The best accessory for your Mac is actually a $100 Windows PC
Are you a disgruntled Mac user complaining that some software is Windows only? It’s easier than you think to solve this problem: buy a cheap Windows mini PC.
I know, you own a Mac and buying a Windows PC is beneath you! What if I told you that Windows mini PCs were more useful than you thought? I really think every Mac owner should have an inexpensive Windows mini PC.
Not all programs work on macOS
I’m a big macOS addict. I’ve tried to quit the OS many times over the last 15 years, but I always come back to it. So what problem do I have with macOS? Not all programs support Apple computers and I use some of these programs.
As a Mac user, I simply need to have a Windows computer to operate my CNC and some of my lasers in my workshop. The CAD software I need is Windows only, and that probably won’t change anytime soon. CAD software doesn’t actually need a ton of processing power to run, so a cheap mini PC in my workshop is fine for this task.
We’re living in the golden age of mini PCs (but how long will it last?)
The mini will inherit the Earth.
While many programs are increasingly optimized for Apple Silicon, not everything is ideal for running on Apple’s in-house ARM processor. Most Windows mini PCs you’ll find will still be x86-based with an Intel or AMD processor, meaning they’re compatible with software that’s several years old.
A mini PC also normally allows you to upgrade RAM, storage, or both. This is something no modern Apple computer offers aside from the Mac Pro. This means you can buy a low-end mini PC and upgrade it as your needs increase with more storage or RAM. Mini PCs also have a fairly extensive port range compared to most Apple computers, typically featuring USB-A, USB-C, Ethernet, HDMI, and more.
Parallels and Wine sometimes work, but are not always ideal
Years ago I used Parallels on my MacBook Pro and it was a pretty satisfying experience. Wine is in a similar category to me. The problem with these virtual systems is that they are expensive (in the case of Parallels) or they simply take processing power away from your main system.
Let’s take Parallels as an example. It’s the only officially licensed way to run Windows on your Apple Silicon Mac computer. You spend $100 a year on the software unless you find it on sale. A Windows license will cost you an additional $100. You’ve now spent $200 to run Windows on your Mac and it will only run for a year.
Meanwhile, you can easily find a cheap Windows mini PC for less than $200 on Amazon, or even less than $100 if you use it on Facebook Marketplace. Purchasing a mini PC is not a subscription purchase and you are not required to purchase a Windows license. You get a complete computer for less than the cost of running Windows on your Mac for a year.
- Operating system
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macOS
- Price
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$99.99/year
Parallels lets you run Windows on Apple Silicon and Intel Mac devices.
A cheap Windows mini PC makes your life easier
In fact, there are many benefits to buying a cheap Windows mini PC as a Mac user. For starters, you’ll get a system that can run Windows-only software without having to pay a monthly subscription. That alone makes it worth buying a cheap Windows desktop.
The other huge advantage of having a small, always-on Windows computer is that it can be an always-on system. I don’t have a Mac desktop yet, although I want a Mac mini. As such, if I want a service to always run in my home, like Home Assistant or Plex, I can’t run it on my MacBook. A cheap Windows mini PC solves this problem.
Having an always-on PC in your home is more useful than you think. While a Mac mini is a fantastic option when it comes to a compact, powerful always-on computer, it’s still quite expensive, with a starting price of $599. You could buy almost three cheap mini PCs for that price.
- Brand
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Bee link
- Processor
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Ryzen3 3200U
The Beelink SER3 mini PC is the ideal entry-level Windows desktop for small budgets. Featuring a Ryzen 3 3200U processor, this desktop comes with Windows 11 Pro and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. A 500GB SSD comes preinstalled (and is user-upgradable), and you’ll find two HDMI, Ethernet, and four USB-A ports on this compact desktop.
Ultimately, I think every Mac owner should have an inexpensive Windows mini PC in their home. Whether running Windows-specific or older software or having an always-on system running various services in their home, the uses are endless and it costs less than a year of Parallels in most cases.
