Best way to set up my workspace?

[melonator]

Hello there,

I received a free 40" standing desk and inherited an M1 iMac desktop size 24". I could only have space for a 25" BenQ monitor.

I want to make the M1 my personal computer and connect to the second monitor (BenQ).

I was thinking of getting a M4 Mac Mini to use as a work computer and use both the M1's monitor and the BenQ as dual screens so I have a bigger desktop to work with. The problem is the limitations of the M1 iMac as a monitor and I don't know how reliable the Luna Display software is for speed and stability.

Another option is to just have the M1 iMac as a work computer and use the BenQ as a second monitor to connect easily without issues. And I can just get a new MacBook as a personal computer. However, how can I be able to get more processing power out of the M1 iMac without taking apart the computer itself? I work with powerful apps everyday so getting a lot of processing power is a must.

 

[Abazigal]

You may be better off simply selling the iMac and using the money for a 2nd monitor for your M4 Mac mini.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

I agree with @Abazigal if you're not going to use the iMac as a computer, sell it & get a 4K display. Luna and AirPlay to Mac and similar are all compromises in terms of quality, performance, and reliability.

You could also use the M1 as your computer (and why not - M1 is a good computer).

What I'd personally do is a dual-arm VESA mount (and a VESA adapter for the iMac if you don't sell it). I use a dual-arm mount on my own standing desk and it's GREAT - the display can overhang the edge as much as you want, and it frees up all kinds of desk space beneath the displays. I even mounted my Mac mini to the underside of the desk to free up more space!

 

[BrianBaughn]

Hard to give more advice when we don't know what

However, how can I be able to get more processing power out of the M1 iMac without taking apart the computer itself? I work with powerful apps everyday so getting a lot of processing power is a must.

You can't get more "processing power" out of the M1 iMac.

How much time will you save, per day, by having an M4 Mac Mini instead of an M1 iMac?

 

[Alameda]

Hello there,

I received a free 40" standing desk and inherited an M1 iMac desktop size 24". I could only have space for a 25" BenQ monitor.

I want to make the M1 my personal computer and connect to the second monitor (BenQ).

I was thinking of getting a M4 Mac Mini to use as a work computer and use both the M1's monitor and the BenQ as dual screens so I have a bigger desktop to work with. The problem is the limitations of the M1 iMac as a monitor and I don't know how reliable the Luna Display software is for speed and stability.

Another option is to just have the M1 iMac as a work computer and use the BenQ as a second monitor to connect easily without issues. And I can just get a new MacBook as a personal computer. However, how can I be able to get more processing power out of the M1 iMac without taking apart the computer itself? I work with powerful apps everyday so getting a lot of processing power is a must.

What has convinced you that the M1 Mac isn’t powerful enough? Are you going to throw everything away next year when “even faster” comes out? It’s a serious question: The M1 Macs are very fast.