u/Dear-Technology-1383

Trying to estimate what a future Mac mini M5 24GB / 512GB might cost.

Assuming Apple keeps the base model around the same price as the current M4, do you think a 24GB / 512GB config would likely land around $1,100–$1,200 USD before tax?

Also, do you think 24GB configs could be backordered at launch?

Main use: office work, web, WordPress, Teams/Office, and light video editing. Trying to figure out if waiting for M5 is actually worth it, or if a discounted/refurbished M4 24GB is the better value.

Hey everyone,

I’m trying to decide between two Mac mini configs — or possibly waiting for the M5 — and I could use some outside perspective from people who actually use these machines.

For context, I’m currently using an M1 MacBook Air with 8GB of RAM, and while it still works, I definitely feel constrained by the memory. That’s one of the reasons I’m looking at moving to a Mac mini with 24GB.

I’m looking at:

• Mac mini M4 24GB / 512GB — $1,263.58 CAD tax in
• Mac mini M4 Pro 24GB / 512GB refurbished — $1,850.35 CAD tax in

So the real difference is about $586.77 CAD.

My use case:

• Lots of browser tabs
• Office / Teams / productivity work
• WordPress / Elementor
• Some light-to-moderate Final Cut Pro
• Maybe some local AI / LLM tinkering, but nothing crazy
• I want to keep the machine around 6–7 years
• I’m considering replacing/selling my laptop and using the Mac mini as my main fixed computer

The M4 24GB seems like the rational choice. It’s probably already more than enough for what I do, and going from an M1 Air with 8GB to an M4 mini with 24GB would already be a huge upgrade. I also like the idea of having a simple, quiet, efficient machine.

But the M4 Pro refurb is tempting because the price gap is not insane, and it feels more “future-proof”: better GPU, more headroom, better ports, more comfort if I do more video work later. It also makes me worry less about buying now and regretting it if the regular M5 Mac mini comes out soon.

That’s actually my third option: just wait for the M5. Part of me is worried about buyer’s remorse if I buy an M4 now and Apple releases the M5 Mac mini in the next few months. On the other hand, I don’t know if the M5 will be meaningfully better for my use case, whether it’ll be more expensive, or if availability/pricing will be weird.

My hesitation with the Pro:

• I probably don’t need it
• It may run louder under load than the base M4
• It goes a bit against the minimalist/sufficient-machine logic
• I usually don’t buy “Pro” Apple stuff unless there’s a concrete benefit. For example, I buy regular iPhones, but I did buy AirPods Pro 2 because ANC was a real feature I wanted.

So I guess the question is:

For a 6–7 year desktop purchase, would you buy the M4 24/512, pay the extra ~$587 CAD for the M4 Pro refurb, or wait for the M5 to avoid buyer’s remorse?

Would especially love to hear from people who moved from an 8GB M1 MacBook Air to a Mac mini, or people who have used both the M4 and M4 Pro.

Thanks!