macminiM4
It's Mini Time
12/07/25 14:11
Been umming and ahhing about moving over to an Apple Mac Mini for a while. I’d decided I didn’t need a simple replacement of the MacBook Pro—I can use the iPad when I’m out and about after all, and I didn’t want the expense of an iMac. The M4 Mini has been getting boss reviews everywhere and I had no doubt this was the way to go. Having my current laptop only work using an external screen has been okay. But there has been that worry about what happens if it stops working; it may be difficult telling what was wrong if there were ever any issues ie if the computer has stopped working or if it’s a software or hardware issue etc.
The ole MacBook Pro (with its useless screen)
Over this Prime Day period (which is misnamed innit?) the price of the Mac Mini was significantly reduced—as were many of the worthwhile peripherals. And so I’ve bitten that bullet and gone for it now (I knew I was going to get it at some point, so it made sense to pay less for it when I could).
Of course, it is never simple is it? I got the M4 Mini in good time, but it hasn’t been as straightforward ‘Migrating’ over from my old mac to this as it would normally be for several reasons. The main pain was I only had one screen for the two macs so I had to keep taking the HDMI cable from one output to put in the other as I went through the question and answer process to confirm everything. A little painful. Secondly it wouldn’t recognise the wee mouse I had. Ultimately after much messing around I had to just use the keyboard and put it in ‘Accessibility Mode’. Jeez, that isn’t necessarily as simple as you’d think it would be (it’s not a case of just using the navigation arrows). Between dealing with the HDMI and then messing about in Inaccessible Mode it was quite painful.
Thirdly the GigaBytes taken up in my Pro were more than available in the M4 so I couldn’t simply copy everything over. Yup.
I’d bought a hub device with an SSD enclosure. But I couldn’t format the drive until the computer was working. Have sorted that now, there’s plenty more room to put all my Apps on to it.
The New Mac Mini M4
Of course now I need to see what Apps I need to download on to it, and get those downloaded. I probably don’t need that many to be fair. The main ones that spring to mind are: Scrivener, Rapidweaver, DropBox, a drawing app or two, and possibly MacFamilyTree (not that I’ve been using the latter).
That though is not as simple as it should be. In that last week I cancelled SKY TV which stops at the end of the month, but the Broadband stops on Monday! So I need to ID all the software apps I need to download, then do that before Monday. Only six or so Apps simple, right? Well it would be if it turns out I know what all my Usernames and Passwords are etc. It may well be a stressful day on Sunday; the internet version of the ‘Race Around the World’. Wish me luck.
That said the M4 mini looks amazing. Can’t wait to use it when it is fully loaded and I have my new Broadband working in a a few weeks.
The ole MacBook Pro (with its useless screen)
Over this Prime Day period (which is misnamed innit?) the price of the Mac Mini was significantly reduced—as were many of the worthwhile peripherals. And so I’ve bitten that bullet and gone for it now (I knew I was going to get it at some point, so it made sense to pay less for it when I could).
Of course, it is never simple is it? I got the M4 Mini in good time, but it hasn’t been as straightforward ‘Migrating’ over from my old mac to this as it would normally be for several reasons. The main pain was I only had one screen for the two macs so I had to keep taking the HDMI cable from one output to put in the other as I went through the question and answer process to confirm everything. A little painful. Secondly it wouldn’t recognise the wee mouse I had. Ultimately after much messing around I had to just use the keyboard and put it in ‘Accessibility Mode’. Jeez, that isn’t necessarily as simple as you’d think it would be (it’s not a case of just using the navigation arrows). Between dealing with the HDMI and then messing about in Inaccessible Mode it was quite painful.
Thirdly the GigaBytes taken up in my Pro were more than available in the M4 so I couldn’t simply copy everything over. Yup.
I’d bought a hub device with an SSD enclosure. But I couldn’t format the drive until the computer was working. Have sorted that now, there’s plenty more room to put all my Apps on to it.
The New Mac Mini M4
Of course now I need to see what Apps I need to download on to it, and get those downloaded. I probably don’t need that many to be fair. The main ones that spring to mind are: Scrivener, Rapidweaver, DropBox, a drawing app or two, and possibly MacFamilyTree (not that I’ve been using the latter).
That though is not as simple as it should be. In that last week I cancelled SKY TV which stops at the end of the month, but the Broadband stops on Monday! So I need to ID all the software apps I need to download, then do that before Monday. Only six or so Apps simple, right? Well it would be if it turns out I know what all my Usernames and Passwords are etc. It may well be a stressful day on Sunday; the internet version of the ‘Race Around the World’. Wish me luck.
That said the M4 mini looks amazing. Can’t wait to use it when it is fully loaded and I have my new Broadband working in a a few weeks.
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