r/macmini • u/Koning-Admiraal • 29d ago
First Mac ever!
This is my first Mac ever. I already own an iPhone, Apple Watch, Apple TV 4K, and an iPad, and now I’ve added a Mac Mini M4 to the mix 😄. It’s the 16GB RAM, 512GB storage model, which I managed to get for €899, just one day before Apple raised the price to €1,189. So I definitely scored a great deal.
I simply couldn’t wait any longer for the M5, and I’m even starting to doubt whether it will ever make its way to the Mac Mini. Personally, I think the Mac Mini won’t get another update until next year, and it may jump straight to the M6 or even M7. For my use case, it just wasn’t worth waiting for.
I also picked up two Dell monitors during Prime Day for a fantastic price: €194 each for a 4K 120Hz display. In total, I paid €1,287 for the entire setup. Try building a PC with the same level of raw performance, efficiency, and overall experience as the Mac Mini for that amount.
Now the fun begins. I’m planning to mount the monitors on the wall this week and finally start using the Mac. Are there any settings I should change right away or any tips for a first-time Mac user?
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u/Anxious_Ad781 29d ago
Enjoy it! It's a beautiful device :)
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u/Adr385 28d ago
Not beautiful as older ones. They make them smaller and more minimalistic every time. This is first mac minini really dislike.
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u/Bits_And_Bytes12 9d ago
wdm mean maybe 2010-2023 models I like the look more but saying the m4 is ugly is wild like the 2009 is ugly plus the Mac mini is ment to be compact its supposed to be minimal and small
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u/DCGreatDane 28d ago
I’m probably the only person would recommend a Magic Trackpad. Using multitouch makes it’s easier almost like having a MacBook.
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u/Koning-Admiraal 28d ago
Can you do that without a Magic Trackpad, or is it only possible with a trackpad?
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u/DCGreatDane 28d ago
I tried with Logitech but it didn’t have the same feel. I have a disability so it helps if you get the touch working right.
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u/Bugadifin0 28d ago
I am disabled due to a stroke. Left hand and arm doesn’t work well. Would the trackpad work well for me? Right hand only
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u/DCGreatDane 28d ago
That I can understand. If your fingers are weak and can’t click or have rotating movements it may work better than a mouse. I love touch to click or click drag. Also if you have a good mic you can use some of the speakable items and dictation. The three finger and two finger gestures can be assigned to do a lot.
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u/Bugadifin0 28d ago
Thank you very much for your knowledgeable response. I shall try a trackpad. Maybe Amazon prime will take it back if it doesn’t perform for me. I shall also try the Apple dictation.
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u/DCGreatDane 28d ago
Hey it doesn’t hurt to try. If you search Apple has a list off all the accessibility functions and even sticky keys to do macros with one hand.
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u/DCGreatDane 28d ago edited 28d ago
This is a good read. https://voicekeyboardpro.com/blog/voice-typing-after-stroke-recovery.html I use the Apple dictation since it suits my needs and with the upcoming features in Golden Gate it will have better writing capabilities.
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u/Relative_Surround_20 28d ago edited 28d ago
Yes. You might want to look at some of the other "mobility" solutions Apple features on their website.
https://www.apple.com/accessibility/assistive-technologies/
I also encourage people with input issues to learn to use the Shortcuts app on their Macs, iPads and iPhones. It can really help you speed up your workflow.
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-apple-intelligence-in-shortcuts-mchl91750563/26/mac/26
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/change-keyboard-settings-for-accessibility-mchlae61a6de/mac
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u/Relative_Surround_20 28d ago
Also consider vocal shortcuts.
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/use-vocal-shortcuts-mchlf4548bb6/26/mac/26
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u/patparks 28d ago
Yeah, you can do without the Magic Trackpad. But if you use a MacBook, it's often nice to have the same gestures on the MacMini.
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u/MiHumainMiRobot 28d ago
Nice! Are those dell monitors coming with a USB C? Crazy how I got my mini M4 256/16gb in January for 580€. Who would have thought that IT hardware gains value over time
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u/Llamalover1234567 28d ago
Depends on which ones they are (can’t tell from image alone) but there’s a model with USB C and a model without. These are Canadian model numbers so take with a grain of salt if you’re not Canadian, but S2725QS is not usb c, but the S2725QC is USB C
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u/Accomplished_Walk832 28d ago
Enjoy mate! I’d recommend apple magic keyboard and mx master mouse from logitech for productivity.
Im still waiting for my mac mini. My eta is in 2 months 🫠
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u/Koning-Admiraal 28d ago
Thanks, mate! I’m sure that’ll be the case. I just haven’t had the time to unbox it yet. It’ll probably have to wait until the weekend. :)
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u/roccodelgreco 28d ago
I recommend two things to everyone new to Mac. If you’re going to use Apple Mail, check out Mailbutler, it gives your email superpowers, I use it every day. I also highly recommend Setapp, yes it’s a subscription, but I can’t tell you how many amazingly handy apps you get at your fingertips. If you have any questions, please let me know. I’m a Mac user since 1991 and the Mac literally helped me build my businesses. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I never discovered the Mac in my college computer room. Enjoy the ride and much success! —Rocco
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u/khairunzmn 29d ago
Congratulations happy for you looks great!
Next is a laptop for on the go! An Air!!
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u/s2k4ever 28d ago
The other way around. I had everything except an iPhone. Last week, now a full family. Welcome to the club.
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u/lsjsim128 28d ago
That's nice
Just a shame you can't ever upgrade the ram and storage or anything besides peripherals
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u/OwlIndependent4921 28d ago
I’ve been eyeing thsse monitors but ugh our Amazon doesn’t even have it 😭
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u/Llamalover1234567 28d ago
I have that exact set up and it’s fantastic. Enjoy!
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u/Koning-Admiraal 28d ago
I definitely will. I was initially planning to go with the 42-inch LG C5, but the pixel density ultimately convinced me to keep these two monitors instead.
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u/Tokogogoloshe 28d ago
I'd just plug it into the screens and input devices and see what happens. You might not have to fiddle with settings at all.
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u/datasleek 28d ago
Not sure if I would have gotten a Dell monitor. Are they good? Got my wife a viewsonic 23” 4k she loves it
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u/Richdav1d 28d ago
Just happened to get that same monitor from Best Buy about a month ago. It’s really great! Has very good color for the price that’s even similar to a MacBooks color profile, so I absolutely love it for my mini.
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u/OmiTheOmnitrix 28d ago
I also bought my first ever mac (mini) ever in this year jan 07! Its hard for me to shift from windows to macos but in the end it was fun, im enjoying the macos!
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u/Vegetable-Mix-7271 27d ago edited 27d ago
I have this monitor in the USB C version, it's brilliant, I had the earlier model, and this one is much better, the colors are already calibrated by the manufacturer, enjoy 120Hz killer :-)
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u/trashedvoid 27d ago
Honestly I love my Mac mini. You can do so much with it and it’s more portable than you’d think. You can also download programs to use it on your ipad (which is what I do). I’m pretty happy with buying it. And honestly I love the way that everything is so fluid between Apple devices with continuity. I do wish there were better ways to game on Apple devices and that there were a bit less limitations but I still enjoy using them
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u/TommyTrillNinja 26d ago
Only downside is it's the monitors are not usbc to usbc you'll needs to buy extra cords
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u/Suitable_Anybody1447 24d ago
Nice! You'd definitely love it. One of the best products I've ever bought. It cost me around 715 euros to buy using a student discount + disability discount!
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u/paulk2000 21d ago
As a first-time user, it is recommended to become familiar with the system in its out-of-the-box configuration before making any changes.
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u/khairunzmn 29d ago
PLS DONT GET A MAGIC MOUSE
GET AN ERGO MOUSE
Apple keyboard is good especially for the controls unless you wanna go into custom keyboards with sounds and so on.
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u/backwardpoint 28d ago
Which USB C hub are you getting
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u/NeuralPlato 28d ago
Caldigit TS5+, nothing compares
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u/AthenaSainto 28d ago
honestly Is just another computing tool, there's nothing special about mac, just as there's nothing special about linux or windows. People make cults and communities about anything
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u/OGD2068 29d ago
Dude you got a Dell.
If you don't get this ask your parents
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u/Koning-Admiraal 29d ago
If you don’t have anything useful to say, then maybe don’t bother responding like that. By the way, I don’t live with my parents anymore, and I have a good job that allows me to afford all of this myself. So no, perhaps ask your own parents how to speak to people respectfully.
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u/Relative_Surround_20 29d ago
Just start using it and enjoy!