Intel minis seem to be dirt cheap...

[sekker]

Bernie wrote:
M1 or nothing.

Yes, Geekbench is 'just' a score - but if you haven't visited recently, go there now.

https://browser.geekbench.com/mac-benchmarks?noloop=1

I'm typing this on a 2012 Intel Mac laptop. The Geekbench score for the last decade for Intel Macs have not even gone up 50% for single CPU scores. Which is what using Macs 'feels' like. No real change in user speed.

But trying an M1? I think the Geekbench score differences - which are substantial - underestimate the advance Apple has made.

If you can use an Intel Mac right now, and you see no clear need for 'future-proofing', these are a viable deal.

But my work - and home - inventory are ALL moving to Apple Silicon for any new purchases. I have plenty of older Intel Macs to handle any legacy 32bit programs, however.