As a long-time Windows user, my journey with Microsoft’s operating system began in the era of Windows 95. I cherished every iteration since then, particularly the stability and usability of Windows XP and Windows 7. When I acquired a Lenovo ThinkPad Carbon X1 in 2018, transitioning to Windows 10 felt seamless. However, the upgrade to Windows 11 in 2021 brought a wave of frustration.
Windows 11 felt cluttered with ads on the start menu and relentless prompts urging me to adopt Edge and OneDrive. AI features and Copilot were forcibly integrated into even the simplest applications, like Notepad and File Explorer, leaving me overwhelmed. It didn’t help that Microsoft planned for Windows 10 obsolescence in October 2025, making reliable hardware feel outdated.
macOS: On the Outside Looking In
During my hunt for a replacement, the ongoing RAM shortage and rising storage prices raised concerns. Fortunately, laptops with fixed components seemed largely unaffected, and many options remained reasonably priced. Surprisingly, switching to macOS presented itself as the best deal.
I had dabbled with Linux, particularly Ubuntu, in the 2010s, yet I always reverted to the familiarity of Windows. In contrast, macOS appeared friendlier and suited for full-time use.
(Image credit: Future)
My prior hesitation to switch stemmed from the perception that Macs were overpriced, especially before Apple introduced its own silicon, which repositioned them as compelling options. My Lenovo had held up well, so I didn’t feel pressed to make a move until Apple upgraded the base RAM from 8GB to 16GB, all while keeping prices steady. This adjustment made the M4 Mac mini particularly appealing, starting at only $599 / £599 / AU$999, which was difficult for competing PCs to match in performance.
The base configuration featuring 16GB RAM and 256GB of storage satisfied my personal requirements, ultimately prompting my transition to macOS.
Easy, Quick Setup, but Still a Learning Journey
Setting up my new Mac was a breeze; it only required signing in to an Apple ID, which is optional. In contrast, Windows mandates a Microsoft account during setup, necessitating an internet connection to proceed, alongside cumbersome workarounds for managing bloatware like the Xbox app.
(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)
While I am no macOS novice, acclimating to the new environment took some time. Learning the keyboard shortcuts and navigating menus required adaptation. Nevertheless, the overall experience vastly eclipsed my frustrations with Windows 11; everything just functioned smoothly, absent of ads or upsells.
However, macOS isn’t without its quirks. I miss the efficiency of Windows’ clipboard management feature, and the window snapping functionality remains superior on Windows. Moreover, gaming continues to be a stronger suit for Windows, although the gap is narrowing.
But Can It Run Crysis?
While gaming wasn’t my primary reason for choosing the M4 Mac mini, I discovered that many of my favorite titles aren’t natively supported. Thankfully, alternatives like Crossover allow Windows games to run on Macs. Nonetheless, I found plenty of natively supported games in my Steam library, from less-demanding titles like Stardew Valley to graphically intensive options like No Man’s Sky, achieving solid frames per second on my setup.
(Image credit: Future)
For those curious about gaming performance, the upgraded M4 Mac mini can deliver better results, especially for gaming enthusiasts. Resources like MacGamingDB provide user-reported benchmarks for various titles, showcasing the performance across M-series Macs. To answer the burning question, yes, the M4 Mac mini can run Crysis—though only via Crossover.
The Best Deal in Computing Amidst This RAM Crisis?
Living in Australia, I found that the M4 Mac mini is readily available at several retailers, although it’s reportedly selling out in other regions. Notably, Apple hasn’t raised the price for the M4 Mac mini, and the costs for RAM and storage upgrades remain stable, making it a competitively priced option.
Overall, my experience with the M4 Mac mini has been overwhelmingly positive. It offers snappy performance, a cleaner user interface, seamless integration with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, Apple TV, and iPad mini (6th Gen), in addition to surprising gaming capabilities. It has proven to be a worthwhile investment.
For more on this experience, you can read the original article Here.
Image Credit: www.techradar.com
