I don't particularly have to make the switch, as my desk is already set up with an excellent monitor, stereo speakers, a wireless Logitech mouse, and my beloved CODE keyboard. I set my laptop down there, plug in, and BOOM - dual-monitor setup!
That said, if I were to switch to a purely desktop setup, I'd much rather be running Linux than Mac. The System76 Meerket is roughly equivalent, and runs Ubuntu natively. (Of course, remember that Ubuntu has less performance demands than Apple, so the same specs on Linux are going to be faster by default.)
Meerkat
3.5GHz Intel i7 dual-core, 16GB RAM, 250GB SSD
4 USB Type-A, 1 USB Type-C, HDMI, audio port, Ethernet, power
$1069
Apple Mini
3.2GHz Intel i7 6-core, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
2 USB Type-A, 4 USB Type-C, HDMI, audio port, Ethernet, power
$1099
I’d much prefer the 4 thunderbolt ports on the Mac mini. Definitely one my favorite interfaces and probably has even more advantages on Mac being a desktop.
Well, fair enough, but to me, two extra ports isn't worth the proprietary lock-in or the drop in specs. There are USB-C-to-USB-A converters, not to mention, USB hubs.
I don't particularly have to make the switch, as my desk is already set up with an excellent monitor, stereo speakers, a wireless Logitech mouse, and my beloved CODE keyboard. I set my laptop down there, plug in, and BOOM - dual-monitor setup!
That said, if I were to switch to a purely desktop setup, I'd much rather be running Linux than Mac. The System76 Meerket is roughly equivalent, and runs Ubuntu natively. (Of course, remember that Ubuntu has less performance demands than Apple, so the same specs on Linux are going to be faster by default.)
Meerkat
3.5GHz Intel i7 dual-core, 16GB RAM, 250GB SSD
4 USB Type-A, 1 USB Type-C, HDMI, audio port, Ethernet, power
$1069
Apple Mini
3.2GHz Intel i7 6-core, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
2 USB Type-A, 4 USB Type-C, HDMI, audio port, Ethernet, power
$1099
Thanks for the input. I'm watching this thread with a lot of interest, but after that I'm jumping in and making a choice.
I have never owned a System76 but they look amazing.
I’d much prefer the 4 thunderbolt ports on the Mac mini. Definitely one my favorite interfaces and probably has even more advantages on Mac being a desktop.
Well, fair enough, but to me, two extra ports isn't worth the proprietary lock-in or the drop in specs. There are USB-C-to-USB-A converters, not to mention, USB hubs.
USB-C is not the same as Thunderbolt.
Well, TIL. Thanks.
Still, I'm not sure the trade-offs are worth it. At least not to me.