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I am looking at the Keychron K1v5 with white LED backlighting and banana optical switches when the M1 Max Mac mini drops, to replace my Hexgears X1...

What is your experience with your Keychron...?
I actually love it. It's my third Keychron. I had two K1's (different versions) as well. Planning to get a space gray Q1 when they're available again.
 
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So to confirm, the Mac Mini is connected to the MBA, and merely using the display? Didn't think this was possible. Nice...
not on that photo, i did get screen sharing minutes after this photo.
that was a meh photo while i wait for a fan and better set up.
i guess i need a silver based monitor to compliment the  set up.
thanks for the comment tho!
 
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I am looking at the Keychron K1v5 with white LED backlighting and banana optical switches when the M1 Max Mac mini drops, to replace my Hexgears X1...

What is your experience with your Keychron...?
I'm also using Keychron K3 low profile white LED with brown optical switch.
Previously using blue ones for a month.
I've tried also the red switches and didn't like it so much, felt mushy with short actuation point.

Chose the brown eventually because I couldn't stand the loud 'ping' noise with the blue switch, but I really like the clicky feeling.
Right now still getting used to the browns. So much quieter but less feedback, probably should try the banana for the right bump feel.

The board it self is great, no issue. Great aluminum built, stable with the feet fully extended (I got the K3 v2).
Only need to get used to the cramped arrows which is the right decision for you if you took the K1 v5.
But my ideal layout maybe would be the exploded TKL like on the Q1.
I'm always on cable with my Mac Mini, but I tried once using bluetooth with my iPad Pro and definitely can feel the slight delay between inputs. Hence can't speak for the battery performance.
 
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I'm also using Keychron K3 low profile white LED with brown optical switch.
Previously using blue ones for a month.
I've tried also the red switches and didn't like it so much, felt mushy with short actuation point.

Chose the brown eventually because I couldn't stand the loud 'ping' noise with the blue switch, but I really like the clicky feeling.
Right now still getting used to the browns. So much quieter but less feedback, probably should try the banana for the right bump feel.

The board it self is great, no issue. Great aluminum built, stable with the feet fully extended (I got the K3 v2).
Only need to get used to the cramped arrows which is the right decision for you if you took the K1 v5.
But my ideal layout maybe would be the exploded TKL like on the Q1.
I'm always on cable with my Mac Mini, but I tried once using bluetooth with my iPad Pro and definitely can feel the slight delay between inputs. Hence can't speak for the battery performance.

I am on cable all the time with the Hexgears X1, I would be on cable as well with the Mac mini; probably have to spring for their "Aviator Cable" so I can have the USB-A ports open for my mouse & webcam...
 
View attachment 1931916

16Gb/1TB M1 Mac mini
Satechi Type-C Aluminium Hub
LG 27UP850-W monitor, connected via USB C, and it works (!)
LogiLink arm holding the monitor
Logitech MX Keys
Lamicall Tablet Stand for the iPad
KRK Rokit studio monitors
M-Audio Keystation Mini
Scarlett 2i2 sound interface
Ikea wooden desk mounted on a "Edsbyn" raise/lowering thingie
Eames soft pad management chair
Logitech MX Anywhere 2S on a (seemingly) dirty Steelseries mouse mat
… plus some other stuff (like a clay-apple, a clay fish, and … that's about it for clay. I think.)
Hi - I am looking to get the same setup with exact same screen. Do you have any issues with the USB slots or monitor failing to wake up? Saw many reviews stating USB stops working and the screen fails to wake but these are all 6 months or more ago.
 
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Interesting how that shelf morphs into moulding...
Yes, here is a wider perspective, so you can see it better. To the left there is place for flowers, the Christmas three is there now. Then it runs under the window and connects with the bar...

Edit: if you wondered - the living room is a circle with a diameter of 9 meters.


3B1F4CE5-1161-4948-8F9A-EF0DD7CF64BD.jpeg
 
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Hi - I am looking to get the same setup with exact same screen. Do you have any issues with the USB slots or monitor failing to wake up? Saw many reviews stating USB stops working and the screen fails to wake but these are all 6 months or more ago.
I *had* issues with the built-in USB ports on the monitor. The plugged in webcam lost connection at random situations, but since the 12.1 update the issues seem to have vanished. After +2 months of usage, I've never experienced signal loss/wake up issues/etc, which feels great. Using the cables that came with the monitor via USB C.
 
Moved the amp and swapped out my 4 external HDD enclosures and exhaust fan for a TB3 Thunderbay 4 from OWC. Love it, but I may swap the fan for a Noctua NF-A9 FLX to make it really silent.

View attachment 1939700
Swapped the fan with a Noctura and it is completely silent on another OWC. Recommend doing that. OWC should use Noctura fans with all of their units…but of course they want to maximize profits…some of their unit’s fans are way too loud. If they make their units for a server room then understandable, but many use them for music or video production. Can’t have their cheap fans in it…
 
Swapped the fan with a Noctura and it is completely silent on another OWC. Recommend doing that. OWC should use Noctura fans with all of their units…but of course they want to maximize profits…some of their unit’s fans are way too loud. If they make their units for a server room then understandable, but many use them for music or video production. Can’t have their cheap fans in it…
For the cost of even their open-box products, I expected more for a product that's meant to sit on a desktop, but $18 for a fan is a cheap enough fix. Fast as hell so far, so I'm quite thrilled with that.
 
Where’s your mini?

I see an Air - I think that’s an MBA.

It's on the bottom shelf under the audio interface sitting on a 120mm USB controlled fan. I also have a couple of aluminum radiator fins on the top to help dissipate heat.

My system sometimes sustains 95 degrees for long periods with larger mixing sessions.

The other laptop is a 2017 MBPro that I rarely use. It's sluggish and has poor battery life.
 

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Lurking for a while and signed up today! Here's my music setup. I'm testing the 34" ultrawide but thinking of going with a single 43"-50" 4K tv.
  • 43" @ 4k = 112ppi
  • 50" @ 4k = 96ppi
Almost all current Apple displays (laptops / iMacs / Pro Display XDR) are 218ppi...

macOS does not like "low-rez" monitors, fuzzy fonts and all that mess...?

Optimally, you would want to look for an 8k TV...?
  • 43" @ 8k = 223ppi
  • 50" @ 8k = 192ppi
PPI Calculator
 
It's not MacOS, it's users who are used to hiDPI.....;)
I have had QHD displays for years, and everything looks great.....but I have never known any different...🙂

I have been "out" of the macOS world for awhile (since my Late 2010 MacBook took some damage to the main logic board); but what I am hearing is there is hope for my 31.5" IPS monitors running @ 2560x1440/75Hz (93ppi)...?
 
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It's not MacOS, it's users who are used to hiDPI.....;)
I have had QHD displays for years, and everything looks great.....but I have never known any different...🙂
Yeah, I'm researching what's a good balance of resolution/clarity and screen size.
On the high end, people seem to have good results with the LG 48" C1 OLED. But since I can only get 4k@60Hz, trying to find a more reasonable option in the 48" to 55" space.
 
Yeah, I'm researching what's a good balance of resolution/clarity and screen size.
On the high end, people seem to have good results with the LG 48" C1 OLED. But since I can only get 4k@60Hz, trying to find a more reasonable option in the 48" to 55" space.
I've had good luck with the LG 43UN700-B. It isn't 'retina', but I'm not sitting on top of it like I would a phone or laptop either. If you have use for its PIP/PBP Multi-client modes it may be a good option for you.

I think anything over 43 (maybe 48) is pushing it unless the screen is curved.
 
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Yes, here is a wider perspective, so you can see it better. To the left there is place for flowers, the Christmas three is there now. Then it runs under the window and connects with the bar...

Edit: if you wondered - the living room is a circle with a diameter of 9 meters.


View attachment 1939213

Nice room and that does make more sense. In the first picture I just thought your lens had terrible pincushion distortion!
 
I've had good luck with the LG 43UN700-B. It isn't 'retina', but I'm not sitting on top of it like I would a phone or laptop either. If you have use for its PIP/PBP Multi-client modes it may be a good option for you.

I think anything over 43 (maybe 48) is pushing it unless the screen is curved.
Thanks for the tip. Do you use it over hdmi port or usb-c -> hdmi?
Also, 4k non-scaled text is OK (sharp, not too small)?

I also see the Sony KD-43X80J. It's a less expensive option with decent review on rtings.
 
Thanks for the tip. Do you use it over hdmi port or usb-c -> hdmi?
Also, 4k non-scaled text is OK (sharp, not too small)?

I also see the Sony KD-43X80J. It's a less expensive option with decent review on rtings.
the mac mini comes in via hdmi 4. I have other computers and an apple tv attached to the other ports and my work laptop is on usb-c.

Resolution / text clarity is similar to a 21.5" 1080p monitor. Note the Picture in Picture modes are scaled and look terrible, but the PBP modes are fine. For instance you can setup 4 1080p monitors. 2 3840x1080 (top and bottom) or 2 1920x2160 (side by side) in addition to the normal full 4k (3840x2160) mode. When you switch modes the monitor sends a new edid to the computers connected. I've had no problems switching.

If you don't need all the switching a normal 4k monitor will be just as good or better. Note if you buy a 4k 'TV' you'll need to turn sharpness all the way down - the defaults are usually set to look good for video not for text.
 
Yeah, I'm researching what's a good balance of resolution/clarity and screen size.
On the high end, people seem to have good results with the LG 48" C1 OLED. But since I can only get 4k@60Hz, trying to find a more reasonable option in the 48" to 55" space.
From how far are you using that big screen?
 
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