there. While it's not necessary to create separate catalogs for each project, I would advise considering moving the catalog to an external drive.

If you buy directly from Apple you get two weeks to evaluate the system and return it without restrictions. If you buy from B&H, they typically allow 30 days, but confirm this is also possible with Apple (or computer purchases in general). This will allow you to determine if the chosen configuration will meet your requirements. Also keep an eye on Apple's refurbished site. I was recently able to purchase my refurbished M4 Max Studio 1TB 48GB 16/40 cores for slightly less than a new M4 Pro Mini with the same storage and memory specs but with only 14/20 cores. Because I do a lot of large Denoise batches, 40 GPU cores has been very useful at minimizing processing time.

Aug 31, 2025 at 12:35 PM

KankRat
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p.1 #12 · New Mac mini

Both RAM and storage is not upgradeable but the unified memory setup in current Apple silicon doesn't seem too limiting with low-RAM systems. For example my M1 Pro system is 16GB RAM and I could easily run LRC, Photo Mechanic and 10+ apps at the same time, including a ton of Safari tabs that I have a tendency accumulate and keep open. At that time I was primarily processing 24MP files and LRC generally worked fine. Memory pressure (as seen in Activity Monitor) would sometimes move into the yellow zone and a fair amount of swap was being used, but overall everything was still comfortably usable.

With 45MP files LRC became more noticeably laggy and I had to be more conscious about the number of apps and browser tabs running, but I think some of it had to do with it being M1 generation than purely RAM availability. M4 clearly has CPU improvements over M1, which is also important for LRC processes. I do think more RAM would be beneficial as it will likely increase longevity of the system, but if you need to maintain a certain budget, then get whatever M4 configuration it allows.

I would prioritize RAM over storage because you can always add external NVME SSD drives either via USB or Thunderbolt. For a while I did this with USB enclosures that were only 10gb/s (~1GB/s) transfer speed and it caused no problems with LRC. I've since transitioned all my external SSDs to Thunderbolt enclosures, but more to save time with large data transfers.

That said, if you use LR Denoise a lot, as you may know, the current implementation no longer generates a separate DNG file saved alongside the original RAW. Instead, LRC now saves this information in the catalog file and while it consumes less storage than generating DNGs did, it still has a fairly significant storage impact. For example, I currently have a LRC catalog of 3300 images that is a mix of 24 and 45MP files. All have had Denoise applied and the catalog is 35GB. The point being, if by default you keep the LR catalog on the boot drive, and you work from a single catalog for all your projects/images, over time it will balloon significantly due to the additional Denoise data. Combined with all the other system files, typical user files, plus current photo projects, could quickly fill 512GB. Since this change with how LR implements Denoise, I switched the location of catalogs to a folder within a project's folder on an external SSD and continue with the procedure I adopted long ago to create a new catalog for each project (I don't use LRC for management of all my images, therefore can live without the ability to fully utilize its DAM features). This keeps the LR catalog with the image files and completely off the boot drive, to minimize storage consumption there. While it's not necessary to create separate catalogs for each project, I would advise considering moving the catalog to an external drive.

If you buy directly from Apple you get two weeks to evaluate the system and return it without restrictions. If you buy from B&H, they typically allow 30 days, but confirm this is also possible with Apple (or computer purchases in general). This will allow you to determine if the chosen configuration will meet your requirements. Also keep an eye on Apple's refurbished site. I was recently able to purchase my refurbished M4 Max Studio 1TB 48GB 16/40 cores for slightly less than a new M4 Pro Mini with the same storage and memory specs but with only 14/20 cores. Because I do a lot of large Denoise batches, 40 GPU cores has been very useful at minimizing processing time.

thanks. Everything will go on an external drive. These are pretty sweet I have one on my current Mac.
https://satechi.net/products/mac-mini-m4-stand-hub-with-ssd-enclosure?variant=42520173150296&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22915597096&gbraid=0AAAAAD94LYRpF_ycuQnswrs0pAmgR63Lw&gclid=Cj0KCQjw5c_FBhDJARIsAIcmHK__r4pGXGBuHwFJ51yeqCD-Xciggu5MYYmuPR9xqdm2QjLnfFPW1SYaAmjJEALw_wcB

Aug 31, 2025 at 02:37 PM

RustyBug
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p.1 #13 · New Mac mini

One thing that folks also lose sight of is that not only is there the AMOUNT of RAM (i.e. 16GB vs. 32GB), there is also the speed of memory BANDWIDTH for passing back / forth.

With each iteration of chipset modular addition, the memory bandwidth also doubles.

Base - 1X
Pro - 2X
Max - 4X

So (not current specs, but you get the gist), for a Base M, the bandwidth of 100 becomes 200 in the Pro and 400 in the Max.

So, even if given the choice (crude math)

Base + 16GB = 1600 GB/sec
Base + 32GB = 3200 GB/sec
Pro + 16GB = 3200 GB/sec
Pro + 32GB = 6400 GB/sec
Max + 16GB = 6400 GB/sec
Max + 32GB = 12800 GB/sec

So, my testing of different units, I noticed that "lagginess" occurring when I was below Pro + 32GB when I was pushing things hard. Granted, more speed for processing, etc. can be gained with the Max (or Ultra), etc. but this is the rationale behind my recommendations for Pro + 32GB as a threshold minimum recommendation. Essentially, an optimized combination of AMOUNT of Memory and BANDWIDTH of Memory for an efficient $$$ spend.

In my testing there were two primary kinds of work ...
1) Lots of info to be processed over a length of time.
2) Rapid response of interactive edits (i.e. brushwork, etc.)

While, it is easy enough to "go get a cup of coffee" when doing long tasks in #1 (say batch processing some NR).

But, for #2 ... when that "lagginess" kicks in ... it jacked up the mojo in my workflow. THAT was a deal breaker, for me. I could contend with #1, but #2 sucks the big one, when it hits.

Bear in mind, that you aren't waiting 1 sec between each and every operation in editing workflow. So, if you are continuously moving your brushwork, you are looking for continuous processing. Take the above numbers and divide into 1/10 sec or 1/100 or 1/1000 sec, and now the resulting math starts to show up ... i.e. lagginess is revealed. 16GB / 100th of sec vs. 64GB / 100th of a sec. What file size / area are you working with and what processing / math operations are you applying ... yeah, the difference in lagginess can be felt between.

Personally, I went with my MBP Max + 64GB, but I have also advocated the Pro + 32GB as my recommended minimum. Given that neither bandwidth, nor amount is upgradeable in the Mac world, choose wisely. And, regarding 32GB vs. 64GB ... when I upgraded my PC rigs from 32GB to 64GB ... nothing significant was noticed in regard to lagginess. So, here again 32GB is well suited for most folks, but 16GB is too small, IMO. With primary choices of 16 / 32 / 64 ... 32 is the sweet spot for most folks.

So, the combination of Pro + 32GB is essentially 4X that of Base + 16GB (potential)... yet, that upgrade is not close to 4X the price. Art is Right charts / tests are good stuff, but he doesn't really address the interactive lagginess of #2 that much.

#2 can be a mojo killer. Most tests are about #1 kind of workload.

HTH

Sep 01, 2025 at 08:14 AM

rscheffler
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p.1 #14 · New Mac mini

rscheffler wrote:
That said, if you use LR Denoise a lot, as you may know, the current implementation no longer generates a separate DNG file saved alongside the original RAW. Instead, LRC now saves this information in the catalog file and while it consumes less storage than generating DNGs did, it still has a fairly significant storage impact. For example, I currently have a LRC catalog of 3300 images that is a mix of 24 and 45MP files. All have had Denoise applied and the catalog is 35GB.

Just an update about Denoise and that catalog. It now contains 3800 images, mostly 45MP but about 20% 24MP. Denoise applied to all. Each photo that includes people (95% of the catalog) also has skin smoothing, teeth whitening/lightening and eyes brightening AI masks applied. After I did a 'save metadata to file' XMP sidecar files increased in size to between 7-20MB and the catalog is now about 70GB. Roughly evenly split between the lrcat and lrcat-data files (apparently the latter is where Denoise, AI masks, AI 'repairs' are saved) and a few GB in the lrcat-wal file.

So just a heads up that the new DNG-less Denoise function in LR definitely bloats the catalog file considerably.

Sep 01, 2025 at 06:26 PM

tommmi
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p.1 #15 · New Mac mini

Memory bandwidth shouldn't grow if you choose more RAM? It should be 120GB/s for all RAM configurations on base M4 Mac mini, and 273GB/s for all RAM configurations on M4 Pro chip.

Other thing to take into account is the internal SSD size. M4 Macs with larger SSDs uses interleaving and striping yielding 5.2 - 6.3 GB/s read and write speeds whereas base model only goes around 2 - 3 GB/s speeds.

And these two things bind together through swapping. If you configure your Mac with too little RAM, it might eventually constantly swap things from RAM to SSD and that could slow things up and make it sluggish. Most obvious task where you can see this in action is high-res video editing with different layers and effects and dragging the timeline.

Oct 09, 2025 at 02:58 AM

Oscarsmadness
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p.1 #16 · New Mac mini

I think that the base model (the model you linked) will fit your needs just fine.

If you are going to upgrade anything, increase the RAM. That is where you will see the most benefit on a day to day basis. Otherwise, don't upgrade. Many people on this forum tend to recommend all kinds of upgrades. Everything they say is factually true, but they don't necessarily create a value proposition for you. User rscheffler earlier said "it's easy on paper to keep this snowball rolling until it balloons way past your original requirements."

Assuming that you use DXO for all your denoising, you're set with the base model M4. If you use Adobe for your denoising, consider Mac Studio because Adobe will utilize the larger GPU on M4 Max.

Focus on your original requirements for this computer. Don't let folks convince you that you need this and that and whatever else. For some context, I push D810 files through a M4 Pro mac mini (no extra upgrades), using DXO Photolab, and the computer just waltzes right along. My hunch is that the base model M4 will serve your needs well.

Oct 09, 2025 at 02:16 PM

pjmsj21
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p.1 #17 · New Mac mini

I just went through this question (different details) about three months ago. The question that I was trying to answer is not what I need today, it�s what will I need 4 or 5 years into the future. Software will continue to evolve and require more computing power�.but how much.

Oct 09, 2025 at 07:29 PM

tommmi
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p.1 #18 · New Mac mini

pjmsj21 wrote:
I just went through this question (different details) about three months ago. The question that I was trying to answer is not what I need today, it�s what will I need 4 or 5 years into the future. Software will continue to evolve and require more computing power�.but how much.

This is a good point, and the main reason why I tend to pump the specs for my Macs. I had my first iMac for ages and sold it in still perfectly working condition, got a new specced-up iMac (which from I'm writing this message) which is now 6+ years and I'm planning to sell this soon, because my specced-up M4 Pro Mac mini is scheduled for delivery next week. I plan to keep it for the next 5+ years minimum.

Oct 10, 2025 at 02:56 AM

EB-1
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p.1 #19 · New Mac mini

In 5 years that Vienna Walz will seem like the slow Waltz.

Despite a computer having a high CPU and GPU core count some operations are single threaded and benefit from newer CPU designs. As well there may be new instructions and substantially improved ability to execute at CPU and/or GPU hardware level, for example to support AI-type workloads. So while there may be some value in overbuilding to increase the useful lifetime of a computer, the optimum area under the curve may be to start a little lower and implement a 3-year replacement cycle.

EBH

Oct 10, 2025 at 08:41 AM

gdanmitchell
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p.1 #20 · New Mac mini

Since this thread seems to have come back to life, a report on experience.

A few months ago it was time to replace an older, high-end 27� iMac (one of the last non-M processor models) with something new. I ended up with a mini M4 Pro model with 48GB memory and a 2TB SSD. I set it up with a pair of 27� monitors, and have it attached to various hard droves and other accessories.

I use it for doing photographic image processing using Photoshop and Bridge/ACR, and very occasionally using Lightoom. I�m mostly processing files from teh 50MP Canon 5DsR, but also from a 40MP Fujifilm XT5.

A well-equipped mini works extremely well for still image processing. (I cannot speak to its capabilities with video, since rarely push it in that regard.) 48GB is sufficient, though 64GB would not be crazy if your work is somewhat high end and you work with extremely large files.

At the time of purchase the big question was whether one needs a Studio model or the mini will work. After using the mini for months, I would not replace it with the Studio at this point for my purposes.

When it comes to internal memory, a lot depends on how you�ll use the thing. If, like me, you have many terabytes of image files, you�ll likely store them externally. (Hopefully on a fast drive or several, and with thunderbolt access.) Since you won�t be storing all of your images on the computer�s internal SSD you probably don�t need more that 1TB. You might get by with the 512MB configuration, but I think that�s likely to be curing it close, and over the life of the computer the demands on internal storage will only increase. Do you need 2TB? Probably not.

Oct 10, 2025 at 03:18 PM

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