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Why don't more people who buy MacBooks buy a Mac Mini as well?

I have an iMac and a MacBook. The iMac is a nice purple home computer that I use for work from home stuff. I also use my MacBook around the house, outside on the balcony, etc.
 
The same reason I never bought an iPad. Macbook does everything, no reasons, so far, for me to get an iPad
 
They both ultimately serve different markets. Its why you don't buy a Jetboil to make a Sunday roast but don't take an Airfryer out camping.
 
I was thinking about buying a Mac Mini M4 since the price and the design it's really good but.. I really like to be able to carry my Macbook. I usually use the Macbook in the couch with a mini desk or just in the table, etc.

It also allow me to connect it to a monitor and use it as a stationary Mac so, I have both of the worlds. I have a Air M1 with 16GB and 512GB and happily, the battery life is really good
 
I have a 14" M3 pro MBP and an M4 pro Mini. Some reasons for having both: The Mini is cheaper to upgrade, it is less likely to get lost or stolen so fewer worries about files, it also has the 10G Ethernet port that makes full use of my 2Gig fiber internet connection, it takes up less room that the MBP in clamshell mode.
 
I keep thinking about buying a mini and at some stage soon when im not feeling skinny, I probably will. I have a m2 stock MacBook, and it's powerful enough for most of my normal use. but I hate that it's tied up. I use plex which struggles (for me) with wifi and I like a second screen for a lot of things so my MacBook is a desktop in all but name. and it struggles with Civ VII. and since I got a third screen at work I do think id like another screen which my MacBook cant take.

and buying a m4 mini is far cheaper than a new MacBook. so my thought is, buy a M4 mini, use it as my main in the house computer, run plex off it, leave it plugged in to the monitors, play Civ VII on it. and keep the M2 MacBook for travelling, for using in other rooms.
 
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DeepSix said:
1) Mac Mini has no battery so you put zero wear on your battery like you would on a MacBook.
2) Mac Mini is stationary so there is zero chance of accidentally dropping it or banging it against something because you don't have to pick it up all the time like you would with a MacBook. Each time you pick up your MacBook you risk dropping it or banging it on something that could cause catastrophic failure.
3) Mac mini is lighter and takes up less space.
4) You put the wear and tear on the Mac Mini fan and not the MacBook fan. It's much easier to replace a fan in a Mac Mini than a MacBook.
5) If you wanted to carry your Mac Mini with you, you have the option of going with a display larger than 16 in. You could carry around a 32 in monitor if you wanted. You only have the option of maximum 16 in on MacBook.
6) there's no hinge on the Mac Mini so you don't have to keep opening and closing it every single time you want to use it. No hinge means no wear and tear.
7) if something goes bad, like the screen for example, it's a lot cheaper to replace a Mac Mini than a MacBook.

I think that's about it. But clearly there are big benefits to owning a mini too as well as a MacBook for at home use. Perhaps Apple should be selling bundles where you get both of them together for a great price.
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None of these things have ever happened to me or mattered to me. This is the strangest thread I've seen on this site. You are expecting people to buy a whole separate desktop computer just in case there are issues with the fans or the hinge on their laptop? Things that basically never happen?
 
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I don't have much need for a Mac Mini. I had an older M1 Macbook Pro that simply became a desktop. But even though a m4 mini is cheaper than a Macbook, you can plug monitors into it, etc. There comes a point where reasonable portability far FAAAAR outweighs "just bring it with you"

This is a real photo - not a Photoshop.

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Having 2 Macs would be redundant for me. My Macbook is sufficient for both home and mobile use.
 
The mini for me is the least attractive because you have other buy a monitor... and my personal opinion is that the best looking monitor that compliments the Mac is the Mac Studio Display so its an expensive purchase... I'd sooner get a iMac as I think that is better value with a better monitor than most externals..

I had a Mac Studio and display which I bought when I was home based but now im working in an office I use a MacBook Air and the studio doesn't get used. even when Im home because I can't be bothered going upstairs and to be honest ive gotten use to working on a laptop more now...
 
DeepSix said:
I understand that the Mac Mini is a niche device. MacBook is by far the best selling computer that Apple sells. But it got me thinking the other day. My question is when people buy MacBooks why aren't they buying a Mac mini as well at the same time. I say this because there are several benefits to owning both.

1) Mac Mini has no battery so you put zero wear on your battery like you would on a MacBook.
2) Mac Mini is stationary so there is zero chance of accidentally dropping it or banging it against something because you don't have to pick it up all the time like you would with a MacBook. Each time you pick up your MacBook you risk dropping it or banging it on something that could cause catastrophic failure.
3) Mac mini is lighter and takes up less space.
4) You put the wear and tear on the Mac Mini fan and not the MacBook fan. It's much easier to replace a fan in a Mac Mini than a MacBook.
5) If you wanted to carry your Mac Mini with you, you have the option of going with a display larger than 16 in. You could carry around a 32 in monitor if you wanted. You only have the option of maximum 16 in on MacBook.
6) there's no hinge on the Mac Mini so you don't have to keep opening and closing it every single time you want to use it. No hinge means no wear and tear.
7) if something goes bad, like the screen for example, it's a lot cheaper to replace a Mac Mini than a MacBook.

I think that's about it. But clearly there are big benefits to owning a mini too as well as a MacBook for at home use. Perhaps Apple should be selling bundles where you get both of them together for a great price.
Click to expand...

Zero items on your list are a concern to the vast majority of MacBook owners — it sounds like you have an unreasonable fear of your Mac breaking down or simply enduring typical wear and tear over time.

I have a 16" MBP with a single cable at your desk to a USB-C dock with power delivery hooked up to my 30" Cinema Display. I can grab it and take it anywhere and pick up where I left off. When I work out of an office, I just have another display setup to plug into. If I'm not at home and need extra screen real estate, I just use my iPad Pro in extended display mode. I use the MBP with the Cinema Display above and behind, so I just use the built-in keyboard/trackpad at all times. My battery *just* crossed the 80% threshold for a free replacement from Apple under AC+, which means I get a whole new top case and possibly display too if they accept my complaint about a little discolored spot. :) But, I'd go nuts switching between multiple Macs and I've convinced multiple family members they don't need a MacBook and an iMac and they're happier having simplified their setups. ¯\(°_o)/¯
 
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DeepSix said:
I understand that the Mac Mini is a niche device. MacBook is by far the best selling computer that Apple sells. But it got me thinking the other day. My question is when people buy MacBooks why aren't they buying a Mac mini as well at the same time. I say this because there are several benefits to owning both.

1) Mac Mini has no battery so you put zero wear on your battery like you would on a MacBook.
2) Mac Mini is stationary so there is zero chance of accidentally dropping it or banging it against something because you don't have to pick it up all the time like you would with a MacBook. Each time you pick up your MacBook you risk dropping it or banging it on something that could cause catastrophic failure.
3) Mac mini is lighter and takes up less space.
4) You put the wear and tear on the Mac Mini fan and not the MacBook fan. It's much easier to replace a fan in a Mac Mini than a MacBook.
5) If you wanted to carry your Mac Mini with you, you have the option of going with a display larger than 16 in. You could carry around a 32 in monitor if you wanted. You only have the option of maximum 16 in on MacBook.
6) there's no hinge on the Mac Mini so you don't have to keep opening and closing it every single time you want to use it. No hinge means no wear and tear.
7) if something goes bad, like the screen for example, it's a lot cheaper to replace a Mac Mini than a MacBook.

I think that's about it. But clearly there are big benefits to owning a mini too as well as a MacBook for at home use. Perhaps Apple should be selling bundles where you get both of them together for a great price.
Click to expand...
I dont need two Macs.
 
DeepSix said:
I understand that the Mac Mini is a niche device. MacBook is by far the best selling computer that Apple sells. But it got me thinking the other day. My question is when people buy MacBooks why aren't they buying a Mac mini as well at the same time. I say this because there are several benefits to owning both.

1) Mac Mini has no battery so you put zero wear on your battery like you would on a MacBook.
2) Mac Mini is stationary so there is zero chance of accidentally dropping it or banging it against something because you don't have to pick it up all the time like you would with a MacBook. Each time you pick up your MacBook you risk dropping it or banging it on something that could cause catastrophic failure.
3) Mac mini is lighter and takes up less space.
4) You put the wear and tear on the Mac Mini fan and not the MacBook fan. It's much easier to replace a fan in a Mac Mini than a MacBook.
5) If you wanted to carry your Mac Mini with you, you have the option of going with a display larger than 16 in. You could carry around a 32 in monitor if you wanted. You only have the option of maximum 16 in on MacBook.
6) there's no hinge on the Mac Mini so you don't have to keep opening and closing it every single time you want to use it. No hinge means no wear and tear.
7) if something goes bad, like the screen for example, it's a lot cheaper to replace a Mac Mini than a MacBook.

I think that's about it. But clearly there are big benefits to owning a mini too as well as a MacBook for at home use. Perhaps Apple should be selling bundles where you get both of them together for a great price.
Click to expand...
I have an iPad Pro and a MacBook that acts as a desktop plugged into an external monitor in clam shell mode. If I need to take my Mac somewhere, I just unplug it and take it with me. Other than that, I have my iPad Pro.
 
actually, i have the base M1 MBA and an M4 mac mini, as. a master student, i really need to get the extra power of the m4 to simplify my research (AI stuff) and i use the MBA as a on the go laptop when i'm in class. but if i have the extra budget, A MBP would be enough. so maybe it depends on the budget and the use case as well
 
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xaqt93 said:
This is interesting, but as for me, The ease of just pulling out my MacBook and starting to get things done right away beats this entire process. Esepcially because with this set up, I have to take out the keyboard, mouse, power bank, Mac mini, external display, get it all up and running, and then off we go. When a Mac, I can just easily pull it out of my backpack, open up the lid, and get going. Plus, I don’t do anything that involves having the tiny more bit of power that the MacMini is going to give me. The time it will save me is going to be the equivalent of packing, unpacking, and then repacking the Mac Mini set up.
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Mac Mini is still quicker. If you leave it on 24/7 all you do is move your mouse or click the keyboard. On MacBook you need to open the hinge or if you leave it open then you have to wipe the dust away first. So have to grab the microfibre cloths and brushes. That's my biggest pet peeve of the MacBooks, how much dust they attract and always have to dust it before and after using.

But the battery free usage is the most benefit of the Mini. Don't have to monitor cycle counts or having to keep plugging it into power.
 
A Mac mini was always in my  eco-system since the G4 were introduced.
last year a 2012 ran next to a M1 as the older was used more!
until the graphic card went poof!

I don't use the M1 that much since I prefer snow leopard over Tahoe nowadays.

occasionally I see if OWC has a 2012 for a nice price, but I need another keyboard track pad etc.

oh hail the mac mini!
 
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DeepSix said:
I understand that the Mac Mini is a niche device. MacBook is by far the best selling computer that Apple sells. But it got me thinking the other day. My question is when people buy MacBooks why aren't they buying a Mac mini as well at the same time. I say this because there are several benefits to owning both.

1) Mac Mini has no battery so you put zero wear on your battery like you would on a MacBook.
2) Mac Mini is stationary so there is zero chance of accidentally dropping it or banging it against something because you don't have to pick it up all the time like you would with a MacBook. Each time you pick up your MacBook you risk dropping it or banging it on something that could cause catastrophic failure.
3) Mac mini is lighter and takes up less space.
4) You put the wear and tear on the Mac Mini fan and not the MacBook fan. It's much easier to replace a fan in a Mac Mini than a MacBook.
5) If you wanted to carry your Mac Mini with you, you have the option of going with a display larger than 16 in. You could carry around a 32 in monitor if you wanted. You only have the option of maximum 16 in on MacBook.
6) there's no hinge on the Mac Mini so you don't have to keep opening and closing it every single time you want to use it. No hinge means no wear and tear.
7) if something goes bad, like the screen for example, it's a lot cheaper to replace a Mac Mini than a MacBook.

I think that's about it. But clearly there are big benefits to owning a mini too as well as a MacBook for at home use. Perhaps Apple should be selling bundles where you get both of them together for a great price.
Click to expand...
the whole concept you are saying is very early 2000-ish.
you: "ok now. im gonna do some computin' now. lets sit at my desk" 🙄
 
DeepSix said:
Mac Mini is still quicker. If you leave it on 24/7 all you do is move your mouse or click the keyboard. On MacBook you need to open the hinge or if you leave it open then you have to wipe the dust away first. So have to grab the microfibre cloths and brushes. That's my biggest pet peeve of the MacBooks, how much dust they attract and always have to dust it before and after using.

But the battery free usage is the most benefit of the Mini. Don't have to monitor cycle counts or having to keep plugging it into power.
Click to expand...
I just use my MacBook in Clam shell mode.
 
DeepSix said:
So what you're saying is, people who already have a MacBook don't need a Mini too?
Click to expand...
Exactly! Except in less than common cases. A MacBook can do anything a Mac mini can do, with the added benefit of mobility and the ability to run unplugged.
 
I have a M4 MacBook Pro and an M1 Mac Mini. The Mini was originally used as a media server but nowadays I mostly use Infuse from my Apple TV directly to an otherwise unused Apple AirPort Time Capsule to store media.
 
Most people only need one or the other. Though I suspect many who like the "idea" of a notebook never actually leave the house with theirs. In their case a mini would suffice.
 
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