Mac mini M4 is the best value computer…. I think even Apple cannibalised their M4 MacBooks and older M3,M2,M1 product MacBooks with this

[redheeler]

I just parked my new Mac mini under the side of the iMac screen, turned on Screen Sharing on the iMac, and the iMac became the display for the Mac mini. I use two FullScreens on the iMac and flick the mouse between the iMac machine and the Mac mini machine. (Note: borrowed an older 4k monitor to set the Mac mini's default screen.)

I always found that to be a terrible experience, especially with any sort of video playback. Even over a direct Thunderbolt connection it was very laggy. This was an older generation of Mac mini though (2012). It was usable enough for some basic tasks but anything with full-screen graphics like video playback was out of the question due to the lag.

How is the lag for you?

 

[brofkand]

What about iCloud's local disk space, which resides in ~/Library (I think)? For me, that is substantial. I already off-load iTunes to an external.

It is possible to offload your entire home folder to an external volume if you wish.

 

[familychoice]

Even if folks "never take MacBook Air outside the house" it sure is nice to be able to sit on the couch with a laptop sometimes instead of only ever being at a workstation.

This ^ I’m suffering with a bad back at the moment, and sitting at a desk just seems to aggravate it. So I’ve been working on my old Intel MacBook Pro (previously only used for client visits) on the couch and other parts of the house instead, and it’s been a revelation. Freedom to move out of the office, away from the desk based Mini is a joy.

I was planning to buy either a second hand M2 Mini or new M4 Mini, but now I’m seriously considering the base 14” M4 MacBook Pro. The price difference initially put me off, but I can now see the extra value in a portable device, even if I don’t take it out of the house.

 

[gracjangk]

The Mac mini can't replace my MacBook. I tried using it as my main computer for a few months but missed the MacBook after weeks. Working from a couch or bed, even with a great office chair, is unmatched.

 

[CharlesShaw]

The Mac mini can't replace my MacBook. I tried using it as my main computer for a few months but missed the MacBook after weeks. Working from a couch or bed, even with a great office chair, is unmatched.

I understand the desire to work away the desk. We're all different. I only do my job at the desk, so that my brain knows I'm not "on the clock" when I'm looking at a screen when I'm on the couch/bed. That's my time.

 

[WC7]

I always found that to be a terrible experience, especially with any sort of video playback. Even over a direct Thunderbolt connection it was very laggy. This was an older generation of Mac mini though (2012). It was usable enough for some basic tasks but anything with full-screen graphics like video playback was out of the question due to the lag.

How is the lag for you?

I just tried watching a YouTube video running on the Mac mini (displayed through the iMac screen, a very simple case, I know) ... it seems good (and that is with have Dynamic Resolution turned on) ... but I agree with you entirely that if anyone is doing much video or content creation this is not the way to go ... you need to have a plugged-in screen and much more 'real estate space'. My, simple use case ... running small Xcode Swift snippets and a simple AI set-up or something ... and going back and forth between the two separate machines Full Screens on the iMac ... this seems ok so far. I was actually sort of surprised that it works.

 

[DeepSix]

M4 Mac Mini is the first Mini to be small enough to be portable where many are planning to carry it with them on the go. Get a nice portable monitor, mechanical keyboard, monitor riser/stand and full size mouse and put it inside a hard case with cut out foam inserts. You now pretty much have a mini desktop on the go. Far superior experience than any laptop and more ergonomic because you can choose any size monitor, any keyboard you want and any mouse.

And the best part is the M4 Mini is 25% of the price of a M4 Macbook Pro.

 

[DeepSix]

It's amazing until you need portability... though I guess you can always just carry one of those tiny portable monitors around, and a cheap bluetooth mouse + keyboard. Then you can use your Mac Mini at coffee shops too. 😆

People still bring their imacs to Starbucks, carrying an M4 Mini with a portable monitor, keyboard and mouse is nothing in comparison.

 

[turbineseaplane]

M4 Mac Mini is the first Mini to be small enough to be portable where many are planning to carry it with them on the go. Get a nice portable monitor, mechanical keyboard, monitor riser/stand and full size mouse and put it inside a hard case with cut out foam inserts. You now pretty much have a mini desktop on the go.

With all the extra components you described there, the size of the Mini itself was never the issue before

 

[blufrog]

I use my iPad Air as a laptop now. I prefer the touchscreen experience to a laptop, and it does everything I need when I'm out. It's my clients that are remote, not me, so I don't need a laptop to do work.

 

[DeepSix]

Being able to keep your MacBook in your travel bag and hop on the Mac mini in your home office without having to worry about connecting/disconnecting is very convenient.

This is exactly what I did just over a week ago and it's been great. I totally was not expecting to buy a M4 Mini but at the base level price, it was too good of a deal to pass up - plus I eventually plan on using it as a portable desktop as well. My Air now stays in it's bag when Im home (unless I use it around the house) and no more having to constantly connect/disconnect it from the dock. Very convenient for sure.

 

[familychoice]

M4 Mac Mini is the first Mini to be small enough to be portable where many are planning to carry it with them on the go. Get a nice portable monitor, mechanical keyboard, monitor riser/stand and full size mouse and put it inside a hard case with cut out foam inserts. You now pretty much have a mini desktop on the go. Far superior experience than any laptop and more ergonomic because you can choose any size monitor, any keyboard you want and any mouse.

And the best part is the M4 Mini is 25% of the price of a M4 Macbook Pro.

The base M4 Mini, 16/512 is £799, and M4 MacBook Pro £1599 here in the UK, so 50%, not 25%.

Then factor in a keyboard £149, trackpad £149, speaker system £149.

That leaves about £350 for a portable monitor that’s as good as the MacBook Pro screen.

So basically unless you already have those things there’s nothing in it, particularly at the moment here where there’s a £150 third-party discount on the MacBook Pro, and only a tenner off the Mini.

 

[DeepSix]

but in my experience I think it's better to go with two machines if possible even if it means taking a small performance hit. There is something to be said for having a dedicated desktop you can offload tasks like video editing to without having to worry about battery degradation over time as well. An M4 Mac mini will be right there on and ready to go as soon as you unlock the desktop with Touch ID. Everything synced perfectly the vast majority of the time. It simply doesn't get much better than that in terms of convenience at around the same price you would pay for an entry level MBP.

Lots buy a MBP purely for status symbol and to impress others even though they know it's way overkill for their needs and they can do with an Air. So if it gives people a confidence boost knowing they have the latest and greatest then all to them. It's no different than people who drive luxury cars just to show off that emblem in drive-thrus.

 

[DeepSix]

With all the extra components you described there, the size of the Mini itself was never the issue before

We just need all in one hard case made for a Mac mini portable set up. I've been looking. It''s bigger and heavier than carrying around a Macbook but the advantages it offers makes it worth it.

 

[triptolemus]

Get a nice portable monitor, mechanical keyboard, monitor riser/stand and full size mouse and put it inside a hard case with cut out foam inserts. You now pretty much have a mini desktop on the go. Far superior experience than any laptop

I'm sorry, but seriously? Far superior experience? Lugging around a hard case, unpacking, connecting, etc etc, disconnecting, re-packing, lugging... is a far superior experience to any laptop? That simply does not track.

 

[magbarn]

People still bring their imacs to Starbucks, carrying an M4 Mini with a portable monitor, keyboard and mouse is nothing in comparison.

Where on earth is this a thing? The only time I’ve seen people using their iMac away from home is when they lug it over to the Apple Store for diagnostics.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

The base M4 Mini, 16/512 is £799, and M4 MacBook Pro £1599 here in the UK, so 50%, not 25%.

Then factor in a keyboard £149, trackpad £149, speaker system £149.

That leaves about £350 for a portable monitor that’s as good as the MacBook Pro screen.

So basically unless you already have those things there’s nothing in it, particularly at the moment here where there’s a £150 third-party discount on the MacBook Pro, and only a tenner off the Mini.

Okay, but let's take other people's situations. Namely me, as I am buying an M4 Mac Mini soon.

Let's go apples to apples: M4 Mac Mini 16/512: $799 vs. M3 Macbook Pro 16/512: $1599 so 50%

Then factor in keyboard (MS Sculpt from years ago still works) for work and gaming: $0

Mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless (already own): $0

Don't use trackpads so no loss there:

Monitor: LG 4k Standard IPS 27" which I already own: $0

So.....there ya go. A literal 50% savings since all I need is the mac mini.

 

[Adelphos33]

We just need all in one hard case made for a Mac mini portable set up. I've been looking. It''s bigger and heavier than carrying around a Macbook but the advantages it offers makes it worth it.

Let's be real - effectively no one will be carrying around a Mac mini to do work portably, particularly a base Mac mini. The base Mac Mini is a great machine - but in terms of CPU power, it is no more powerful than many of the laptops Apple makes. Carrying around a desktop computer to do work portably only makes sense fi the desktop is intrinsically more powerful than available laptop options - and that is simply not the case with the Mac mini.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Okay, but let's take other people's situations. Namely me, as I am buying an M4 Mac Mini soon.

Let's go apples to apples: M4 Mac Mini 16/512: $799 vs. M3 Macbook Pro 16/512: $1599 so 50%

Then factor in keyboard (MS Sculpt from years ago still works) for work and gaming: $0

Mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless (already own): $0

Don't use trackpads so no loss there:

Monitor: LG 4k Standard IPS 27" which I already own: $0

So.....there ya go. A literal 50% savings since all I need is the mac mini.

Let's even go with the portable stuff, it doesn't have to be as expensive as you say.

Bluetooth keyboard: $50, mouse, $50. Portable Monitor with stand (Let's go nice here): $250

There, still a savings.

 

[Adelphos33]

Okay, but let's take other people's situations. Namely me, as I am buying an M4 Mac Mini soon.

Let's go apples to apples: M4 Mac Mini 16/512: $799 vs. M3 Macbook Pro 16/512: $1599 so 50%

Then factor in keyboard (MS Sculpt from years ago still works) for work and gaming: $0

Mouse: Logitech G502 Lightspeed Wireless (already own): $0

Don't use trackpads so no loss there:

Monitor: LG 4k Standard IPS 27" which I already own: $0

So.....there ya go. A literal 50% savings since all I need is the mac mini.

In order to make it truly apples to apples, you would have to factor in the depreciated value of the keyboard, minority, etc.

But obviously, a desktop computer is a much better option if you want a computer for your desk - and the Mac mini makes it a good option.

Apple's laptops are also great for on the go, or more flexible computing (i.e. sitting on your couch).

I think a lot of people are coming to the realization that having a desktop and a MacBook may make sense.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Let's be real - effectively no one will be carrying around a Mac mini to do work portably, particularly a base Mac mini. The base Mac Mini is a great machine - but in terms of CPU power, it is no more powerful than many of the laptops Apple makes. Carrying around a desktop computer to do work portably only makes sense fi the desktop is intrinsically more powerful than available laptop options - and that is simply not the case with the Mac mini.

But it does make sense in my situation. I have two offices where I work basically 100% of the time when I am not travelling (I have a work shed and a home office both). These offices are already set up with everything I need for work. I buy one extra power cord, and I can literally unplug the mac mini, go to my shed, and plug it back in. Am I going to do that every day? Probably not, but I can do it when needed.

 

[0423MAC]

Lots buy a MBP purely for status symbol and to impress others even though they know it's way overkill for their needs and they can do with an Air. So if it gives people a confidence boost knowing they have the latest and greatest then all to them. It's no different than people who drive luxury cars just to show off that emblem in drive-thrus.

Well the MBP did have nicer features such as the better screens and extra ports for the average users. I think the value proposition for consumers is so much greater now because Apple has put such an emphasis on graphics on their AS chips. Seriously, even the base M4 Mac mini has decent graphics capable of playing more games than you would expect on a budget machine from Apple.

As you can see below, while it might not match up with even the most budget Nvidia gpu in games the fact that it is in the discussion and outperforms it in various tasks on that Ryzen/nvidia build by snazzylabs says something. The AI benchmarks are quite telling at just how good the base M4 is.

So we extend that out to the MBA/MBP you are no longer stuck with relatively awful Intel integrated graphics anymore. You have a solution that is far more capable than we have ever seen on entry level Macs. The MBA was already the most popular line of Macs and I actually expect that slice of the pie to grow even larger.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

In order to make it truly apples to apples, you would have to factor in the depreciated value of the keyboard, minority, etc.

But obviously, a desktop computer is a much better option if you want a computer for your desk - and the Mac mini makes it a good option.

Apple's laptops are also great for on the go, or more flexible computing (i.e. sitting on your couch).

I think a lot of people are coming to the realization that having a desktop and a MacBook may make sense.

I agree with you on both counts, but the depreciated costs of that stuff (as it's all fairly old) would be getting close to zero anyway...replacement value would probably be better, but the point is I need to buy that stuff for my day job and windows gaming anyway.

As to your second point. That's literally what I do--except its an iPad Pro 12.9" M1 for on the go. I pair it with my windows gaming laptop for work. But yes, the thing is so flipping cheap that it allows all sorts of cool scenarios. So I agree with you. One could get a Macbook Air cheap for on the go, and this little bad boy and still be ahead.

 

[0423MAC]

I still think this thread is off in many ways. I think the only case that could potentially be made about the Mac mini cannibalized anything in the Mac lineup it would be the iMac.

I tend to keep my Apple accessories much longer than others apparently. I have an old apple wireless keyboard (the model that still takes 3x AA batteries...) and it still works great. No Touch ID, but perfectly usable till this very day.

 

[eltoslightfoot]

Well the MBP did have nicer features such as the better screens and extra ports for the average users. I think the value proposition for consumers is so much greater now because Apple has put such an emphasis on graphics on their AS chips. Seriously, even the base M4 Mac mini has decent graphics capable of playing more games than you would expect on a budget machine from Apple.

As you can see below, while it might not match up with even the most budget Nvidia gpu in games the fact that it is in the discussion and outperforms it in various tasks on that Ryzen/nvidia build by snazzylabs says something. The AI benchmarks are quite telling at just how good the base M4 is.

So we extend that out to the MBA/MBP you are no longer stuck with relatively awful Intel integrated graphics anymore. You have a solution that is far more capable than we have ever seen on entry level Macs. The MBA was already the most popular line of Macs and I actually expect that slice of the pie to grow even larger.

He's also 100% right on upgrade pricing. It is okay now that it is a base of 16, but the fact that upgrading the SSD to 512 costs me $200, takes this from a STEAL to, eh, decent.