The only Mac Studio feature that keeps me from buying a new M4 Mac Mini this fall

It's hard to believe that I've had my M1 Max Mac Studio for almost two years now. I still consider it my new machine because it's the newest machine I've purchased. Back then, it was ideal for my workload.

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I ordered the M1 Max version instead of the M1 Ultra version and saved $2,000. This is what I said in 2022:

“I actually considered buying the M1 Ultra model just to future-proof the machine for a few more years. But I would have spent so much more that from a pure cost perspective it probably makes more sense to upgrade again in a few years and save the $2,000 now.”

And yes, we are now in the “just a few more years” phase – and I am thinking about an upgrade.

The M1 Max Mac Studio handled everything I threw at it. I did video editing, coding, server support, writing, general business management, and 3D design. For the most part, the M1 Max was up to the task.

For the most part.

Over the past few months, I've been working hard on 3D design for a project I'm currently working on. I've designed more than 40 new parts, some of which are quite complex. This is where the M1 Max started to stutter. I can get by with it for a little while longer, but while the 2022 Mac Studio is a solid workhorse, it's starting to affect one aspect of my productivity.

But what about the M4 Mac Mini?

That's where the rumored M4 Mac Mini comes in. According to rumors (specifically, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman), an M4 Mac Mini is set to launch in October or November. It's said to be smaller than the form factor we've been using for over a decade, and will sacrifice the old-fashioned USB-A ports in favor of a set of USB-C ports.

The Mac Mini has long been my favorite machine. I've probably bought 10 of them over the years and currently have four in use. When pushed to the maximum performance reserves of the Mini, it has proven to be a solid machine at a reasonable price.

Also: New Mac Mini: As powerful as M4 and yet as small as an Apple TV?

Even the base M4 is noticeably faster than my fully loaded M1 Max Mac Studio. An M4 Mac Mini with good storage probably costs about the same as my Mac Studio, so around $2,000.

I want the increased performance of the M4, but will wait to buy until sometime in 2025 when Apple introduces the next generation Mac Studio.

Why?

It's not the performance. It's not the price. It's not even the wide range of ports that allow me to connect nine devices to my Mac Studio. Instead, it's a quality of life feature that makes the Mac Studio a standout in my daily workflow.

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The reason I'm hesitant to buy is the SD card slot on the front of the machine. Mac Minis had an SD card slot on the back in 2012. It was inconvenient to reach and Apple discontinued it. But then, after many years, Apple put an SD card slot on the front of the machine on a Mac Studio. All was well again in my world.

Seriously, I constantly use SD cards with my Mirrorless camera Sony Alpha ZV-E10In fact, the photo above in this article was taken with this camera, along with the Sony SEL30M35 30mm f/3.5 E-mount macro lens. After the shot was taken, I pulled the card out of the camera and inserted it directly into the front of my device.

I also use SD cards on many of my 3D printers, especially when setting up and testing new printers. Some 3D printers have wireless interfaces, but it's still better to load test prints onto an SD card while calibrating the printer.

You can inexpensive SD card reader that plugs into your computer. I've done that for years. But the extra cable and dongle make my desk clutter, and that simple slot right in front is just so convenient.

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So that's it. I probably won't buy the new M4 Mac Mini. I'll probably wait six months or more until the new Mac Studio comes out. And that's because I don't want to give up the front-facing SD card slot.

And you? Are you thinking about getting an M4 Mac Mini? Would you hold off on a purchase just because of an SD card slot? Do you use SD cards? Let us know in the comments below.

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