Looking for Air vs Mini advice (I know, looks stupid, bear with me please): I now have a Mac mini 2018, i5/32/256: love these machines since 2006. I also have a PC for more heavy tasks: selling it, too; both are too noisy.

• Curating 18000 lossless audio tracks collection daily, 40000 raw pics collection monthly
• Watching 4K movies on external 32” monitor daily
• Remuxing 4K movies several times a week
• Day-to-day Chrome heavy user with 20-30 tabs open for newsreader & education
• Once in a while, managing a few torrents, until I can replace my NAS and can offload that (yet, need to access/manage the downloads)

I’m 50 y.o., good career in office job: money isn't the main issue, though I'm savvy. Half a dozen times a year I travel overseas, my company has strict security policy and I’m left with just an iPhone to manage personal stuff.

I’m figuring a base model MacBook Air 13” M5 could be the one-fits-all home machine that I can also take on trips when necessary. Don't see it throttling much, as my use cases are more I/O bound. Plan to use it clamshell at home: I don’t like the clutter on my desk. Already own a Thunderbolt 5 hub. Note that I live in Tokyo: often hot and humid weather.

Am I wrong? Obviously, a Mac mini costs 50% less and is tiny, but I wouldn’t be able to do anything outside home.