5 ms·

I got mine this week, I'm surprised it doesn't even blow hot air while building node from source. However, I am greatly disappointed in the fact that I cannot

I got mine this week, I'm surprised it doesn't even blow hot air while building node from source. However, I am greatly disappointed in the fact that I cannot use both usb-c for displays, only one of them. I did not know of this limitation until I discovered things were not working as expected. Everything is super responsive, it's far better than the 2014 mac mini (4GB of ram) with 2020 SSD. Rosetta 2 seems to work without any hitches so far. I tried running some iOS apps, but it seems the ones available don't run all that well. From the ones I could install, it is nice to receive app notifications!

ericol 6y ago
> it's far better than the 2014 mac mini (4GB of ram) with 2020 SSD Can you explain this a little better? I have a MAc Mini 2014 lying around that never got to put to good use (I inherited it when my father died) and one of my daughters tried to use for video editing but deciding against because of the memory limitations. Would you say even thought with the little RAM it is still good?
- InvaderFizz 6y ago
  2014 Mini is nearly useless. It's a mobile dual core cpu.
- ghufran_syed 6y ago
  Not for video editing, and unfortunately the 2014 Mac mini doesn't allow upgrading the ram
  - qwantim1 6y ago
    You could maybe add an eGPU or add faster and bigger drive(s) for virtual memory. Also some info about 2014 Mac Mini memory at: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/mac-mini-aluminum-unibody-faq/how-to-upgrade-ram-memory-aluminum-unibody-mac-mini.html https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/mac-mini-aluminu... and https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205041#two https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205041#two
- cordite 6y ago
  So, I could dabble around in codepen on it, but if I try running Spotify, discord, a couple more tabs on the side, it becomes less responsive as memory pressure ramps up. It’s nearly impractical to use the chrome inspector. To get around that I’ve tried using both Spotify and discord in browser, and occasionally Spotify will cut out for a few seconds. At one point I resorted to using xquartz to run a few things remotely. It was.. okay but frankly vnc performed better.
deleted 6y ago
[deleted]
6gvONxR4sf7o 6y ago
I’m so frustrated by what apple has done with externals in the last few iterations, especially displays. I am an outlier in that I use three external displays, and my current MacBook can just barely support it if I make sure to spread my devices over separate usb-c dongles. If I try to put keyboard, mouse, power, and monitor on a single advertised as supporting multiple USB and power and HDMI, the keyboard and especially mouse stop working correctly, even with “just” two external monitors. I thought things were moving in a direction where I’d have one hub/dock I plug all my peripherals into, leaving one cord to plug into the laptop, but now I have a maze of dongles I have to load balance! I don’t mind what they did on phones with the headphone jack, because they provided an excellent alternative. On MacBooks, they just take away ports without a solid replacement.
- matthewmacleod 6y ago
  Have you looked at the larger Thunderbolt hubs, rather than one of the cheaper and more ubiquitous USB-C dongles? I use a 15" MacBook Pro and a Caldigit TS3+ – more expensive, but I have a single cable supplying power, a bunch of USB ports, Ethernet, audio, an SD reader and 2x4k monitors. It pretty much feels like magic and has been completely flawless. It won't run three screens though – I do sometimes use a third myself, but that needs an additional direct HDMI -> USB-C cable.
  - rmilk 6y ago
    Same here - using OWC (MacSales.com) TB3 hub on Mini 2018 for 4K and 1K display, supports up to 2x4K. Haven’t seen any that support 3 screens. Has USB A and C connectors, wired Ethernet, etc. They also have smaller versions, for example without Ethernet. Works from boot with MacOS and Windows. Only issue is with Windows safe mode (!).
  - zebnyc 6y ago
    I usually use 3 external monitors and I just ordered the new M1 Mac Mini last week. I am having trepidations about buying a port expander which is almost half as expensive as the machine itself.
  - 6y ago
yesimahuman 6y ago
Beyond two monitors, definitely noticing less consistent external display connectivity. Often have to cycle between closing and opening the lid to finally get it to connect. Unsure if that's just a Big Sur regression, however.
- grishka 6y ago
  I remember seeing a tweet from an Apple engineer saying how monitors sometimes break specs in all kinds of ways and how much they had to work around.
  - t-writescode 6y ago
    Windows and Linux do fine :)
throw14082020 6y ago
Dual monitor (1hdmi + 1usbc) and small performance improvement (from benchmarks on youtube) is why I went with Mac Mini 8GB (Because 16GB ram didn't make a difference)
- jeffbee 6y ago
  The macbook does have dual displays, it's just that one of them is included.

ericol 6y ago

> it's far better than the 2014 mac mini (4GB of ram) with 2020 SSD Can you explain this a little better? I have a MAc Mini 2014 lying around that never got to put to good use (I inherited it when my father died) and one of my daughters tried to use for video editing but deciding against because of the memory limitations. Would you say even thought with the little RAM it is still good?

InvaderFizz 6y ago
2014 Mini is nearly useless. It's a mobile dual core cpu.
ghufran_syed 6y ago
Not for video editing, and unfortunately the 2014 Mac mini doesn't allow upgrading the ram
- qwantim1 6y ago
  You could maybe add an eGPU or add faster and bigger drive(s) for virtual memory. Also some info about 2014 Mac Mini memory at: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/mac-mini-aluminum-unibody-faq/how-to-upgrade-ram-memory-aluminum-unibody-mac-mini.html https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/mac-mini-aluminu... and https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205041#two https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205041#two
cordite 6y ago
So, I could dabble around in codepen on it, but if I try running Spotify, discord, a couple more tabs on the side, it becomes less responsive as memory pressure ramps up. It’s nearly impractical to use the chrome inspector. To get around that I’ve tried using both Spotify and discord in browser, and occasionally Spotify will cut out for a few seconds. At one point I resorted to using xquartz to run a few things remotely. It was.. okay but frankly vnc performed better.

deleted 6y ago

[deleted]

6gvONxR4sf7o 6y ago

I’m so frustrated by what apple has done with externals in the last few iterations, especially displays. I am an outlier in that I use three external displays, and my current MacBook can just barely support it if I make sure to spread my devices over separate usb-c dongles. If I try to put keyboard, mouse, power, and monitor on a single advertised as supporting multiple USB and power and HDMI, the keyboard and especially mouse stop working correctly, even with “just” two external monitors. I thought things were moving in a direction where I’d have one hub/dock I plug all my peripherals into, leaving one cord to plug into the laptop, but now I have a maze of dongles I have to load balance! I don’t mind what they did on phones with the headphone jack, because they provided an excellent alternative. On MacBooks, they just take away ports without a solid replacement.

matthewmacleod 6y ago
Have you looked at the larger Thunderbolt hubs, rather than one of the cheaper and more ubiquitous USB-C dongles? I use a 15" MacBook Pro and a Caldigit TS3+ – more expensive, but I have a single cable supplying power, a bunch of USB ports, Ethernet, audio, an SD reader and 2x4k monitors. It pretty much feels like magic and has been completely flawless. It won't run three screens though – I do sometimes use a third myself, but that needs an additional direct HDMI -> USB-C cable.
- rmilk 6y ago
  Same here - using OWC (MacSales.com) TB3 hub on Mini 2018 for 4K and 1K display, supports up to 2x4K. Haven’t seen any that support 3 screens. Has USB A and C connectors, wired Ethernet, etc. They also have smaller versions, for example without Ethernet. Works from boot with MacOS and Windows. Only issue is with Windows safe mode (!).
- zebnyc 6y ago
  I usually use 3 external monitors and I just ordered the new M1 Mac Mini last week. I am having trepidations about buying a port expander which is almost half as expensive as the machine itself.
- 6y ago

yesimahuman 6y ago

Beyond two monitors, definitely noticing less consistent external display connectivity. Often have to cycle between closing and opening the lid to finally get it to connect. Unsure if that's just a Big Sur regression, however.

grishka 6y ago
I remember seeing a tweet from an Apple engineer saying how monitors sometimes break specs in all kinds of ways and how much they had to work around.
- t-writescode 6y ago
  Windows and Linux do fine :)

throw14082020 6y ago

Dual monitor (1hdmi + 1usbc) and small performance improvement (from benchmarks on youtube) is why I went with Mac Mini 8GB (Because 16GB ram didn't make a difference)

jeffbee 6y ago
The macbook does have dual displays, it's just that one of them is included.