Would you replace a 2019 MacBook Pro 15" with a Mac mini?

[Hieveryone]

I bought a base model 2019 MacBook Pro 15"

But for the past month I've had it connected to my 24" LG Ultrafine 4K display I got from the Apple store and haven't disconnected it once to use as a laptop

I was thinking of buying another LG 4K monitor, and also a Mac Mini and using that setup.

I would obviously sell my 15" bc there would be no use. I still have my 2017 12" MacBook which would be my main laptop

I want the 6-core i7 model with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage

Pricey, but I think it will fulfill my needs

 

[r.d]

I bought a base model 2019 MacBook Pro 15"

But for the past month I've had it connected to my 24" LG Ultrafine 4K display I got from the Apple store and haven't disconnected it once to use as a laptop

I was thinking of buying another LG 4K monitor, and also a Mac Mini and using that setup.

I would obviously sell my 15" bc there would be no use. I still have my 2017 12" MacBook which would be my main laptop

I want the 6-core i7 model with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage

Pricey, but I think it will fulfill my needs

I just ordered a refurb Mac Mini 6-core i7 / 8GB RAM / 2TB SSD (I will upgrade RAM myself) to replace my 2017 MBP 15" 2.9 i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD while the MBP still has some value. I use my computer at the desk 99% of the time with 2 monitors. I may pick up a MBA later this year. I have a Windows laptop which I can use if needed (but I haven't turned it on in months, which goes to show how little I use laptops LoL).

 

[Hieveryone]

I just ordered a refurb Mac Mini 6-core i7 / 8GB RAM / 2TB SSD (I will upgrade RAM myself) to replace my 2017 MBP 15" 2.9 i7 / 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD while the MBP still has some value. I use my computer at the desk 99% of the time with 2 monitors. I may pick up a MBA later this year. I have a Windows laptop which I can use if needed (but I haven't turned it on in months, which goes to show how little I use laptops LoL).

I had no clue RAM was upgradable! Thanks for that. I need to re-look at my specs then in my cart and make some adjustments

 

[MarkAtl]

It is upgradable but not for the faint of heart.

 

[Hessel89]

Keep your MacBook Pro.

I'm on the fourth replacement of my maxed out 2018 Mac mini and it still has bluetooth problems and reboots at random times.

My 2017 15 inch MacBook Pro has proven a lot more reliable over the last couple years. even fell of my lap a couple times and not one scratch or dent. It still works perfectly.

 

[cheezeit]

I was considering the opposite. I have an i7 32gb 128, and put my home folder on an external 512ssd with a 2tb attached for random stuff.

I had gotten egpu as well but on cold boot there’s issues where you have to change to integrated before going back to egpu. I figured I’d get something that works out the box but the extra ports and power in the mini make it hard.

I have a monitor / desk setup due to work at well that i pair with the mini. If egpu worked 100% it’d be a no brainer

 

[fastlanephil]

I bought a base model 2019 MacBook Pro 15"

But for the past month I've had it connected to my 24" LG Ultrafine 4K display I got from the Apple store and haven't disconnected it once to use as a laptop

I was thinking of buying another LG 4K monitor, and also a Mac Mini and using that setup.

I would obviously sell my 15" bc there would be no use. I still have my 2017 12" MacBook which would be my main laptop

I want the 6-core i7 model with 32 GB RAM and 1 TB storage

Pricey, but I think it will fulfill my needs

If your MacBook Pro set up is working for you, maybe you should think about waiting for the next Mac Mini release. You’ll also then have the option of picking up a used or refurbished current model for some savings.

 

[0128672]

Or keep an eye on the current Mac Mini refurb store: https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/mac/mac-mini. For the US Refurb Store it seems to get replenished once a week, and typically the Minis go pretty fast. There's three there now but none exactly match the specs you're looking for. Not everyone experiences the Bluetooth issues, and for those that have, many here have found reasonable workarounds.

 

[Hieveryone]

Will the Mac Mini get an 8-core option?

Or will that eat into the Mac Pro sales?

Ideally I want 8-core i7, 32 RAM, 1 TB SSD.

I’d be set for AWHILE if I could get that in a Mac mini (and two 4K LG monitors)
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It is upgradable but not for the faint of heart.

Good to know! I’m no tech expert and unless it was easy I wouldn’t want to try. Not gonna risk voiding a warranty, etc
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Bluetooth being sketchy would be a problem for me. I’ve got my mouse, my trackpad, and keyboard all hooked up with Bluetooth

 

[Clix Pix]

Be aware that the current 2020 Mac Mini is pretty much the same as the 2018 ones with only a small refresh/speed bump. Some people with the 2018 machines have also had problems with the recent MacOS supplemental update, to the point of having to send in their computers and have them repaired, the logic board replaced.

Aside from that, what benefits do you anticipate from going to the Mac Mini? do you really need a machine that has a bunch of the older "legacy" ports on it, too, or would they just be excess baggage and never used? For a lot of people those legacy ports are very handy if they've still got and need to continue using a lot of peripherals using USB-A, but for those of us who are all-in now with just USB-C and Thunderbolt ports for everything (USB-C or NVME/Thunderbolt 3 external SSDs, for instance), those legacy ports are a waste of space and yet you're paying for them as being included as part of the machine....

You mention using a couple of the LG 4K Thunderbolt 3 24" monitors with the new machine -- I'm not sure that it is possible to plug in two of those to the Thunderbolt 3 ports; I suspect it's not. More likely, you would have to plug in one monitor using a different cable -- HDMI or whatever -- and if that makes a difference to you, best to know that ahead of time, even before making a purchase!

I love my current setup of a 15" 2018 MBP with the 24" LG Thunderbolt 3 4K monitor plugged into it, and that serves as my desktop replacement, while I also have a 12" 2017 MacBook to be my companion on trips away from home....and this works out well for me. A couple of times for various reasons I have unplugged the monitor from the 15" MBP to take the machine somewhere, and all still works just fine and it's easy and quick enough to plug the monitor back in when I'm ready to do so.

On a regular basis I also plug in a Samsung X5 NVME external SSD to one of the other Thunderbolt 3 ports and that works just great, but I did notice that when I tried to leave the external drive plugged in all the time that there were some issues with everything starting up properly when I booted from a cold start or even just rebooted, so that leads me to come to the conclusion that two very powerful Thunderbolt 3 devices connected to the one computer is enough.

 

[MarkAtl]

Will the Mac Mini get an 8-core option?

Or will that eat into the Mac Pro sales?

Ideally I want 8-core i7, 32 RAM, 1 TB SSD.

I’d be set for AWHILE if I could get that in a Mac mini (and two 4K LG monitors)
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Good to know! I’m no tech expert and unless it was easy I wouldn’t want to try. Not gonna risk voiding a warranty, etc
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Bluetooth being sketchy would be a problem for me. I’ve got my mouse, my trackpad, and keyboard all hooked up with Bluetooth

The big risk I’ve read is when you try and remove the little wireless antenna connector which can break.

You could always pay an authorized service center to do the upgrade.

 

[Hieveryone]

Be aware that the current 2020 Mac Mini is pretty much the same as the 2018 ones with only a small refresh/speed bump. Some people with the 2018 machines have also had problems with the recent MacOS supplemental update, to the point of having to send in their computers and have them repaired, the logic board replaced.

Aside from that, what benefits do you anticipate from going to the Mac Mini? do you really need a machine that has a bunch of the older "legacy" ports on it, too, or would they just be excess baggage and never used? For a lot of people those legacy ports are very handy if they've still got and need to continue using a lot of peripherals using USB-A, but for those of us who are all-in now with just USB-C and Thunderbolt ports for everything (USB-C or NVME/Thunderbolt 3 external SSDs, for instance), those legacy ports are a waste of space and yet you're paying for them as being included as part of the machine....

You mention using a couple of the LG 4K Thunderbolt 3 24" monitors with the new machine -- I'm not sure that it is possible to plug in two of those to the Thunderbolt 3 ports; I suspect it's not. More likely, you would have to plug in one monitor using a different cable -- HDMI or whatever -- and if that makes a difference to you, best to know that ahead of time, even before making a purchase!

I love my current setup of a 15" 2018 MBP with the 24" LG Thunderbolt 3 4K monitor plugged into it, and that serves as my desktop replacement, while I also have a 12" 2017 MacBook to be my companion on trips away from home....and this works out well for me. A couple of times for various reasons I have unplugged the monitor from the 15" MBP to take it somewhere, and all still works just fine and it's easy and quick enough to plug the monitor back in when I'm ready to do so.

On a regular basis I also plug in a Samsung X5 NVME external SSD to one of the other Thunderbolt 3 ports and that works just great, but I did notice that when I tried to leave the external drive plugged in all the time that there were some issues with everything starting up properly when I booted from a cold start or even just rebooted, so that leads me to come to the conclusion that two very powerful Thunderbolt 3 devices connected to the one computer is enough.

Ok yeah this doesn't sound like a good idea anymore. I'm thinking it may not be powerful enough. I don't need legacy ports. I need thunderbolt. I hope they update the Mac Mini soon
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Or I could go stupid and buy the Mac Pro 😂

But it would honestly be a ridiculous waste of money. $400 dollars for WHEELS?

 

[Clix Pix]

Forgot to provide the specs for my 15 2018 MBP, which was plenty powerful at the time I purchased it and still is: i9 / 1 TB SSD / 32 GB RAM / 20 Vega. I use it for editing image files from my Sony A7R IV and other cameras as well as of course everyday stuff such as emails, web-surfing, participating in forums, etc. The 24" monitor is great for doing my photo editing work. I know some people prefer larger monitors, but I have tried them in the past and for me 24" hits the "sweet spot," so to speak.

I store most of the image files away from the internal 1 TB SSD drive, using mainly Samsung T5 external SSDs and also a couple of Samsung X5 NVME external SSDs, keeping my computer's internal drive "clean and mean" as the saying goes. I also have archival HDD drives as well. For a photographer, having good backup drives as well as those which are considered more supplemental and meant to retain current files for a while is very important.

Back in 2006 I tried the Mac Pro route when the first generation came out, and while I really liked the machine, it was terrific, I eventually had to admit that it really was overkill for my uses and needs, and after a while I sold it to a friend. I loved some things about it -- a major one being able to have four drives within the machine -- but there were other aspects, along with the sheer physical size of the thing, which just did not work out well for me and I realized that I really did not need such a beast of a machine.

I've also tried a Mac Mini (I think that was 2009/2010) and while I liked it a lot, too, eventually decided that really, I am most happy with the flexibility and portability of a MacBook Pro. I've had a few now over the years, and for me, each has proven to be very portable, flexible and responsive to my needs, and a machine which can be expanded in capacity by simply plugging in an external drive or two takes care of any storage needs.... I am not hampered now by a desktop machine at all. I can decide to grab my 12" MacBook and throw it into a bag to go off on a short weekend trip [whenever that will happen again in this day and age!] or I can decide, if the trip is one more focused on photography, where I'd be doing a lot of shooting, to take along the 15" MBP, and again that would simply be a matter of unplugging the monitor and away we go..... For me, flexibility and portability is the name of the game.

Everyone has their own criteria for what works best for them and what they really need in order to be sure that everything works best for them. Sometimes it takes a period of trying out different strategies, different devices, etc., before finally arriving at "the" solution which actually works. I spent quite some time in analyzing to death whether or not the concept of a MacBook Pro mounted on a stand used as a "desktop replacement" with peripherals connected would be the right solution for me, and back in 2015 I decided that, yes, it was -- for me. Someone else might arrive at entirely different conclusions for different reasons.