Now that work might start to transition back to the office, at least a day or 2 per week, I need to start thinking about a work setup that allows me to have something close to my home set up.

My current home setup... 2018 15 inch MBP (run in clamshell mode) 2.9 GHz 6 core i9, 32 GB RAM, and 2 TB drive. It's connected to an HP 27" monitor.

My most intensive work is using Parallels to run a Windows VM, as well as being on video appointments all day.

I don't really want to have to unplug all of the stuff from MBP every time I go into the office (although that is an option).

I was thinking about a Mac Mini with an M1, but with there being a Max, Pro, Ultra... is the regular M1 already long in the tooth?

What thinks the masses?

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hey, I just bought my 2018 MM in Nov.
don't do me like that!

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!#$@@$#!

Quod suus via crustulum saxum

>is the regular M1 already long in the tooth?

Not at all.

>I don't really want to have to unplug all of the stuff from MBP every time I go into the office (although that is an option).

Get a powered dock.

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Does Parallels run on an M1 machine?

Yes, I think the M1 mini is due for a refresh.

The current port-configuration is anemic for a desktop computer. It needs more USB ports. And it should support more displays.

The rumor is that Apple is poised to update the MacBook Air first, but I hope they get a move on with the M2 mini.

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Quote
anonymouse1
Does Parallels run on an M1 machine?

It runs, but the ARM version of Windows is useless and decent ARM versions of Linux are rare, so it's kind of pointless.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2022 10:08AM by Tiangou.

Quote
mattkime


Get a powered dock.

Any ones that you recommend?

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If you want one that won’t cause more problems than it solves, get one with the ports you need from OWC.

Quote
jardster

Quote
mattkime


Get a powered dock.

Any ones that you recommend?

This is well rated. [www.amazon.com] - but there are a lot of options out there.

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Based on your post -- "Unplug all the stuff" only means an HP monitor?

Regardless, I agree with a small hub... this would work fine. FWIW -- using this exact hub with a M1 MBA and Dell 27" screen + printer. Plug and go.
[www.amazon.com]

I don't think the M1 mini is outdated, still very very fast, but it could use a refresh, 100%. 2 screens support is fine for 90% of users.

However, like mentioned Parallells and Windows for the M1 are dicey -- Ive seen some pretty good YT videos on how it runs -- worth a search.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2022 12:17PM by jdc.

Quote
Tiangou
Yes, I think the M1 mini is due for a refresh.

The current port-configuration is anemic for a desktop computer. It needs more USB ports. And it should support more displays.

The rumor is that Apple is poised to update the MacBook Air first, but I hope they get a move on with the M2 mini.

Latest available info:

[www.macrumors.com]
[appleinsider.com]

My M1 mini still kicks as much ass as it did the day I got it. I don't disagree with Tiangou regarding the port situation, but I wouldn't look for much change in that regard on the M2 mini. Apple is clearly using port allocation on its M1 desktop machines to drive sales to higher end products.

If you need it NOW, buy it now, along with a dock (note that OWC is backordered on pretty much all of their docks). If you don't need it now... wait to buy until you do need it.

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It is what it is.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2022 12:15PM by N-OS X-tasy!.

Quote
Tiangou
the ARM version of Windows is useless.

Can you expound upon that a bit? Recently I've been considering playing around with this version on my M1 and I'd like to hear your opinion on the situation.

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It is what it is.

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!

Quote
Tiangou
the ARM version of Windows is useless.

Can you expound upon that a bit? Recently I've been considering playing around with this version on my M1 and I'd like to hear your opinion on the situation.

There's almost no commercial software for it.

Even Office for ARM is unfinished.

So you've got a half-working version of Office, Adobe Photoshop missing some features, Zoom, and... VLC. Might be a couple of shareware/freeware products I've left out.

I have clients running advanced databases and architectural software in Parallels. Parallels on M1 is useless for them, and probably will be useless for at least a couple of years.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/10/2022 08:00PM by Tiangou.

Quote
Tiangou

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!

Quote
Tiangou
the ARM version of Windows is useless.

Can you expound upon that a bit? Recently I've been considering playing around with this version on my M1 and I'd like to hear your opinion on the situation.

There's almost no commercial software for it.

Even Office for ARM is unfinished.

So you've got a half-working version of Office, Adobe Photoshop missing some features, Zoom, and... VLC. Might be a couple of shareware/freeware products I've left out.

I have clients running advanced databases and architectural software in Parallels. Parallels on M1 is useless for them, and probably will be useless for at least a couple of years.

Ahh... I was under the impression existing Windows apps would run under the ARM version. Silly of me, perhaps.

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It is what it is.

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!

Quote
Tiangou

Quote
N-OS X-tasy!

Quote
Tiangou
the ARM version of Windows is useless.

Can you expound upon that a bit? Recently I've been considering playing around with this version on my M1 and I'd like to hear your opinion on the situation.

There's almost no commercial software for it.

Even Office for ARM is unfinished.

So you've got a half-working version of Office, Adobe Photoshop missing some features, Zoom, and... VLC. Might be a couple of shareware/freeware products I've left out.

I have clients running advanced databases and architectural software in Parallels. Parallels on M1 is useless for them, and probably will be useless for at least a couple of years.

Ahh... I was under the impression existing Windows apps would run under the ARM version. Silly of me, perhaps.

Some do run under the ARM version. MS has x86 emulation in their ARM OS. But it's not as good as Rosetta 2. Some people have gotten Steam and some nice games going in Parallels. For others, all the x86 stuff just crashes.

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