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Newer player revived a thread of mine that reminded me of tests I had run a few years back on several 2014-2017 MBPs...it's really been a while since I looked into this seriously

TomLC, wifi itself isn't usually a huge problem, but if you have a MacOS upgrade downloading in the background, that might disrupt things. I think the simplest thing to do is to just use the machine as a dedicated VST player, shut down any unnecessary programs and processes, and prevent it from being able to make automatic updates that might change how the system behaves. Of course, for that you need the luxury of having a machine that can be dedicated to nothing else.

Hello, since a year now, I'm using an Intel NUC8i5BEH with 16Gb of RAM, and 256GB NVMe SSD, Windows 10 and the Garritan CFX Pro. It is hooked behind a 24 inches monitor that serves me to show partitions as I play. Never got any issue with this.

Ok, I guess I’m stupid. The mini will be great. I appreciate that. However, I will need to control it until it is set up, VST installed, etc. So without buying another monitor, mouse, keyboard, how?

once you get it going (probably need a monitor for a short period), you can use an iPad to control over VNC (screen sharing) in lieu of monitor/mouse/keyboard. I use an iPad and then you can use it to control vst's etc. I also have luna displays as well, but for simple uses, VNC is more than fine. The "screens" iOS app by edovia is a pretty great vnc app but am sure there are free ones.

dng, that’s a good idea. Using the iPad. Yet, maybe I will just get a rebuilt laptop, disconnect WiFi and only run VST’s. Once it’s set up, place it behind the music desk with the Motu 2 and forget it.

yup, I guess for me, I'm reading music from the iPad anyway, and my whole apartment is an apple household

If not for my wife's Iphone we'd be an Apple-free home.

Apple's products are okay (with some exceptions), but I despise the company's tactics.
I'll never buy another Apple product again.

My Mini is headless, I connect to it through VNC from my iPhone, iPad or other Mac.

They have hands down the best computer product on the market. Is it totalitarian, yes, but so is the competition.

VNC is an interesting option for a headless unit.

I might give it a shot, but I think my first priority (as always) is going to be to get as low-latency performance as I can with fewest variables, so I'll probably start with a clean setup, disabling as many extensions/indexing processes as possible, no wifi/bt, etc....

Of course, if it becomes a hassle to get into the system and make changes (yes, setting up a monitor, etc.), then I have a Mac I can use to VNC into it.

Never had to bother with these when using a laptop

You can put hands down if you like.
But I'll put hands up for my Lenovo laptop. Still going after seven years, still performs well. And it can actually be repaired if need be!
I'm with Louis Rossman on this. Mac books are only great if you make money repairing them.

Just a quick update...I've been poking around the used mac mini scene and getting a bit jaded. A decently kitted out 2012 with 16GB ram and 256GB SSD is like $350-400 refurb/used, and this is for a nearly 10-year-old device. Sure, it's cheaper than the $650 Apple wants for a brand new M1 mini (edu discount), but along with taking the chance on a used device (and unknown longevity), I'm leaning towards just getting the M1, dealing with Rosetta 2, and this will at least be future-proofed if I move to a new VST in 3-5 years.

I am starting get a real case of GAS. So I've been looking at Apple Laptops Certified Renewed on Amazon. $300 to $600. The system requirements for Garritan are 4GB RAM and 133GB SSD, with 8GB RAM "preferred." I have an external SSD (500GB) with the samples installed. So I would think an Apple Laptop with 4GB RAM and a 128GB SSD would be plenty. If I need more storage could I use the external SSD as I do now on my Mac that has 8GB and a 1TB SATA drive?

Edit: This laptop would only have VST's on it. Nothing else running at the same time.

Well, I (Amazon) misspoke. These are not certified by Apple. They have a 90 day guarantee.

Like this for $400.00.

Apple Laptop

a really bad idea

yep I'd totally recommend a refurb Mac mini m1 for $590 when it's back in stock on apple.com (can set alerts on refurb.me), at this point. doesn't make sense to get an intel one given newly developed apps will be for Apple Silicon.
https://www.apple.com/shop/product/FGNR3LL/A/refurbished-mac-mini-apple-m1-chip-with-8%E2%80%91core-cpu-and-8%E2%80%91core-gpu

at this point, intel Mac mini is EOL to me

Once again dng, you've come through in spades. Refurb would be great, this thing will likely be mounted out of sight and headless

Makes no sense to save $200 to buy a 10 year old version.

And if VSL has an AS-optimized version and they move off the hardware dongle, maybe I'll try out their CFX...

I’d say chances are good we will both have an opportunity to consider VSL! I too use Garritan and would not consider VSL if it required a hardware dongle to upkeep. Looks like with the planned move to iLok, you can use internet based authentication in lieu of a dongle if you’re open to allowing network access. Here is also VSL’s comment on Apple Silicon support:

https://www.vsl.co.at/community/posts/t57384-Moving-from-eLicenser-to-iLok#post302591

https://www.vsl.co.at/community/posts/m301742findlastpost-Apple-Silicon-support#post301742

Done. Refurb M1 Mac Minis were back in stock at the Apple Store today, $589. Better than the Edu price, and only $200 much more expensive than a 9-year old used i7 mini with SSD. Sheesh.

I'll take my chances with Garritan running through Rosetta 2, and this way I'll have way more options over the NEXT 10 years with this system than with the other choice.

Thanks everyone for the responses and options here, and especially to dng, you really went out of your way to dig out a lot of useful resources!