The Mac mini M1 and 14" MacBook Pro with M1 Pro are my dedicated work machines. But I've found that I tend to use the mini a lot more for productivity.
Subscribe: 🔔
Comment: 📝 Let me know what you think…
Follow: ✅ |
Links go here:
Mac mini M1:
14" MacBook Pro:
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links:
GEAR I USE
– Canon EOS R5:
– Sigma 24-70 F2.8:
– Sigma 18-35 f1.8:
– Canon RF to EF Adapter:
– Godox SL-60W:
– AudioTechnica AT875r:
– Beyerdynamic FOX Mic:
– Feiyu AK2000 Gimbal :
– RodeLink Wireless Lav:
– iMac 5K:
– MacBook Air:
FOLLOW
–
–
CREDITS
– Final Cut Pro Plugins by MotionVFX:
– Music by Soundstripe:
– Captions by Rev:
TAGS
#macmini #14MacBookPro #iphone
I’ve been using the mini for several months. Recently had to take it on the road. Bought a case for it and used my iPad Pro as a monitor using Luna. Would have been more convenient to have an actual laptop but once I was set up it worked really well. The mini performs great. Even with demanding plugins running with Rosetta it’s faster than my old MB pro.
I was so intrigued and then saw the price tag! Oof. I mean when you need it you need it.
How did you deal with power with working with it on the road? Portable battery?
Mac min With the iPad as screen for travel! I like the vibe. I Just bought a MacBook Pro 14 and didn’t gravitate to as much as I thought I would. Did you get the 16gb. I may exchange the Mac book pro for an 8gb just for music production.
This is a good idea! Personally I would just go with an iPad on its own on the go. Just kinda afraid of taking the main computer on the road.
I honestly had no idea you can use the iPad Pro as a monitor for the mini. This is a great thing to consider as I am deciding whether to get a new MacBook pro or the mini
I’ve had my mini since release day. 16GB RAM was a must and is good enough for me. Now that I’ve stepped up to 4K video projects, it’s getting close, but nothing problematic yet.
Looking forward to an M2 model with 32GB as an option.
Mac Studio
@k05734 I personally feel like a Mac mini does the same thing as the apple studio
I’ve been using my headless M1 Mac mini with my iPad Pro as it’s mean display and interface using the Sidecar mirroring function. I love it even though my setup is a bit hacky because I have to VNC from my iPad to my Mac mini then turn on mirroring back to my iPad to get full resolution display but my uses are not very intense so it works. I basically use my Mac mini to run data intensive task and then come back to it later because I can app switch from my Mac to my of iPad experience just by switching apps. I hope Apple improves on this use-case more. Number one request would be able to start or request mirroring FROM the iPad in control center.
This Mac mini is excellent for development, good performance and no noise. I stopped using laptop in favour of this one. It can also be easily transported. When the pro will be out I will switch to the pro without thinking
Interesting thoughts in the video and comment thread! Bought the Mini last week but haven’t really used it – waiting to start a client project, cleaning audio in 200+ files recorded on crappy cassette recorders in the late 1970s through 2013-ish. I’m interested in the option to use the iPad as a screen. I hate laptops except as clamshells – too much stuff can break, and looking down all the time when away from the desktop monitor – yuck.
I love my Mini! It is a solid workhorse on it’s own but also plays nice with my iPad and MacBook… It’s a great desktop, so I’m very intrigued to see what the higher configurations bring!
Good video and I agree to the most part. I have the Mac mini M1 for just over a year now and a 14 MacBook Max. The mini is my go-to machine, connected to an LG OLED tv as the monitor – beats the hell out of the 14in screen … Where the laptop excels is when it comes to sheer processing power – I exported 200 50Mp raw files with DXO Prime noise reduction applied and it took 40 minutes … I then took those to LR/PS on the mini to do the finishing. The same export on the Mini took about 2.5 hours …(did that after the fact out of curiosity). Same SanDisk Extreme Pro V2 ssd used for both.
You should do a vid on you’re Mini set up it would be super interesting the cost etc versus a single Mac .You make the idea of getting a Mini a very interesting proposition.I too always find the display of the 14” small but the price jump to the 16” unjustifiable.
I just bought the Mac mini 16gb ram, and I’m in love with this tiny machine, is super powerful, quit and slick.
Great video Miles! It’s great to hear someone talk about the practicality of gear instead of specs and benchmarks. Yes, I think that with only the extremes is where the Pro and Max version of M1 show their advantages. But how often does someone do that? I had a 2011 Mac mini and wish I bought the 4-core version. Fantastic little workhorse.
Hi, have your thoughts changed so far?
I’m between m1 Mac mini 16 GB and mac studio base model(32 GB RAM).
I know it’s a weird comparison, but I found a good price.
Likewise, I will be dealing with development stuff too, but I have some concerns if 16 GB of RAM enough to tackle with development and 4K display. Can you tell me about swap usage during the development (u can check from activity monitor)
I’ve also thought buying 13″ or 14″ MacBook Pro (with 16 GB RAM) and using them with 4K display.
it’s really hard to decide.
Great video! I love this comparison as I’ve been debating buying a new laptop, but a mini makes a lot of sense for my use case. Thank you.
as a videographer too, I had almost the same setup and I fully agree with you. I have the 2017 Macbook pro 15 inch so it’s not the best when it comes to video editing, but the price of Mac Mini is just so amazing, whenever I need to do serious video editing, I will use the mac mini instead of my 2017 macbook pro. Besides, the laptop is just too precious for me to keep the FAN running, but I am sure the Macmini can be operated for prolong period of time even with 100% CPU and GPU, that makes it really good for my live streaming.
Makes sense, but not for me. I love having a “main” display and a “support” display. Dual monitor distracts me and one monitor always feels off. So I like having a laptop as my main machine. Also I like the option to switch to clamshell mode when I want so I can vary the function depending on the task. And the option to go mobile when I need.
It’s my fourth year making videos, my workflow is getting more intense as I integrate After Effects (which is proving RAM hungry) and Final Cut Pro. So, I’m trying to go simpler this year with tech. One computer only instead of home desktop and mobile laptop.
That way I don’t have to update plugins, templates, 3d assets, settings and styles across multiple machines. I’m going for the 14-inch M1 Pro with 32gb of RAM. And planning (read: hoping desperately) to not buy a new machine for at least two years – even though I know M2 air will probably entice me, I’m just burning time evaluating possible tech for possible workflows.
Just trying to get something that works well and stick with it for a while longer than I usually do. Love your videos. The HDR looks crisp.
Indeed. I’m hoping we see an M1 Pro/Max Mac mini at the rumored March 8 event. If it comes in at under $1K for a non-binned M1 Pro version, even if I have to pay extra to get it to 32 Gb memory and 1 Tb storage (like my current 16 inch M1Pro MBP), I suspect I will find it compelling—especially if AAPL also releases smaller and much less expensive XDR displays I can plug it into.
Lol they Introduced Mac Studio rather than Mac mini with M1 Pro chip so now you have to Pay $2000 to Apple for great performance either get 14inch Macbook Pro with M1 Pro chip or Mac Studio with M1 Max chip
I’m still on a 2018 Mini and would *love* to switch to an M1 Mini (just swap the box out under my desk), but having two displays (2k & HD) plus a pen display — three displays in total — is what’s keeping me from upgrading.
I think the power would be fine. It’s just the two display limitation that’s the problem right now.
I love the Mac Mini! I’ve got a inexpensive 43″ 4k TV paired with it and it’s unbelievable! I didn’t know how this would work but from day one I love this big monitor. Watching the Superbowl, basketball or just a movie is so cool. I’m editing an iMovie and just finished a new song in Logic Pro. I’m blessed with this setup. I’m wondering what the Mac Mini will be like with an M2 chip, but honestly I don’t need it! An incredible computer and 43″ 4k monitor for under $1500. Sheesh
Agreed. My main workstation needs to be stationary as well. For the same reasons, connected stuff, display size … laziness. That’s why I kept my M1 macbook air for mobile use and M1 mac mini at home. (which will be replaced with the mac studio in a couple days)
I just got a baseline Mac Mini for $499 tax free on base. Would have like to get the one with extra ram but I have been genuinely impressed using it the pass few days …. The M1 chip at that price point is beyond a steal for me
Only thing I’m worried about when it comes to the Mac mini is the fact I use the Logitech master 3 keyboard and mouse. Every time my MacBook restarts it needs to be opened and use it’s own keyboard. I remember thinking it was amazing when I got it two years ago but to be honest for the last 12 months I am forever in aw at how useless a machine it is. I will give Mac another go and hope to god this ones a rare dud