If this was your use case, WWYD?

[ssledoux]

I have just been struggling with my “right” device setup. I have been iMac-less for 3-4 years, and currently have an iPP 11”. I was functioning just fine with the 2018 in between selling my 2nd gen 12.9, and purchasing my 11”. Granted, the 11” is a stunning device, and if iPad remains my main “computing” device, I’d definitely keep the pro. However, I’ve been thinking of going back to having a desktop.

When I went all in on iPP a few years back, we had a terrible satellite internet plan, and I went iPP so I could go data only. My only drawback then (and even now) was not having a place where I could store all my photos, load them into Shutterfly and make books/yearbooks.

FF to now; our LTE has actually gotten worse over the last year, and due to a work from home job, I got a new satellite internet plan that is actually working extremely well.

Add to the fact that with my iPP, I rarely move it from my desk unless I’m going out of town. I have it in a stand and use it with a full-size apple-like bluetooth keyboard. I’m basically using it as a desktop. When I go sit in my recliner, I rarely bring it - just wind up using my phone if I want to peruse instagram or Pinterest, or play the only couple of games I play.

In this situation, WWYD? The ONLY thing I’d love to do that my pro won’t do is make photo books easily (I’m sure I could find a way around it, but it definitely won’t allow me to do anything other than just load pics into some pre-made album). The other thing is not always being able to access full websites, which can occasionally be an issue with my Disney travel agent work (I can usually manage this okay though).

Would you go back to a desktop? (Laptop NOT an option - I just don’t like them at all) If so, would you then downgrade to a cheaper iPad, or just keep the pro? I’d love to do a mini and think I’d actually use it a bit more because of reading in bed, but I don’t know how well it would do with my digital planners and such (like actually writing on it).

If you’ve read through this, I appreciate it. I have an idea of what I think makes the most sense for me going forward, but I’d love others’ opinions in case there are things I’m not considering.

 

[ericwn]

Personally, I wouldn’t go back to a desktop if I don’t have to, but your situation might be different and I don’t fully understand what computer functionality you need with your job.

If you are struggling with your job tools, then I’d upgrade for sure. You probably use these hours each day.

 

[sparksd]

At home I use my docked laptop with 24" monitor, Bluetooth keyboard, & attached storage for most computer-based activities, including web browsing. As configured, it's essentially a desktop. I just like working with the large screen and using a mouse. I have a 10.5" iPad Pro that I use mainly for casual consumption (reading, watching stored movies, etc.); it's overkill but I like the display and size so I don't care. I have an 8" Android tablet that works very well but rarely use it as I prefer the iPP's larger screen. So answering your question for myself, I would go with the desktop and keep the Pro.

Edit - I do a lot of photo processing and wouldn't want to it anywhere but on a desktop-type environment.

 

[ssledoux]

Personally, I wouldn’t go back to a desktop if I don’t have to, but your situation might be different and I don’t fully understand what computer functionality you need with your job.

If you are struggling with your job tools, then I’d upgrade for sure. You probably use these hours each day.

With my job, it’s mainly being unable to access full websites. I’m dealing with Disney stuff mostly for that particular job, and a lot of our agent sites struggle with the mobile devices.

The other thing is the lack of being able to do any type of digital photo book stuff, which of course is personal and not job-related.
[doublepost=1556463955][/doublepost]Also, it just hit me that for my part-time job where I work out of the house a couple mornings a week, I could access our Quickbooks, LightBlue, and ordering software from a desktop whereas with the iPad, I don’t get the full sites. That gives me a partial work-from-home option with that job as well, and the girl I work for is definitely open to that - super flexible.

 

[sracer]

I have just been struggling with my “right” device setup. I have been iMac-less for 3-4 years, and currently have an iPP 11”. I was functioning just fine with the 2018 in between selling my 2nd gen 12.9, and purchasing my 11”. Granted, the 11” is a stunning device, and if iPad remains my main “computing” device, I’d definitely keep the pro. However, I’ve been thinking of going back to having a desktop.

When I went all in on iPP a few years back, we had a terrible satellite internet plan, and I went iPP so I could go data only. My only drawback then (and even now) was not having a place where I could store all my photos, load them into Shutterfly and make books/yearbooks.

FF to now; our LTE has actually gotten worse over the last year, and due to a work from home job, I got a new satellite internet plan that is actually working extremely well.

Add to the fact that with my iPP, I rarely move it from my desk unless I’m going out of town. I have it in a stand and use it with a full-size apple-like bluetooth keyboard. I’m basically using it as a desktop. When I go sit in my recliner, I rarely bring it - just wind up using my phone if I want to peruse instagram or Pinterest, or play the only couple of games I play.

In this situation, WWYD? The ONLY thing I’d love to do that my pro won’t do is make photo books easily (I’m sure I could find a way around it, but it definitely won’t allow me to do anything other than just load pics into some pre-made album). The other thing is not always being able to access full websites, which can occasionally be an issue with my Disney travel agent work (I can usually manage this okay though).

Would you go back to a desktop? (Laptop NOT an option - I just don’t like them at all) If so, would you then downgrade to a cheaper iPad, or just keep the pro? I’d love to do a mini and think I’d actually use it a bit more because of reading in bed, but I don’t know how well it would do with my digital planners and such (like actually writing on it).

If you’ve read through this, I appreciate it. I have an idea of what I think makes the most sense for me going forward, but I’d love others’ opinions in case there are things I’m not considering.

Sounds like you are now at a point where I was a year or so ago. I was using my 12.9 Pro as my primary tablet/notebook (but have a 21" iMac in my home office) When I was away from my home office and needed to do some desktop-y things, I'd use Jump Desktop to connect remotely to my iMac... and between the ASK and Citrix X1 mouse, I was able to have my "desktop out and about".

But the limitations of iOS became burdensome. It's great as a tablet, but I pretty much leveled out at doing any desktop-type stuff beyond some basic things.

I'd recommend getting an iMac for your home office... since your 11" iPP was essentially stationary, it was serving that purpose in a way. The entry level iMac offers the most value for the price, and I've been able to do everything I need (video encoding, audio editing, graphic editing, book publishing, running virtual machines, etc.) on the base model, so unless your needs require more than that, go with the base model.

As for 11" iPP, you already have it so it makes sense to keep it (unless you can sell it or pass it on to someone else). Depending upon how important those Pro-exclusive features are to you (ProMotion, TrueTone, Face ID, quad speakers, Pencil 2, etc.) you could go down to an Air 3.

If you are using your iPP in landscape mode for your digital planner (seems most people like that orientation to have a 2-page spread) then the Mini is going to be a no-go. My digital planners/journals are oriented in Portrait mode, and I can use any size iPad effectively for taking notes. My experiments with the Mini 4 and Dash 3 stylus took a little while to gel, but things are working pretty good...will be even better with the Mini 5 and Pencil/Crayon. The biggest adjustment is with the need to zoom on the Mini for writing. Reading is no problem.

 

[ssledoux]

Sounds like you are now at a point where I was a year or so ago. I was using my 12.9 Pro as my primary tablet/notebook (but have a 21" iMac in my home office) When I was away from my home office and needed to do some desktop-y things, I'd use Jump Desktop to connect remotely to my iMac... and between the ASK and Citrix X1 mouse, I was able to have my "desktop out and about".

But the limitations of iOS became burdensome. It's great as a tablet, but I pretty much leveled out at doing any desktop-type stuff beyond some basic things.

I'd recommend getting an iMac for your home office... since your 11" iPP was essentially stationary, it was serving that purpose in a way. The entry level iMac offers the most value for the price, and I've been able to do everything I need (video encoding, audio editing, graphic editing, book publishing, running virtual machines, etc.) on the base model, so unless your needs require more than that, go with the base model.

As for 11" iPP, you already have it so it makes sense to keep it (unless you can sell it or pass it on to someone else). Depending upon how important those Pro-exclusive features are to you (ProMotion, TrueTone, Face ID, quad speakers, Pencil 2, etc.) you could go down to an Air 3.

If you are using your iPP in landscape mode for your digital planner (seems most people like that orientation to have a 2-page spread) then the Mini is going to be a no-go. My digital planners/journals are oriented in Portrait mode, and I can use any size iPad effectively for taking notes. My experiments with the Mini 4 and Dash 3 stylus took a little while to gel, but things are working pretty good...will be even better with the Mini 5 and Pencil/Crayon. The biggest adjustment is with the need to zoom on the Mini for writing. Reading is no problem.

Thanks for the great info, as usual!!

I would definitely go with the entry level iMac. I definitely don’t need more than that. In fact, I’m wondering if I could go with the 1099 previous model, or if the Retina display or other features on the new one are worth the $200 jump.

I do use my planners in landscape mode (although I’m sure I could adjust that). I think my biggest reason for considering a mini is that I think I’d use it more overall due to size and weight. I know I’d likely do a lot more reading in bed, since I don’t do any now with the iPP.

I mean I could probably go back to the 2018 with no problem, but think I’d consider the Air 3 due to the ability to use the Smart Keyboard, or the mini due to the portability factor.

 

[sracer]

Thanks for the great info, as usual!!

I would definitely go with the entry level iMac. I definitely don’t need more than that. In fact, I’m wondering if I could go with the 1099 previous model, or if the Retina display or other features on the new one are worth the $200 jump.

I do use my planners in landscape mode (although I’m sure I could adjust that). I think my biggest reason for considering a mini is that I think I’d use it more overall due to size and weight. I know I’d likely do a lot more reading in bed, since I don’t do any now with the iPP.

I mean I could probably go back to the 2018 with no problem, but think I’d consider the Air 3 due to the ability to use the Smart Keyboard, or the mini due to the portability factor.

Sorry, I should've clarified... I have a base 2017 iMac (purchased in 2018)... I guess that would be the previous model. I paid either $1099 or $999 (if it was on sale).

My Mini 4 started out being my supplemental iPad to the 12.9 Pro. The 12.9 Pro was absolutely not usable for me on an airplane and using it on-the-go in airport terminals, restaurants, etc. were not pleasant experiences either. That's where the Mini 4 came in.

The small size and weight of the Mini 4 (smart cover + skin for the back) is so convenient and portable that it gives me incentive to work through the challenges of the smaller form-factor to "make it work".

Perhaps you could find that Mini 4 (I remember that you were having difficulty finding affordable units) and test it out for your digital planner purposes before passing it on to one of your grandchildren. There really is no better option to see if the form-factor will work than to actually try it.

Of course you could simply buy a Mini 5 and heavily kick the tires within the return window.

 

[ssledoux]

Sorry, I should've clarified... I have a base 2017 iMac (purchased in 2018)... I guess that would be the previous model. I paid either $1099 or $999 (if it was on sale).

My Mini 4 started out being my supplemental iPad to the 12.9 Pro. The 12.9 Pro was absolutely not usable for me on an airplane and using it on-the-go in airport terminals, restaurants, etc. were not pleasant experiences either. That's where the Mini 4 came in.

The small size and weight of the Mini 4 (smart cover + skin for the back) is so convenient and portable that it gives me incentive to work through the challenges of the smaller form-factor to "make it work".

Perhaps you could find that Mini 4 (I remember that you were having difficulty finding affordable units) and test it out for your digital planner purposes before passing it on to one of your grandchildren. There really is no better option to see if the form-factor will work than to actually try it.

Of course you could simply buy a Mini 5 and heavily kick the tires within the return window.

The 2017 is still offered on the Apple site. I was just wondering if I should go that route for 1099 or the new 2019 route for 1299 - just wondering if the upgrades and differences are worth the 200. I know I wouldn’t likely notice a difference, especially for my uses, in the performance, but don’t know if I should buy a 2yo device going in.

And yeah downsizing to a mini is a bit scary, although there are things I think would be great about it for my use case - I certainly think it would spend less time sitting on a desk. I have had minis, but it’s been a long time, and I’ve certainly been using bigger devices now for a good while.

 

[Oohara]

Not sure I understand your needs exactly, and I don't have personal experience with this yet so please take it with a grain of salt - but wouldn't it be possible to buy just a Mac Mini and use the iPad Pro as its monitor? Then you could have the best of both worlds, so to speak. And you wouldn't have to buy a monitor for the Mini.

Setting up the Pro as a monitor for the Mini seems straightforward enough with Luna Display, and you get the bonus feature of being able to use touch controls on MacOS if you want: https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/20/mac-mini-ipad-pro-luna-display/ You already have the keyboard so would only need a mouse.

I'm about to buy a iPad Pro 11 myself and when my old MacBook starts getting too tired, the Mac Mini + iPad Pro approach is what I intend to use.

As for displaying sites in desktop mode on iOS, have you tried Dolphin browser? I actually use Puffin browser to deal with pesky desktop-only sites on my iPhone (sadly doesn't get updated anymore) which works perfectly, and people are telling me Dolphin is just as good (the iPad version). https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dolphin-web-browser-for-ipad/id460812023?mt=8

There's also Opera Mini which is supposed to work as well https://itunes.apple.com/se/app/opera-mini-web-browser/id363729560?mt=8

 

[ssledoux]

Not sure I understand your needs exactly, and I don't have personal experience with this yet so please take it with a grain of salt - but wouldn't it be possible to buy just a Mac Mini and use the iPad Pro as its monitor? Then you could have the best of both worlds, so to speak. And you wouldn't have to buy a monitor for the Mini.

Setting up the Pro as a monitor for the Mini seems straightforward enough with Luna Display, and you get the bonus feature of being able to use touch controls on MacOS if you want: https://www.macrumors.com/2018/11/20/mac-mini-ipad-pro-luna-display/ You already have the keyboard so would only need a mouse.

I'm about to buy a iPad Pro 11 myself and when my old MacBook starts getting too tired, the Mac Mini + iPad Pro approach is what I intend to use.

As for displaying sites in desktop mode on iOS, have you tried Dolphin browser? I actually use Puffin browser to deal with pesky desktop-only sites on my iPhone (sadly doesn't get updated anymore) which works perfectly, and people are telling me Dolphin is just as good (the iPad version). https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dolphin-web-browser-for-ipad/id460812023?mt=8

There's also Opera Mini which is supposed to work as well https://itunes.apple.com/se/app/opera-mini-web-browser/id363729560?mt=8

I didn’t realize that was an option, although I think for what I really need the desktop for, I’d want a larger screen to work with. Editing photo books and digital scrapbooking would be much more difficult on the 11 inch screen.

 

[xxray]

I mean, if your iPad is covering your needs fine, then I wouldn't buy a desktop just because you've been using your iPad the most at your desk. I'd only get a desktop if you need to do something that your iPad can't do for you.

 

[ssledoux]

I mean, if your iPad is covering your needs fine, then I wouldn't buy a desktop just because you've been using your iPad the most at your desk. I'd only get a desktop if you need to do something that your iPad can't do for you.

Definitely agree. The thing is, I’m unable to do my photo books and digital scrapbooking-type stuff with an iPad. A few years ago when I went all in on iPad, I didn’t have the internet for that anyway, and now I do. In addition, I have a Disney travel agent business and have trouble accessing some of the needed sites in full desktop mode. I also work a part-time job and would have work at home potential with that because I could access full desktop versions of the main programs we use for ordering, customer database, etc.

The issue with the using the iPP at the desk only is I’m wondering if I really NEED my portable device to be a pro model, when now I’ll use a desktop for all the things I’m currently using my pro for, and more.

 

[rui no onna]

I've had an iPad since 2010 but I never got rid of my desktop/laptop even as I started using my iPad for more and more things. My personal usage has consisted of 85% iPad/10% iPhone/5% PC for years but that 5% prevents me from going all iOS (critical websites that don't play nice with mobile browsers, backups including iTunes, ebook library management/DRM removal, etc). Only you can determine how important the extra flexibility that a desktop will offer is to you.

If I were in your shoes, I'd definitely get a desktop. I'm not sure how much you can sell the iPP 11 for but honestly, you'd probably net at best $100 if you need to replace the iPP 11 with 2019 iPad Air 3 LTE and not much more than that if replacing with 2018 iPad 9.7 LTE. I'd just save the $200 with the older desktop and keep your current iPP 11.

 

[EssModelsRule]

The 2017 is still offered on the Apple site. I was just wondering if I should go that route for 1099 or the new 2019 route for 1299 - just wondering if the upgrades and differences are worth the 200. I know I wouldn’t likely notice a difference, especially for my uses, in the performance, but don’t know if I should buy a 2yo device going in.

I can’t recommend either of these models due to them having traditional hard drives. If you decide to go for an iMac and budget limits you to around this price range, I’d recommend a refurbed 2017 from Apple with probably a 256GB SSD and find an external storage solution for all your photos if necessary.

 

[rui no onna]

I can’t recommend either of these models due to them having traditional hard drives. If you decide to go for an iMac and budget limits you to around this price range, I’d recommend a refurbed 2017 from Apple with probably a 256GB SSD and find an external storage solution for all your photos if necessary.

Interesting. I thought Apple had long switched to SSDs in their Macs. Definitely agree with the SSD. Makes a major difference in performance.

Personally, I build my own desktops and my needs are easily served by a build that costs $600 or so (price already includes 1TB M.2/2.5 SATA SSD). Crappy Intel integrated graphics but I don't game anymore anyway and despite some annoyances, I can easily live with Windows. Particularly so considering I spend most of my time on the iPad anyway.

 

[ssledoux]

I can’t recommend either of these models due to them having traditional hard drives. If you decide to go for an iMac and budget limits you to around this price range, I’d recommend a refurbed 2017 from Apple with probably a 256GB SSD and find an external storage solution for all your photos if necessary.

Okay I don’t really understand the significance of this, or why the SSD is a better choice. The spec stuff kinda gets lost on me.
[doublepost=1556474237][/doublepost]

Interesting. I thought Apple had long switched to SSDs in their Macs. Definitely agree with the SSD. Makes a major difference in performance.

Personally, I build my own desktops and my needs are easily served by a build that costs $600 or so (price already includes 1TB M.2/2.5 SATA SSD). Crappy Intel integrated graphics but I don't game anymore anyway and despite some annoyances, I can easily live with Windows. Particularly so considering I spend most of my time on the iPad anyway.

Explain the differences in performance, and why that’s the case. As mentioned in response to the other post, I am lost on this type stuff. Also, it may not be significant in my particular situation.

 

[AutomaticApple]

I have just been struggling with my “right” device setup. I have been iMac-less for 3-4 years, and currently have an iPP 11”. I was functioning just fine with the 2018 in between selling my 2nd gen 12.9, and purchasing my 11”. Granted, the 11” is a stunning device, and if iPad remains my main “computing” device, I’d definitely keep the pro. However, I’ve been thinking of going back to having a desktop.

When I went all in on iPP a few years back, we had a terrible satellite internet plan, and I went iPP so I could go data only. My only drawback then (and even now) was not having a place where I could store all my photos, load them into Shutterfly and make books/yearbooks.

FF to now; our LTE has actually gotten worse over the last year, and due to a work from home job, I got a new satellite internet plan that is actually working extremely well.

Add to the fact that with my iPP, I rarely move it from my desk unless I’m going out of town. I have it in a stand and use it with a full-size apple-like bluetooth keyboard. I’m basically using it as a desktop. When I go sit in my recliner, I rarely bring it - just wind up using my phone if I want to peruse instagram or Pinterest, or play the only couple of games I play.

In this situation, WWYD? The ONLY thing I’d love to do that my pro won’t do is make photo books easily (I’m sure I could find a way around it, but it definitely won’t allow me to do anything other than just load pics into some pre-made album). The other thing is not always being able to access full websites, which can occasionally be an issue with my Disney travel agent work (I can usually manage this okay though).

Would you go back to a desktop? (Laptop NOT an option - I just don’t like them at all) If so, would you then downgrade to a cheaper iPad, or just keep the pro? I’d love to do a mini and think I’d actually use it a bit more because of reading in bed, but I don’t know how well it would do with my digital planners and such (like actually writing on it).

If you’ve read through this, I appreciate it. I have an idea of what I think makes the most sense for me going forward, but I’d love others’ opinions in case there are things I’m not considering.

Don’t go back to a desktop!

 

[sparksd]

Don’t go back to a desktop!

If it serves your needs, why not? Lot cheaper than a comparable laptop. I'll certainly be sticking with a desktop because I want the performance and peripheral support.

 

[ssledoux]

Don’t go back to a desktop!

Reasons?

 

[rui no onna]

Okay I don’t really understand the significance of this, or why the SSD is a better choice. The spec stuff kinda gets lost on me.
[doublepost=1556474237][/doublepost]

Explain the differences in performance, and why that’s the case. As mentioned in response to the other post, I am lost on this type stuff. Also, it may not be significant in my particular situation.

SSDs have much lower latency compared to HDDs (think email vs snail mail) so OS boots much faster, programs launch (and install) faster, it handles multitasking workloads more easily, etc.

If you're used to how quick and responsive iPhones and iPads are (heck, even Android), going back to HDD-based PC can be quite frustrating. Granted, perhaps MacOS on HDD isn't as frustrating an experience as Windows on HDD. I'll never go back to HDD on my Windows PC builds. I only use HDDs as secondary drives for bulk storage now.

This is likely a pretty extreme example that wouldn't apply to you but I once did a test of a batch import of ~5000 books into Calibre (believe it or not, I've actually read them all over a 5-year span). On the same laptop, import took 22 minutes with a USB3 connected SSD and 3.5 hours with the internal HDD.

 

[ssledoux]

SSDs have much lower latency compared to HDDs (think email vs snail mail) so OS boots much faster, programs launch (and install) faster, it handles multitasking workloads more easily, etc.

If you're used to how quick and responsive iPhones and iPads are (heck, even Android), going back to HDD-based PC can be quite frustrating. Granted, perhaps MacOS on HDD isn't as frustrating an experience as Windows on HDD. I'll never go back to HDD on my Windows PC builds. I only use HDDs as secondary drives for bulk storage now.

This is likely a pretty extreme example that wouldn't apply to you but I once did a test of a batch import of ~5000 books into Calibre (believe it or not, I've actually read them all over a 5-year span). On the same laptop, import took 22 minutes with a USB3 connected SSD and 3.5 hours with the internal HDD.

Wow - yeah that’s a pretty big difference. I’m sure at work I’m using HDD on the Windows computer.

So when I look at the Macs, I don’t see that. Do you have to bump to a much pricier iMac to get that? I’m not trying to spend an arm and a leg since my needs are fairly basic.

 

[EssModelsRule]

Wow - yeah that’s a pretty big difference. I’m sure at work I’m using HDD on the Windows computer.

So when I look at the Macs, I don’t see that. Do you have to bump to a much pricier iMac to get that? I’m not trying to spend an arm and a leg since my needs are fairly basic.

Here’s a refurbed 2017 in the price range you’re considering.

https://www.apple.com/shop/product/...5c4f057ed15d517e6f630b0281a20284389cd5245ba18

Or if you can stretch to $1399 they have one with 512GB.

 

[kerbero9]

Add to the fact that with my iPP, I rarely move it from my desk unless I’m going out of town. I have it in a stand and use it with a full-size apple-like bluetooth keyboard. I’m basically using it as a desktop. When I go sit in my recliner, I rarely bring it - just wind up using my phone if I want to peruse instagram or Pinterest, or play the only couple of games I play.


Would you go back to a desktop? (Laptop NOT an option - I just don’t like them at all)

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not sure I understand why your so against a laptop. From your description, it sounds like you were using your iPad EXACTLY as a laptop, not a desktop. You can take the laptop with you when you travel or if you want to lounge around with something bigger than your phone. You don’t have that luxury with an iMac. I would personally go MacBook and iPhone. You will have real OS on your MacBook and won’t feel like your making any concessions.

 

[ssledoux]

Don’t take this the wrong way, but I’m not sure I understand why your so against a laptop. From the your description, it sounds like you were using your iPad as EXACTLY as laptop, not a desktop. You can take the laptop with you when you travel or if you want to lounge around with something bigger than your phone. You don’t have that luxury with an iMac. I would personally go MacBook and iPhone. You will have real OS on your MacBook and won’t feel like your making any concessions.

Actually, I have a full keyboard and my iPad sits up on a stand on my desk. I definitely use it more like a desktop because I rarely move it from my desk and use it as most use an iPad.

And I would never sit with a laptop in my lap - just don’t like it. It’s more weight and bulk than I want to mess with when I’m relaxing, and if I’m doing anything when I AM relaxing, its not stuff I’d want to do on a laptop; I’d want a phone or iPad.

I also can’t stand trackpads, and if I have to add a mouse, not have the display sitting up high like I’d want it to, etc., I would just always be annoyed.

My daughters have MacBooks, so it’s not like I’ve never tried them. I have a cheap windows laptop for one of my work at home jobs (because the huge, commercial photo printer won’t work with a Mac as promised), and I HATE it. I’m sure that’s partially because it’s windows and I hate Windows, but I also just dislike it.

 

[VineRider]

A Mac mini with 256 gig ssd might be a good option
https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/...rocessor-with-turbo-boost-up-to-4.1ghz-256gb#