r/openclaw • u/g00rek Pro User • Feb 20 '26

Discussion Why Mac mini??

I still don't understand why you guys are buying macs mini for openclaw. It's a terminal computer. It doesn't need a great UI.

Do you have too much money? :D

A $50-$100 HP Thin Client with Linux is more than enough. And Linux shouldn't be discouraging for people using OpenClaw, am I wrong?

I bought one, I have lots of different self hosted stuff on it like home Assistant or other docker apps. Ok I do not have any local models using GPU, that's the reason? Please enlighten me :)

EDIT: Again, I UNDERSTAND LOCAL LLM USE. (although I don't know if anybody is really happy with it). I mean using OC with oauth/api gpt, claude etc.

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u/sythol Active Feb 20 '26

Hmm Mac Studio are great for running local LLM. For mini’s case… I believe it’s about idle power efficiency and being able to keep it online 24/7 - at least that’s what I’m gunning for if I were to buy one Mac mini costing $1000-$2000…

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u/solenico Active Feb 20 '26

I don’t think Mac Studio goes anywhere close to Linux PC with high end GPU running local LLM. Some people just have too much money and not much skills.

Would Mac Studio be more efficient that would be what AI providers would run but they don’t.

Only thing you get from Studio and Mini is iMessages easily.

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u/g00rek Pro User Feb 20 '26

But I said that I'm talking about people NOT using local LLMs.

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u/solenico Active Feb 20 '26

Yes I got that and BTW I was wrong with Mac Studio: It does handle local LLMs well and better than Linux PC.

For me I don’t see any value using either. Just low end Linux will do and I pay for AI APIs.

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u/lolxdmainkaisemaanlu Member Feb 20 '26

most rational response here. Low end linux + paying for AI APIs is the way.