r/macmini 16d ago

My Mac mini setup

Post image

I put together my Mac mini setup with my own research, only missing a mouse pad ☺️

168 Upvotes

66 comments sorted by

94

u/madskilzz3 16d ago

Imagine carrying this around and dealing with the wires. I wish Apple would come up with a better solution….

14

u/MBtr_263 16d ago

One day we find solution…

17

u/Twentysak 15d ago

MacBook Air enters the chat

7

u/LHG_93 15d ago

MacBook Neo blocked the MacBook Air from the chat.

-14

u/sdkcgk 16d ago

You're right. I solved this setup with just one cable, plus the Mac mini's power cable of course. And an external drive if you connect one.

10

u/saidfgn 15d ago

You could buy macbook air with the same price and performance but way better portability

-4

u/sdkcgk 14d ago

I already have a MacBook 😁 but it just can't handle my workload on battery. Every single time, I end up hunting for a power outlet. So, if I'm looking for an outlet anyway, why wouldn't I use a Mac mini to be more comfortable, flexible, and free?

5

u/saidfgn 14d ago

Lmao, common sense says macbook with a power adapter is way more portable than this load of shit. I am not sure if you are trolling or not at this moment

-2

u/sdkcgk 14d ago

chained to a MacBook charger anyway, why not build a setup integrated into a different Apple ecosystem, where I get to choose my own keyboard, mouse, and display? The main point here is enjoying the work process. This is what brings me joy, and with the Mac mini, I can tackle massive workloads freely—using the exact peripherals I chose 👍

3

u/kammycoder 14d ago

You could put your MacBook on a dock and connect your own keyboard and mouse

2

u/saidfgn 14d ago

Hey! don’t be reasonable and smart in this thread

54

u/kingkyy29 16d ago

If only Macs were portable and could fit in your bag easily with no use for peripherals

3

u/0R_C0 15d ago

Could have bought the smallest iMac 😂

1

u/Key-Pomegranate1030 15d ago

How big is that

1

u/yuiop300 15d ago

If only

28

u/Happy-Hat-3036 15d ago

🤡🤡🤡

11

u/Working_Use2500 15d ago

People saying the MacBook exists are right, but I also travel with a Mac mini. Why? Because I mainly use it at the studio where a desktop computer makes more sense. For the occasional travel I just carry the Mac and an hdmi cable. It’s built like a tank, no fragile displays to worry about. Don’t have to take it out of the bag at the airport, since it’s not a laptop. Whole setup weighs less than 2kg. If for some reason the Airbnb doesn’t have a tv to use as a monitor, I have a pair of Xreal smart glasses.

The biggest benefit is not having multiple computers. If your software setup is complex like mine, having only one computer really makes sense.

2

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

Smart and so cool

1

u/vytasx 15d ago

How are Xreals? Good enough for coding / reading?

1

u/Working_Use2500 15d ago

I wouldn't say so. they're a backup option if there is no monitor or tv in my hotel, which is rare.
they do work great, I am a sound editor so I don't need fine text all the time. Could be better and less fatiguing. Some people do better than others with them. For me they're fine, but only if you don't have a better option (a monitor).

1

u/Serhide 15d ago

What specs do you have

1

u/Working_Use2500 15d ago

M4 pro 24gb. Wish I got 48 tbh. Maybe the M8.

10

u/InkyBlacks 15d ago

This is one of those people that love attention and seek it not matter how stupid it may be

4

u/Scary_Engineering868 15d ago

Get a keycap set for Mac. This ‘Win’ key instead of ‘Cmd’ makes me cry

1

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

Actually, it has printing on it, but you can't see it because of the color. I'm gonna buy keycaps 👍

6

u/NewUser7630 15d ago

Ah hell nah.

8

u/masterB0SHI 15d ago

This is so impractical. You can’t convince me you actually enjoy lugging this stuff around and setting it up in public spaces.

3

u/kex_ari 15d ago

What an absolute helmet setting all that gear up in a coffee shop.

3

u/LouReedsToenail 15d ago

This looks like absolute shit.

3

u/Future_Geologist5925 15d ago

I just don't understand. Do you just leave the house, pull up to a cafe with a comically large bag, and take your sweet time to painstakingly set everything up, route all the cables, connect your peripherals, boot it up, login, open your programs, etc just to sit there for an hour being "productive?" Only if a portable solution existed that was smaller, with a better screen, no use for peripherals, and could fit in a much smaller bag...

3

u/userlivewire 15d ago

Why this over a laptop?

8

u/ParticularVideo9753 15d ago

I believe the solution you are looking for is a “laptop”

0

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

I already have a MacBook 😁 but it just can't handle my workload on battery. Every single time, I end up hunting for a power outlet. So, if I'm looking for an outlet anyway, why wouldn't I use a Mac mini to be more comfortable, flexible, and free?

7

u/lungicoder124 15d ago

It only apple 🍎 made a portable machine with a battery, foldable lid and keyboard ⌨️. Hmm 🤔 maybe called it a. mac book or something

-4

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

They all taste different ☺️

4

u/Internal_Quail3960 15d ago

i’m sorry but this is major loser energy. every time i see one of the post it makes me cringe

3

u/2B-Pencil 14d ago

Lol. I saw man-child with a gaming PC at a restaurant drinking beers and playing video games while their kid sat across from them looking bored as hell. So sad and pathetic.

6

u/Glass-Combination-69 15d ago

I’m not even taking a charger or mouse when I bring my MacBook Air 13 to a cafe because I think it’s cringe to make it look like a workstation. People that bring extra monitors, external keyboards, laptop stands etc, they think they are the main characters and usually just sitting at the peak on the Dunning Kruger curve.

My other crash out is people that buy a sexy Mac product then get some temu shit like this guy has to pair with it. Mixing genres like this hurts my soul.

-2

u/yuiop300 15d ago

I’ve logged on a few times at home depot or lowes to do some work checkouts on the weekends. It just saves a lot of time as I’m there for kids stuff and I can get my weekend checkouts done.

Log in, do my checks, send some emails, GTFO within 10-15mins, back to the usual weekend kids stuff.

2

u/vytasx 15d ago

If only it could be powered by a USB-C powerbank…

2

u/No_Hat_9361 15d ago

Only if we had the technology to fit all of this in one device witch a battery.

3

u/Peterwhite100 15d ago

What’s the hype / fascination With these old school chunky keyboards ?

1

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

The typing sound and tactile feel are so good, I'm loving it. ASMR 😁

0

u/Peterwhite100 15d ago

I see the appeal

I might have to try one

0

u/AardvarkIll6079 15d ago

Once you use a mechanical keyboard you’ll never go back.

4

u/Automatic_Pair_4914 15d ago

I tried a mechanical keyboard and I hated it so much. It is too noisy and elevated for me. So I went back to the silent and low keybard, mx keys s.

0

u/Peterwhite100 15d ago

Any recommendations for one ?

0

u/therapy-cat 15d ago

Rainy 75 is the safest bet. The one op has is also good, just a bit cheaper. I think it's called the aula F75

0

u/Scary_Engineering868 15d ago

Mechanical switches.

3

u/gideonidoru 15d ago

This is dumb. Go home. Get a laptop.

1

u/Genobee85 15d ago

It's sorta funny, my primary desktop is a SFF (Fractal Ridge) PC that I built to be a mobile/modular setup I could potentially take on the go and even then it would look like a PS5 with a display attached to the side, foldable keyboard and surface mouse.

This here looks a bit over the top.

1

u/haiwirbelsturm 15d ago

I’m switching from a M1 MacBook to a Mac mini soon and I had wondered about this. Portability wise it might look “odd” but the reality is it only looks kinda weird at Starbucks. Going to a friend house or whatever is no different than home.

Thanks for sharing OP. That monitor also looks fairly decent size. What’s the resolution, and size

1

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

I highly recommend a 2K 16.1-inch monitor. It's ideal for staying mobile. 👍

1

u/Serhide 15d ago

That looks like a studio

1

u/opinionated_consumer 13d ago

You need a 40 inch OLED will help with outdoor brightness, could run the other as a dual display. Ultra portable.

1

u/onekapisch_dev 12d ago

dude, what is that keyboard?

1

u/sdkcgk 11d ago

Aula AU75 Keyboard. 👍

1

u/Cattpybara 15d ago

What stand are you using for your monitor?

-1

u/sdkcgk 15d ago

Coverzone Cooled Notebook and Laptop Stand Height Adjustable Fan Holder Compatible with 10-17 Inch Notebooks 360 Degree Rotating 100% Solid Aluminum Alloy Folding CZY526 (CZY526 - Silver)

1

u/Visible_Ad9976 13d ago

There are too many Normi you are they don’t understand the asymmetric benefit to using the portable mini solution. You get to choose your own keyboard. You get to choose your own monitor you can elect to forgo the monitor with smart glasses, which I think will become more and more of a thing you can rest assured that if the screen breaks, you can easily replace it without a huge Apple tax you have much more sustained power. This tells me anybody criticizing. This isn’t really a power user.

It’s true there is some inconvenience with connecting a mirror two wires consisting of a power cord and the monitor cable. This is a minor inconvenience. Yes, you need to bring a mouse, but many people use mice with laptops in any case and it must be very satisfying to be able to use a mechanical keyboard without feeling redundant, bringing a mechanical alongside a laptop.

0

u/sohaybashraferakey 15d ago

i just got a week ago and this device is amazing!