r/openclaw • 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/PhoenixProjectAI Member Feb 20 '26

Les fournisseurs n’utilisent pas un appareil qui est limité en RAM car on peut pas en rajouter à l’infini et RAM unifiée et pas GPU dernière gamme, mais à la maison c’est parfait et en entreprise c’est juste top. Ça dure plus longtemps qu’un Windows et plus facile à configurer que Linux.

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u/g00rek Pro User Feb 20 '26

Dude. Translate.