Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

transporting late 2012 mac mini daily...bad idea??

D

dapitts08

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jul 1, 2009
155
0
so i have a late 2012 mac mini that i use to do graphic design work. up until now i worked from home but have recently joined a co-working space. i will be commuting 45 minutes daily between brooklyn and harlem on the train.

outside of damage from dropping, is there any reason why transporting my mac mini daily would be a bad idea? is there anything internally that could be damaged from the constant movement. i will likely carry it in a backpack.

also could there be an issue with the constant shutdowns as up until now i pretty much leave it on all the time?

fyi - i upgraded the harddrive to an ssd if that makes any difference

i have a macbook pro (2011 i think) that i could use instead if necessary but i would have to upgrade the internal with an ssd or my head would explode lol since now i am so use to the speed. I would prefer not to go that route but would in order to avoid damage to the mac mini.

thanks in advance.
 
Personally it seems like a hassle to shutdown the computer then unplug everything to take it with you. But I've transported a mac mini in my backpack when I moved, without issue. Overall the computer is very similar to Macbooks in construction and hardware specs. Having an SSD doesn't really make a difference in portability. So its possible, its a matter of whether you want to do it on a daily basis.
 
COrocket said:
Personally it seems like a hassle to shutdown the computer then unplug everything to take it with you. But I've transported a mac mini in my backpack when I moved, without issue. Overall the computer is very similar to Macbooks in construction and hardware specs. Having an SSD doesn't really make a difference in portability. So its possible, its a matter of whether you want to do it on a daily basis.
Click to expand...

yeah not really worried about the logistics of it as i'm a "make it happen" kind of person so although it maybe slightly annoying unplugging wires everyday, the big picture of being a part of the co-working space would outweigh it.

my main concern is whether i could be causing damage to the internal components of the mac mini due to the constant movement.
 
It should be fine. The SSD puts to rest any potential issues RE the drive (though I doubt you'd have problems anyway -- it would be shut down so there'd be no issues with the head and spinning platters).

You'll want it in a well padded spot in your backpack, but that's no different than a laptop... other than it might be a little harder to find an appropriate case (but they exist).

Shutdowns and startups several times a day will have no effect on anything.
 
You could always lock it down.

http://www.tryten.com/products.php?product=Mac-Mini-Security-Mount
 
opinio said:
You could always lock it down.

http://www.tryten.com/products.php?product=Mac-Mini-Security-Mount
Click to expand...

it isn't a security issue. i need to use it at home too. thnx though.

----------
iSee said:
It should be fine. The SSD puts to rest any potential issues RE the drive (though I doubt you'd have problems anyway -- it would be shut down so there'd be no issues with the head and spinning platters).

You'll want it in a well padded spot in your backpack, but that's no different than a laptop... other than it might be a little harder to find an appropriate case (but they exist).

Shutdowns and startups several times a day will have no effect on anything.
Click to expand...

thanks! all of this is what i was hoping lol but wasn't sure.
 
You should try to be as gentle as you can when plugging/unplugging the connectors, though.

They can be specced for as little as 1000 plug/unplug events. It usually isn't an issue unless you're doing what you're doing.
 
Its like brining a laptop back and forth to work, except there is no battery so you have to shutdown every time you move it.

It has the same HDD as a laptop would, and I don't see how the connectors are any different than plugging video/keyboard/mouse/network into a laptop every day.
 
I've actually been carrying a Mac Mini between home and work every weekday since April of this year, instead of a laptop. I've had no issues with regards to durability. Obviously, just don't drop it in transport and you're fine. I carry the Mini in a Tenba Messenger Mini that I've had for a couple years now.

My Mac Mini has the OWC data doubler adapter and I run SSD with the factory OEM platter drive.
 
I occasionally transport my Mini - bought a 15' cord from Amazon for $7.00ish and keep it in the computer case. Also have a 16" USB monitor as well (I leave the dual 24" monitors on my desktop). Works great. Easy.
 
dapitts08 said:
my main concern is whether i could be causing damage to the internal components of the mac mini due to the constant movement.
Click to expand...

The Mac Mini is essentially a laptop without a screen or battery. So it's a bit more durable than moving a laptop around, and a laptop is designed to be moved around. Since you upgraded to an SSD, the only moving part is the cooling fan.

The downside is that you can't use it while it's being moved around. :)
 
Maybe this needs its own thread, and maybe I should just shut up because this is a crazy idea, but...

I always have my iPhone, iPad mini and now iPad Air (it's a work thing, don't ask). In a pinch, if I also had a Mac mini, could I use the iPhone for a trackpad, iPad mini for keyboard, and iPad Air for a display?
 
fredr500 said:
Maybe this needs its own thread, and maybe I should just shut up because this is a crazy idea, but...

I always have my iPhone, iPad mini and now iPad Air (it's a work thing, don't ask). In a pinch, if I also had a Mac mini, could I use the iPhone for a trackpad, iPad mini for keyboard, and iPad Air for a display?
Click to expand...

Definitely.
 
Schnort said:
You should try to be as gentle as you can when plugging/unplugging the connectors, though.

They can be specced for as little as 1000 plug/unplug events. It usually isn't an issue unless you're doing what you're doing.
Click to expand...

That sounds like the only real problem for moving your mini on a daily basis. Also an SSD, better than a HD... And daily backups! Other than that I don't see what could go wrong
 
thanks everyone for your input.

i feel much better lol :)

hadn't thought about the plug issue but definitely good to know.

the past few days i have been transporting it with the plug attached lol
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back