The Mac mini Dilemma

[redheeler]

My father has just bought his new M4 Mac Mini base spec, and he is starting to notice the Apple style of doing things. Everything is just a bit classier, smoother and better than on Windows, he says. However, he recently visited me, and saw my setup of an M1 iMac. He noticed the colour-matched accessories, the minimal look of the desk, and inquired after the webcam and the speakers… he began to see that thoughtful, designed look extending beyond the software and hardware of his new Mac Mini.

Since returning home my dad scratched his head about his scruffy-looking desk in a messy spare room, and he has started clearing things away. He also started looking at wireless keyboards and mice, at which point I had to inform him that this was the thin end of the wedge… a nicer keyboard and mouse would lead to him wanting a nicer screen, and before he would know it he would have spent another 1000 euros on nicer gear.

The Mac Mini is a beautiful object, but it’s only cheap as long as you don’t feel the need to pair it with a Studio Display and Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

The Mac mini is a great deal assuming you already have these items.

A lot of people do. I already had a 5K display on my desk for 8 years that I wanted to use with modern computers. Unfortunately it was an iMac, so I had to spend hundreds painstakingly converting it into a dumb display.

I wouldn't want to repeat that process in another 8 years with another iMac. As long as good Mac minis exist that's what I'm getting, not iMacs.

 

[russell_314]

The Mac Mini is a beautiful object, but it’s only cheap as long as you don’t feel the need to pair it with a Studio Display and Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

I totally agree with you, but it allows people who cannot afford a better monitor and keyboard to get into the Apple ecosystem.

There is no better Mac monitor for the price than the Studio Display if you can afford it. I was once one of those people who believed get the best computer you can get and then go cheap on the monitor. The monitor is your interface into the computer. Everything you see is displayed on it. Once I owned an iMac, I could never go back to a PC monitor on my Mac.

 

[Ifti]

Are you mac only? Do you use your MBP camera for meetings/calls? Do you need 5 K? What’s your budget?

Mac only. Not concerned about camera as its never used.
Main uses are for Final Cut Pro, and 3D modelling via Fusion 360......

 

[russell_314]

You could say that for every thread. Too much negativity.

For some reason, the Apple brand seems to attract it. I don’t let others negativity bother me because I’m not buying a product for them or to impress them. I’m buying the product for me

 

[ignatius345]

The Mac mini is a great deal assuming you already have these items.

A lot of people do. I already had a 5K display on my desk for 8 years that I wanted to use with modern computers. Unfortunately it was an iMac, so I had to spend hundreds painstakingly converting it into a dumb display.

I wouldn't want to repeat that process in another 8 years with another iMac. As long as good Mac minis exist that's what I'm getting, not iMacs.

Yep. The iMac is a great deal up front since it includes everything you need in one nice package -- but it becomes less so when you go to upgrade because Apple has refused to design the hardware such that you can reuse the display. I've got an M1 iMac on my desk right now and would LOVE to just plug a new M4 Mini into it and use it as a display.

At the same time, if I wanted to switch over to a Mini-based system, I'd have to shell out about 1K more than I would if I just bought an M4 iMac. It would pay off in the long run but it's a bigger expense up front.

 

[cjsuk]

My father has just bought his new M4 Mac Mini base spec, and he is starting to notice the Apple style of doing things. Everything is just a bit classier, smoother and better than on Windows, he says. However, he recently visited me, and saw my setup of an M1 iMac. He noticed the colour-matched accessories, the minimal look of the desk, and inquired after the webcam and the speakers… he began to see that thoughtful, designed look extending beyond the software and hardware of his new Mac Mini.

Since returning home my dad scratched his head about his scruffy-looking desk in a messy spare room, and he has started clearing things away. He also started looking at wireless keyboards and mice, at which point I had to inform him that this was the thin end of the wedge… a nicer keyboard and mouse would lead to him wanting a nicer screen, and before he would know it he would have spent another 1000 euros on nicer gear.

The Mac Mini is a beautiful object, but it’s only cheap as long as you don’t feel the need to pair it with a Studio Display and Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

Mine is paired with a Studio Display and a Magic Keyboard. The Magic Mouse can go to hell though.

What I wanted was a 27" iMac that I don't have to throw the screen away every time I upgrade it.

It's not cheap but it is damn good.

 

[Pag46]

The Mac mini is a great deal assuming you already have these items.

A lot of people do. I already had a 5K display on my desk for 8 years that I wanted to use with modern computers. Unfortunately it was an iMac, so I had to spend hundreds painstakingly converting it into a dumb display.

I wouldn't want to repeat that process in another 8 years with another iMac. As long as good Mac minis exist that's what I'm getting, not iMacs.

I am in the same boat. Would like to upgrade my 2017 iMac with a Mac mini keeping a minimal amount of devices on the desk.
The 27” 5k display of the iMac is still gorgeous and finding something equivalent would be expensive.
You converted your iMac, correct? Could you keep speakers and camera working with the Mac mini after the conversion, or it is just the display?

 

[TechnoMonk]

Mac only. Not concerned about camera as its never used.
Main uses are for Final Cut Pro, and 3D modelling via Fusion 360......

I guess it just depends if you need 5K resolution. Studio display should last multiple computers unlike iMac, which can’t be used as display if it needs an upgrade.

 

[nathansz]

My father has just bought his new M4 Mac Mini base spec, and he is starting to notice the Apple style of doing things. Everything is just a bit classier, smoother and better than on Windows, he says. However, he recently visited me, and saw my setup of an M1 iMac. He noticed the colour-matched accessories, the minimal look of the desk, and inquired after the webcam and the speakers… he began to see that thoughtful, designed look extending beyond the software and hardware of his new Mac Mini.

Since returning home my dad scratched his head about his scruffy-looking desk in a messy spare room, and he has started clearing things away. He also started looking at wireless keyboards and mice, at which point I had to inform him that this was the thin end of the wedge… a nicer keyboard and mouse would lead to him wanting a nicer screen, and before he would know it he would have spent another 1000 euros on nicer gear.

The Mac Mini is a beautiful object, but it’s only cheap as long as you don’t feel the need to pair it with a Studio Display and Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse.

If you can afford nicer things then why not

I would certainly recommend Mx keys and mouse and a nice lg display over Apple stuff though

 

[TechnoMonk]

For some reason, the Apple brand seems to attract it. I don’t let others negativity bother me because I’m not buying a product for them or to impress them. I’m buying the product for me

It doesn’t bother me. I always test my products with in the return window and decide. Every one has different needs, choices and tastes. I don’t see the need to be constantly negative about stuff I don’t like or don’t need.

 

[nathansz]

There is no better Mac monitor for the price than the Studio Display if you can afford it.

Def disagree with this depending on what one is doing

It’s a decent office monitor or for photo editing

 

[nathansz]

I also like the Magic mouse and Keyboard.
I'm considering a Mac Mini (coming from a M1 Max MacBook which is always desktop based anyways) and was considering the Studio Display - but I'm curious as to what else I can get instead of the display that's just as good? I'm certainly open to options!

Look at 4k and 5k lg displays

I bought a 32” 4k a couple years ago on sale for less than $500 and it’s fantastic

 

[eRondeau]

The advantage of a Mac mini system (as in any component system) is that any part of it can be easily changed-out at any time. In 2020 I replaced a 27" iMac with a base M1 Mac mini + old display + old SSD + old keyboard + old mouse. I've since upgraded every single component (usually when they went on sale) and now I've got a Studio Display, Thunderbolt SSD, Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad. And I just replaced the M1 with an M4. I didn't hate the "old" parts, but now I've got the perfect Mac system for me. YMMV.

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

What's the PPI on that $299 34" monitor you spec'd? How bright is it? What kind of webcam, speakers and mic does it have? But hey, it's definitely big!

A lot of people (I’m one of them) don’t even want a webcam, speakers, or mic in their monitors. To me, they are worthless addons that just inflate the price and add unnecessary complexity. So that argument holds no value to me.

 

[russell_314]

Def disagree with this depending on what one is doing

It’s a decent office monitor or for photo editing

Where do you think it would not perform well?

 

[joshuaiz]

Not afraid to admit that I love the Magic Mouse aside from the bottom charging.

There is no other mouse that supports gestures as well and horizontal scrolling is so key for my workflow. If you are used to a scroll wheel and can't escape your muscle memory then the Magic Mouse may not be for you but for me it is the best mouse.

 

[Alameda]

It would be very hard to complain about the Mac Mini, if it simply had 512 GB base storage and 1-2 USB-A ports

No, it would still be really easy to complain about it!

It doesn’t have 1 TB of base storage!
It only has 2 USB-A ports!

You are such an Internet Amateur, my friend! There are always ways to complain. I think the YouTube standard is “Five Things I Hate About…” videos.

 

[whwang]

The quality of both my old M1 iMac (now living with my mother in law) and my new studio displays is even better than my Pro Display XDR that cost two arms and two legs.

Hi,

I am interested to hear more about this. Could you share in what ways the studio display is better than the XDR?

 

[ignatius345]

A lot of people (I’m one of them) don’t even want a webcam, speakers, or mic in their monitors. To me, they are worthless addons that just inflate the price and add unnecessary complexity. So that argument holds no value to me.

Ok then!

But in the year 2024 anyone who works at all remotely is going to need these things, and would consider them essential.

Mine is paired with a Studio Display and a Magic Keyboard. The Magic Mouse can go to hell though.

What I wanted was a 27" iMac that I don't have to throw the screen away every time I upgrade it.

It's not cheap but it is damn good.

Exactly the setup I want, but it would cost me nearly $3K spec'ed the way I need :/

 

[whwang]

• Magic Mouse is a genuinely ****** mouse.

I don't know what your ****** is, and I love the Magic Mouse. It's simple, elegant, and it works very well for me. I loved it since the time when it uses AA batteries. The current design of a charging port at the bottom of it is stupid. But in my many years of using it, this stupid design never caused me any real troubles (this is a bit surprising even to myself).

 

[whwang]

LOL ok then! That explains your logic. But in the year 2024 anyone who works at all remotely is going to need these things, and they're in fact essential.

Completely agree. One thing about Pro Display XDR that troubles me a lot is that it doesn't have a built-in webcam. And I know I won't be satisfied by any 3rd party webcam.

 

[bible_student]

I just got my M4 Mini yesterday and it’s plugged into my bedroom TV. I already had a keyboard and mouse but I also fly X Plane 12 and this Mac Mini runs way better than my base M1 that’s now plugged into my other TV.

Also, most people want to upgrade their computer every few years, but the mouse, keyboard, and monitor don’t need upgraded. Those people are perfect for the Mac Mini.

 

[permanoob]

There is quite a difference between feeling the need of a Studio Display and a very good $300 monitor, which is not hard to find these days. You absolutely can get more bang for your buck going the Mac mini route vs paying a $1000 premium for the iMac.

Mac min - $499 (education discount)
Magic Keyboard w/ Touch ID - $149
Magic Trackpad - $129
34" Ultrawide monitor - $299

$1076

That still puts you about $400 cheaper than the iMac with an embarrassing 24" screen in 2024. While the screen looks great, the size just doesn't cut it IMO.

True but the iMac also has speakers and a decent webcam, and there are no scaling or other issues with the display, which makes a big difference IMO for actually enjoying using it, amd looking forward to using it, even for work. I’d like to see the specs of that ultrawide display, specifically PPI. If it’s not close to the iMac display it just wont look as good.

So if you can add to your peripherals list a good webcam, some speakers, and the PPI is close to Apple ppi on the display and still beat the price of the iMac, I’d be impressed.

 

[NewOldStock]

Over and over all the time almost every time hate and discontent.
Cry cry cry

 

[ILoveCalvinCool]

No, it would still be really easy to complain about it!

It doesn’t have 1 TB of base storage!
It only has 2 USB-A ports!

You are such an Internet Amateur, my friend! There are always ways to complain. I think the YouTube standard is “Five Things I Hate About…” videos.

These forums would have about 75% fewer posts if they banned people from bitching about specs that don't suit them personally.