Using Uptime Kuma to Monitor My Systems

I've been curious about monitoring systems and didn't want to use something overbearing, such as Zabbix.

One reason that I monitor the r/docker subreddit is because I sometimes see folks posting about the containers and tools that they use.  Someone posted about Uptime Kuma recently and I examined it.

I LOVE DOCKER because it's super easy to deploy tools such as Uptime Kuma and test them.  I was able to deploy Uptime Kuma within minutes and loved what I saw.

I'm now using it to monitor all my tooks, both my LAN containers and servers, as well as my external containers and web servers.  As well, I'm monitoring to ensure my SSH ports are up and connectable on my Linode host (and the port that I use to shell into my home system that has a port exposed to the internet).

I even tested different versions of Uptime Kuma.  I love that it's simple yet is also capable.  I don't want to mess with agents and I can monitor my systems with Uptime Kuma without using agents.

M4 Mac Mini - Uneventful Usage Is Good Usage!

So I've been using the M4 Mini a few weeks now.  It's been uneventful since getting it all up and running.

I did have set-up issues that I don't remember occurring with my M1 Mini.

The biggest pains was during the setup phase.

An immediate issue was that the Mini wouldn't notice my Mac wireless keyboard, at all.  Now, I'm using the keyboard that came with my 2009 iMac, so I'm not sure if there was a compatibility issue, but I'm using that keyboard now.

I eventually got past that.

I then used the Migration Assistant (MA) tool to migrate the data from the M1 Mini to the M4 Mini.  I had to let the OS get the latest updates, which took awhile.  I attempted to use MA initially but got through a portion of the process before it told me that it had to perform updates to continue.

I then had issues afterward with the Edge browser - it would ocassionally reset pages, especially login pages.  I'd enter login creds and hit the ENTER key, only for the page to refresh without logging me in.  I ended up uninstalling and then immediately reinstalling Edge, which seemed to help some, but the issue persisted sporadically for a few days - during that time, I'd pivot to the Safari browser.

I decided to continue using the Quiizlab USB-C Hub that I was using with the M1 Mini, as I like the fact that I can use it's extra ports and card reader, plus I do have an SSD in the dock/hub.

I've already used it to create several YouTube videos for my channel.  It's been seamless and eventless when using the M4 in that fashion.  I'm not going to lie, though - the base M1 was sufficient for that, although there weren't many instances where I was taxing that system when using DaVinci Resolve, and I was using a large SSD in my workflow.

I should've done this a long time ago.

Some folks have been holding out for the M5 Mini.  No one knows when the M5 is coming so waiting is a bit silly.  As well, the M5 isn't going to be leaps/bounds better than the M4, and we don't know if there will be issues with the implementation that would impact consumers.  And then there's the SSD and memory shortages that might impact production of the M5 Mini - that crap might last years.  Nah...there was really no need to wait.  

I'm happy with the M4 Mini and may have even been happy with an M3!

I Bought A Mac Mini M4!

Due to the recent Claude fervor, I'd been having a difficult time finding a Mac Mini to replace my base M1 Mini.

Maybe a week ago, I found one that was a 16GB memory 512GB diskspace M4, for $900, before tax.  I canceled the order because I wanted to use the money for something else.  I was disappointed because I was waiting a LONG time for that unit - someone has been buying up ALL the refurbs on the Apple Refurbished store.  Everytime they'd restock, the items would be out of stock within the hour.

Today, someone posted on the r/macmini subreddit that there was a bunch of machines at the refurb store.  What's nice is they pasted each unit's specs in their post, along with the links to each.  Instead of having to search on the website, I chose which I wanted, from the reddit post and immediately commenced to buy it.

I bought a 16 GB / 1 TB Mini M4, for $908!  This will be the latest M version in my inventory.  My MBP is an M3 (bought new, April 2025).  Between the two, I'm not sure which is the strongest.  The MBP is a Pro model.  This new Mini is not.  It matters not which is stronger, though, because both will be far more capable than my base M1 systems.

The trend for Minis is to buy a bigger SSD, but with giant surge of SSD and RAM prices, it'll be a LONG time before those prices will lower to pre-surge levels.  Plus, I hate hacking things...I'd rather keep this system OEM.

Some folks were holding out for an M5.  F that...why wait.  I'm not trying to chase the latest M model.  I'm going from M1 to M4, so I'm happy enough...the topper is that I got into a 1 TB while staying under $1K.  Most folks would focus on additional RAM, but for my use cases, 16 GB of RAM is adequate...I also wasn't trying to bust the bank with this.

I'll soon be packing up the M1 Mini and either gifting it to someone or selling it (it won't draw a lot of money).  

I also have a base M1 MBA - I'd been thinking of selling it but found that it carries extremely well when traveling, so I'll keep it for travel duty.

The new Mini will arrive Thursday. 

UPDATE (4/8/2026):  The Mini M1 has been replaced!  I'll speak more of the replacement effort soon.