Which is your main computer?

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I want to buy a Mac. One of the thoughts running through my head regarding my plan to spend obscene amount of money on a Mac mini M2 Pro is whether I will be using it as my main computer, or if my current Intel PC (Core i7-7700K, 64GB RAM and tons of storage) can serve as the primary computer.

I define "main computer" as one which I will primarily use for tasks such as listening to music, watching movies, browsing the web, programming and relaxing. This computer should be connected to all the necessary accessories, including a printer, Katana X soundbar, Stream Deck and three display monitors.

Furthermore, the main computer should be easily accessible. I want to be able to enter the room, press the spacebar, and have it wake up immediately for use.

There are several advantages of the Mac mini over a PC:

  • It consumes low power, allowing me to keep it plugged in day and night.
  • It operates silently without a fan.
  • It is instantly available and can be put to sleep when not needed.
  • The operating system is visually appealing.
  • Xcode is available for development purposes.
  • The low power consumption is an important factor that should not be overlooked.
  • One thing I dislike about the PC is launching Firefox or Edge. Somehow it feels like it takes ages! I want instant access to my website!
  • PC can’t sleep!
  • There are a lot of tinkering available in the Mac eg Keyboard Maestro, Hazel, Alfred, BTT vs just Rainmeter and DOPUS in Windows. And don’t forget, Rainmeter sucked up resources, that’s why I disabled it too.

The reason for this exercise:

If the Mac is the main computer, I should buy the M2 Pro, otherwise, a low end Mac Mini will do (just for iOS programming)

So, if you are on the fence and trying to justify a Mac, perhaps these points will help you. The real question that you have to ask yourself is, which is going to be your main computer?

From the picture above, you can see that I fully utilise all the ports behind the Mac mini (4x USB-C ports, 2x USB-A ports, HDMI)

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