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Replacing an Intel MacBook Pro with an M2 Mac Mini

Z

Zelda Chestnut

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 4, 2018
74
40
Hey all. As the title says, I have an Intel MacBook Pro that I’ve been considering replacing with an M2 Mac Mini. I have a 4K external monitor that I would connect it to. My biggest concern here is that I would no longer have a laptop, but I do have the iPad Air (with the M1) with the Magic Keyboard, which is practically like a laptop for most intents and purposes. I’m a writer, so I don’t do anything hardcore with my computers. I’d like to do a little more gaming if time allows. I also don’t typically write outside my home these days, so that’s why I figure the Mac Mini would be fine because I usually just connect my laptop to the monitor anyway. Plus, again, I have the iPad with the keyboard if I needed to type something elsewhere.

What do you think? Is it worth it or should I just wait it out for now? Would the iPad Air suffice as a laptop?

Thanks in advance!!
 
I think it is hard to give advice on something like that.... you could just try it out. I mean, try out using your iPad for the tasks that you think you would be using it for.

All I can say is that the mini M2 is a fabulous computer that has definitely impressed me and I probably will stick with mini's from now on.
 
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Zelda Chestnut said:
Thanks for your responses! I went for it and I am currently loving it :)
Click to expand...
Congratulations. The M2 Mac Mini is fantastic. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying mine.

Regarding the need for a laptop... you might want to consider using remote desktop software.

When I had an iMac and a 12.9" iPad Pro, I used remote desktop software on my iPad to connect to my iMac at home when I needed to do laptop-y things. At that time, iOS didn't natively support mice, but Jump Desktop remote software DID (with the Citrix M1 Mouse). The experience was like using Mac OS on an iPad.

Now I have a 9th gen iPad with Apple Smart Keyboard and I still use that approach from time to time to access my M2 Mac Mini.
 
I think you made the right decision. I realized my laptops are generally plugged into a monitor 95% of the time and switched to a Mac mini. I moved my mobile computing needs to my iPad, and its been great.
 
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rappr said:
I think you made the right decision. I realized my laptops are generally plugged into a monitor 95% of the time and switched to a Mac mini. I moved my mobile computing needs to my iPad, and its been great.
Click to expand...
Awesome! Yeah it was similar for me which is why I made the switch. The iPad is capable enough for me for mobile reasons.
 
sracer said:
Congratulations. The M2 Mac Mini is fantastic. I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying mine.

Regarding the need for a laptop... you might want to consider using remote desktop software.

When I had an iMac and a 12.9" iPad Pro, I used remote desktop software on my iPad to connect to my iMac at home when I needed to do laptop-y things. At that time, iOS didn't natively support mice, but Jump Desktop remote software DID (with the Citrix M1 Mouse). The experience was like using Mac OS on an iPad.

Now I have a 9th gen iPad with Apple Smart Keyboard and I still use that approach from time to time to access my M2 Mac Mini.
Click to expand...
Interesting, thanks for sharing! For my needs, iPadOS is sufficient, but I'll consider that if I feel like I want to do more.
 
What kind of MBP intel ddi you have and what kind of Mini did you go with?
I have a MBP 2018 with 16 GB RAM, and considering selling it and buying the Mini M2 (non Pro) with 16 GB RAM and 500 SSD
 
TinaBelcher said:
What kind of MBP intel ddi you have and what kind of Mini did you go with?
I have a MBP 2018 with 16 GB RAM, and considering selling it and buying the Mini M2 (non Pro) with 16 GB RAM and 500 SSD
Click to expand...
I had an MBP quad core 1.4 ghz i5 with 8 gb RAM and 128 gb storage. I traded it in for the Mac Mini that you're eyeing: M2, 16 gb of RAM and 512 gb of storage :)
 
I have just gone from a 2020 intel mbp 16/512 to a mini M2 Pro 16/512 and it’s so much better. The mbp was permanently in clamshell mode anyway and I used the iPad as a portable, mainly just for browsing and games.

It’s only been a a few weeks but I don’t think I’ll miss the mbp. Will pass it on to my son and hope he’ll be ok with it!
 
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