I recently got a Mac Mini to use as a server. I initially thought that since macOS is based on Unix, it would be pretty much like Linux — just set it up and go. But once I actually started using it, I ran into quite a few pitfalls. Here’s a record of the main issues.

To do some small-scale model training at work, I eventually recommended buying a Mac Mini. The reasoning wasn’t complicated: I needed it for bioinformatics analysis, running agent deployments, and occasionally training models with modest parameter counts — these scenarios are exactly where M-series chips with unified memory shine. The cost of separate RAM plus a large-VRAM GPU far exceeds the Mac platform; do the math and the choice is clear.

And just like that, I unlocked the achievement of pushing forward multiple devices, multiple platforms, and multiple projects all at once.