From Blue Screens to Apple Dreams: My Mac Transition Story

[LevelUP]

Skipped the Black Friday to Cyber Monday deals, waited for a couple of weeks afterwards...  And now waiting for my order to ship!  Just bought the base model M4 Mac Mini, I'll compare it to my current M2 Mac Mini and see what main differences there are.  My second Mac, going to use it for more editing/video, etc and replacing an aging laptop (which is acting as a crappy desktop replacement). I think I'll use two 15'6 in portable monitors to make this a very minimalistic build and use less space than my current 17" laptop and 19" monitor.

There is also a student discount deal that offers the Mac Mini for $499. Interestingly, they don’t strictly check if you’re a current student or not.
Apple Education Store

The two main reasons people are excited about the new M4 Mac Minis are:

1. They now include 16GB of RAM at no extra charge for the base model.
   
   
2. The performance is comparable to the M2 Pro, which cost $1600 just a few years ago.
   
   

Here are some performance benchmarks for reference:

• Apple M2
  
  
• Apple M2 Pro
  
  
• Apple M4
  
  

This portable monitor is quite popular. It’s lightweight, color-accurate, and features a 2.5K display:
Portable Monitor on Amazon

Pairing a portable monitor with your Mac Mini allows you to travel with it much like a laptop—especially if you rarely use a laptop on your lap.
YouTube Video: My M4 Mac mini PORTABLE and BUDGET Setup!

I used to use a laptop as a desktop replacement with an external monitor, but now my laptop functions as an HTPC paired with a Logitech Wireless Touch Keyboard K400. (Avoid the K400+—it’s unusable because you can’t drag and drop properly due to the glitchy signal.)

The Mac Mini will be my primary work PC. I opted for a large 32" monitor, which works great for displaying a 2K resolution. It fits two browser or app windows side by side, making multitasking easy. Some people prefer two 24" or 27" monitors placed side by side instead of a single ultra-wide display. Personally, I don’t work or game in a format that benefits from ultra-wide displays, so they aren’t for me.

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Why People Like Macs

1. Ease of Use
   Apple devices are known for their clean and intuitive user experience. Unlike many Windows PCs, Macs come with no bloatware or intrusive advertising. Features like sleep mode work better on a Mac, making them hassle-free to use.
   
   
2. Performance and Stability
   Macs deliver excellent performance and are renowned for their stability and security. Crashes, freezes, and vulnerabilities are less frequent compared to Windows, making them a reliable choice. Simply put, "Apple just works."
   
   
3. Perfect for Creative Professionals
   Macs are a favorite among graphic designers, video editors, music producers, and coders. Unique, highly optimized apps such as Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro take full advantage of macOS, offering a smooth and efficient workflow.
   
   
4. Silent Operation
   Many Mac models, like the Mac Mini and laptops with Apple Silicon chips, operate without fan noise. This makes them ideal for quiet environments and extended use.
   
   
5. Exceptional Battery Life
   Apple laptops offer an industry-leading 18+ hours of battery life, thanks to the ARM-based Apple Silicon architecture. This is a game-changer for those who work on the go.
   

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Why People Might Avoid Macs

1. High Price
   Macs are expensive, and upgrades can cost up to four times as much as similar components on a PC. The Mac Mini M4 is a rare exception, offering better performance per dollar than any comparable PC.
   
   
2. Lack of Upgradability and Repairability
   Macs are not designed for upgrades, and repairs can be challenging and costly. However, when a Windows desktop is three years old, it’s often considered nearly worthless, and shipping one can be inconvenient due to its weight. On the other hand, models such as the M2 Mac Mini hold its value, with used models still selling for around $400 on eBay. This makes upgrading much more practical.
   
   
3. Limited Compatibility with Games and Apps
   Many games and software are either unavailable or less optimized for macOS. While tools like Crossover or Parallels allow you to run Windows applications on a Mac, these solutions come with additional costs and may not match the performance of native Windows.
   

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Final Thoughts

Things are still going well. I managed to get CrossOver to install Steam, and it ran games without any problems.

I also tested how much power the Mac Mini was drawing while playing a movie, and I was surprised to see it was only pulling 5 watts—including powering the speakers for sound!

If someone wanted advice on which type of PC to buy, I would say to use whatever tool is best for the job, whether it’s a Windows PC, a Mac, or both.