Upgrading an M4 Pro Mac mini's storage for half the price

While you're at it add the USBC power hack https://github.com/vk2diy/hackbook-m4-mini

I've been traveling for business with this as my sole machine for 3 months straight and it has proven to be an excellent system.

What is the benefit over a macbook in this case?

The linked repo has a pretty good rundown of possible reasons:

> If non-square screens on Macbook Pros make your blood boil with rage

> If you can't afford or don't want to pay for a Macbook Pro (smart choice)

> If you have ergonomics concerns with shrinking laptops and one size fits all keyboards

> If you like your systems to be repairable and modular rather than comprised of proprietary parts shoehorned in to a closed source design available only from a single vendor for a limited time

> If you are blind (and don't want to carry a screen around)

> If you want to use AR instead of a screen and therefore prefer to be untethered

> If you are on a sailing ship, submarine, mobile home, campervan, paraglider, recumbent touring bicycle, or otherwise off-grid

> If you want a capable unix system to power a mobile mechatronic system

I'd add in not having to deal with a Macbook in clamshell mode doing stupid crap like forcing you to double-tap the touchID button sometimes, refusing to connect to external keyboards and mice on wake, and some of the other annoyances I have dealt with.

Also, a Mac Mini is small, and a MacBook is not, at least as a function of "desk area" vs "area consumed".

1. cheaper 2. different form factor 3. more choice of battery/kb/mouse/screen/camera 4. not landfill when you have to replace battery/kb/mouse/screen/camera 5. doesn't have an annoying chunk out of the screen 6. doesn't have a video camera pointed at you all the time 7. keyboard that suits large hands 8. keyboard in preferred layout 9. not subject to apple tax on most components/upgrades

I wonder why Apple left those two large power pads? They don't look like typical test points.

Are the populated from the existing PSU input or just there in case anyone wanted to mod it?

They probably use them in production as test jig connects for passing power. They are vertical inter-board rails. When making physical connections for high current contacts it pays to have a larger surface area in case there is a poor connection as substantial draw may occur for short periods. Also, such surfaces may degrade over time, so extra surface area is desirable.

> Fix the cables in place. This can be very fiddly. It helps greatly to have a fine pointed set of tweezers to assist with placement, bending and the application of pressure whilst screw-down is underway. Take your time and try to get all the cable core under the screw or at least a fair amount.

If you do this mod, you should really use crimped ring connectors instead of just hooking the power cables around the screws. It greatly reduces the risk of pull-out since the screw retains the connector, which also means less chance of shorts and a much easier install. Also since the terminals are uniform and flat, you get much more even clamping. I would also add heat shrink over the crimp.

I don't have a Mini so can't comment on the right size to buy, but you can buy ring terminals in practically any diameter for next to nothing:

https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/terminals/ring-co...

Well, some of those are reasonable. It's pretty hard to look at a 16 inch model and complain about "shrinking laptops".

> If non-square screens on Macbook Pros make your blood boil with rage

> If you are blind (and don't want to carry a screen around)

> If you want to use AR instead of a screen and therefore prefer to be untethered

You can just remove the screen! My M1 Air works just fine at least. (I’ve broken the screen, but if you just don’t need screen at all, you can sell the top half assembly and save some money.)

Mini is $600

MB Air ($1100+ / >1.8x) is only available 15" which is IMHO too small for long term comfortable use.

MB Pro ($2300+ / >3.8x) is 16" which is IMHO still a bad ergonomic experience. I'd sooner buy a mini, trash it, buy another one 4 times. Especially given they are improving annually.

Price was a different bullet point.