Why I returned the M2 Pro MacBook Pro... and got a M2 Pro Mac mini instead

When Apple released the M2 Pro MacBook Pro and Mac mini finally with HDMI 2.1 support, I opted to get the 14-inch MacBook Pro. I have since decided to return the MacBook Pro, and here's why.

0:00 Intro
0:12 Portability
0:42 Small Screen
1:07 Distractions
1:38 Overweight
2:21 Plug-and-play
3:24 M2 Pro Mac mini

[epicsynthwave]

Agreed. I use a Mac Mini for desktop productivity tasks and a Macbook Air for carrying around and business trips. Best combo IMHO.

[mvp_kryptonite]

Completely fair! I use my Intel i7 Mac Mini for native work and M1 MacBook Pro for everything else. I like that you mention your family as they are a huge part of life and I suspect soon my working space will be nibbled into when the kids grow up a little more! I’m
Tempted by the Mac Studio however

[TheThaiLife]

Your reasons are all basically why you don't need a laptop in the first place? And why you shouldn't have even bought this... to begin with.

[jpberti]

Totally agree. I have the $3100 m2 pro and it is not a good idea. Too heavy and screen too small. Going to return to Costco

[ArthropodSpidey]

Very logical and reasonable arguments. I definitely agree and that's why I also went with the same M2 Pro Mac Mini over the M2 Pro MacBooks.

[joemahma]

This is why I purchased the M1 Air refurbished with 16 gb of ram and 1 TB - it’s allowed me to learn macOS and now… I am saving for what you purchased, the Mac mini M2 pro, can’t wait

[steveoc]

I got an M2 Pro mini - because I already have a few laptops (map i7s), and just needed a dedicated desktop that wasn't going to overheat in this ridiculous weather we have been having. Went the pro, because I wanted at least 16GB RAM, and don't want to wait a month for a CTO build on a base mini.

Was actually in the market for a base studio, but thought Id give the mini a go.

It's holding up pretty good ! As a dev machine, that is compatible with all the awful proprietary Office stuff we need to run between coding jobs (like MSTeams / Email / Video Calls ec), it handles all that just fine.

As a developer machine, it's pretty well perfect for everything, including iOS apps / Android / System programming in Go, Java, Zig, C. / Docker / ssh / cloud ... it's a complete bargain. Everything just works out of the box.

Oh - and continuity camera with the phone is a bonus too. Great setup, actually a bargain. Will probably buy a couple more over the next year for other jobs.

[DesignMonkey]

I video edit on a 16” MBP; it’s not bad. There’s a big difference between the 14 and the 16 imo.

Def better to video edit with a large display but portability and freedom to do consulting while traveling is more important to me.

[RedLeo-pfyo]

I use my laptop for around the house when I don’t want to sit at my desktop. I keep my 12.9 inch iPad in my car at all times so I can use it on the go. Cause my iPhone screen is too small to surf the net.

[scottanderson]

This is, by far, the single most underrated channel on YouTube

[TMob-xmey]

I depends on how you want to use it. For your use case you made the right decision but if someone needs a longer battery life or does not want to buy a new laptop every five years it is not a bad choice to spend more money on Macbook Pro and use it next 10 years if it will survive.

[financialsombrero]

Great video, My low cost solution was to buy two 2015 MacBook pro's- one stays permanently docked in a stand, the other is for outside usage. For software dev this works fine, but for higher end video process it may not. Cheers

[angeltan]

See if you have a studio display, you will only need one lightning cable connection between laptop and display. Simple plug and play.

[BrianBoniMakes]

I'm picking out a mini pro, it's going to cost the same as the low end studio but it's going to be the lowest cost I've ever spent on a mac. I'm upgrading the ethernet as I have a fast network storage system. I'm wondering if the new headphone amp is better sounding and might save me from using an audio device.

[brucekennedy]

Agree. I got a Mac Studio over a MacBook Pro because I need a big screen anyway, so it was more bang for my buck. I might get something like an Air as a nice-to-have when I can afford/justify it.

[ordinarygg]

I have similar but with studio display, no problems with cables, but will move to studio m1 max from used market for 1700-1800 EUR

[bfaithwick]

Thanks for the video. I have a Mac Pro Mini on order with 1 TB for the same reasons. I did not want to spend $3k on the laptop at this time.

[clarityofthought]

I plan on getting the m2 mini with 512 gb and apple care

What "so many" cables are you plugging into it when docking? I only use one single thunderbolt cable from my display, everything is connected into the display itself, so literally my MacBook Pro becomes amazing desktop via just one cable. I unplug single cable and I am ready to go.

[paxundpeace]

The Macbook Air and the 14 in MBP aren't that far apart. It is down to personal preference.