I took advantage of Apple's holiday return policy to try M1 Mac mini, because I am unsure about M1 chip. But at this point, we all know M1 is very powerful. For less price, you get a Mac mini that reveals much higher priced Intel Mac mini. So it is a good buy and I am happy with M1 Mac mini.
But why I decided to return M1 Mac mini?
Well, I already have a 2018 Core i5 Mac mini. So I really don't need other Mac mini.
Secondly and most importantly: I am not sure about future of Apple silicon based Macs. As we all know, Apple controls everything about their hardware, software. In one hand, it is provide excellent experience that no one else able to match. But in other hand, it is Apple get decided when your hardware become obsolete. We all know when Apple decide retire your old iPhone, you are stuck with old OS. The most recent victim is iPhone 6. But that is OK, people change their phone every few years. And when Apple decided no longer sign iOS ipsw files, you have no point of return.
I do not want that for Mac. Although at current stage, Apple allows you to install unsigned macOS ipsw files, who will know when Apple decides to otherwise. I want the ability to install old OS because I might have some software that can't run on new version. My 512GB Core i5 Mac mini has both Catalina and Big Sur installed.
Second: we all know ARM is different with x86. Apple is never been known as open in terms of their hardware design. I am not sure that alternative operating system will be available. With Intel Mac, I can run Windows, Linux. I am planning to migrate to Linux on my 2011 Mac mini when Apple no longer support Catalina. The ability to run alternative operating system is very important to me. I am sure it is important for lots of people. So when Apple decided to pull the plug for your expensive machine, you have most updated alternative OS to run.
I am sure Apple silicon based Mac will be fantastic and powerful. But to me, it is still too early for me to know everything. We don't know how long will Apple support ARM based Macs, we don't know if Apple would decided disallow unsigned version of macOS , we don't know if there are alternative OS will available in the future.
Therefore, I have decided to Apple silicon based Mac in mind, but in the meantime, I will use my Intel Mac and pocket the money for now.
But why I decided to return M1 Mac mini?
Well, I already have a 2018 Core i5 Mac mini. So I really don't need other Mac mini.
Secondly and most importantly: I am not sure about future of Apple silicon based Macs. As we all know, Apple controls everything about their hardware, software. In one hand, it is provide excellent experience that no one else able to match. But in other hand, it is Apple get decided when your hardware become obsolete. We all know when Apple decide retire your old iPhone, you are stuck with old OS. The most recent victim is iPhone 6. But that is OK, people change their phone every few years. And when Apple decided no longer sign iOS ipsw files, you have no point of return.
I do not want that for Mac. Although at current stage, Apple allows you to install unsigned macOS ipsw files, who will know when Apple decides to otherwise. I want the ability to install old OS because I might have some software that can't run on new version. My 512GB Core i5 Mac mini has both Catalina and Big Sur installed.
Second: we all know ARM is different with x86. Apple is never been known as open in terms of their hardware design. I am not sure that alternative operating system will be available. With Intel Mac, I can run Windows, Linux. I am planning to migrate to Linux on my 2011 Mac mini when Apple no longer support Catalina. The ability to run alternative operating system is very important to me. I am sure it is important for lots of people. So when Apple decided to pull the plug for your expensive machine, you have most updated alternative OS to run.
I am sure Apple silicon based Mac will be fantastic and powerful. But to me, it is still too early for me to know everything. We don't know how long will Apple support ARM based Macs, we don't know if Apple would decided disallow unsigned version of macOS , we don't know if there are alternative OS will available in the future.
Therefore, I have decided to Apple silicon based Mac in mind, but in the meantime, I will use my Intel Mac and pocket the money for now.