Post your Mac mini setups

[sporadic]

A 2018 mini with eGPU replaced my "early 2009" 8 core mac pro in my corner of our home office. I usually spend 2 days a week here rather than at the company site but as a result of recent knee surgery I have been full time at home of late.

The keyboard is still the one from that very same mac pro, it is comfortable, I'm used to typing on it, the USB ports are convenient in a pinch but I do wish they were a faster standard.

The screens are both LG-24UD58-B 4K 24inch models mounted on the wall. Use homebrew and "brew cask install monitorcontrol" to get the native keyboard controls for brightness and volume to work. I run these at "default for display" settings which is pin sharp version of 1080P sizing.

My work provided Windows 10 laptop is hidden behind the eGPU box, not blocking the airflow, plugged into power and network so I can use it via remote desktop.

 

[Acorn]

A 2018 mini with eGPU replaced my "early 2009" 8 core mac pro in my corner of our home office. I usually spend 2 days a week here rather than at the company site but as a result of recent knee surgery I have been full time at home of late.

The keyboard is still the one from that very same mac pro, it is comfortable, I'm used to typing on it, the USB ports are convenient in a pinch but I do wish they were a faster standard.

The screens are both LG-24UD58-B 4K 24inch models mounted on the wall. Use homebrew and "brew cask install monitorcontrol" to get the native keyboard controls for brightness and volume to work. I run these at "default for display" settings which is pin sharp version of 1080P sizing.

My work provided Windows 10 laptop is hidden behind the eGPU box, not blocking the airflow, plugged into power and network so I can use it via remote desktop.

View attachment 896139

that small shelf underneath the desk to the left looks like a sweet spot for the egpu. Im guessing though you dont want to hide it.

 

[sporadic]

that small shelf underneath the desk to the left looks like a sweet spot for the egpu. Im guessing though you dont want to hide it.

Actually I did think about that but I don’t have long enough TB3 and DP cables to reach. Also I discovered I can put my left leg in there to keep it elevated and reduce the swelling from the surgery. Sounds odd but works well in practice as it is much deeper than it appears in the pic.

 

[Acorn]

Actually I did think about that but I don’t have long enough TB3 and DP cables to reach. Also I discovered I can put my left leg in there to keep it elevated and reduce the swelling from the surgery. Sounds odd but works well in practice as it is much deeper than it appears in the pic.

well surgery comes first. if its good for your leg better to keep it elevated if it feels better.

 

[lowendlinux]

It's a cross post but I swapped my cheese grater for a Mac mini..my only complaint is the sound is garbage so I hooded my external DAC back up

 

[STC1709]

Mainly for a boost in Lightroom and desktop. The iGPU in the Mac mini struggles a little with driving the Ultrafine when I have lots of windows/spaces/apps open.

Also play a few games.

Which LG model is it? I've been looking at the 24UD58-B and buying 2 of them but if you are having issues with the iGPU with just 1 monitor then there is surely to be issues with 2 monitors, then again I barely run any apps, just a few programs.

 

[LiE_]

Which LG model is it? I've been looking at the 24UD58-B and buying 2 of them but if you are having issues with the iGPU with just 1 monitor then there is surely to be issues with 2 monitors, then again I barely run any apps, just a few programs.

That would be the 23.7" LG UltraFine - https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUA2VC/A/lg-ultrafine-4k-display

 

[Stephen.R]

Which LG model is it? I've been looking at the 24UD58-B and buying 2 of them but if you are having issues with the iGPU with just 1 monitor then there is surely to be issues with 2 monitors, then again I barely run any apps, just a few programs.

It will very much depend on usage.

I'm running 2x Dell P2415Q (24", 4K) displays from a 2018 Mini. At 'default' resolution (which is 'looks like 1920x1080' for a 4k display) they perform fine for every day tasks, and my work (writing code/etc - so a memory-hungry IDE, one or more headless (no GUI) VM's, and a bunch of terminal + browser windows/tabs) - however my usage is quite different to @LiE_'s - I don't do any video or photo editing (well aside from the occasional butcher job using the crop/markup tools in Preview).

I *am* still considering an eGPU (I'd probably have done it already if they were more readily available here - organising an international shipment aids in procrastination) though, because personally I'd prefer to run the displays at a slightly higher effective (aka 'looks like') resolution, and the Mini does struggle with that.

Also keep in mind that system memory is used by the iGPU - the base 8GB is not gonna perform well running a 4k display, and if whatever you'e doing is RAM hungry that may have a negative impact on it too.

 

[langmurf]

https://imgur.com/a/AmBgPWX

From left to right:

2014 Mini - 2.8GHz i5 Dual Core/ 16GB RAM / 512GB SSD / macOS Mojave 10.14.6
HP 25" monitor

iPad 4 - iOS 10.3.3

2018 Mini - 3.0GHz i5 6-core / 32GB RAM / 512GB SSD / macOS Catalina 10.15.3
Vizio 43" 4K TV as monitor

iPad Pro 10.5" (2017) iPadOS 13.4 (connected to above Mini via Sidecar)

MacBook Pro (2010) - 2.53GHz i5 Dual Core/ 8GB RAM / 512GB HDD (7200RPM)

 

[STC1709]

That would be the 23.7" LG UltraFine - https://www.apple.com/shop/product/HMUA2VC/A/lg-ultrafine-4k-display

thank you
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It will very much depend on usage.

I'm running 2x Dell P2415Q (24", 4K) displays from a 2018 Mini. At 'default' resolution (which is 'looks like 1920x1080' for a 4k display) they perform fine for every day tasks, and my work (writing code/etc - so a memory-hungry IDE, one or more headless (no GUI) VM's, and a bunch of terminal + browser windows/tabs) - however my usage is quite different to @LiE_'s - I don't do any video or photo editing (well aside from the occasional butcher job using the crop/markup tools in Preview).

I *am* still considering an eGPU (I'd probably have done it already if they were more readily available here - organising an international shipment aids in procrastination) though, because personally I'd prefer to run the displays at a slightly higher effective (aka 'looks like') resolution, and the Mini does struggle with that.

Also keep in mind that system memory is used by the iGPU - the base 8GB is not gonna perform well running a 4k display, and if whatever you'e doing is RAM hungry that may have a negative impact on it too.

i use excel a lot and safari. I also use photoshop from time to time but id say maybe 3-5x per month. I run thinkorswim a lot which is a memory hog so from what you’re saying i would definitely need to upgrade to 16gb if i’m going to run 2 4k monitors. Very good to know, thank you very much for the explanation

 

[Stephen.R]

I run thinkorswim a lot which is a memory hog so from what you’re saying i would definitely need to upgrade to 16gb if i’m going to run 2 4k

I would consider 16GB the bare minimum to run 4K, regardless of any other applications.

What do you consider a "memory hog" ? I'd call IDEA (a java-based IDE) pretty heavy on memory usage, I've seen it get up around 3-4 GB.

 

[STC1709]

I would consider 16GB the bare minimum to run 4K, regardless of any other applications.

What do you consider a "memory hog" ? I'd call IDEA (a java-based IDE) pretty heavy on memory usage, I've seen it get up around 3-4 GB.

Will probably just go with 32gb 2x16, prices are super cheaper (130) so makes sense to just it right way first time.

 

[Decoy205]

View attachment 897196

It's a cross post but I swapped my cheese grater for a Mac mini..my only complaint is the sound is garbage so I hooded my external DAC back up

Nice set up. Is that Mac Pro shaped external a hard drive? That’s cool!

 

[iAssimilated]

Definitely in the market for a new desk, but...

 

[madmin]

Definitely in the market for a new desk, but...

Cheers !!🍺 😁

(kinda jealous of your mini collection btw)

 

[dandeco]

Here is my current setup:

Running my 2012 quad-core i7 Mac Mini (upgraded with 16 GB of RAM and a 960 GB SSD, also hooked up to a USB 3.0 dock/hub, my LG external USB Blu-Ray burner and a 24" Dell LCD display via HDMI) running Mac OS 10.15.4 Catalina, running alongside my PowerMac G4 QuickSilver (with 867 MHz processor, 1 GB of RAM, two internal hard drives and a dual-layer SuperDrive) set on a dual-boot Mac OS X 10.4.11 Tiger and Mac OS 9.2.2 setup! It is an interesting experience seeing two system types set over a decade apart being in use. Pardon the rat's nest of wires; when you work with a lot of electronics and devices this can happen! I also really need to organize some of the stuff under my desk.

 

[Miat]

Ahh, finally, a set up I can feel at home with.

 

[DeepIn2U]

View attachment 809111 I wall-mounted mine with the cables pointing down. Screen is a 43 inch LG 4k monitor (no UI scaling required). Behind the wall-mounted monitor is a PS4 Pro and a Node 202 mini gaming PC.

What desk is that ... it looks like a sit/stand desk?

 

[0128672]

Long time lurker, so hello and time to post my setup. I have a refurb 2018 mini i7/64GB/1TB with a Dell U2718Q monitor (scaled 2x), 1TB G-Drive, 1TB Lacie Rugged, gen2 Airport Extreme for Time Machine only, iPad Mini 5 on a Rain mStand (in a Zagg Rugged Book--love this case), Bose speaker, external Samsung dvd drive, and last but not least my beloved Roland FP-10. My primary use is for composition in Logic Pro. I can wheel the keyboard away as needed. I also use a Blue Snowball ice usb mic for some projects. My network stuff is across the room.

Also want to put in a plug for the Apple refurbs. I swear by them. Although I don't need to buy anything for a while, checking the refurb site daily is a bit of a sport for me, particularly watching how quickly the minis disappear.

 

[lowendlinux]

Here’s v.2 of the desk, v.3 will be live in a couple weeks

 

[energie60]

Couple small additions to my setup. Sonos One gen2 and a succulent.

View attachment 886200

View attachment 886201

Hi, where did you buy your lamp and your mouse pad ? Thank you

 

[ivnj]

mykeyboard

mvvg.blogspot.com

 

[Passy78]

Here is my set-up:
Mac Mini late 2012, bought in 2013 for 500 €, upgraded with a Samsung 840PRO SSD / 256GB and upgraded to 16 GB internal memory. It is connected to an external SSD because 256GB was no longer enough, an ASUS router, an ASUS 27 screen (WQHD through TB1). I use a wired keyboard and also a wired mouse, and a bluetooth trackpad. The main reason for the wired keyboard and mouse is the fact that I often need to boot Ubuntu from a USB stick and this special Ubuntu version has no drivers for bluetooth keyboards.

I use the iPad Pro currently for video-conferencing that's why it is always there. All webcams are currently sold out.

The most amazing thing for me is how fast this machine still is. The display is new, an incredible upgrade compared to my old display which was an Acer 24'' display that was total rubbish.


As you might see, the ASUS router is currently on top of the Mac Mini which is not ideal, I still need a longer network cable and then I might move it to the other end of the desk. The Mac has a wired connection as I have 500 Mbit down / 250 Mbit up Fiber Internet connection. When connecting through Wifi I lose some speed.

 

[netdudeuk]

Thanks for the picture. What model is the monitor ?

 

[Passy78]

Thanks for the picture. What model is the monitor ?

It is an Asus PB278Q, a version with an IPS panel. For 279€ an amazing display...