software developer - thinking to get a mac mini 2020 and take it to office.

[ewu]

I am a software developer who runs a few virtual machine and a few IDEs, and those vm/IDE would take 32GB ram.
so 64GB ram would be ideal.

company's mbp 13 only has i5+8GB ram, I get memory pressure warning very often.
even I apply for new mbp 13, company would give me mbp 13 with i5+16GB ram which is not enough for me.

I want 64GB ram + i7 + 1TB ssd, and find that mbp 16inch with 64GB ram + 1TB costs too much.

then I start to consider mac mini since its weight is 1.3kg and it seems to be portal enough if I take it to office via train.
the most important thing is that mac mini 2020 with i7+1TB+8GB ram and 64GB 3rd party ram is under budget.

However, during searching I find potential problems for mac mini
1. wifi/bluetooth conflicts with USB 3.0. I watch some youtube video, some people said this problem has been fixed in mac mini 2020 module.
2. Intel UHD 630 is too weak to work with 4K/5K monitor.
3. some reports on fans and cpu heat issue.

any suggestion for this scenario?
or do I have to wait and save money to buy mbp 16inch?

Nowadays it is very hard to be Apple-Fans.

 

[djc6]

I have several coworkers who do the same with Intel Hades Canyon NUCs. They have various VMs or docker containers running, use them as fast build machines. They pair them with ASUS portable monitors, bluetooth keyboard/mouse and take the whole setup with them when they travel to conferences, work from home, etc.. The ASUS portable monitors use a single USB-C cable for data/power - I've been with these guys going through airport security with entire setup in their backpack

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Think big, go mini

Committed to providing the finest of small form factor computers.

simplynuc.com

I have an i7 mac mini and two 4K displays - no issues with productivity work, dev work, etc.. I've not tried to game on this machine.

 

[ewu]

I have several coworkers who do the same with Intel Hades Canyon NUCs. They have various VMs or docker containers running, use them as fast build machines. They pair them with ASUS portable monitors, bluetooth keyboard/mouse and take the whole setup with them when they travel to conferences, work from home, etc.. The ASUS portable monitors use a single USB-C cable for data/power - I've been with these guys going through airport security with entire setup in their backpack

Eye Careï½Monitorsï½ASUS USA

ASUS Eye Care Monitors Receive Most Number of TÃV Rheinland Low Blue-Light Emissions and Flicker-Free Certifications. ASUS Low Blue Light Monitors feature a OSD menu that allows you to access four different Blue Light Filter settings onscreen. ASUS Flicker-Free technology uses Smart Dynamic...

www.asus.com

Think big, go mini

Committed to providing the finest of small form factor computers.

simplynuc.com

I have an i7 mac mini and two 4K displays - no issues with productivity work, dev work, etc.. I've not tried to game on this machine.

Thanks, I would not use it as game machine,

majority I want from mac mini is portal and under budge for upgradable RAM to 64GB.

I will only use it in my office and home, those places have keyboard/mouse and monitor ready.

if company send me to business trip, I would take my mbp 13in since I don't have to do heavy duty development during trip in most of time.

 

[wardie]

Personally I’d be concerned with continuously transporting a machine not designed for that use case. Maybe you should check the warranty small print first about usage? A laptop computer is designed to be continuously portable - I’m thinking in the way that the components inside are designed for example, even if no spinning parts these days. Also you can use a laptop on the move unlike a MM, or in the event of a power failure.

 

[ewu]

Personally I’d be concerned with continuously transporting a machine not designed for that use case. Maybe you should check the warranty small print first about usage? A laptop computer is designed to be continuously portable - I’m thinking in the way that the components inside are designed for example, even if no spinning parts these days. Also you can use a laptop on the move unlike a MM, or in the event of a power failure.

you are right, that is why I firstly consider MBP 16inch,
however, pricing of MBP 16inch with i7+64GB ram+1TB SSD costs too much for me.

I have to double my budget.
That is why I start to consider Mac mini 2020 (i7+64GB ram+1TB SSD) which is half pricing of MBP 16inch.

for project demo, I would get latest code in mbp 13inch to run.
mac mini is not that portable for project demo in a meeting room, especially some of meeting room didn't have enough power socket.

 

[djc6]

If anything I feel like mac mini is less fragile than a laptop - no screen, touchpad, hinges, keyboard.

Its a solid block of metal with solid state components in it - no spinning hard drive. My BTO model shipped from china with very minimal packaging.

 

[ewu]

If anything I feel like mac mini is less fragile than a laptop - no screen, touchpad, hinges, keyboard.

Its a solid block of metal with solid state components in it - no spinning hard drive. My BTO model shipped from china with very minimal packaging.

I used to break my own mpb 15inch screen when I travel.

mac mini didn't have monitor, so I don't have to worry about screen.

I think it is one of benefit to move mac mini between home and office.

SSD and cpu are soldered on board, it is safe enough for travelling.