Mac Mini vs. MacBook Pro

[Jro29]

I have posted about upgrading my 2012 MacBook Pro. It almost sits exclusively in calmshell hooked up to my 32 inch dell ultrasharp monitor. Given this, I had considered switching to a Mac Mini i7/16GB/1TB setup. But as I’ve thought about it more, maybe a 16 inch MBP makes more sense. It has a more up to date processor, still has the same 4 Thunderbolt ports, has discrete graphics and from what I can tell is better at driving external displays. I know it’s a bit more expensive, but I’m not super price sensitive. Even though it’s going to mostly be used as a desktop, it seems like a more versatile machine.

I’m sure I’m missing something in this assesment. What am I missing?

thanks for your help!

 

[yukari]

Mini has a higher/better processing power. If you need a discrete GPU, you can always get an eGPU. It will still cost less than the MBP.

 

[nicho]

I have posted about upgrading my 2012 MacBook Pro. It almost sits exclusively in calmshell hooked up to my 32 inch dell ultrasharp monitor. Given this, I had considered switching to a Mac Mini i7/16GB/1TB setup. But as I’ve thought about it more, maybe a 16 inch MBP makes more sense. It has a more up to date processor, still has the same 4 Thunderbolt ports, has discrete graphics and from what I can tell is better at driving external displays. I know it’s a bit more expensive, but I’m not super price sensitive. Even though it’s going to mostly be used as a desktop, it seems like a more versatile machine.

I’m sure I’m missing something in this assesment. What am I missing?

thanks for your help!

If it's going to be mostly used as a desktop, consider that the biggest point of failure is likely to be battery expansion.

 

[Cookie18]

Although the MacBook Pro processor is more up to date, the i7 in the 2018 Mini gets a higher single-core and multi-core benchmark so you get better performance from the Mini. The GPU is the negative with the Mini but as you would have 16GB of RAM you wouldn't have any issues driving the displays that you want. It is the 8GB Mini that has those issues because the iGPU needs to borrow from the system RAM and there isn't enough to do so. As Yukari mentioned though, you can just add an eGPU and still be well under the 16" MBP cost.

Personally, I would go for a loaded Mini and an iPad (only if you really need something portable) over a MacBook Pro if you're mostly working at a desk.

 

[Boyd01]

You already have a laptop. Do you need a better one for the times when you aren't at home? If not, then I don't see why you would buy an expensive new one where you pay a premium for the screen, battery, keyboard and portability.

 

[Fishrrman]

Agree with Boyd.

Get a well-equipped Mini. I'd suggest i7 and 512gb SSD.
If you are satisfied with 8gb or 16gb RAM, I suggest you order those as "from the factory".
For RAM 32gb or more, buy 8gb from the factory and upgrade yourself if you wish (but BE AWARE that upgrading RAM on the 2018/2020 Mini is a complex procedure and that some have had problems doing it).

You didn't tell us as to whether your 2012 MBP is retina or NON-retina.
If it's NON-retina, upgrade the internal HDD to an SSD (if you haven't done that already). It will give it "new life" and you'll have a second Mac for carrying around the house.

 

[CooperBox]

Here's my 2 cents. I also have a 2012 15" MacBook Pro, and in my vast collection of Macs, it's up there with the best as a rugged, wonderfully upgradeable laptop, and still perfectly usable today in 2020.
I have a more recent 27"iMac and MBProRet which although more powerful get infrequent use, as I just love the sturdiness and totally pleasing nature of the late 2012 MBPro, especially with the added SSD and upgraded RAM.
Of course it depends on what tasks one needs from a Mac, and I guess for sheer muscle power the 16 inch MBP makes far more sense. But.......longevity would be my major concern, because as soon as it develops a fault outside of warranty, unless one has very deep pockets it's virtually a throw-away (or sell for spares item) due to potential maintenance costs. Of course planning to purchase with AppleCare and selling just prior to expiry would alleviate the aforementioned concerns. So why does this 16" MBPro fill me me dread? It has an official repairability score of 1/10........!! As do most of all the latest Mac portables. Disgraceful.
The last time I checked, the latest Mac Mini gets a pretty reasonable repairability score of 6/10. Using fairly basic tools, disassembly is straight forward and one can perform several common diy tasks. This would tip the scales for me if I had to buy the Mini or the MBPro.
Imho yours and my 2012 MacBook Pro should still be going strong in 10yrs time, when I'd wager most of today's 16" MBPros will be in landfill.
Have you considered the 2019 iMac 27"? As not only are many components replaceable/upgradeable, but Apple have even recently released an official repair guide. Repairability however is not the same with the latest 2020 iMac.

 

[D.T.]

I had a '15 MBP (i7/16/512 with the 370X GPU) I wanted to replace, a few reasons: 1) it was OOW (I like my primary machine to be covered), 2) the wife needed an upgrade (she'd get this machine), and 3) this is sort of a big one, I've gone to doing a lot of VM/containers/etc., and 16GB is tight, it's doable, but it runs the Mac a little short on resources (it ran a touch hot too).

The same MBP (above) spent about 90-95% of it's time "docked", I got it for some specific onsight work years ago, that's not my normal professional SOP, I really didn't need / didn't want to ever bring any development work with me (outside of something like our iPadPro), so knowing another notebook (at my desired spec) would be: 1) a decent amount more money (including AC+ at 3X the price of a Mini), 2) have more failure points, 3) sit docked nearly all the time (I __greatly__ prefer a full sized KB, multiple large displays), 4) would likely under-perform a Mini (and have more thermal / throttle issues) I went with a Mini.

It's an I7/32GB/512, Apple refurb, it's been terrific, easily handles everything I throw at it, runs reasonably cool (also runs non-stop, currently at 69 days uptime), got a nice TB3 high speed 1TB drive for some additional storage.

 

[Jro29]

I had heard that the mini has problems driving large displays. Is this not the case? That was one of my concerns about it.

 

[Jro29]

Also, it’s hard finding these refurb. One came available, low spec, and it was gone 2 minutes after I got the email.

 

[Cookie18]

I had heard that the mini has problems driving large displays. Is this not the case? That was one of my concerns about it.

Also, it’s hard finding these refurb. One came available, low spec, and it was gone 2 minutes after I got the email.

Only the 8GB model has this issue, with 16GB of RAM there are no issues. I know because it happened to me, my 8GB wouldn’t drive my 4K display. I upgraded to 16GB and haven’t had a single issue since. Now I’m running my 4K display and a 1080p 120hz display.

Hold out for a refurb, they tend to come in waves. Someone on here found a good deal at Costco this week too. It was only $20 or so above the refurb price.

Alternatively, hold out until October/November. I think it’s fairly likely that the Apple Silicon Mac Mini will be one of the first to release.

 

[Boyd01]

The integrated graphics on the Mini can have issues with scaled resolutions, makes the computer run hot and start throttling evidently. I haven't seen problems from people running 4k screens at native resolution. There's a thread about problems with 5k screens, also problems from some people with multiple screens. I have a 32" BenQ QHD screen, no problems whatsoever running that at 1440x2560. Of course, you can add an eGPU if the onboard graphics aren't good enough for your needs, but that's and added expense and bother.

Regarding refurbs, if you really want one you need to just constantly check throughout the day, personally I wouldn't count on getting alerts. You'll soon be frustrated if you want a computer right away. But if there's no rush, you'll eventually find just about every imaginable configuration in the refurb store. Took a little over a month to find mine but since I got the top spec, the savings were substantial. Here's a thread from a few months ago, but recently people say there are fewer refurbs available. Maybe people at Apple are using their vacation time?

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...re.2232630/page-2?post=28505582#post-28505582

 

[Jro29]

Ok. You’ve convinced me. I’m going to order the i7. Waiting for refurbished is going to annoy me, but I’ll wait a few days and if I don’t see something, I’ll order with my government discount.