I have a 2012 Mac Mini with an SSD and RAM upgrade and even as a 3-year old machine with an i5 processor, it's extremely fast for my use.
I was looking at getting a machine for my in-laws so they could upgrade from their old PC. They are getting used to the iPhone and iPad and with "some" tutoring, I think the Mac would be better.
Initially I was looking at Mac Mini options for them and I'm not a big fan of the current gen that doesn't allow for replacing the hard drive or upgrading the RAM (aside from initial purchase). Since their use is much lighter, I thought, what about getting them a 11" MacBook Air with the base 4GB RAM and 128 GB SSD? Should be faster than the Mac Mini (mainly due to the drive). I'd just set it up so it would be running in clamshell format basically as a desktop machine (the only time to open the lid is to hit the power button).
Is there any drawback to doing this? If anything, gives more flexibility for when they go to Arizona in the winter and can take the laptop with them if they want. From what I had read, the MacBook in clamshell will sleep ok and wake from a mouse or keyboard just fine. Curious if any real concern about overheating. Thanks!
I was looking at getting a machine for my in-laws so they could upgrade from their old PC. They are getting used to the iPhone and iPad and with "some" tutoring, I think the Mac would be better.
Initially I was looking at Mac Mini options for them and I'm not a big fan of the current gen that doesn't allow for replacing the hard drive or upgrading the RAM (aside from initial purchase). Since their use is much lighter, I thought, what about getting them a 11" MacBook Air with the base 4GB RAM and 128 GB SSD? Should be faster than the Mac Mini (mainly due to the drive). I'd just set it up so it would be running in clamshell format basically as a desktop machine (the only time to open the lid is to hit the power button).
Is there any drawback to doing this? If anything, gives more flexibility for when they go to Arizona in the winter and can take the laptop with them if they want. From what I had read, the MacBook in clamshell will sleep ok and wake from a mouse or keyboard just fine. Curious if any real concern about overheating. Thanks!