Mac mini vs Macbook Air 15"?

[VTGuy79]

Right now I have a M1 Mac mini, 8GB, 256GB storage that I use for:

• Photo editing
• Video editing
  • iMovie
• Documents
• Browsing
• Etc.

Peripherals:

• 1 Samsung T8 drive plugged in at all times as a Scratch disk and for my iMovie Library
• LaCie HDD that I use for large storage of photos and backup that is not on most of the time as well
• HDMI BenQ 27" monitor
• External Speakers for when needed

I'm looking at updating to the latest Mac mini with 24GB RAM and 512GB storage or MacBook Air 15" with same specs.

I've always worked at my desk but at times it would be nice to work on the couch or in bed but then I would not have my scratch disk. Any advise and or experience from others that work with a laptop and scratch disk?

 

[maflynn]

it would be nice to work on the couch

It really boils down to how important it is for you to be using your computer away from the desk. Also consider when on the couch you'll not have any peripherals and the monitor. An obvious point, but I use a laptop often and I find any couch surfing is less enjoyable if I have to use the trackpad (I hate trackpads), and using a mouse on the couch isn't feasible. YMMV as this may be a me problem, but I'm just pointing it out

The base 15" MBA with 24GB of ram and 512GB of storage is 1600 dollars
The base M4 Mini with 24GB of ram and 512GB of storage is 1000 dollars

Is the desire to use the computer on the couch worth 600 dollars? Also consider that the MBA is fanless and relies on passive cooling. Depending on your usage this may be an issue.

 

[VTGuy79]

That might be part of the struggle is the price difference. I do use my wife’s MBA when I want to do something away from the desk or when we travel. I did like the idea of bringing it to work but I do use the scratch disk a bit as I regularly have 500GB of RAW videos or photos to edit. Too bad you can’t easily mount a USB C ext drive to the computer.

Doesn’t the mini not have a fan?

 

[drrich2]

Doesn’t the mini not have a fan?

It has a fan.

 

[maflynn]

Doesn’t the mini not have a fan?

It has a fan, and while its a tiny enclosure the M4 doesn't run too hot

 

[whitby]

Supporting other comments here, it is a matter of how you use your machine. I prefer the larger screens of a desktop and always available peripherals (back up drives, larger desktop speakers, card reader, nicer keyboard and mouse etc.) so I will never get rid of my desktop and consider my laptops as a nice to have. I have too much data (photos and music) to depend on a laptop and a base M4 Mini is going to be better than an M4 MBA due to the fact that it has a fan (no thermal throttling) and larger screen (which you already have). But, again it is completely up to you and whether you consider the portability of a laptop in your house more important than a desktop machine. (and of course there is the cost issue, but you know that).

 

[dockgaze]

I routinely use my Macbook Air 15” away from a desk and connected to external hard drives . . . . it’s very easy with this product (which I have found to be flawless): afterplug.com

 

[benwiggy]

• 1 Samsung T8 drive plugged in at all times as a Scratch disk and for my iMovie Library
• LaCie HDD that I use for large storage of photos and backup that is not on most of the time as well

Talk me through what's going to happen to your files if either of those drives (or the Mac's internal storage) fails, suddenly, at any time?

Files without a backup are waiting to be lost.

 

[dockgaze]

In my situation when I use the Macbook . . . it automatically syncs to iCloud which then mirrors to my desktop Mini and is then backed up to off-site Crashplan. I also have dual drives hooked up to the Macbook, so not too too concerned about both drives failing at once. And manual ‘saves’ are not beneath me for newly generated vital material.