Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Just recently moved and now have a nice desk, previous setup was next to the TV. 2012 Mac Mini i5, 250gb SSD and 16gb ram.

d4c7ba41e97889176bfc065b8bf8e8b1.jpg
 
Just recently moved and now have a nice desk, previous setup was next to the TV. 2012 Mac Mini i5, 250gb SSD and 16gb ram.

d4c7ba41e97889176bfc065b8bf8e8b1.jpg
Super clean and minimalistic setup. Nice to see another member rocking an Ikea desk/table.

How is the i5 2012 treating you? Thinking about getting one of those for the wife and was wondering how much usable life was left in the non-quad core models.
 
Super clean and minimalistic setup. Nice to see another member rocking an Ikea desk/table.

How is the i5 2012 treating you? Thinking about getting one of those for the wife and was wondering how much usable life was left in the non-quad core models.

Been really good, I maxed it out with 16gb of ram and a 240gb ssd which helps a lot and I don’t do nothing crazy on it mainly web and also runs a Plex server. Would recommend if you can get one for a good price and do the ram and ssd install.

Think it’s got a few years left yet! Tried the 2018 i3 from the refurb store and didn’t really notice much difference for my usage. I always have so many tabs open in chrome and because that only had 8gb ram it started to slow down. But that might not be the same for everyone as I pretty store every in the cloud and do pretty much everything in a browser.
 
Last edited:
Anyone able to put a monitor on top of a Mac mini? Is that ok? I have a Dell 2415Q and think it would look cleaner if this is ok...?
I’ve kept my minis under a monitor stand like this one: https://www.staples.com/mind-reader...c-2-pack-black-2metmonst-blk/product_24357020

Lots of advantages:
  • Room for mini to breathe, lots of air flow.
  • No physical pressure on the mini, holds 44 pounds.
  • I keep the mini turned with the ports facing out for easy access and push it back under the stand. Downside is all the cables are visible, could turn it around.
  • Elevates the monitor so neck and back are neutral, looking straight ahead.
  • Handy extra shelf space.
 
image.jpg
Mac mini 2018 i7 (right) and 2011 (left).
LG 34wk95u and one of my old acer 24' monitors mounted on the wall. The LG monitor is perfect for the new mac mini. Connected via usb c directly to the mac and via display port with my Sonnet Breakaway Box 550 under the desk. I only turn it on with a smart home plug to do CAD and some gaming. Otherwise it is too noisy even under the desk.
Far left anycubic mega 3d printer with octoclient on a raspi and a 10 years old logitech webcam.
 
Last edited:
Is a Acer H277HK 4K and has a USB C connection which I use with my work 2017 Mac book pro 13”.
Managed to get it for just under £210 from ebuyer but I think that was because it’s been discontinued.

Looks like a good price. I guess it looks almost good as the MBP display ?

The text doesn't look too small to me.
 
If I already have a 24 inch dell 2515Q and I wanted duel monitors for the second to show pictures bigger would putting a 32 inch beside a 24 look silly and is there any drawbacks for doing different sizes side by side?

Also, would I be able to somehow default the bigger monitors for looking at pictures
 
View attachment 823333 Mac mini 2018 i7 (right) and 2011 (left).
LG 34wk95u and one of my old acer 24' monitors mounted on the wall. The LG monitor is perfect for the new mac mini. Connected via usb c directly to the mac and via display port with my Sonnet Breakaway Box 550 under the desk. I only turn it on with a smart home plug to do CAD and some gaming. Otherwise it is too noisy even under the desk.

Nice setup n1kDon! Which stand do you use for your Mac mini?
 
“Spartan” Mac mini 2018, i3/8/128/1GigE.

Safari, Mail, Photos, Wordpress, Java, Bootcamp (37GB win10 / 84GB Mojave: 2 accounts per OS), media center via Apple tv 4, and iPhone backup.

Monitor BenQ GL2460HM 1080p
Apple wired keyboard
Mouse Logitech M185

Data master and Time Machine: WD My Passport 1TB HDD. Data master backup (quarterly): WD My Book 500GB HDD (FAT).

Logitech Multimedia Speaker Z50 under the desk, and JBL GO Bluetooth (connection reliable since 10.14.4 update).

IMG_0232 copy.jpg

Possible upgrades:

1) 25” 2K monitor, a BenQ is about 300€ (still 1080p is not so terrible, with a Low Blue Light option)

2) Samsung T5 1TB for data master, 185/200€ (My Passport would become Time Machine only).
 
Last edited:
“Spartan” Mac mini 2018, i3/8/128/1GigE.

Safari, Mail, Photos, Wordpress, Java, Bootcamp (37GB win10 / 84GB Mojave: 2 accounts per OS), media center via Apple tv 4, and iPhone backup.

Monitor BenQ GL2460HM 1080p
Apple wired keyboard
Mouse Logitech M185

Data master and Time Machine: WD My Passport 1TB HDD. Data master backup (quarterly): WD My Book 500GB HDD (FAT).

Logitech Multimedia Speaker Z50 under the desk, and JBL GO Bluetooth (connection reliable since 10.14.4 update).

View attachment 836695

Possible upgrades:

1) 25” 2K monitor, a BenQ is about 300€ (still 1080p is not so terrible, with a Low Blue Light option)

2) Samsung T5 1TB for data master, 185/200€ (My Passport would become Time Machine only).

Nice and simple. I like the minimalistic i3, also. Bought one for work and one for home. I don't need or use Windows, so not that part.

Mine: i3 Mac mini 8/128, 24 inch 1080p Spectre screens, same Apple wired extended keyboard, using an Apple bluetooth mouse ... plus a 'generic' 1 TB drive, and 2 TB iCloud. Only using Mac software: Safari, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Photos, iTunes, News, and Xcode. Plus, Apple TV, iPhone Xs. Was also thinking about that 2K BenQ monitor, but I've found the 1080p is ok, especially for the price.
 
8Q1jegG.jpg


  • 2018 Mac mini (i7/8/256) Will be upgrading the ram when I sell my old 2011 mini
  • Sonnet Breakaway Box 350W with RX 580
  • PS4 Controller
  • Airpods
  • 27 inch 1080p ASUS Monitor
  • Logitech 1080p Webcam
  • Corsair K55 Keybaord
  • Corsair Dark Core SE Wireless Mouse with wireless charging
  • 11 inch iPad Pro
Have you tried to play Heroes of the Storm under MacOS with your RX 580? How's performance?
 
Nice and simple. I like the minimalistic i3, also. Bought one for work and one for home. I don't need or use Windows, so not that part.

Mine: i3 Mac mini 8/128, 24 inch 1080p Spectre screens, same Apple wired extended keyboard, using an Apple bluetooth mouse ... plus a 'generic' 1 TB drive, and 2 TB iCloud. Only using Mac software: Safari, Mail, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, Photos, iTunes, News, and Xcode. Plus, Apple TV, iPhone Xs. Was also thinking about that 2K BenQ monitor, but I've found the 1080p is ok, especially for the price.

What's been your experience with the i3 and Photos? What did you have before the 2018 mini? Thank you
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.