iMac or Mac Mini M4?

[Whiskeyman]

Good luck. I’m still fiddling as well. Part of the fun of getting something new. Just hooked up a KMV switch so that I can switch between old and new MacMini. Works pretty well. Also set up a dock underneath the new MacMini. It accepts an NVMe SSD.

Which MacMini docking station did you get, Ralph? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it after you've had it a while. And even before then if you have any thoughts you'd like to share.

I got my MacMini today. After missing the delivery yesterday, and seeing UPS's projection for a delivery window today, I decided to call Apple Customer Support and schedule a drop off at a UPS pickup point.

Bottom line is that Apple did what I needed them to, but UPS delivered it to the wrong location, and I had to go on a "fishing expedition" to find where my Mac was delivered. I got it after I pulled a few of my hairs out of my head in frustration.

Got home and set it up with an old Sony 4K montor and all seems to be as it should. I downloaded drivers for and set up my printers, only to find out that there's no Epson Print Layout software for Sierra 15.x, or so it seems; hopefully soon. Afterwards, I connected to the printers and installed Adobe Creative Cloud and Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.

The next step is to move my hard drives with my photos over, along with the Lightroom catalogs, the the new MacMini. Hopefully, by the weekend, I'll have the new machine running as my primary photography system.

 

[Ralph]

Which MacMini docking station did you get, Ralph? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it after you've had it a while. And even before then if you have any thoughts you'd like to share.

I got my MacMini today. After missing the delivery yesterday, and seeing UPS's projection for a delivery window today, I decided to call Apple Customer Support and schedule a drop off at a UPS pickup point.

Bottom line is that Apple did what I needed them to, but UPS delivered it to the wrong location, and I had to go on a "fishing expedition" to find where my Mac was delivered. I got it after I pulled a few of my hairs out of my head in frustration.

Got home and set it up with an old Sony 4K montor and all seems to be as it should. I downloaded drivers for and set up my printers, only to find out that there's no Epson Print Layout software for Sierra 15.x, or so it seems; hopefully soon. Afterwards, I connected to the printers and installed Adobe Creative Cloud and Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.

The next step is to move my hard drives with my photos over, along with the Lightroom catalogs, the the new MacMini. Hopefully, by the weekend, I'll have the new machine running as my primary photography system.

Which MacMini docking station did you get, Ralph? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it after you've had it a while. And even before then if you have any thoughts you'd like to share.

I got my MacMini today. After missing the delivery yesterday, and seeing UPS's projection for a delivery window today, I decided to call Apple Customer Support and schedule a drop off at a UPS pickup point.

Bottom line is that Apple did what I needed them to, but UPS delivered it to the wrong location, and I had to go on a "fishing expedition" to find where my Mac was delivered. I got it after I pulled a few of my hairs out of my head in frustration.

Got home and set it up with an old Sony 4K montor and all seems to be as it should. I downloaded drivers for and set up my printers, only to find out that there's no Epson Print Layout software for Sierra 15.x, or so it seems; hopefully soon. Afterwards, I connected to the printers and installed Adobe Creative Cloud and Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.

The next step is to move my hard drives with my photos over, along with the Lightroom catalogs, the the new MacMini. Hopefully, by the weekend, I'll have the new machine running as my primary photography system.

Oh boy, you can’t win can you. How could UPS screw something up like that. As far as the dock goes, it seems to be working well. I got it on Amazon. Here is the link. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DT5LKD93?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title
It’s from a company called RayCue.
I am going to install a NVMe tomorrow. Hopefully it will go well. From the reviews I read some ssds didn’t work correctly. I purchased a Samsung SSD, so hopefully all will go well. I’ll let you know how things go.

 

[Ralph]

Which MacMini docking station did you get, Ralph? I'd like to hear your thoughts on it after you've had it a while. And even before then if you have any thoughts you'd like to share.

I got my MacMini today. After missing the delivery yesterday, and seeing UPS's projection for a delivery window today, I decided to call Apple Customer Support and schedule a drop off at a UPS pickup point.

Bottom line is that Apple did what I needed them to, but UPS delivered it to the wrong location, and I had to go on a "fishing expedition" to find where my Mac was delivered. I got it after I pulled a few of my hairs out of my head in frustration.

Got home and set it up with an old Sony 4K montor and all seems to be as it should. I downloaded drivers for and set up my printers, only to find out that there's no Epson Print Layout software for Sierra 15.x, or so it seems; hopefully soon. Afterwards, I connected to the printers and installed Adobe Creative Cloud and Lightroom Classic and Photoshop.

The next step is to move my hard drives with my photos over, along with the Lightroom catalogs, the the new MacMini. Hopefully, by the weekend, I'll have the new machine running as my primary photography system.

Wayne, I installed the SSD in the docking station. It’s works fine. Just had to format as APSF. It’s a Samsung EVO 990 plus. 2tb SSD . Bought off Amazon for 129.99. I think it’s on sale.

 

[Whiskeyman]

Wayne, I installed the SSD in the docking station. It’s works fine. Just had to format as APSF. It’s a Samsung EVO 990 plus. 2tb SSD . Bought off Amazon for 129.99. I think it’s on sale.

Is the connection from the Mac to the docking station a Thunderbolt one? If so, what level of TB is it?

 

[Ralph]

Is the connection from the Mac to the docking station a Thunderbolt one? If so, what level of TB is it?

Mine is usb C. It is available with Thunderbolt 5. But the thunderbolt 5 version really isn’t a hub. It’s an enclosure for the SSD. https://www.raycue.com/products/ray...h-ssd-enclosure-for-all-new-mac-mini-m4-m4pro

 

[Whiskeyman]

Mine is usb C. It is available with Thunderbolt 5. But the thunderbolt 5 version really isn’t a hub. It’s an enclosure for the SSD. https://www.raycue.com/products/ray...h-ssd-enclosure-for-all-new-mac-mini-m4-m4pro

I'm looking at them more closely, and if I were buying now, I'd get the 80 40 Gbps version since it has a Type B CFExpress drive in the package. However, I'd inquire beforehand since there same details in th edescription that lead me to question the data transfer numbers I see.

 

[Ralph]

I'm looking at them more closely, and if I were buying now, I'd get the 80 Gbps version since it has a Type B CFExpress drive in the package. However, I'd inquire beforehand since there same details in th edescription that lead me to question the data transfer numbers I see.

That version isn’t a hub. It’s just a drive enclosure. If you want a thunderbolt 5 drive , check out OWC. They have one with a 2 tb SSD. https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TB5ENVU02/. It’s really quick. Cost $400. I was considering that one before I saw this hub. I figured for a $100 I’d give it a shot. It’s plenty fast for my needs. I copied my Apple Photos library to it. There is no delay at all When opening.

 

[Whiskeyman]

That version isn’t a hub. It’s just a drive enclosure. If you want a thunderbolt 5 drive , check out OWC. They have one with a 2 tb SSD. It’s really quick. Cost $400. I was considering that one before I saw this hub. I figured for a $100 I’d give it a shot. It’s plenty fast for my needs. I copied my Apple Photos library to it. There is no delay at all When opening.

Yes, you're correct. The one I'm actually thinking of is the 40 Gbps version. It's the one with the built in CFExpress Type B drive built in. If the connection from the CFExpress drive is in the 40 Gbps class, I'm really interested. I've also been tracking the OWC SSD you're referencing. They're both enticing!

 

[Ralph]

Yes, you're correct. The one I'm actually thinking of is the 40 Gbps version. It's the one with the built in CFExpress Type B drive built in. If the connection form the CFExpress drive is in the 40 Gbps class, I'm really interested. I've also been tracking the OWC SSD you're referencing. They're both enticing!

That’s pretty cool. I would have considered that one as well. But I didn’t know it was available until I went to their website tonight. I didn’t know about the different versions. I bought off Amazon. Oh well. I do have an external cf b drive from OWC which has the same rating. And it works directly with my iPad as well.

 

[Whiskeyman]

That’s pretty cool. I would have considered that one as well. But I didn’t know it was available until I went to their website tonight. I didn’t know about the different versions. I bought off Amazon. Oh well. I do have an external cf b drive from OWC which has the same rating. And it works directly with my iPad as well.

This version of the RayCue dock is not available until later in March! And that makes the new Delkin Thunderbolt CFExpress card reader look like it's a winner. But also having a 40 Gbps dock for the Mini is what will likely have me purchasing both of them!

Buying this new M4 Mini is turning out to be the beginning of a trip down a rabbit hole. I've already purchased an additional Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse for the new system; because now I've got a destination for my old iMac, and I've been told by CINC House that I've got to include a mouse and keyboard for the new owner.

 

[Ralph]

This version of the RayCue dock is not available until later in March! And that makes the new Delkin Thunderbolt CFExpress card reader look like it's a winner. But also having a 40 Gbps dock for the Mini is what will likely have me purchasing both of them!

Buying this new M4 Mini is turning out to be the beginning of a trip down a rabbit hole. I've already purchased an additional Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse for the new system; because now I've got a destination for my old iMac, and I've been told by CINC House that I've got to include a mouse and keyboard for the new owner.

I hear you but it‘s fun.It doesn’t break the bank. Its been 11 years since I last purchased a new computer. I use Logitech keyboard and mouse for my old mini but ended up buying the new Apple extended keyboard as well for my new one with the touch ID. I’m not familiar with CINC House. Do they purchase used computers? I’m keeping mine for file sharing.

 

[Hooligans Imagery]

Good luck. I’m still fiddling as well. Part of the fun of getting something new. Just hooked up a KMV switch so that I can switch between old and new MacMini. Works pretty well. Also set up a dock underneath the new MacMini. It accepts an NVMe SSD.

My understanding is these docs have a limited transfer speed. You might wanna check that out.
for some reason, I didn’t see the other discussion above. You are aware of the issue though.

 

[Ralph]

My understanding is these docs have a limited transfer speed. You might wanna check that out.
for some reason, I didn’t see the other discussion above. You are aware of the issue though.

oh yah. I‘m not expecting too much. It serves my purpose. I relocated my Apple photos library to it to save space on my Internal SSD. I bought the hub for its extra usb connections. The ability to install a SSD was just an added bonus. If i didn’t like the performance I would have just purchased a separate enclosure. Now I don’t have to. It launches immediately with zero delay.

 

[Whiskeyman]

I hear you but it‘s fun.It doesn’t break the bank. Its been 11 years since I last purchased a new computer. I use Logitech keyboard and mouse for my old mini but ended up buying the new Apple extended keyboard as well for my new one with the touch ID. I’m not familiar with CINC House. Do they purchase used computers? I’m keeping mine for file sharing.

CINC House - Commander-IN-Chief House. A.k.a., my wife, or also, she who really calls the shots!

 

[Whiskeyman]

I've hardly used the Mac Mini so far since I received it three days ago. I'd forgotten how long it takes to move LRC catalogs from one drive to another, and that has taken nearly all of my available time. If I had realized/remembered before hand, I would have started saving to a new external drive before the new computer arrived.

I also hadn't realized how many, and how large, my LRC catalogs had grown to.

Since most of my LRC catalogs are already on external hard drives, should I have just physically transferred the hard drives over to the new computer? I didn't think that would work, but maybe I could have done it that way.

Also, I'm reminded why we are told to backup our files multiple times, as one of my external hard drives is not working now, and doesn't even register with my old computer. It's one of two separate drives in a G-Technology enclosure, and the second drive in the enclosure is working just fine. So it appears that I now need to replace that drive with a new one. Should I replace both of the drives within the enclosure while I'm at it?