Why a Mac Mini and not a MacBook?

A friend ask me why I got the Mac Mini instead of the MacBook as a response to my previous post. I think the answer came down to space and money. My home office setup is already crowded and I wanted to take advantage of some of the periferals that I already had. I also got a couple of things with the intention of using it with the Mac Mini. So this is current setup:

Monitor: 

HP M27ha FHD Monitor - Full HD Monitor (1920 x 1080p) - IPS Panel and Built-in Audio - VESA Compatible 27-inch Monitor Designed for Comfortable Viewing with Height and Pivot Adjustment. I basically got it because it was a good deal at the time, wasn't thinking too mucho about mac compatibility but rather looking for a larger screen for work that I could also use with the Mini.

Keyboard/Mouse: 

Kensington Pro Fit Ergonomic Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - Black. I got this last year after getting sick of typing on my laptop.

USB-C Hub:

USB-C Hub with Hard Drive Enclosure, Hagibis Type-C Docking Station & Stand for Mac Mini M1 with SATA, USB 3.0, SD/TF Card Reader and USB 2.0 Ports for New MM M1 Laptop (Grey for Mac Mini 2018). I got the 256 Gb version so wanted to have the ability to have a +2TB SSD Hard Drive at some point in the future.

Desk:


I should have gotten this desk sooner, it was a game changer for work. I share the desk with my wife, so there isn't a lot of space to have too many things. I also have a Dell Laptop for work which shares the Monitor, Keyboard and Mouse with the Mac Mini. Luckily this keyboard and mouse model has both Bluetooth connection and 2.4 Ghz wireless connection so I can easily swith between computers keeping each type of connection separate. I use the Wireless conection for the Laptop and the Bluetooth for the Mac Mini.

In the monitor I use the HDMI connection for the Mac Mini and the DisplayPort for the Dell Laptop which is connected to a Dell Docking station.

I like the idea of having separate connections for each use (Work/Personal) e.g. (DisplayPort/HDMI), (Wireless 2.4 Ghz/Bluetooth) because it gives me an explicit chance to switch between Work and Personal projects.

Another reason is that after spending almost 3/4 of the year working on laptop screen my eyes clearly appreciate having a larger screen. I won't be doing a lot traveling with a laptop to it just didn't make sense to spend money on a laptop screen that I was not going to use.

I've noticed that having a mat that can help you absorb some of the pressure while you're working standing up is really useful. I tend to raise the desk for videoconferences if I have to make a presentation and standing up in this setting makes the whole experience better for me (and my audience I hope).

For these reasons, I think the Mac Mini was the right choice for me. I'm not sure whether I'll get an Ipad or continue using my old laptop if I want to get away from the desk, but for now I'm happy.

In my next post I'll show you some of the software I've installed to start doing some Machine Leanrning on the M1 Mac Mini.

Until then,

CO

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