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User profile for user: Maestrodoug
Maestrodoug Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Is 256 GB enough for installing Finale on a refurbished Mac mini?

I am considering getting a refurbished 2023 Mac Mini to run Finale, a music notation app I have used for many years. It was recently discontinued by its owner, Make Music. I might also decide to store all my Finale files (478 GB) on this Mac Mini.


I currently have all these files backed up on a Seagate 1TB external hard drive. I am not very tech-savvy and was wondering if purchasing a Mini with only 256 GB of storage would be OK - just to install the Finale app, not the files. Or would it be better to get a 1 TB Mini to hold both the app and all my files? 


I will need to have the Sonoma operating system on the New Mac Mini, and I plan never to upgrade the OS so that Finale will continue to run on it. I don't even plan to boot up the Mini unless I need access to my Finale files sometime in the future. However, I would like them to be available to me for as long as possible. Twenty years would be fantastic.


I would be very grateful for any thoughts or suggestions you may have. Many thanks!


[Re-Titled by Moderator]

Posted on Oct 11, 2024 5:42 AM

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2 replies
User profile for user: Ian R. Brown
Ian R. Brown
User level: Level 7
22,409 points

Oct 11, 2024 6:51 AM in response to Maestrodoug

I bought a base model M2 Mac mini a year ago for £580 from Amazon together with a USB 3.0 1 TB Crucial SSD for £60 . . . problem solved!


I actually have a Sonoma operating system installed on the Crucial and run the mini off that meaning that the mini's SSD gets no wear at all. I can give you more info if required.


Surprisingly (to most people) this setup runs DaVinci Resolve and Final Cut Pro etc. etc. every bit as fast as using the built in SSD.


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Is 256 GB enough for installing Finale on a refurbished Mac mini?

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