Advice: M1 Mac Mini or M1 MBA

[ipos]

currently using a late mac mini 2014 and using a external SSD for boot up. mac mini is hook up to a 34" monitor.
my mac mini is just for basic usage and watching of videos.

should i get the m1 mac mini or mba to replace my current mini? i seldom work on the move. though i thought good to have a laptop in case i may need to work on the move.

 

[skaertus]

In terms of specs, the MacBook Air and the Mac mini are similar computers. Just have in mind that the lower-end MacBook Air has one less GPU core (7) than the lower-end Mac mini (8). All the other versions of both computers have 8 GPU cores.

The MacBook Air has the advantage that it is a laptop, so it is portable and has a battery in case you need it.

The Mac mini has more ports (USB-A, HDMI 2.0, and Gigabit). If you need any of these ports on the MacBook Air, you will have to use a dongle.

The Mac mini has the advantage of being about $350 cheaper (considering similar specs). That amount of money will be more than enough for you to buy a new keyboard, a mouse, and a webcam. These devices would be recommended even if you buy a MacBook Air, as it may not be very comfortable to use the laptop's keyboard and trackpad with an external monitor (so, it is not money you may expect to save if you opt for the MacBook Air).

Apart from this, they are very much the same.

 

[trevpimp]

If you're comfortable using a Mac mini at a desk more than having portability with the MacBook Air then your best bet is to get a Mac mini

I have a M1 air and honestly I would be happy with either one

They both are a powerhorse

 

[glenthompson]

I went from a MBP with external display to a M1 iMac and find I much prefer the iMac. My iPad covers my portable needs very well as I’m not traveling much these days.

 

[ipos]

most of the time am working from desk. but good to have a laptop for portability cos u never know when u will need to use a laptop on the move.

i do have a 2018 ipad pro 12.9 though

 

[steve217]

Both!

Not trying to be a smart alec but I went through the same thought process as you.

I got the MBA and set it up with keyboard monitor and mouse but there was always something fiddly about swapping the air in and out of desktop mode.

It was just one cable but then I had to get a dock and that was almost $300 for a proper TB model. And if you wanted external HDs, you’ll have to manually disconnect every time you go mobile.

Then there’s that “let me do this quick thing in my computer here…, oh wait, where is it?”. And there’s nothing on the desk but a teasing monitor and a bunch of disconnected cables.

This is probably not the best advice you’ll get here, but if you can swing it financially, I’d say get a base refurbed M1 Mac mini and the air.

That’s what I ended up doing.

 

[MajorFubar]

The specs are largely the same, it's going to depend on how much you think you need to use a Mac away from your regular workspace. Considering you already have an iPad Pro, you could probably argue you don't need a MBA, you can use a Mini.

Waiting for the sale of my deceased parents' house to go through to free up some cash, I find myself asking the same question, considering like you I'll mostly be using whatever I buy docked to my 28" monitor, keyboard, mouse and trackpad in my home studio.

If only iPad Pros ran MacOS and not iPadOS, I personally wouldn't be having this dilemma. I'd buy a 'ripped' Mini for my home studio and an iPad Pro for the rare occasions when I need portability. But I want my portable device to be able to run the same apps as my Mac, especially Logic Pro. iPad Pros would tempt me if the experience was more like owning a Mac with a touch-screen, instead they're still too much like owning a big iPhone.

 

[BreakYurAnkles]

I've owned both.

I traded in the Mac mini M1 and kept my M1 Air.

my rationale for doing so goes as follows.

VERY SIMILAR PERFORMANCE. My M1 air is 8/8/8 512 SSD.

I prefer the option to be extremely portable and powerful. During lockdown(s) I could sit at a desk WFH and have high productivity.

Now that I hope there's "light at the end of the tunnel" I decided to go with a M1 Air.

The M1 air + Quality dongle, can replace a M1 Mini (UNLESS YOU NEED *2* external big monitors that Apple officially supports)

I use my M1 Air as a desktop replacement with a dongle and 1 external monitor connected with GIG-ethernet.

Its 1 machine I can plug in 1 USB-C cable and be desktop running. Unplug 1 cable and I am mobile with the exact same computer.

Plus the battery life on this thing is insane, I get 15-18 hours

 

[TechRunner]

If there's even a small chance you'll need to be portable at some point, I would lean towards the MBA, even though you own an iPad Pro.

 

[Gary171]

I have a 2019 MBA and was debating whether or not to get the new mini when it comes out basically to get more ports. I recently bought the HyperDrive Pro 8-in-2 Type C hub and that has solved my port issue - and it was a lot cheaper than replacing a computer that currently meets my needs...