Mac Mini M2 configuration for HTPC setup

[FrenchPB]

Dear all,

I want to buy a Mac Mini M2 to set it up as an HTPC plugged to my 65-inch 4K LG C1.
The main use will be to watch high res video files and browser photos taken with my Canon R6.
As a consequence, I intend to use the HDMI 2.1 connection and keep a native 4K resolution on the screen.

Since I will sit 5 meters away from the screen, I understand texts and icons on the screen will look very small.

My idea is to use the Sidecar app to mirror the screen on my ipad. So here are my questions :
- can the ipad wake up a sleeping Mac Mini and be considered a primary screen when I'm not using the TV ?
- can you use the iPad touch screen and keyboard to control the Mac ?
- when mirroring the screen, will that impact the resolution on either the TV or iPad ? Can I have a 4K resolution on the TV and not have to deal with very small text and icons on the ipad screen if that makes sense ?


For my use (mostly VLC, Plex, Photos apps, ...), what Mac Mini configuration should I use ?
- M2 or M2 pro ?
- 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM
- for hard drive, I understand 512 is the minimum for speed (two chipsets), but since my Mac Mini will be under the TV, I can connect a couple of externe hard drives to it

Thanks for your advices on my project.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Why not use an Apple TV? I used to use a Mac mini myself as an HTPC, and had it configured to work pretty well with 3rd party utilities for creating and customizing a menu accessible with an IR remote; another for letting me use a gamepad with anything by custom mapping the controls to keyboard commands; etc. But the ATV today is more capable than ever with more options and plenty of software support. All the apps you want to use are available. I run a Plex server on my iMac upstairs and access it with another app that I like better (Infuse) though Plex itself is available. If you don't have another computer to run Plex Server on, well I guess that'd be a reason. But otherwise, the ATV is the way to go.

 

[FrenchPB]

That is actually what I am doing right now : a 2011 27" iMac upstairs running a Plex server and an Apple TV connected to the 4K TV. However, my iMac is really getting old, sits in my kid's bedroom, and the screen quality is subpar.

With no room to get a new iMac and no need for an other portable device (I already have a PC laptop for work and an iPad pro), I believe the Mac Mini solution makes a lot of sense.