My New Mac Mini
Apple unveiled their new Mac Mini M4 in the fall of 2024, and everyone’s been raving about this tiny computer ever since. Meanwhile, my reliable iMac has been acting up, spinning its fan like crazy. So, last week, I decided to give the new Mini a try. Here’s what I’ve been up to.
I’ve been using an iMac for seventeen years now, and it’s been an absolute beast. It’s still a fantastic device, but I have to admit, it’s showing its age. Especially the 27-inch model with its stunning 5K screen. I’ve been using it for years, and I think it’s saved my eyesight. The speakers are also pretty good, and they’re enough for everyday use. The number of ports and outputs for music-making, the ease of use, the reliability, the design – everything has been great for me for years.
But then it started acting up. I know technology moves fast, and even great devices can become outdated before they break. I’ve tried upgrading my iMac for a few years now, especially the software, as Apple stopped updating it three years ago. I realized I’d been spending too much time tinkering with it instead of using it for more important things.
So, the iMac had to go. But it’s still good enough for basic stuff like communication and media consumption, so it ended up in the kitchen, where my whole family uses it. It replaced an older iMac that had been reliable for seventeen years.
So, this iMac made me think about what to replace it with. I’ve been using other mobile Apple devices, so I started looking at a desktop Mac. I tried out some new 24-inch iMacs in stores, but I wasn’t convinced. I’m used to the big 27-inch screen, and this just didn’t cut it for me. Plus, the cost of necessary upgrades was crazy!
So, I made my decision and got a new Mac Mini with the latest M4 processor. One reason was that AI has been growing so fast that I thought I needed a computer with which I could at least start learning about this new way of doing things. And this new computer seems to be a good fit for that.
Now, I’m getting to the point why I actually wrote this post. It’s about the transition from the old iMac to a new device.
I think that anyone who’s been using an iMac for a few years can relate to me. There are still a lot of Macs out there that are ten, even fifteen, years old! And there are also developers like Dortania who are working on software that lets you install new Mac operating systems on these old computers. That just goes to show how long these Macs can last.
Using an iMac is as easy as it gets. Just plug it into the power outlet, connect a wireless mouse, keyboard, and the internet, and you’re good to go. Similar to a MacBook, but there the screen is much smaller, the battery dies quickly, and the hinges can break.
On the other hand, the Mac Mini requires a different approach. You need to decide on the monitor – its size, quality, and connectivity. Unless you buy really expensive Apple monitors, the average monitor just doesn’t give you the same experience or quality as the iMac.
I have a decent 4K monitor, but I can already feel the difference. My eyes get tired faster, and it’s a pain to change settings. The only way is to use the buttons on the monitor, which is a bit awkward.
Then there are the speakers. The Mac Mini has a decent speaker, but it’s not as good as the iMac’s. For music, I usually use a set of good external speakers or headphones.
One more thing is the ports. Everything uses USB-C connectors now, so my older peripheral devices like hard drives, electric pianos, synthesizers, and audio interfaces need an adapter.
Despite these minor annoyances, I’ve been really impressed with the new Mac Mini. It’s much faster than my old Mac, and I haven’t heard the fan yet. The transition forced me to clean up my data and organize my files, but it’s been a good feeling to start fresh.
