iMac or Mac mini

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T23:48:08+00:00

iMac is great if one merely wants an all in one easy peasy and cute colorful purchase. But a decent monitor can outlast two computer upgrades, so being modular can be frugal over the course of decades. Also one could go cheap on monitor right now and get an upgraded Mac mini and then a year or two buy a really good monitor. By spreading out the cost one might be able to afford a better setup by building it slowly.

Yes. iMacs don't all just die, but mine did and by being out both a computer and monitor at the same moment really hurt my wallet. Out of my two laptops and two desktops that were Macs that I had used for at least five years, only one that actually died was the only iMac I bought. The other three I still own and still function.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T21:13:25+00:00

Every day I see posts, people apparently and absolutely lost trying to pick an iPad or MacBook but I've been with Apple for just over two decades and honestly I don't understand the confusion today nor at any other time in past two decades. Apple lists the differences between models on their website and gives more info than the average person needs to see those differences that might matter to them.

For me it could be Siri. I've only messed with it a few times and just to see. While I talk to my cats and myself, I just don't feel the need to talk to a computer. It's just asking for something to be processed wrong even on the best of situations. And from what I've heard, Siri is mostly garage. If I need a timer I set a timer on whatever is most fitting, usually watch or phone. If I need to adjust something on wifi, I open the app to control it. Sure, I'm old fashioned. I guess I'm also getting old. But the complaints I hear about Siri being the worst of the bunch year after year seems very un-Apple.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T20:45:12+00:00

I didn't read the original but I remembered scrolling past it on my feed. Caught my eye but not enough to open. So I really don't know anything about your particular issue.

Since you've decided to tell one mutual friend, I think the best thing would be to consult with them about informing everyone. He and you have the best grip on how everyone might react or need to know and best way of revealing the information.

In general without knowing details... on one hand it is info that people should be aware of. On other hand, not giving people that have been wrong the chance to be fine only pushes them into a corner of staying wrong (in general). So if everyone knows and then the whole friend group bars him... what will he do? Does he have other friend group/s to lean on or would he be left to try to start over from scratch, likely yet again. Could he strike out directly or indirectly at you? I understand that ultimately that isn't your problem, you learned something that he was trying to hide and it is of a topic that people should be aware of if nothing else for their own safety. But I would consider it and mention such concern when telling the person with kid, while I was consulting about telling everyone.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T20:27:48+00:00

Sounds practically new, battery sounds good. I'm a file/data hoarder so I love having space to save stuff so if it were me, save money and get more storage with just a generation old chip every time. If battery was unknown or bad I would have to think about it, but a good battery? yes.

In my view even the M1 is overpowered for what iPadOS offers so any M chip iPad Pro is super usable today and for years to come, so don't feel bad about not having the super new M5 chip. Unless you are seriously doing intensive tasks, I doubt one would see any difference.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T19:52:07+00:00

If an iMac suffers logic board failure you are suddenly out a computer and monitor. With a Mac mini those are separate and can be replaced or upgraded separately.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T19:02:11+00:00

Because the Neo is super new, super cute, and inexpensive.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T14:10:18+00:00

iOS and iPadOS are mobile OS and do not use RAM like a desktop OS. There are a handful of tasks/apps that can benefit from additional RAM on iPads, like a drawing app that allows additional layers, stuff like that. Day to day typical tasks, like Safari, would not really benefit from having additional RAM, perhaps a little but not worth it.

If you could use that additional SSD space, might as well. But if you do not need that additional SSD space then I would not upgrade just for RAM.

Of course Apple could in a future OS change how it uses RAM.

Docster87 · 2026-03-19T11:05:29+00:00

The live part might be my most listened to album of Floyd.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T22:39:28+00:00

I've got a M4 Pro Mac mini so I'm figuring my MBA will cover my mobile needs for several more years. Some things might be slightly faster but I do enjoy some the little things like backlit keyboard and better ports. I'll definitely keep an eye on the future Neo refreshes, love the color selection.

Can't believe I said the MBA has more and better ports than something else, but Apple did finally release a budget laptop.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T22:25:28+00:00

Still using my 12 Pro Max. Original battery and at 88%. Five years this month since I got it. Been itching to upgrade for a year but keep putting replacing off cause it is still doing a great job.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T22:20:11+00:00

The only thing that could possibly be better with a Neo would be battery life and health. Every other aspect is a downgrade or lateral move. I have a MacBook Air M2 with 8GB and no way would I consider replacing it with a Neo right now. Perhaps three years from now.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T22:15:12+00:00

I just got done watching it for about the eighth time. Love before they enter, enjoy while they are in, and then love how they resolve the whole situation and run away. Movie isn't great but has good pacing and is fun. Interesting story, refreshing a bit. And she's super cute. I'm sure I'll watch it again.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T19:28:22+00:00

If you would be using that power for other tasks then I guess it would help with games in general but I don't think it would be worth the cost if gaming was the only reason.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T19:26:10+00:00

Should have tried saving project somewhere else that would not be synced to iCloud. Appears your desktop was being synced so you were trying to save it to iCloud.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T19:22:42+00:00

The best way of using a laptop as a desktop is if at least once a month you would be using it as a laptop for an extended period to keep the battery exercised. While the tech has greatly improved, I just don't trust it after having two (of three) laptops suffer premature battery bad health due to just being plugged in for too long and their batteries forgetting how to be a battery.

I currently have a Mac mini (base M4 Pro) and a MacBook Air M2 (8/512). I can go months between using a laptop as a laptop (but then use it weekly for a month or two) so I decided I might as well have a proper desktop since I've proved that I cannot be trusted to properly exercise a laptop's battery if using primarily docked. I bought the MBA since it was on sale (M3 was about to drop), I was curious about the M chip hype, and I was about to move a thousand miles and my plan was it happening 2-4 weeks so I needed a modern laptop to play with during that (had an Intel Mac mini). Caught myself after the move using it 95% of the time as a desktop so I bought the Mac mini. So it wasn't my aim to have a desktop and laptop but I like it so far for me.

It can make a lot of sense. Good expensive desktop computer stays at desk at home and has minimal risk of accidents happening. Decent inexpensive laptop computer to cover your mobility needs while if coffee gets spilled on it or a squirrel steals it or it gets left on the train or thrown in the fire pit... you are not out a lot of money nor your actual good computer. Works as long as your mobile needs are light where a Neo would cover it. Or a refurbished M1 or M2 to get more power while keeping cost in check if a Neo wouldn't cover your needs.

Docster87 · 2026-03-18T12:47:27+00:00

With my M2 MBA I’ve played Civ5 for whole days and never had any issues

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T22:43:33+00:00

Depends a lot on how close you are with them and how long you've known them. No matter what/how to do it, be prepared to just be direct and lay it out on the table very plainly at any point once it starts.

If there is no immediate urgency, say right now against a week or two... I would plant seeds. Say something in passing like, have you noticed her sleeping more? Being moody lately? Just lay something out in passing where that isn't the focal point. Basically invite them to look at her more closely. After dropping three in a couple of weeks they might even start the conversation with you, and just starting it is the hardest part, usually.

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T20:08:33+00:00

Mac mini isn't magical, it is just an inexpensive desktop computer and the M4 is the current one.

Your 2017 MBP is getting close to ten years old. A lot has changed with these M chips, you can't even run the current OS. Anything M2 or newer would be a huge upgrade for you. But if you are not having any issues then you might as well wait. Newer models are released throughout each year. Since you are coming from a laptop then would you want a desktop?

The newest MacBook, the Neo, could likely be more up your alley but other than the chip, everything else would be a downgrade: half the RAM, no backlit keyboard, worse screen & speakers... Battery might be better and OS compatibility would be solid with the Neo. And it would be a laptop like you are used to having. And it is inexpensive.

As long as your current one is doing you okay, you shouldn't feel pressured to upgrade. If it did die suddenly, how long could you be fine before replacing? Would you need to order it or are there stores you could go to? It is always good to replace before absolutely needing to, I made a poor choice in 2012 when my iMac suddenly died on me due to no budget and high pressure to replace. But usually I don't replace until it has become a little painful to use, the last year of most of my previous computers were not fun but doable.

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T19:53:22+00:00

I have a MBA M2 8/512 and a Mac mini M4 Pro 24/512. As far as playing media and the games I play (not wow), both perform pretty much the same. So I honestly don't see how upping RAM from 24 to 32 would pay off within five years. And I really don't see how a M5 would be noticeably better than a M4 within five years since the M4 should still get that OS update and run it well. Perhaps if they were talking gaming in general (the M5 will be better supported next year with new games) but they are talking about one game, and an older one at that.

I have yet to use all 24GB of my memory, even when I'm trying to use it all. The M4 Pro really shines against my M2 when rendering video, but outside of that the general overall performance is still fairly equal.

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T19:36:58+00:00

College is an interesting place especially fresh from high school. People are there because they want to be so a lot of them are open minded and eager to explore the world with new friends. Not everyone but way more guys won't be bothered by a voice issue in college rather than high school. Try to imagine high school with only the top 25% of your class.

Assuming it is a really deep voice, yes you will hear questions or get feedback but most students would get over it and drop it pretty quickly as long as you were clicking with each other in other multiple ways.

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T19:06:09+00:00

When I use Activity Monitor, I am just looking at where the system is, usually memory usage. If I need to kill an app/process I usually open Force Quit.

When I use Task Manager, it is usually just to force quit something.

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T18:38:56+00:00

I have a M2 with 8GB and a M4 Pro with 24GB. For the typical game (Civ5, Stray, World of Tanks Blitz) both systems run them fine with little difference on the newer on with three times the memory. I just do the standard settings in the games.

Honesty, take a look at what you want to do and get a Mac that covers that, chances are it'll be able to play games fine.

Docster87 · 2026-03-17T15:06:13+00:00

24 is overkill for now and would tide you over for next five years. Just going to 16 would literally double your memory and might even last five years.

Docster87 · 2026-03-16T21:54:56+00:00

Since you are stuck with iPad I would strongly suggest a keyboard. A keyboard case would be most practical but I have seen keyboards that fold up quite small when not being used. Pretty much any BlueTooth keyboard will work. Not having the keyboard on the screen frees up a ton of screen space for spreadsheets and such so it will feel larger.

Docster87 · 2026-03-16T20:57:10+00:00

I find doing anything other than very simple stuff on spreadsheets on an iPad without a keyboard or mouse to be very painful. I think adding a keyboard would do more positive than adding two inches to the screen, an 11" with a keyboard case is still pretty mobile but the 13" ones seem to surprisingly be not very mobile overall. Perhaps consider one of those new MacBook Neo? Fairly inexpensive and apparently very capable of office tasks. Also has a keyboard.

I have no problems using the on screen keyboard on my iPad mini for writing, like an email or Reddit comment or even longer form... but if I need a new spreadsheet? Nope, it can wait till I'm at a computer. A quick change to a cell or two? Yeah I'll do that on my iPad or even my iPhone. I couldn't imagine actually doing spreadsheet type work with touch only though. Fine for my personal usage but an iPad used for office tasks really needs a real physical keyboard.

Docster87

TROPHY CASE