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I'm hoping for the Mac Nano.
A pocket-sized device that can be powered by USB-C with one or two additional USB ports.
Sounds like you want a Raspberry Pi5. These can run a long time on a very small lithium battery. Cost about $80. I have several here in use inside 3D printers and robotics controllers.

But eventually, the need to have you own computer that you carry around will go away. Better to have toy data and desktop on the cloud, then you can log in from any random computer on Earth and have you data and desktop right there. The only reason we don't do this is because the Internet is too slow. One 2.5 gigabit speed it everywhere. There will be little need to carry you data around with you on a physical device.

This kind of system works today if you only need to move around within one building and you have the building wired for 1GB networking. I've worked in places like this, no one brothers to carry a laptop, they can use any random computer just as well

Then in another place most of the non-technical staff were given computers with ZERO internal storage. Nothing was ever stored on the local PC. It worked well enough that they never noticed. But you need very fast network.


But today in 2024, if you wanted to have mobile data, you could carry a 4TB flash drive with you and boot off that using any computer you have, You only need to carry the data, not the entire computer.
 
I have two monitors powering my Mini M1 16G/512G - a Samsung M70B 4K Ultra HD 32" and a Samsung LU28R 4K Ultra HD 28". First is on USB-C/TB and latter is on HDMI. Were some issues a few years ago but smooth now.
 
I want to know: Can you easily open up this new MacMini and blow out the dust? That is one of the reason I prefer the old design. This why my old 2012 MacMini last so long and was only replaced with a 2024 MacMini M2Pro with 32GB of RAM and 2TB storage like 3 months ago.
 
Can anyone recommend a really good, but non-Apple, monitor f/u/w the M4 Mac Mini?
I simply use 4K TVs as monitors. I started out with a budget 43" 4K LCD a few years ago and that worked great but was limited to 60Hz and didn't support HDR. I recently upgraded to a 48" LG C4 OLED with HDR and 120Hz support for $699 from Costco. It isn't the 5K resolution of the Apple Studio Display, but the 2024 LG C4 is highly rated and cost half of the 60Hz Apple Studio Display.
 
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Can anyone recommend a really good, but non-Apple, monitor f/u/w the M4 Mac Mini?

I'm perfectly like happy with my few years old 32" 4k lg

the lg oled tv's are nice, and macOS looks great on them, but I think the smallest one is 42"

if you stick with lg (or even Samsung) and look for the size, resolution and refresh rate you want then you can't really go too wrong

just start away from "smart monitors." you want the best possible display without a bunch of extra software junk
 
It's really easy.

Can your workflow take advantage of the GPU:
No - Mac Mini
Yes - Mac Studio

Do you need lots of RAM:
No - Mac Mini
Yes - Mac Studio, Mac Pro


Are you a professional - Mac Pro
How do we find out if our workflow takes advantage of the GPUs? Or, by this very question, have I flagged myself as the Mac Mini candidate? Looking to start editing family vacation videos. Nothing fancy and no plans to upload to YouTube. Base M4 Mini should surely handle that task, yes? Only option would maybe be the 10gbe to edit off my NAS.

Even with a NAS, is the base 256GB still wise for the Mini? Upgrading to 512GB starts getting close to the price of the base M4 Pro Mini or used M1 Max Mac Studio with native 10gbe.
 
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Mac Pro + XDR Display is $10,600 with the minimum configuration. So, yes, $3500 is not the middle ground, it is lower than middle.
I guess math isn't your strongest point. Just because car prices range from $10,000 to $300,000 doesn't mean a $155,000 car is middle ground.
 
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The new Mac mini is a wonderful Mac. Very powerful too. Can be combined with an Apple display to make a good overall computer.
 
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I'm in doubt:

- M4 Pro
- 14-core CPU, 20‑core GPU
- 24GB Ram
- 1TB SSD

vs

- M4 Pro
- 12-core CPU, 16‑core GPU
- 48GB Ram
- 1TB SSD

Main use: Web development, some games from steam and home server.
 
I'm in doubt:

- M4 Pro
- 14-core CPU, 20‑core GPU
- 24GB Ram
- 1TB SSD

vs

- M4 Pro
- 12-core CPU, 16‑core GPU
- 48GB Ram
- 1TB SSD

Main use: Web development, some games from steam and home server.
I'd opt for more RAM. 24 GB is the current necessity. If you're not planning to upgrade every 2 years, go for 48 GB RAM.
 
Why are you comparing an older M2 processor with M4? Do a comparison when Studio will also have an M4 processor, which will probably blow to the sky the Mini model.
 
It's really easy.

Can your workflow take advantage of the GPU:
No - Mac Mini
Yes - Mac Studio

Do you need lots of RAM:
No - Mac Mini
Yes - Mac Studio, Mac Pro


Are you a professional - Mac Pro
What about the ports and the rest. I’m scratching my head over whether to buy the base studio or the maxed out mini pro. Considering that in 6 months the current studio will likely go on sale and be upgraded to m4. Also that m2 security issue that’s baked in.
 
What about the ports and the rest. I’m scratching my head over whether to buy the base studio or the maxed out mini pro. Considering that in 6 months the current studio will likely go on sale and be upgraded to m4. Also that m2 security issue that’s baked in.
A thunderbolt hub evens out most of the rest. Even with my M1 Studio I have a hub for miscellaneous connections.
 
I'm even more wondering between these 2 now...the Mini and studio look very similar in price and performance, though the Studio does have extra ports.

Larger GPU with less ram for the same price
 
I'm even more wondering between these 2 now...the Mini and studio look very similar in price and performance, though the Studio does have extra ports.

Larger GPU with less ram for the same price
For all the comparison shoppers out there -

The mini now makes zero sense to add too many BTO options:

Mac mini 14c20c/64GB/2TB/10Gb - $2899
Mac Studio 16c40c/64GB/1TB/10Gb - $2899
 
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