alt Hacker NewsActually the pricing is pretty similar.
Framework Desktop price with default selections, 32GB of RAM, 500 GB storage: $1,242.00 USD
Mac Mini with 32GB of RAM, 512 GB storage: $1,199.00
Post changed a bit since I started replying, so:
> For the purposes of running LLM models, a Mac Mini
The M4 Max is the one that actually gives you a shit load of memory bandwidth. If you just get a normal M4 it's not going to be especially good at that.
> it doesn't have MacOS
The Mac can't run Windows, which is used by ~75% of all desktop computer users and the main operating system that video games target. I'd say that would be the bigger problem for many.
> Apple's service
What advantage does that get you over Framework's service?
> resale value
Framework resale value has proven to be excellent by the way. Go to eBay, search "Framework Laptop", go to "Sold Items". Many SKUs seem to be retaining most of their value.
(Nevermind the ease of repair for the Framework, or the superior expandability. If you want to expand the disk space on an M4 you need to get sketchy parts, possibly solder things, and rescue your Mac with another Mac. For framework devices you plug in another M.2 card.)
Replies
> Mac Mini with 32GB of RAM, 512 GB storage: $1,199.00
You're looking at the wrong Mac Mini. The model with the M4 Pro is the right comparison, on account of also having a 256-bit memory bus giving substantially higher bandwidth than a typical desktop computer. The M4 Pro model doesn't have a 32GB option.
The M4 Max (not available in a Mac Mini) has an even larger memory bus, giving it far more bandwidth than either the M4 Pro or the AMD Strix Halo part used by Framework.
Macs can run Windows just fine, through Parallels. It’s more efficient at doing so than most ARM based windows machines on sale still. And I found software compatibility with Windows 11 for ARM to be a non issue nowadays.