Post your Mac mini setups

[Hessel89]

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.

I think with the OWC 4M2 you really don't have to worry about that. Like I said, I've been using it without a fan for two years already and it works fine. OWC probably just chose that fan to save costs.

Besides that, every M1 slot only has a one lane PCI connection, so technically they're only running at 700 MB/s, which makes 2800 MB/s when you have four in (soft) RAID. That's also why I'm not too worried about running it fan-less.

 

[loby]

I think with the OWC 4M2 you really don't have to worry about that. Like I said, I've been using it without a fan for two years already and it works fine. OWC probably just chose that fan to save costs.

Besides that, every M1 slot only has a one lane PCI connection, so technically they're only running at 700 MB/s, which makes 2800 MB/s when you have four in (soft) RAID. That's also why I'm not too worried about running it fan-less.

Yes, I thought maybe it might be ok since it only runs on about 700 MB/s per SSD and only one channel. I use it for video editing and Hope it does not Throttle down with continual read and write. I notice it seems like it does not get too hot, but Hope the internal logic board will be able to handle the heat without a fan. Since you have been fanless for two years, I might give it a shot. Thanks for the input.

If I can find a quite fan, I might change it out anyway. Since you have not had issues for two years, maybe a slower fan might work as it would just have a flow of air instead of trying to cool the chips.

 

[VaruLV]

So tempting getting M1 Mini looking how good of a value it is and how compact, yet at the same time it seems that refresh might get even smaller given all the free space inside current gen design, plus Id like to get one with 32GB of RAM.
Nevertheless, thanks for sharing your setups, learned thing or two about own future setup!

 

[stillcrazyman]

Same setup in my new home.

2018 i7 Mini, 32GB/1TB
32" ViewSonic VP3268-4K

 

[pshufd]

Same setup in my new home.

2018 i7 Mini, 32GB/1TB
32" ViewSonic VP3268-4KView attachment 1771351

I just glanced at that picture for a fraction of a center and Spring came to mind.

Something about placement, symmetry, color, and lighting. The three pictures enhance the consistency. I think that all of the black borders contributes to that.

 

[LeeW]

Same setup in my new home.

Love it, nice and clean. I really must put some pictures up above my monitor, there is something beneficial having more than just a blank space there as I have.

 

[ParagJain]

Same setup in my new home.

2018 i7 Mini, 32GB/1TB
32" ViewSonic VP3268-4KView attachment 1771351

like it..really nice !!

 

[fischersd]

My prior setup (circa 2018) in Waterloo with my late 2012 mini: (yes, I really miss my Klipsch speakers!)

My current setup - grudgingly being driven by an ATV 4k until Apple pulls their head out of their ass and releases a mini with an HDMI 2.1 port.

 

[Caliber26]

Longtime lurker, first time poster. Now that I'm working from home full-time I decided I would get a desktop setup and a standing desk. So far I'm pretty content with this setup, and totally blown away by the M1 compared to my 2013 MBP. Ignore the TV behind the monitor, that's coming down when I re-paint this room.

 

[iAssimilated]

Longtime lurker, first time poster. Now that I'm working from home full-time I decided I would get a desktop setup and a standing desk. So far I'm pretty content with this setup, and totally blown away by the M1 compared to my 2013 MBP. Ignore the TV behind the monitor, that's coming down when I re-paint this room.

View attachment 1779887View attachment 1779888

What config of M1 did you get? I am curious because my work kind of forced an early upgrade on me to replace my 2012 Mac Pro. I picked the M1 mini because I wanted to see the capabilities of the new Apple processor. Which I have to say I am looking forward to comparing these two systems.

 

[Caliber26]

What config of M1 did you get? I am curious because my work kind of forced an early upgrade on me to replace my 2012 Mac Pro. I picked the M1 mini because I wanted to see the capabilities of the new Apple processor. Which I have to say I am looking forward to comparing these two systems.

I went with the base model. I only use it for work, which solely consists of Excel, Slack, Zoom, and email. And I don’t store anything on it so I didn’t need the extra storage for it. I’m still using my MBP for all my personal stuff.

Plus I also knew that the iMac Pro is probably gonna come out sometime this year and that’s what I’m really holding out for. I’ll sell this setup once that new iMac comes out so I didn’t want to spend any more than I had to.

The only thing that’s allowed me to really see the difference between my 2013 MBP and this M1 mini is Lightroom, which I use a lot. The difference in speed is insane.

 

[Baunkjaer]

Set-up for photo editing.

 

[WC7]

Well here is mine, need a bigger desk really.

mini is an i3 one bought just before the M1 announcement lol, keyboard is Tecknet, mouse Logitech and monitor Iiyama Prolite. Clock stand is a 512k Mac...
View attachment 1711895

Ohh, love that computer to the right. Where can I get that one?

 

[romanof]

M1 Mini 16gb 256 SSD, Pro Display XDR.
Basement mancave (always 70° which both myself and the M1 appreciate)
Top mini on left is Cache Server, lower one is Kodi Video Server - both 6 core leftovers in the M1 age.
The black box with ClapTrap standing guard holds the Time Machine, two SSD drives for speed and a 4TB rust drive for bulk storage.
The 8085 (barely seen at right)is a maxed out 8 bit Micro with 64k of ram and an 8" floppy drive. (In 1976 when I started with PCs, 64k cost $1280. $6400 in todays money. Today, the pair of 32k chips are about 5 bucks.)

Oh... The little wooden box is the Ultra Secure Off-Line -1password Protection System.

And yes, my cable management really needs some work someday.

//later edit. And a Unicomp Mac keyboard which I highly recommend if you like clacky keys and good build quality.

 

[WC7]

View attachment 1783558

M1 Mini 16gb 256 SSD, Pro Display XDR.
Basement mancave (always 70° which both myself and the M1 appreciate)
Top mini on left is Cache Server, lower one is Kodi Video Server - both 6 core leftovers in the M1 age.
The black box with ClapTrap standing guard holds the Time Machine, two SSD drives for speed and a 4TB rust drive for bulk storage.
The 8085 (barely seen at right)is a maxed out 8 bit Micro with 64k of ram and an 8" floppy drive. (In 1976 when I started with PCs, 64k cost $1280. $6400 in todays money. Today, the pair of 32k chips are about 5 bucks.)

Oh... The little wooden box is the Ultra Secure Off-Line -1password Protection System.

And yes, my cable management really needs some work someday.

Thanks for describing everything ... and I really do need some more modern peripheral storage ... only have a 4200 rpm HDD for Time Machine. I am, also, scared to add up all the old $$$ I've sunk into technology.

 

[romanof]

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.

Calibrated fans? That is a new one for me. Could you amplify the statement a little just for my edification?

 

[loby]

Calibrated fans? That is a new one for me. Could you amplify the statement a little just for my edification?

Actually I was incorrect, later I took the risk and tried again with another fan and it worked. I also used an adapter that quieted the fan some (I think it lowered the voltage some to slow it down). Took care of the fan whiny high pitch sound.

 

[seadragon]

Here's my M1 Mac mini fun station...

 

[vbctv]

My Mac mini WFH set-up. Details under picture.

FROM RIGHT TO LEFT
Vornado Desk Fan (hooked to a Meross Smart plug)
2020 (Late 2018) Mac mini i5
LG Ultrafine 21
Twelve South Curve Riser
Logitech Web Cam
Space Grey Magic Keyboard & Magic Trackpad
2020 iPad Pro 11 with Magic Keyboard
Satechi Apple Watch Charger for iPad
Dual wall mounted HomePod Mini's (Loving Stereo Pairs on the Mac & also can use with iPad when needed)
Space Grey Stapler & Tape Dispenser
Meross USB Smart Light for Homekit
Choetech Magsafe Charger.

 

[Donar]

Current Setup:
Mac mini M1 / 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD
Magic Keyboard / Magic Trackpad / Logi Ergo M575 Trackball
LG Ultrafine 4K 32UN880-B
Satechi USB C Hub
Logitech Z4 / HomePod mini
RaspberryPi 4 / 8GB RAM / 256 GB micro SDXC / Argon 2 case

 

[Fravin]

Here's my M1 Mac Mini.

My new setup is almost done. Looking for a new pair of loudspeakers...

 

[seadragon]

Here's my M1 Mac Mini.

My new setup is almost done. Looking for a new pair of loudspeakers...


View attachment 1784271

Nice! I just picked up the Logitech MX keyboard and mouse today. Absolutely impressed with both. For speakers, have a look at the KRK Rokit series. I really like them.

 

[Fravin]

Nice! I just picked up the Logitech MX keyboard and mouse today. Absolutely impressed with both. For speakers, have a look at the KRK Rokit series. I really like them.

Logitech's MX series products are solid devices. Good design and wowing build quality.

I used to love KRK sound signature back in early 2000. Are they still rocking?

I had a pair of Eve Audio SC203. They were too small for good bass, just sold them.

 

[Fravin]

Here's my M1 Mac mini fun station...

View attachment 1783804

What amp do you use to push that AKG 204?

I love Digital Audio. Have a lot of those gadgets. Amps, pre-amps, DACs...

 

[seadragon]

What amp do you use to push that AKG 204?

I love Digital Audio. Have a lot of those gadgets. Amps, pre-amps, DACs...

👍

I‘m using the Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 for my setup. The mics are Shure SM7B and AKG P220. Yes, the Rokits are still a thing (I think LOL). I also have a pair of older Yamaha HS80Ms that are around my keyboard rig.