New macs are out, the m2 mac minis are actually really well priced! remember to stack with gift cards, they don't check for student id :)
Mac Mini M2 from $795.30, MacBook Pro 14 M2 from $2840.20, MacBook Pro 16 M2 from $3532.10 @ Apple On Campus AU Store (e.g. AEU)
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@littlesoldier: Yeah I used the M1 8GB, it was very snappy, but with the programs I use, I was hitting the ram ceiling fast! 16GB should be good.
@JackFrost: yea, M1 is great but 8GB is certainly not enough
just chrome itself use up 4GB easily (with all the extensions and tabs)I know safari is better in resource management but there are lots of extensions only available in chrome
Update on comparision
Kinda gotta be frugal with options on the m2 pro mini or you definitely find yourself in studio territory.
If you do more than pro + 32gb ram.. might as well get studio.
Did anyone get the pro apps edu bundle? Do you need to prove anything?
When I purchased the pro bundle with my Mac Studio last year via Apple AOC, I didn’t have to provide any evidence.
Ordered the mini M2 @ $760 with Bupa discount gift card and the edu price. Thanks!
Did they increase the price or same as M1?
The Mac mini M1s are priced lower.
You have a link to the m1 minis? They don’t seem to be listed anymore.
I don’t, typo in my comment. I meant that the Mac mini M2s are now priced lower than the M1s.
I bought a 13" MacBook Air M2 with 512gb SSD and 16gb RAM for $2,370.50 from AOC late last year.
Now a 13" MacBook Pro M2 with 512gb SSD and 16gn RAM is $2,323.20. Should I be feeling some kind of buyers remorse haha? I thought they'd update the design of the MBP and jack up the prices.
The various edu stores offer differing discounts. I think it all depends on the % they negotiate
This is not correct.
I just priced a 16" M2 Max MBP (12‑core CPU, 38‑core GPU, 16‑core Neural Engine) across multiple AOC EDU stores.
The price is exactly the same.There are edu atores from various different universities and unions. Not just aoc
There are edu atores from various different universities and unions. Not just aoc
I have tried UNIMELB and UNSW, and of course the main AOC EPP portal.
The UNIMELB one is titled: AOC AU University of Melbourne Store Home.
The prices are the same for MBPs. ~ 12.4% discount
@Kanjus: This is apparently correct. Just tried two different AOC sites for the same 16" M2 Max config and one is $111 more expensive
So get your facts right before negging me based on your limited knowledge
Did a similar thing, bought a m1 mac mini in December now regretting a lot. The new m2 mac mini is even cheaper than the m1 i bought. But it is after 14 days return window, sad.
If you bought from apple in december they usually have an extended holiday return period until january sometime
Yes. Until JAN-08.
The performance difference isn't going to be that big if you opted for the base model. The M2 Mac Mini is likely to have the same SSD performance issue on the 256GB SSD (like M2 Macbook Air / Macbook Pro). That's one of dilemma with buying M2 base model products. Are you willing to be pragmatic about it and realise that (1) the SSD is at best PCIe gen 3 x4 anyway and (2) running SSD benchmark doesn't mean anything, especially the app that test sequential read/write only.
Usually the apple price swings are just tied to USD-AUD so since aud is up apple prices come down a bit :)
Then why does the M2 Max 16" cost more than last years?
Because aud is currently lower than when the m1 max 16 launched in October 2021?
@RickyBaker: Yes as in these launches prices aren’t as “jacked up” as last years launches iPhone 14 pro 512g $1299->$2249, Mac mini M1 Pro $1299->$1999, apple rarely changes price due to exchange rate post launch with some small exceptions
It's intentional from Apple (for Mac Mini).
- Mac Mini base model is designed to provide low cost of entry. Try to hook new users into Mac.
- The infamous 256GB SSD issue with M2 (MBA, MBP), with the price drop, I don't think people will complain.
Higher end models, Apple do expect you to pay the full Apple Tax. Also, Apple did address at least 1 of the main gripes (HDMI port is now HDMI 2.1).
Reports are only the mac mini pro does hdmi 2.1 4k 120hz the regular mac mini models dont
This has been a big problem for a long time.
in Apple Land 61Hz and above is reserved for professionals with big wallets
Yeah only the pro does hdmi 2.1 120hz over hdmi. It's 2 grand as much as the studio mac. What a joke. These prices are up there with nvidia
Has anyone bought this with gift cards? Does it work?
Of course its standard checkout
It'd be nice if a M1 Pro could be had for around $1,500.
Apple products never seem to devalue, til they're old 😂
I love how Apple deals trigger so many people
The same people that get triggered by Apple deals are those that pay RRP and get super excited that Ps5 is back in stock.
My 2017 MBP died on the weekend and was going to grab a Macbook Air M2, but now thinking of this.
I connect my MBP to my TV via HDMI mostly anyway for streaming movies and Kayo through to TV with Hue Sync lights, and doing complicated Excel spreadsheets full of formatting and formulas which was starting to slow my MBP. Would this be better value saving a few hundred dollars for what I do over going with another Macbook?
If you happy with the base model of Mac Mini M2, it is quite competitive. You do need to not have the urge to upgrade the SSD and/or the memory. Do factor in the cost of a wireless keyboard and mouse though.
Thanks didn't factor in the keyboard and mouse, which makes a Macbook closer in price but more flexible.
Unfortunately 8gb is not enough for programmer
My RPi 4 only has 4GB RAM and I can still code using that.
Kidding… yes, better to get at least 16GB RAM (preferably 32GB RAM).
Gosh its so easy to scope-creep your way up the variant list to a Max isn't it.
It's by design. The product/pricing tiers are done that way to entice you to spend just a bit more.
any gift card recommendations?
Yes i will like to know as well please. thanks
Wait for the next woolies 10% deal (ended yesterday)…they seem to occur every month or so.
If you cannot wait for the next Woolies or Coles deal, check out OZB's Discounted eGift Cards wiki page. HCF rewards seems to be the cheapest (but it is members only).
Below is a summary based on the OZB wiki:
Reward Site/Store Apple AGL Rewards 3% Alinta Energy Rewards 1% Budget Direct Rewards 5% Ent. Book/ Frequent Values 5% HCF 6% Macquarie Marketplace 5% Member Advantage 5% Redeem Your Gift Card 5% Reward Gateway 5% Hello. Is it possible to get the 5% with Reward Gateway (I'm a member) on top of the AOC Education Union (partner is teacher)?
Thanks.
Generally, the idea is to buy Apple gift cards when Woolies or Coles are having 20X bonus points (which normally work out to be 10% off - except that 10% is converted to Woolies dollars or Coles dollars). Then, redeem those gift cards to you or your partner's Apple ID (generally do that as soon as possible) unless you intend to use them in store (then don't redeem, but there is a slight risk with all the scams/hacks - people trying to hack/guess cards with Apple credits). Also, there is a limit of how many you can use in stores in one go. You can redeem as many gift cards to any Apple ID. Woolies and Coles may set a limit on how many cards you can buy for a given 20X bonus points promotion deal.
Then, buy from the AOC Edu Union Apple store, login with your partner's Apple ID. When paying for the item, be sure to tick the box to use those credits first (by default it is not ticked so watch out for that). Now, the table above is if you must buy an Apple device now and want to buy cheap Apple gift cards. In your case, use your Reward Gateway to buy Apple gift card(s). Again, only if you MUST buy an Apple device now. Most OZBers wait for the bonus points.
@netsurfer: Thanks for the reply.
So the 20X bonus points (appox. 10% off) is not off Apple gift card but for shopping at Woolies or Coles?
Also what are the chances of buying $38000 worth of gift cards during the promotion?
Still rocking my modified 2011 27” i7. Updated to Ventura, fast boot, runs everything I need snappy, and even can edit 2k video. Cost $50 on Facebook marketplace, + $25 eBay new metal compatible gpu, $30 Ali express for WiFi upgrade to Bluetooth 4.0 and $35 32gb ram Facebook market place. DIY fusion 1.5tb fusion drive for $30. Dual boot win 10 also 🤓
Did you open it up for the modified fusion? The Fusion Drive gave up on my 2013 27” iMac but was able to split just in time to load Monterey on the 128GB SSD. And are you using Opencore?
I’m still not up for opening this one up to take out the failed drive. I also noticed that the display is giving up a bit with ghosting.
I'd at least get the version with the 5k screen, once you're used to it you can never go back. but whatever makes you happy.
Just ordered a m2 mini, del date has already slid to 9 to 16 feb. A little sad that it can't be combined with the AirPods offer… unfortunately can't wait any longer.
Did you go for 16GB
Yes that’s right
Planning to buy thr base model M2 Mac mini and the intention is to downsize from my current PC (5900X, 128GB, RTX3080) as I don't do gaming that much anymore.
You might say I'm crazy but I would think why not give it a try.
you'll love it, did the same with my M1 Mini.
How's it been so far? I'm doing the same thing and moving my PC to the TV room to use as a console
Bought 14 M2 max ——- returned
Bought 14 M1 pro ——— returned
Bought Minisforum um733Any reason why? Too locked down?
@reloxation: I needed a one-cable solution that allows me to switch between the work laptop and home PC(Mac) via a TB4 docking that is connected to two 4K monitors (144hz+60hz). The work laptop and Mac seemed to be a good combo meeting this use case.
However, the 14 Macbook Pro (M2 Max) has some thermal issues, fan noise is too disturbing when the system is under high load. M1 Pro chip is a little bit under spec to me because I need to run Windows VM but Parallel Desktop only recommends allocating half of the CPU/RAM to Windows.
Last week I found Minisforum um733 has a front USB4 port that supports a 40Gbps TB interface (dual 4k monitor via docking) which is a better solution than MacOS.
How is the GPU of mini M2 compared to rtx2060 in the Intel 11 nuc?
Does anyone know if officeworks price beat AOC?
interested to know
Seems like they don't unfortunately. They mention it on their price beat page.
Funny now I'm seeing people palm off their M1 Pro for 2k, but after discounts you should be able to get the M2 Pro for under $2,500
Shopback's running 8% uncapped cashback today for apple
Does SB work with the AOC store?
Nope, pretty sure only education store
How much for 16gb ram / 256gb ssd?
For anyone considering buying the base model, this video may be of interest to you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1XWHFkHgp8That's crap - my M1 SSD mini is almost twice as fast on one of the tests.
I wonder if the speeds on the 512 gb or higher chipsets are compromised.
That's shitty but good side is you can buy tb3/4 case with 2TB storage rather than paying extra for 512GB upgrade, 512GB won't still be enough to me personally.
Guys I’m deciding between 2 models and am torn between
Option A:
M2 Mac Mini 512gb ssd and 16gb ram (8 core cpu, 10 core gpu) - $1343.10 ships 16th of febOption B:
M2 pro Mac mini 512 gb ssd and 16gb ram (10 core cpu, 16 core gpu) - $1775.40 ships 2nd of febThis will be my primary machine, would like it to be ready for anything I throw at it. I think I’ll keep it 10 years.
Is the $432.30 extra for option B worth it?
Nothing last 10 years comfortably in this realm
My 2013 MacBook Air begs to differ.
Yeah but how about i5 vs i7 variant of such model? They are equally slow to me, or equally satisfactory to you. It probably runs slower than your iphone 7, so in answering your question, after 10 years, they both can only handle simple tasks, just like what your powerfull Macbook Air 2013 can handle right now.
@rainbowyen: Fair enough, thank you. Appreciate the response!
Now that I’m back on the market, I’m looking for insight on which option is a more recommended buy. In terms of bang for buck perhaps? Also longevity.
Reports of slower SSD speeds 🤔
https://appleinsider.com/articles/23/01/24/entry-level-m2-ma…
Oof if they were already < 3GB/s
Hopefully still faster than iPhone flash storage speed
Slower relative to what though? For general use it still looks fast. Video pros will stick to M2 pro version anyway.
Ah missed a keyword though the link was in the following line
Seeing many articles spawn yesterday
Can mac mini be connected to macbook pro with wire and use macbook pro as display?
Prices have gone up in the education store since this was posted, could be due to currency fluctuations. Does anyone know how often prices change in Education store?
there are two types of education store.
the standard education store and the aoc education store, which is the one posted here.
The price from AOC store is always slightly cheaper than the standard education store.
The price from Aoc is not up.Thank you very much!
I have some Westfield Gift cards.
Is it possible to order from the AOC store online and then pick up from an apple store inside a Westfield shopping centre and pay with the Westfield gift cards?
Just past 12am, delivery date for most (all) models has been updated from 01/02 to 06/02.
Just received my Mac mini. Have never used Mac - still getting used to it. Thanks for sharing the deal.
@Ahan Iam thinking to get the Mac mini 512GB. Which one did you buy and how do you rate your new Mac?
I got the base model. I will return it. Didn't quite enjoy the experience. I didn't find it fast. I have 2 2k screens - from looking online, Mac does not work with 2k screens well. The font size is too small by default.
Can you change the font to bigger size? Like in windows?
@saiya78: I am a PC user as well. From what I can see online, I have to change individual programs (browser, file explorer equivalent and etc) but still I experience small texts in some programs…
Don't be discouraged. If it doesnt work, just return it. I will return mine tomorrow.
@Ahan: @Ahan thanks for your advice 👍 I am just worried if return to the store they might ask student ID which i don’t have it 😅
I actually got a Mac Studio (M1 Max, 32GB, 512GB) at home for work (from the company)
and I have also ordered Mac Mini M2 Pro (16GB 512GB) for personal use
Will see the difference about performance, but at the minimal my M2 Pro Mac Mini is to replace M1 Mac Mini (8GB, 256GB)
So I will be no regrets with the upgrade anyhow