I currently have a late 2013 27” iMac. I want to replace it with one of the new M1 macs. I was originally dead set on getting the new Mac mini, but have been thinking about a laptop instead. I mostly work at home at my desk so I never really had the need to be mobile. I’ve always been a desktop computer guy. If I got a MacBook Air I would most likely still use it in desktop mode with a large external display most of the time. But, it would be nice sometimes to have the option to grab it and work in another room if need be. I have an eBay store so I mostly use Safari, notes, mail and photos. I could take it to my eBay room, do some work then return to my desk. Anyone mostly use their MacBook in closed clamshell mode? another concern I have is it might be hard on the battery being always plugged in? Also, Does it hesitate to wake After being in clamshell mode? Thanks for any advice.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
MacBook Air or Mac Mini? Need help deciding...
- Thread starter SteelBlueTJ
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
If you've never used a laptop before, you should try one out (any manufacturer) at a store to get a feel for it. Not everyone likes laptops and if you've only ever used a desktop, you might feel like you are being constrained. I don't like laptops for that reason.
Next up, screen size. The 13" screen is a substantial reduction in screen size from 27". Most people do well going to a larger display, not so much the other way around. Especially if you've only been on a larger display. It can actually feel more exhausting to use a smaller display.
A laptop won't charge if the battery is fully charged, so keeping in plugged in is not really an issue. By default, closing the lid will turn your Mac off, so you have to set it to remain on. You must have an external display attached for this to work, otherwise it will turn off. Based on the Apple event, the wake is nearly instantaneous. Of course real world usage may show otherwise.
Once you start hooking up a laptop for external displays, power, et al... it becomes far more cumbersome to just grab and go. Some people like desktops because it forces them to be in work mode when they are at the computer and not in work mode when they leave it. Sometimes having the ability to take your work with you is a blessing other times it's not. Remember bringing those books home to study over break only to have them sit there the entire time until you went back to school? Didn't turn out to be so productive after all.
Based on your workflow and the fact that you have had a desktop setup for so long, I would think the Mini would be a better fit. If you go that route, you will need a display, keyboard, and mouse. If you opt for a laptop but wish to use it at a desk and plan on keeping the lid closed, you will also need a display, keyboard, and mouse.
When getting a display, make sure it will be compatible with your device's interface. The integrated GPU has some resolution restrictions so check out the technical spec page for details of what it will support.
Next up, screen size. The 13" screen is a substantial reduction in screen size from 27". Most people do well going to a larger display, not so much the other way around. Especially if you've only been on a larger display. It can actually feel more exhausting to use a smaller display.
A laptop won't charge if the battery is fully charged, so keeping in plugged in is not really an issue. By default, closing the lid will turn your Mac off, so you have to set it to remain on. You must have an external display attached for this to work, otherwise it will turn off. Based on the Apple event, the wake is nearly instantaneous. Of course real world usage may show otherwise.
Once you start hooking up a laptop for external displays, power, et al... it becomes far more cumbersome to just grab and go. Some people like desktops because it forces them to be in work mode when they are at the computer and not in work mode when they leave it. Sometimes having the ability to take your work with you is a blessing other times it's not. Remember bringing those books home to study over break only to have them sit there the entire time until you went back to school? Didn't turn out to be so productive after all.
Based on your workflow and the fact that you have had a desktop setup for so long, I would think the Mini would be a better fit. If you go that route, you will need a display, keyboard, and mouse. If you opt for a laptop but wish to use it at a desk and plan on keeping the lid closed, you will also need a display, keyboard, and mouse.
When getting a display, make sure it will be compatible with your device's interface. The integrated GPU has some resolution restrictions so check out the technical spec page for details of what it will support.
I use my MBP usually on my main desk with an external monitor/keyboard/mouse in clamshell mode since 5,5 years to no harm.
Changed the battery with Apple this year but rather because the eligibility for official repairs might end soon than because it got too weak. But of course, when I walk around, the battery drains from time to time and is not hooked to the adapter 24/7.
The MBP does not hesitate before waking up (I like just to tap a key on the external - wired - keyboard) directly from one clamshell session to another. When I had it away in another room in the house and plug it in to the monitor, it needs a few seconds to adjust to the new environment. But being a lot at home now, we know why, I am even happier than before having a device I can move with through the house or even into the garden.
Actually, the setting on my desk feels very much desktop-like; before that I only had traditional desktop PCs and I do not miss anything of a desktop feeling. The little amount of plugging in and out does not bother me but as always, YMMV.
Your use case does not sound as if you would need the horsepower of a full-fledged desktop. Nor does mine. But anyway, the new devices obviously have more than enough power for nearly everything
Changed the battery with Apple this year but rather because the eligibility for official repairs might end soon than because it got too weak. But of course, when I walk around, the battery drains from time to time and is not hooked to the adapter 24/7.
The MBP does not hesitate before waking up (I like just to tap a key on the external - wired - keyboard) directly from one clamshell session to another. When I had it away in another room in the house and plug it in to the monitor, it needs a few seconds to adjust to the new environment. But being a lot at home now, we know why, I am even happier than before having a device I can move with through the house or even into the garden.
Actually, the setting on my desk feels very much desktop-like; before that I only had traditional desktop PCs and I do not miss anything of a desktop feeling. The little amount of plugging in and out does not bother me but as always, YMMV.
Your use case does not sound as if you would need the horsepower of a full-fledged desktop. Nor does mine. But anyway, the new devices obviously have more than enough power for nearly everything
For ten years, I owned both a Mac mini and a Mac notebook simultaneously.
Earlier this year, I decided that with ongoing local shelter-in-place policies and my current usage patterns, I don't need a Mac on the road. So I gave up my MacBook Air 2019 and switched to a Windows ultrabook that cost half as much while retaining my Mac mini 2018.
Now that the M1 MacBook Air is here, nothing has changed for me and I still don't need a Mac as a mobile computer.
Someday I will replace my Mac mini 2018 with whatever ASi Mac mini is available.
I will admit that I favor large monitors (I have both 27" UHD and 32" QHD monitors in different rooms), full size keyboards and pointing devices placed at a proper working height.
There is no way I will spend two hours let alone eight craning my neck down and staring at a puny notebook screen. That's really bad ergonomics.
Earlier this year, I decided that with ongoing local shelter-in-place policies and my current usage patterns, I don't need a Mac on the road. So I gave up my MacBook Air 2019 and switched to a Windows ultrabook that cost half as much while retaining my Mac mini 2018.
Now that the M1 MacBook Air is here, nothing has changed for me and I still don't need a Mac as a mobile computer.
Someday I will replace my Mac mini 2018 with whatever ASi Mac mini is available.
I will admit that I favor large monitors (I have both 27" UHD and 32" QHD monitors in different rooms), full size keyboards and pointing devices placed at a proper working height.
There is no way I will spend two hours let alone eight craning my neck down and staring at a puny notebook screen. That's really bad ergonomics.