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How realistic is it to carry the Mini from Home to Work on a daily basis?
- Thread starter benyben123
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Sounds like a great idea to me, if you're just docking it on each end. Now that spinning hard drives are in the rear view, that removes the most fragile component inside. You'll be doing a full reboot every time, but that too should be a lot less painful than it used to be.
Remember too, that if you have special network settings for each location, the Network control panel has "Locations" you can define and switch easily.
Remember too, that if you have special network settings for each location, the Network control panel has "Locations" you can define and switch easily.
This is a great deal on a great dock $190 - there are also far cheaper usb-c (non-thunderbolt) docks out there
www.bhphotovideo.com
that said I don't think unplugging/plugging in cables every day is going to cause too much wear, plenty of people have done it with laptops over the years with the same connectors.
CalDigit TS3 Plus 15-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock (Space Gray)
Buy CalDigit TS3 Plus 15-Port Thunderbolt 3 Dock (Space Gray) featuring 2 x Thunderbolt 3 Ports, 1 x USB 3.1 Type-C Port, 1 x USB 3.0 Type-C Port, 5 x USB 3.0 Type-A Ports, 1 x DisplayPort 1.2, 1 x Gigabit Ethernet Port, 1 x S/PDIF Out, 2 x 3.5mm Audio Jacks, SDXC UHS-II Card Reader, Includes...
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that said I don't think unplugging/plugging in cables every day is going to cause too much wear, plenty of people have done it with laptops over the years with the same connectors.
The thread is about the Mac mini, if you bothered to read any of the posts.
I would buy a second power cable so you only need to bring the Mac and it’s easy to plug in to cables already to go.
that being said, probably a terrible idea, hopefully it’s short term solution to get you over whatever financial hurdle you are in, and eventually the Mac mini will have a permanent home.
have you considered a laptop with an external keyboard monitor mouse etc so you can do this but the laptop can save the state of all your applications?
that being said, probably a terrible idea, hopefully it’s short term solution to get you over whatever financial hurdle you are in, and eventually the Mac mini will have a permanent home.
have you considered a laptop with an external keyboard monitor mouse etc so you can do this but the laptop can save the state of all your applications?
Lmao...obviously not. Ok I change my opinion to hell no. Buy a phone. Opinion on my faith in humanity remains the same.
This scenario isn't so farfetched.
The Mac mini has long been a headless/keyboardless MacBook Pro (more or less). It might weigh a little more than a MacBook Pro but it does include a power supply in the chassis whereas the MBP has the external charger.
Certainly there are third-party carrying cases/bags for the Mac mini and there's always the option of being a total cheapskate and shoving it into a used/repurposed padded shipping envelope.
The Mac mini has long been a headless/keyboardless MacBook Pro (more or less). It might weigh a little more than a MacBook Pro but it does include a power supply in the chassis whereas the MBP has the external charger.
Certainly there are third-party carrying cases/bags for the Mac mini and there's always the option of being a total cheapskate and shoving it into a used/repurposed padded shipping envelope.
I say go for it. The mini is lighter than most 13 inch laptops, possibly every laptop if you factor in their chargers. I used to carry one in a 13-inch laptop bag for a while and it feels completely natural, if anything, the mini felt a bit small in that bag so I ended up carrying the Magic Keyboard and Trackpad with it. The cable is also light as heck and takes up very little room if you have the us plug, I couldn't see why you shouldn't carry it with you, as long as it was easily detachable from the socket.
I tend to look at it in the same way. I have a feeling this one will last for a decade with ease. Seems like a new age in personal computers. Just my 2 cents.
I do this everyday with my trashcan - Love the built in handle. Been doing it for 3 yrs since we moved offices.
Just bought 3 x M1 minis for staff to do exactly the same.
Lousy internet around here.
Just bought 3 x M1 minis for staff to do exactly the same.
Lousy internet around here.
I had the exact same idea because, not only is the mini a lot cheaper than the 16" macbook pro probably will be (don't want a tiny 13"), it's virtually indestructable. If the screen on your macbook pro goes bad... for whatever reason they cost as much as the whole damn machine nowadays! And if the keyboard goes bad, good luck... The repairability of our 2013 macbook pro has left a bad impression when I tried to replace the keyboard. It didn't end well.
But if your full size external keyboard for your mac mini goes bad, you can just buy a new one for $20 or use another one you probably already have. Mice and monitors are also cheap and easy to get.
Plus the M1 mini is already available.
But if your full size external keyboard for your mac mini goes bad, you can just buy a new one for $20 or use another one you probably already have. Mice and monitors are also cheap and easy to get.
Plus the M1 mini is already available.
Forgive me if someone else has posted this:
I see many soft-side carry cases for sale for the Mini with a google search. I would also not be surprised if someone makes a handle that mounts on the Mini like you'd mount an ergonomic stand or monitor bracket for "hiding" CPUs.
I see many soft-side carry cases for sale for the Mini with a google search. I would also not be surprised if someone makes a handle that mounts on the Mini like you'd mount an ergonomic stand or monitor bracket for "hiding" CPUs.
Maybe you should consider getting a new monitor instead of a new mini. Having a good monitor can make working at a computer so much more enjoyable. Of course I'm using a crap 32" Samsung 1080P monitor due to budget but it will be replaced soon.
Thanks for posting... I didn't even think to look. I just searched Amazon and wow they have some nice ones! It looks like I found my next Amazon purchase.
I would get a proper carry solution for it. Plenty of options here: https://www.imore.com/best-mac-mini-cases?amp
Before lockdown, I did it, no issues at all and very convenient to do so. Especially if everything you need other than the Mini is at either end.
I'd rather carry a laptop, but if you choose to carry a Mini, it's not very heavy. The largest worry is how well the ports and connectors hold up. I'd use USB C connectors for the monitors as they have been designed for more connects/disconnects than older connectors. You could use a port multiplier to avoid having to plug in a lot of cables each morning - just power and one USB C connector, or maybe a second if you're using two monitors.
DON'T leave cables connected to the Mini when you carry it - the leverage on the plugs will really destroy the port connectors.
DON'T leave cables connected to the Mini when you carry it - the leverage on the plugs will really destroy the port connectors.
Is there any concern about wear and tear for the power outlet over time? It's not designed the way a USB cable port is to be constantly plugged in and out. That may be something for you to consider as well.
I would just unplug from the wall outlet and leave it plugged into the Mac Mini if it was me, though that may be less convenient I think it would reduce any risk that may exist along the lines of what you mention.
Takes little or no more time to set up and disconnect peripherals with a Mac Mini compared to a laptop, and the Mini is as easy or easier to carry, in my experience.
The only real advantage of a laptop is being able to use it in situations other than work and home, without peripherals, if required. If not, the Mac Mini must be favourite.
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