Post your Mac mini setups

[Aggedor]

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.

Slightly off topic for this thread, but:

I've been looking at Keychron keyboards - I currently use a Ducky Shine 7 with silent reds (I share this office with my wife, and my old keyboard had blues which were too noisy). However, the mushiness of the reds annoys me.

I was looking at a mechanical with browns, but... should I be looking at the banana and/or mint low-profile keyboards? I'm not specifically after a low-profile keyboard, just a great typing experience. Sounds like browns are better than reds (obviously), but you're saying banana might be better than brown?

 

[OftheSeven]

From how far are you using that big screen?

I'm sitting about 80cm from my current setup (pictured). If I got a 43" or 50" I would sit 100+cm away.

 

[macdogpro]

Slightly off topic for this thread, but:

I've been looking at Keychron keyboards - I currently use a Ducky Shine 7 with silent reds (I share this office with my wife, and my old keyboard had blues which were too noisy). However, the mushiness of the reds annoys me.

I was looking at a mechanical with browns, but... should I be looking at the banana and/or mint low-profile keyboards? I'm not specifically after a low-profile keyboard, just a great typing experience. Sounds like browns are better than reds (obviously), but you're saying banana might be better than brown?

Yes I think you should try brown switches.
Make sure you buy hot-swappable keyboard so that you can swap the switches should you not satisfied with the brown.

I personally have not try the banana and mint switches, just being curious if they have better typing feeling than the browns.
The browns on my low profile K3 are okay, but I expect more tactile feeling on them like on the normal profile browns. The bananas are said to have different tactile response that satisfy many.

All the regular reds, browns and blues on my K3 are very different from standard profile keyboard's switches, as they are low profile optical switches. So I'd suggest you opt for the regular profile Keychrons for the familiarity with your Ducky Shine 7. From the price point, I think Keychron Q1 or Q2 are similar if not better quality than the DS7.

Here's my current Mac mini setup for the topic of this thread:
Not much addition, just the mechanical numpad keyboard on the left I use for streaming hotkeys.

 

[Aggedor]

Yes I think you should try brown switches.
Make sure you buy hot-swappable keyboard so that you can swap the switches should you not satisfied with the brown.

I personally have not try the banana and mint switches, just being curious if they have better typing feeling than the browns.
The browns on my low profile K3 are okay, but I expect more tactile feeling on them like on the normal profile browns. The bananas are said to have different tactile response that satisfy many.

All the regular reds, browns and blues on my K3 are very different from standard profile keyboard's switches, as they are low profile optical switches. So I'd suggest you opt for the regular profile Keychrons for the familiarity with your Ducky Shine 7. From the price point, I think Keychron Q1 or Q2 are similar if not better quality than the DS7.

Here's my current Mac mini setup for the topic of this thread:
Not much addition, just the mechanical numpad keyboard on the left I use for streaming hotkeys.

View attachment 1947659

Thanks, I think I'll take your advice. Your setup looks brilliant! Is that the Keychron wooden wrist wrest?

 

[macdogpro]

Thanks, I think I'll take your advice. Your setup looks brilliant! Is that the Keychron wooden wrist wrest?

Thanks! Actually that is custom made by my local carpenter. Specifically made to mimic the original one for K3 model.

 

[bandits1]

Slightly off topic for this thread, but:

I've been looking at Keychron keyboards - I currently use a Ducky Shine 7 with silent reds (I share this office with my wife, and my old keyboard had blues which were too noisy). However, the mushiness of the reds annoys me.

I was looking at a mechanical with browns, but... should I be looking at the banana and/or mint low-profile keyboards? I'm not specifically after a low-profile keyboard, just a great typing experience. Sounds like browns are better than reds (obviously), but you're saying banana might be better than brown?

I have the K3 v2. Ordered it with blue opticals and switched them out for Banana opticals after a couple of months. The tactility of the blues were great but after the novelty of the click wore off the noise got to me a little bit, and they could've been a little smoother. The Bananas are much better overall. No tactile switch is going to be as tactile as a clicky switch, but the Bananas are tactile enough and much smoother than the blues. And the early "Panda-like" bump feels nice, reminiscent of the better low-profile Logitech keyboards w/scissor switches(I have Logi K811). You'll feel the extra weight of the Bananas(67g) compared to red switches -- maybe you'll get used to the weight, maybe you won't -- but the heavier weight makes the tactile bump more pronounced than a lighter switch -- I have Zeal Zilents V2(62g) on another regular-profile keyboard and the Bananas feel more tactile probably because of the weight.

 

[macdogpro]

I have the K3 v2. Ordered it with blue opticals and switched them out for Banana opticals after a couple of months. The tactility of the blues were great but after the novelty of the click wore off the noise got to me a little bit, and they could've been a little smoother. The Bananas are much better overall. No tactile switch is going to be as tactile as a clicky switch, but the Bananas are tactile enough and much smoother than the blues. And the early "Panda-like" bump feels nice, reminiscent of the better low-profile Logitech keyboards w/scissor switches(I have Logi K811). You'll feel the extra weight of the Bananas(67g) compared to red switches -- maybe you'll get used to the weight, maybe you won't -- but the heavier weight makes the tactile bump more pronounced than a lighter switch -- I have Zeal Zilents V2(62g) on another regular-profile keyboard and the Bananas feel more tactile probably because of the weight.

Exactly. Blue switches have great typing feeling but the sound gets to you after sometime. Not to mention your colleagues/client over online meetings might get annoyed too.
Thanks for sharing about the bananas.

Getting back to the topic, anybody got suggestion for desktop speakers that would fit into my setup above?

I'm looking at monitoring speakers under USD 150-ish.
2.0 speakers with horizontal layout would be nice to put under my monitor, on top of the desk drawer.
Or a slim vertical one to put slightly behind the monitor back corners.

 

[Aggedor]

Before I return to the thread topic, thanks for the keyboard tips! I have a Keychron K2 with brown switches (hot-swappable) and a palm rest coming. I'm typing this on my Ducky Shine at the moment and I am SO looking forward to ditching these linear reds! I've never tried browns, but my old keyboard had Cherry MX blues, and I absolutely loved it. I tend to work to noise-cancelling headphones on, so the sound never got too much, but it did drive my wife crazy when she started to work from home in the pandemic and we shared the home office.

 

[diggy33]

Its not set up yet, but Inwas going through some old boxes and found my 2009 Mac Mini Server. I cant remember when I last had this thing up and running. I ordered an adapter so I can connect it up to a spare monitor I have here. New peoject - seeing if I can revive this thing

 

[countermoon]

Slightly off topic for this thread, but:

I've been looking at Keychron keyboards - I currently use a Ducky Shine 7 with silent reds (I share this office with my wife, and my old keyboard had blues which were too noisy). However, the mushiness of the reds annoys me.

I was looking at a mechanical with browns, but... should I be looking at the banana and/or mint low-profile keyboards? I'm not specifically after a low-profile keyboard, just a great typing experience. Sounds like browns are better than reds (obviously), but you're saying banana might be better than brown?

I have a Ducky with brown. Maybe the best keyboard I've owned.

 

[Che Castro]

Yes I think you should try brown switches.
Make sure you buy hot-swappable keyboard so that you can swap the switches should you not satisfied with the brown.

I personally have not try the banana and mint switches, just being curious if they have better typing feeling than the browns.
The browns on my low profile K3 are okay, but I expect more tactile feeling on them like on the normal profile browns. The bananas are said to have different tactile response that satisfy many.

All the regular reds, browns and blues on my K3 are very different from standard profile keyboard's switches, as they are low profile optical switches. So I'd suggest you opt for the regular profile Keychrons for the familiarity with your Ducky Shine 7. From the price point, I think Keychron Q1 or Q2 are similar if not better quality than the DS7.

Here's my current Mac mini setup for the topic of this thread:
Not much addition, just the mechanical numpad keyboard on the left I use for streaming hotkeys.

View attachment 1947659

do you have a link to that ps4 controller stand

 

[macdogpro]

do you have a link to that ps4 controller stand

It's a dirt cheap 3D printed stand I bought from my local market place.
I don't know if they ships abroad, but here you go:
3D Printed PS4 Controller Stand

 

[Micky Do]

Its not set up yet, but Inwas going through some old boxes and found my 2009 Mac Mini Server. I cant remember when I last had this thing up and running. I ordered an adapter so I can connect it up to a spare monitor I have here. New peoject - seeing if I can revive this thing

No reason why not…… Except for a year when I was travelling, my 2009 Mac Mini has been on 24/7 most of the time since I bought it. Still running the original HDD.

 

[diggy33]

No reason why not…… Except for a year when I was travelling, my 2009 Mac Mini has been on 24/7 most of the time since I bought it. Still running the original HDD.

Its running great! I am waiting on a new desk to arrive, but here it is when I set it up on the floor lol Installed Catalina on it using the patcher; its got 6GB of RAM and a 500GB Apple SSD.

 

[vddobrev]

Its running great! I am waiting on a new desk to arrive, but here it is when I set it up on the floor lol Installed Catalina on it using the patcher; its got 6GB of RAM and a 500GB Apple SSD.

I like the mouse pad.

 

[LeeW]

Yes I think you should try brown switches.
Make sure you buy hot-swappable keyboard so that you can swap the switches should you not satisfied with the brown.

I personally have not try the banana and mint switches, just being curious if they have better typing feeling than the browns.
The browns on my low profile K3 are okay, but I expect more tactile feeling on them like on the normal profile browns. The bananas are said to have different tactile response that satisfy many.

All the regular reds, browns and blues on my K3 are very different from standard profile keyboard's switches, as they are low profile optical switches. So I'd suggest you opt for the regular profile Keychrons for the familiarity with your Ducky Shine 7. From the price point, I think Keychron Q1 or Q2 are similar if not better quality than the DS7.

Here's my current Mac mini setup for the topic of this thread:
Not much addition, just the mechanical numpad keyboard on the left I use for streaming hotkeys.

View attachment 1947659

Love that desk riser, can't find anything similar in the UK

 

[diggy33]

I like the mouse pad.

It was the closest thing I could grab! Good book, btw

 

[macdogpro]

Love that desk riser, can't find anything similar in the UK

Actually this is local custom made based on IKEA's design

 

[Aggedor]

I have a Ducky with brown. Maybe the best keyboard I've owned.

I've loved the Duckys I've had. Last week my Keychron K2 with Gateron browns arrived, and it is amazing. Swapped the factory keycaps with Keychron's retro Mac keycaps (PBT, so much thicker plastic than the standard), and it both looks and feels amazing.

 

[Pskordilis]

I've loved the Duckys I've had. Last week my Keychron K2 with Gateron browns arrived, and it is amazing. Swapped the factory keycaps with Keychron's retro Mac keycaps (PBT, so much thicker plastic than the standard), and it both looks and feels amazing.View attachment 1955878
View attachment 1955880

wow very beautiful !!!

 

[Aggedor]

wow very beautiful !!!

The ANSI layout (US) has "Think different" on the backspace key, and "One more thing..." on the enter key. Unfortunately the ISO (UK) only has the "Hello" on the escape key.

Considering Apple's US and UK keyboard layouts are actually identical - unlike PCs, which swap the @ and " keys around - next time I might just go for the ANSI layout. Makes life easier when it comes to mechanical keyboards.

 

[Fravin]

I've loved the Duckys I've had. Last week my Keychron K2 with Gateron browns arrived, and it is amazing. Swapped the factory keycaps with Keychron's retro Mac keycaps (PBT, so much thicker plastic than the standard), and it both looks and feels amazing.View attachment 1955878

Gorgeous!!! ?

 

[DeepIn2U]

View attachment 917500

This my dual “monitor” setup for my Mac Mini. It’s the base i5 from 2018 with a 32GB OWC RAM upgrade.
1 iPad is using LunaDisplay and the other is Sidecar.

Thanks. I’m actually thinking of moving the mini to under the desk since I already have a mount it! brand mount for the mini drilled under there for a cleaner look.

As far as Siri, when I say Hey Siri, all four products initiate Siri at first; both HomePods and both iPad Pros. However, both iPads soon disengage and so does the HomePod farthest from my voice, leaving only the closest HomePod’s Siri and mic active to listen to me. As they are paired as stereo, both HomePods answer me.

When I ask Siri a question that is usually answered by Siri running a google search, the results show up on either my phone if I’m on it or the iPad that is running Luna Display, not the one on Sidecar.

I head some people do not get their Siri results on the devices when using HomePod’s Siri, but I don’t have that problem.

The more I look at your setup the more I’m really considering going this route, with 1 less iPad as a solution.

Mac Mini M2/M1 Pro whatever the update comes with I’ll spec to my needs, basic for now.
M1 iPad Pro already have.

I play to still use my 34” LG LCD yet the iPad can serve as either:
a) a Remote Desktop connection, secured/encrypted, to the Mac Mini, and,
B) be an external display when I’m in my living room (Mac/office is in bedroom).

I get that Universal Control will allow me to control both the Mac Mini & iPad using my KB/Mouse, yet I’ll need to use SideCar to extend a mirrored display to the iPad Pro. Yet since I work remotely on Win10/11 on an HP laptop, I’ll need the 34” screen. I wonder if I run the Mac Mini headless, does SideCar now allow the iPad Pro to be the primary/single display to the Mac Mini or do I still need the Luna Display adapter/software combo to do this?

Your setup is like the best of 3 worlds going on.

 

[Acorn]

The more I look at your setup the more I’m really considering going this route, with 1 less iPad as a solution.

Mac Mini M2/M1 Pro whatever the update comes with I’ll spec to my needs, basic for now.
M1 iPad Pro already have.

I play to still use my 34” LG LCD yet the iPad can serve as either:
a) a Remote Desktop connection, secured/encrypted, to the Mac Mini, and,
B) be an external display when I’m in my living room (Mac/office is in bedroom).

I get that Universal Control will allow me to control both the Mac Mini & iPad using my KB/Mouse, yet I’ll need to use SideCar to extend a mirrored display to the iPad Pro. Yet since I work remotely on Win10/11 on an HP laptop, I’ll need the 34” screen. I wonder if I run the Mac Mini headless, does SideCar now allow the iPad Pro to be the primary/single display to the Mac Mini or do I still need the Luna Display adapter/software combo to do this?

Your setup is like the best of 3 worlds going on.

they sell a dongle that attaches to your computer its about the size of a mouse receiver that makes the computer think a display is attached even though there isn't one. This could be an option if it doesn't allow sidecar without a display connected. All you would need to do is set it to auto log in and run a script at boot to start sidecar. The major difference between luna display and sidecar is luna display will allow for touch input to be used where sidecar you have to use a mouse or the Apple Pencil.finger touch doesn't work for most stuff with sidecar.You can blame apple for that maneuver. Also luna has a small delay that is not present in sidecar. I have had good experience with sidecar meaning no lag for me but luna display was pretty awful the last time I tried it crashed either the app on the Mac or the app on my tablet constantly. Maybe its better now? I would give luna another chance if they got rid of the 2 second delay when updating the screen. its extremely distracting to me to have it updating several seconds after scrolling or what not.

 

[zozomester]

The now and the old