Post your Mac mini setups

[Micky Do]

Early 2009 Mac Mini, still soldiering on, upgraded with an extra 4 GB RAM (to 5GB total), but still has the original HDD. Running or sleeping mostly 24/7 from purchase to 2019 when I moved home from working abroad. Set up again when I moved into an apartment a few months back, and needed some documents stored in its memory.

Would be nice to have the new Mini M1, but cannot justify it at present. The 2009 still serves most of my day to day requirements at home for now. It is supplemented by a 2017 MacBook Air (pre butterfly keyboard model), a reluctant purchase necessitated by changing work needs at the time. I do prefer use a desktop computer with a decent sized monitor and decent speakers to a laptop.

24" full HD HP monitor is ok, but would be inclined go for a 4K monitor when the time comes to replace the 2009 Mini, which must happen sooner or later.

Well pleased with the Bose Companion 2 speakers. You can get cheaper and more powerful, but by far the best sound of what I checked out in the shops, and they have more than enough grunt for a reasonably sized apartment.

I like the wired Apple keyboard, which I have had for about 4 years, and should be good for several more. I got about 8 years out of my previous small form Apple keyboard. That replaced the less than pleasant to use, old style Apple keyboard that I got with the original Mac Mini in 2005.

Have always used a cheap 'n' cheerful Logitech mouse, making the transition from wired to wireless some years ago. I find them comfortable to use, and reliable for several years. The Apple Magic Mouse 2 seems OK to me, but not enough to justify the cost. Never have been keen on trackpads.

 

[iAssimilated]

...

I like the wired Apple keyboard, which I have had for about 4 years, and should be good for several more. I got about 8 years out of my previous small form Apple keyboard. That replaced the less than pleasant to use, old style Apple keyboard that I got with the original Mac Mini in 2005.

...

I love my wired Apple keyboards! It is my primary keyboard at work and my backup keyboard at home. The quality is amazing. The look is sleek and beautiful.

 

[phrehdd]

I was living out the last few months left on my 2015 MBP and ready to leave Apple altogether. Then came the M1. I am in the start of redoing my desk disputation with a Mini m1 w/ 512ssd and 16 RAM. Had challenges with the monitor (some monitors are problematic with the new architecture of the M1) and hopefully will bring out all the desktop accessories that will make my system a combo of old and new. I did like seeing images here and further inspires.

 

[rambo47]

Some truly epic setups pictured here. So neat and tidy, all the wires tucked away, I fear they may well be telltale signs of a serial killer. Just sayin'.

 

[Boyd01]

I love my wired Apple keyboards! It is my primary keyboard at work and my backup keyboard at home.

I always felt the same and have had a number of them, was using one with my 2012 quad Mini until last summer when I turned it into a headless server. I was very disappointed when Apple discontinued them and agonized over what to get for my 2018 Mini, but ended with the new Magic Keyboard with keypad. I really like it. Was thinking the touch was the same as the old wired keyboard until I did an A/B test. Personally I think the new Magic Keyboard has a nicer feel with great tactile feedback and more of a "click". The Space Grey color is also very attractive.

So, overall, I think it's a nice upgrade although I would have been happy with a wired keyboard that was cheaper. Others have written about bluetooth problems with the 2018 Mini, but no problems with mine. The keyboard is less than a foot away from the Mini however.

 

[circatee]

Updated, added a Mac Mini stand...

 

[fathergll]

Cool setups. Current 5k iMac owner but I recently picked up a HP Dreamcolor z27x g2 for around $800 to use on Windows and right next to my iMac and I must say it's simply a superior monitor despite half the resolution. I'll have to see what Apple has cooked up for the arm iMac but my next Apple might be a Mini into the DreamColor.

 

[circatee]

Cool setups. Current 5k iMac owner but I recently picked up a HP Dreamcolor z27x g2 for around $800 to use on Windows and right next to my iMac and I must say it's simply a superior monitor despite half the resolution. I'll have to see what Apple has cooked up for the arm iMac but my next Apple might be a Mini into the DreamColor.

Ah, share a photo with us

 

[AAPLGeek]

Cool setups. Current 5k iMac owner but I recently picked up a HP Dreamcolor z27x g2 for around $800 to use on Windows and right next to my iMac and I must say it's simply a superior monitor despite half the resolution. I'll have to see what Apple has cooked up for the arm iMac but my next Apple might be a Mini into the DreamColor.

Curious - in what way is it superior to the 5k display?

 

[mlody]

Hi
I've just finished my MacMini setup.

MacMini i7 3.2Ghz
32 Mb RAM
SSD 512 Gb

Egpu Razer Core X + AMD Radeon 5700 XT

Triple Screen Iiyama 25" Borderless

Enjoy !

View attachment 1676254View attachment 1676255View attachment 1676256

looks very sharp! What did you use to create the gap between the stands and the table top? I got the same IKEA setup, minus the gap, but I like your better.

 

[fathergll]

Curious - in what way is it superior to the 5k display?

I've never had an actual professional display and now that I have one they are clearly really well thought out. It has 6 buttons on the front you easily access to get to different menus and the menus are great with pro level things like built in color presents(DCI P3 D65, BT 2020 and even low blue light modes for reading). Built in calibration tool but even without it the colors are better than iMac(though I need a proper calibration for my iMac after comparing the two i would say).

Built like a tank.....yes it has thick bezels(which the iMac does as well) but this is the first time I didn't care about the bezels once I saw it deployed on a pro monitor. The bezels and matte black and angle in which sucks you more into the screen with your eyes than if you had no bezels at all. The iMac is glossy even in the bezel area which is distracting unless the lights are completely out. There is a matte version of iMac which I haven't compared but the upgrade price is highway robbery.


Even though the screen is matte it pops more that the iMac in the dark(which is where glossy usually does the best). With any decent amount of light it far far better than the iMac's glossy screen.

 

[Cookie18]

Got my M1 Mini the other day and my new Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3 yesterday. Loving my new setup and the iMac in Target Display Mode is amazing.

 

[circatee]

View attachment 1749107
Got my M1 Mini the other day and my new Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3 yesterday. Loving my new setup and the iMac in Target Display Mode is amazing.

And is that an NZXT case on the left?

 

[Cookie18]

And is that an NZXT case on the left?

It looks similar but it’s the Corsair Carbide 275r. It’s a really nice case, I got it from my wife for Christmas along with some other PC goodies and I love it.

Carbide Series 275R Tempered Glass Mid-Tower Gaming Case — White

The CORSAIR Carbide Series 275R is a compact mid-tower ATX case that matches minimalist design and a beautiful tempered glass window with a straightforward interior layout and versatile cooling options.

www.corsair.com

 

[loby]

Mac Mini Core i7, 32GBs of RAM, 256GB

Most recent addition: OWC Express 4M2. Allows me to add up to four NVME M.2 SSD's and
because it's thunderbolt 3, I get the same speeds as the internal SSD. Works seamlessly and starts up automatically when my Mac boots. What's also neat is that I can simply daisy-chain my LG Ultrafine to it so I only have to connect 1 TB3 Cable to my Mac mini.

View attachment 842080

How is your OWC Express 4 M2? Is the fan loud and whiney?

 

[KDPlazed]

View attachment 1749107
Got my M1 Mini the other day and my new Logitech MX Keys and MX Master 3 yesterday. Loving my new setup and the iMac in Target Display Mode is amazing.

Nice setup! I noticed that you are reading an article about the NASA Rover, what site is that on?

 

[Cookie18]

Nice setup! I noticed that you are reading an article about the NASA Rover, what site is that on?

Ah, it’s not so interesting lol. I’m an English teacher, the website is https://learnwithnews.com I use it with my students. We study the stories and discuss them. The stories are actually good and interesting but they aren’t super in depth because they’re designed for English learners.

 

[KDPlazed]

Ah, it’s not so interesting lol. I’m an English teacher, the website is https://learnwithnews.com I use it with my students. We study the stories and discuss them. The storied are actually good and interesting but they aren’t super in depth because they’re designed for English learners.

Ohh, that's nice. This resource is pretty useful as I also struggle with English.

 

[Cookie18]

Ohh, that's nice. This resource is pretty useful as I also struggle with English.

In that case I can thoroughly recommend it!

 

[Zeebedy]

My complete setup..loving the new M1!

(Please excuse the cable mess in the bottom right, its a satellite dish cable I cannot cut unfortunately).

 

[snow755]

now that I have my MacBook Pro M1 I will now post a follow up to my Mac mini M1 setup my set up is now competed am a happy own of MacBook Pro M1 and Mac mini M1 Nic set up I have here

 

[Hessel89]

How is your OWC Express 4 M2? Is the fan loud and whiney?

it’s as fast as it promises. I’ve removed the fan.

 

[loby]

it’s as fast as it promises. I’ve removed the fan.

Removed the fan? Does it overheat? Does it throttle down?

 

[Hessel89]

Removed the fan? Does it overheat? Does it throttle down?

The fan was very noisy (it only has one speed) and the Samsung 970 Evo drives in my 4m2 don’t perform any worse without it. I was planning to replace the fan with a Noctua fan but just never bothered to.

 

[loby]

The fan was very noisy (it only has one speed) and the Samsung 970 Evo drives in my 4m2 don’t perform any worse without it. I was planning to replace the fan with a Noctua fan but just never bothered to.

Yes, I was looking at those fans, hoping that someone has already done it and could recommend a fan they used.

I replaced a fan in another enclosure and found out the hard way that the fans that are used are calibrated a certain way, so the one I replaced don’t work and actually messed up the enclosure. Fortunately, I talked to the manufacturer and explained what I did and asked if they would fix it for me (at a cost of course) but they actually fixed it for me for free which I was grateful (even when I messed with it during warrantee).

Why I am hesitant is that it looks like the same Taiwan fan similar to the other enclosure so I don’t want the same issues. Not sure if any fan replacement will work. Why OWC used this model fan (maybe cost or contract) is beyond me. Loud and Winey. If you are in any sort of quiet studio or work area it is bothersome. Yes, it gets good speeds about 1450 write and 2100 read (less than what OWC advertises), but good enough.

I also have a thunder bay 4 mini and that fan is larger but super quiet and thought it would have been the same...I was wrong.

Anyone replace the fan and what type and model?