The 14" MacBook Pro can be specced with an M4-Max and up to 128GB memory.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Why don't more people who buy MacBooks buy a Mac Mini as well?
- Thread starter DeepSix
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
I don't need two Macs, but I prefer to have this setup as it works better and is more convenient for me.
Most of my computing is done at home and I need more power there, so I have an M4 Max Mac Studio (recently upgraded to this from an M4 Pro mini). On the road, I have an M4 Air (recently upgraded from an M2).
I used to just have a single Mac, but I left it docked most of the time so moved to a desktop as my primary machine. If I were to go back to a single Mac setup, I'd stay with just a laptop as I need something to take with me on a few long trips during the year.
Most of my computing is done at home and I need more power there, so I have an M4 Max Mac Studio (recently upgraded to this from an M4 Pro mini). On the road, I have an M4 Air (recently upgraded from an M2).
I used to just have a single Mac, but I left it docked most of the time so moved to a desktop as my primary machine. If I were to go back to a single Mac setup, I'd stay with just a laptop as I need something to take with me on a few long trips during the year.
Lower cost. Also Easier and better to dock a mini over a macbook because it takes up a lot less.
Your wear and tear is the 84% battery life remaining and the higher cycle count. If you have a mini it puts zero wear on your battery. Also zero wear on the keyboard.
You need a keyboard and screen for a Mac Mini, which should always be factored into the cost. I guess it is easier to dock, but I am not buying the idea it is very mobile without an embedded screen/keyboard.
I think the answer to your question is that many people have a home computer (Mac Mini, iMac, Mac Studio, whatever) and a laptop and use them for different things. I have an iMac and MacBook Air.
A replacement battery is only $100, how much is that Mac mini again? The keyboard won’t fail before it’s time to upgrade. I also have my 2014 MBP and the keyboard is still going strong. Guess what also puts zero wear on my MBP keyboard, an external one.
Last edited:
Basically for me, the freedom of being untethered and the flexibility that comes with this. In retrospect, also the money.
Living in a big city and a small apartment, there isn't the viable living space to even have a dedicated Mini, Studio, Pro plus screen and KB. So the MBP "16 resides on the couch to 99 % of its life, yet has accompanied me to other rooms and balcony on occasion.
If my situation changes, well then I could always purchase those peripherals to use it in clamshell mode...not the other way around however.
Living in a big city and a small apartment, there isn't the viable living space to even have a dedicated Mini, Studio, Pro plus screen and KB. So the MBP "16 resides on the couch to 99 % of its life, yet has accompanied me to other rooms and balcony on occasion.
If my situation changes, well then I could always purchase those peripherals to use it in clamshell mode...not the other way around however.
I do have both. A 16GB RAM/512GB M4 Mac Mini with a Studio Display and also a maxed out M3 MacBook Air (24GB RAM/2TB SSD). I like to play The Sims 4 and watch movies and TV shows on the Mac mini. I use the MacBook Air for music, videos, photos, and traveling.
I live in an area with frequent power outages. Long since decided that laptops are for me...
Regarding price, you should add the cost of a display, keyboard and trackpad or mouse to the cost of the Mac mini, for a realistic comparison to a MacBook, which has those built in. A base model Mac mini, when you add the Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse is $827. The base MacBook air is $999. That leaves you $171 to spend on a display, if you want to keep the price under the MBA. I don't consider that a significantly better deal, economically.
So what advantage do you think a Mac mini has over a MacBook?
Last edited:
A significant number of people run their MacBooks in clamshell mode, they would already have a keyboard, mouse/trackpad and a monitor. With respect to keyboards, some people prefer mechanical keys over a laptop keyboard or prefer a keyboard with a numeric keypad - these would be buying a separate keyboard anyway. One can get a a usable keyboard and mouse for under $100, if they don't already have one lying around. If one needs an Ethernet port, the Mini has one built-in
As for displays, someone with vision problems may not be able to benefit from a Retina display, but would benefit from a much larger than will fit on a laptop. This way they can get a better display for their needs and not have the money sunk in a less usable laptop display. These displays are pretty cheap, with some coming under your $171 figure.
When it comes to upgrading, the keyboard, mouse/trackpad and display can last for a decade or longer, so there is less to replace in an upgrade.
I was using a 2012 MBP for my desktop for 8 years, decided it was time to upgrade to a M1 machine and the Mini was the least expensive path to getting an M1. I bought a Thunderbolt Display a couple years after the 2012 MBP, so already had the most expensive accessory. The experience of using the Mini as a desktop was much better than the 2012 MBP.
Different people have different needs - some would be best using an MBA or MBP for their desktop, but others would be better off with a Mini or Studio. One telling point is that Apple has not offered a 27" iMac for several years, implying that customers are better off buying a Studio display and a Mini or Studio.
What "significant number" of people run in clamshell mode? What percentage of MacBook users? Sure, some do, and some already have mice, keyboards and displays, so they don't need to buy them. However, that doesn't describe the vast majority of MacBook buyers.
In general, most people who buy notebook computers do not run in clamshell mode or buy keyboards, mice and displays in addition to the notebook. Even with bargain-basement options on those devices, any cost savings by buying a mini over a MacBook would be relatively minimal, and would come at the expense of portability, battery operation when power isn't available, etc.
I completely agree that different people have different needs. For some, the Mac mini is a much better option, and I wouldn't try to convince them that they also need a MacBook. For others, a MacBook suits their needs best, and it's inappropriate to suggest they should also buy a Mac mini, claiming there's some advantage that the mini has over a MacBook.
Again, what advantage does a Mac mini have over a MacBook?
Better cooling, more ports, option for 10G Ethernet, option for more memory, lower cost to update, may take up less room on the desk and spilling fluids on the keyboard will just take out the keyboard. I can place a large screen directly in front of me without having the screen of the MacBook getting in the way - which is likely the major reason for people using MacBooks in clamshell mode.
Of course the MacBook Air needs no cooling, can use a Thunderbolt-Ethernet adapter, has the same storage capacity as the base mini. As far as the other arguments, that's assuming restricting use to a desktop. Counter to those is the portability factor that MacBooks have over the mini. As far as functionality, there's no advantage.
If your priorities are desktop use, by all means buy a desktop. But it's a fallacy to assume that a Mac mini has overall inherent advantages over a MacBook. It depends on the user's needs. Some users prefer putting their computer on a desk, plugging wires in to get internet access, and pouring drinks on them. For them, a Mac mini is a solid choice.
For the vast majority of MacBook buyers, those aren't their top criteria. This is a MacBook Air subforum. The argument that MacBook Air/Pro users should buy a Mac mini instead or in addition to their MacBook is not likely to sway many, if any, MacBook users. Any perceived Mac mini advantages gained don't outweigh the MacBook advantages lost. For those that disagree, they're likely going to find what they're looking for in a Mac mini or Mac Pro subforum.
With such a price premium Apple imposes on their products it shouldn't come to a surprise that under typical work environments it can run 24/7 for nearly a decade without breaking down.
Hence the wear and tear concern shouldn't be such an issue.
If in case it breaks in 5-6 years after purchase then that's the typical replacement cycle of PCs & even Macs in general.
So why not put the money to other uses and then buy the future Mac in the future rather than the same M4 or M4 Pro today?
Anyone wish their Mac mini can be powered via USB PD or Macbook's MagSafe? It would allow it to be portable.
Hence the wear and tear concern shouldn't be such an issue.
If in case it breaks in 5-6 years after purchase then that's the typical replacement cycle of PCs & even Macs in general.
So why not put the money to other uses and then buy the future Mac in the future rather than the same M4 or M4 Pro today?
Anyone wish their Mac mini can be powered via USB PD or Macbook's MagSafe? It would allow it to be portable.
Okay, I'm sorry to be a hater, but what about this setup is "portable?" I would argue none of it is. It strikes me as quite convoluted. I much prefer having a laptop. Not just any laptop, a light, small laptop. I used to have a Lenovo Legion gaming laptop, which was wonderful and very powerful, but it was too big, heavy, and impractical.
I saw it on Youtube. The guy is using a portable monitor with the M4 mini taped to the back of it. Then connects a wireless keyboard and mouse to it.
So you wouldnt tape a Mini to the back of a portable monitor? The biggest benefit to having a Mini on top of a MacBook is the fact it puts zero wear on your battery. MacBooks should have removable batteries like a lot of JBL bluetooth speakers now have. A simple lid at the back that pops off and have the battery slide out. It's a pretty significant feature in any electronic device.
So in 4 or 5 years from now when you upgrade, your MacBook will have a lot less cycles on it because you're using your Mini when at home and as a result you will have better resale value.
I only have a mac mini M4 is because I have a iPad A16 with ipadOS 26.
I use the Mac to run external applications, play games, storage dump some photos or videos and use the Mac mini to run desktop software when needed to.
though other than that, I run ipad for everything else.
buying a mac mini and macbook collude to much in terms of software
buying a ipad with a macbook collude to much in terms of portablity and sometimes software.
Well I think a factor is what kind of software you run on both machines. I run the same software on both machines with almost the same layouts. Yeah it sucks that you have to update everything twice. But it's worth it.
A big reason why I got a mini is because the macbook pro can't run three external monitors unless you go with the max model. And at home I need to run at least three external monitors.
Another quiet advantage to having a mini is that you don't have to resize or move windows, folders and programs or reopen and close them each time you unplug and use the internal screen or use external monitors. I have a very specific layout in terms of what I show on each of my monitors and if I had to constantly open and close programs and move folders around each time I would unplug, it would drive me nuts.
And then on top of that being able to sidecar to my MacBook pro screen gives me a fourth monitor is a nice benefit. I always thought this was a gimmick but it works very very well.
Last edited:
I guess I don't either but I do have two Studio ultras both running 12.7.6.
One with a Studio display... which I never use, it is not turned on... just for backup. And one which is in use 24/7 with a pro display XDR.
You sir are a major reason why Apple's $4 trillion markket cap company 3 weeks ago.