MacRumors has an article out this week on memory recommendations with Apple Silicon machines; Apple Silicon Unified Memory: How Much Mac RAM Do You Need? - MacRumors
I’m considering an upgrade to a M4 Mac from my iMac with Intel Core i7. I currently run it with 32GB of memory.
I use Rhino extensively with large (~200-500MB) models and rendering in Keyshot.
I’d be interested in what others are using for memory and how it’s working.
Are you sure you mean GB? I could imagine you meaning MB…
Right. MB. Thx.
Ok, thought so. 200-500GB would be… wild. Especially on a machine with only 32GB (:
Anyway, personally I like to go for as much RAM as I can fit in my budget. I use daily an M2 Max with 64GB. I regularly check files that are several hundreds of MB, even 1-2GB, to investigate potential issues reported by users in Raytraced or Rhino Render.
Thanks Nathan.
What are your thoughts on the M4 Pro Mac mini with 24GB memory?
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I have no thoughts on this, I don’t know the M4 series.
But if I had to get something I’d try to get more RAM.
24GB should be enough for 200-500GB files, though.
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I still have and use one the last 16" Intel MBP’s, bought just before the release of the 1st Apple silicon machines, its been a great machine. It may be that time to update my Mac machinery. This MacMini looks a seriously good machine, spec it up a little from the base, M4pro etc.
@nathanletwory @Seaweed may I ask what Rhino now runs like on Apple silicon as this will be the 1st machine I look at buying away from the Intel machines ?
Rhino 8 runs fine on these machines. I have access to an M1, but I don’t use that much, the M2 Max I use daily is much better. Most of the Rhino usage (testing, brick modelling, other personal modelling projects) I try to do on the M2.
It is quite good, but I prefer the Windows version, the command-line works just so much better, and better GUI and viewport handling in my personal opinion. Other than that I imagine it should be OK, certainly a step up from the Intel Mac machines.
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@nathanletwory thanks 
. Yes I’m lucky that I also use a pretty high end windows laptop, saying that I have always preferred the Mac ecosystem, each to their own personal choices eh ! The new MacMini with an M4pro chip looks a pretty sweet machine, and worth the upgrade now from my older Intel based 16" MBP
Agreed, the M4 MacMini looks to be it. I was waiting for the updated M4 Studio or even a M4 27" iMac, but those look too far down the road. I have a 27-inch, Late 2015) iMac and need to upgrade NOW.
So my Apple Bag has in it a Mac Mini with 32GB memory and 512GB SSD storage, along with a Studio Display and keyboard = $3,674.18 
Which is TWICE what I paid for my old iMac…
I’m waiting for the weak moment to click the BUY button.
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Seaweed, I"m in the same boat, The 27’ late '15 works great, actually, only the rendering doesn’t work reasonably in Rhino.
Looks like, like you, I’ve been waiting and waiting for that new big iMac, but a little concerned that we loose online safety soon, it’s nice that apple updates for a good long time, but I’m feeling like 9 yrs is pushing it.
I think the mini pro, plus upgrades to ram, and cores are worth it, SSD I’d upgrade to 1, External after that. I still don’t know how well this addresses my needs, but I find that you have 2 wks (check the web site) to return if not satisfied.
So i’lll have to have a new monitor ready to go, and test it when it arrives, I have a feeling it will be a great upgrade, but there’s a back door.
I don’t see apple display on sale yet this year, last year I think it went down to about 1,000, Black Friday… I keep looking…
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Already on the M2 Max the rendering is much better. I imagine on M4 hardware it could be even better, but I don’t know, I don’t have experience with the hardware.
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did you click ‘buy’ over the weekend 
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admit it, you are here for the story 
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I already ordered for my own story
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plot twist 
let us know how it runs (also rendering if possible)
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my rule of thumb if students ask me about how to configure a new mac:
- never take the cheapest / minimal configuration ( apple tries to offer a cheap entry level product)
- spend the maximum budget you have - but:
- never take the most expensive “all in” configuration (apple wants to make money)
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Ha, ha! No, not yet. The $2k for the Studio Display really gives me heartburn.
I’d like to have a little larger screen (32") for CAD work, but really like the 5k resolution for Photoshop post-rendering work.
I’d also like a height adjustable stand and webcam.
Any recommendations?
Pulled the plug on fully loaded M4pro (except for ssd:joy: just 1tb) . For displays I have 2 Benq PD series monitors, really nice and work well with Mac OS . I hear you with the Apple Studio monitors, beautiful but I couldn’t stomach paying that much for one either
Thanks for the advice. That BenQ PD3225U monitor looks very good for $999 (+$150 webcam 
).
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