Does not use them well in the sense that it does not use them well, as stated by people knowledgeable about this sharing that info with actual results to back up what they say. That is what attracted me to the M2 Mac Mini because all iterations of that model have more than 4 primary cores which is more than the m4, but a knowledgeable person here suggested that the performance cores of the m4 are much much faster than the m2's negating that advantage. I suggest that the buy more option happens more with Mac Mini's because who wants to be stuck w. a machine that doesn't have enough ram. That's one good thing about Windows machines (especially workstations) because you can very easily just buy more ram and storage and such and easily slam it in thereDoes not use them well, in what sense? FWIW, the bulk of PC users running Studio One/Srudio Pro have all the tracks, and plugins they need. Ok, I'll speak on myself. Years of creating 40 to 60 plus tracks (and please disregard those one thousand track weenies, which doesn't apply) and I never had an issue, freeze, or other. I never quite understand the buy more option, when the reason isnt so clear. At least to me, and I may not have all your needs understood. A DAW typically isnt multi core dependent at all. Video ir gaming intensive, can be. So where's your issue? On reading about S1 doesnt use cores well? Hoping you dont furnish some examples Ive seen where these users barely scratch the surface of what is truly required in real world use of production or making actual music on their own. Instead, they're typically about running a Mac Mx with the same audio repeated a few thousand times or other nonsense. Just saying.
Sure, could be a great option! The M series Macs are outstanding. And can be had for cheap (new or used). Lots to like. Be sure your peripherals will all link the way you want them to, though. Hope it works out, but if you have a Dell and Linux way of going right now, your solution to getting a new computer (or music system) could be to choose either PC or Mac.
As I;ve stated all along, I do not want another Windows machine for a number of reasons and getting Linux to work with the vst's I use is not tenable, so that seems to leave MAC Mini <for me>..what remains to be determined is which one and there is no way to tell until the m5 emerges on the Mac Mini. I do need some decent resources because amp sims seem to use a lot of resources as do certain other plugins. My old workstation is well obsoleted and I would be foolish to throw a bunch of money at a Windows machine..given everything going on.very likely I;ll just go with a base m5 new and that should serve me well for a number of years