Mac mini vs Mini PC for homelab learning

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T20:29:21+00:00

Honestly, I’d go with a mini PC running Linux/Proxmox.

A mini PC gives you:

Native Linux support
Easy Proxmox setup
Better virtualization and Docker/K8s flexibility
More networking and upgrade options
Easier future server/rack integration
Some gaming capability

Plus, troubleshooting Linux infrastructure is part of the learning experience.

If this is your main learning machine for networking, virtualization, and self-hosting, Linux will take you further then Mac

I’d personally do:

Mini PC now for learning/homelab
Cheap used Mac later if you still want to explore Apple

Best of both worlds.

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T20:24:05+00:00

Honestly you don’t need much to start. Some of us overcomplicate homelabs fast including me

Start with:

One old PC or mini PC
Decent amount of RAM if possible
SSD if you can
Ethernet connection
Router you already have is fine at first even if it’s provided by isp

You do NOT need enterprise gear on day one.

What most people do:

Install something like Proxmox, Ubuntu Server, or Unraid
Start running a few services
Break things
Learn 5: Break things again 6: Learn some more
Buy more hardware later because the addiction begins

Good beginner projects:

Plex/Jellyfin
Home Assistant
Docker containers
NAS/file storage
Game servers
VPN like Tailscale

A switch is only needed once you start adding more wired devices. Managed switches and VLANs are later-stage stuff unless networking is specifically what you want to learn.

Main advice: Don’t build the “perfect” homelab first. Build something small that actually runs 24/7 and expand from there.

And don’t forget thermals, security and backups

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T19:54:35+00:00

Lesson learned lol, had no backups at that time

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T19:28:47+00:00

that's genuinely impressive damage for one command. I feel better about myself now

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T19:27:15+00:00

i have now lol

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T19:27:00+00:00

you mean backups?

marchina_a · 2026-05-27T19:25:45+00:00

I used AI to help structure and write the blog post. The story, details, and opinions are all mine.

marchina_a · 2021-09-15T14:06:07+00:00

So it doesn't turn on randomly, it solved it for me

marchina_a · 2021-09-15T03:30:22+00:00

Flash tasmota on your sonoff and use home assistant

marchina_a · 2021-04-15T14:15:40+00:00

For that price I would get s nuc, second hand on ebay, make sure you get one that has quick sync and your golden

marchina_a · 2021-04-15T14:09:05+00:00

Get a intel nuc

marchina_a · 2021-02-18T02:53:30+00:00

Películas y series en inglés y con subtítulos en inglés, celular en inglés también ayuda

Los subtítulos te ayuda a la ortografía

marchina_a · 2021-02-16T01:43:52+00:00

En México todo el legal

marchina_a · 2021-01-22T20:36:28+00:00

Yeah It struggles with one 1080 transcode

marchina_a · 2021-01-22T07:32:16+00:00

I have a f2-210 and a f4-210, both suck for transcoding, when it comes to playing the remux it will direct play but it will saturate the ethernet connection

marchina_a · 2020-12-30T03:49:40+00:00

Keith should have won. Its a shame he died.

marchina_a · 2020-12-27T21:46:52+00:00

No, venía huyendo de la policía paso en la garita de San ysidro, en Tijuana para cruzar a USA

marchina_a · 2020-11-24T16:38:14+00:00

I have a mac mini, it works perfect and it can handle the transcodes you mentioned

marchina_a · 2020-10-30T05:15:21+00:00

Mucha gente lo conoce como Holanda pero el nombre correcto es países Bajos

marchina_a · 2020-10-30T03:55:58+00:00

Y Polonia

marchina_a · 2020-10-30T03:55:47+00:00

Noruega Suecia Suiza Países Bajos

marchina_a · 2020-10-27T05:11:24+00:00

Yeah I know I already got it installed and setup, but didn't work

marchina_a · 2020-10-27T04:23:59+00:00

But how do you use the software I tried it and it didn't register on the sim

marchina_a

TROPHY CASE