I recently switched from a MacBook Pro to a Mac Mini. Here’s the setup I’m using to keep the important things familiar while enjoying the creative freedom of a new setup.
1. The Monitor
The smallest stand-alone display that Apple currently sells is 27". This is way too big if you’re used to a 13" to 16" MacBook — especially if you want to keep the flexibility to travel. Also the 27" display is almost the price of the Mac Mini itself. 💸
So for my Mac Mini, I wanted a portable monitor with the following key specs:
- a screen size ranging from 15.6" to 18"
- a pixel density that matches Apple Retina displays (i.e. 4K with 220 PPI)
- a wide gamut color space (i.e. 99–100% Display P3) for photo and video editing
This was surprisingly hard to find and only 5 monitors made the cut. Unfortunately, most are touch displays which makes them very expensive:
- ViewSonic VX1655–4K (15.6" OLED, no touch, $500 USD)
- Espresso 17 Pro (17.3" IPS, touch screen, $800 USD)
- ASUS ProArt PA169CDV (15.6" IPS, touch screen, $900 USD)
- Xencelabs Pen Display 16 (15.6" OLED, touch screen, $1000 USD)
- Huion Kamvas Pro 19 (18.4" IPS, touch screen, $1100 USD)
OLED monitors are preferred for image quality, while IPS monitors are preferred for durability and peace of mind from burn-in.
For my dual monitor setup, I chose the Espresso 17 Pro as my primary monitor, and I’m using my old ASUS ZenScreen MB16AC as my secondary. But if I had to buy an ASUS in 2024, I’d go with the MB16QHG.
A 4K monitor between 18" to 22" would also be acceptable, but these are even harder to find than the smaller ones. It’s the “missing middle” of monitors. Most 4K monitors start at 24". I could only find these three models around 21.5" and they are all discontinued now. 😔
- iMac Retina 4K 2019 (21.5" IPS)
- LG UltraFine 4K 22MD4KA-B (21.5" IPS)
- ASUS ProArt Display PQ22UC (21.6" OLED)
2. Monitor Stand & Mounts
My preferred arrangement for two monitors is vertical, and the best way to do this is with a VESA dual monitor stand like the STAND-V002LW.
To attach the Espresso 17 Pro to the stand, I use the Espresso Magnetic VESA Mount.
To attach the ASUS Zenscreen MB16AC to the stand, I use the Leaplumin tablet tripod mount adapter with the VIVO Mount-V00CAM. The Leaplumin mount is perfect for any portable monitor with a flat back, it can expand up to 11.2" (the longest width I could find for a tablet/monitor clamp), and it doesn’t have any annoying spring mechanism.
AVOID clamps that have a spring mechanism like the VIVO MOUNT-UVM02 (🙅♂️). The spring mechanism makes it unnecessary tight and difficult to place onto a monitor, and it can easily lead to damage with thinner displays like the ViewSonic VX1655–4K-OLED.
Side note: The newer ASUS Zenscreen MB16QHG does NOT have a flat back and would NOT work with the Leaplium mount, but it does have a tripod mount built-in on the back that can then directly connect to the VIVO Mount-V00CAM.
Horizontal / Travel setup
The issue with a vertical setup is that it isn’t as travel friendly; the vertical VESA stand is quite big and heavy. So when traveling, you can use the foldable Espresso Stand for the Espresso 17 and then to the left or right of it have another monitor on something like the Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod, ASUS ZenScreen Stand MTS02D, or RØDE DS2 Desktop Studio Arm (using the previously mentioned Leaplumin tablet tripod mount adapter or to the built-in tripod mount that some monitors come with).
Alternatively, a folding laptop stand also works great. I actually prefer these stands over a tripod because they give you more space for the keyboard.
Note: Some portable monitors, like the ViewSonic VX1655–4K-OLED, do NOT have a flat back and will need a stand with a cutout in the middle like the Portronic’s My Buddy K3 Pro.
3. MacMini Mount
The cool thing about VESA mounts is that they can also be used to hold the MacMini itself. You can mount the MacMini behind one of the monitors, or on an arm of its own.
I like the HumanCentric Dual VESA Mount the best because it gives generous space for ventilation, has a nice visually pleasing symmetrical design, keeps the Mac Mini locked in from all sides while still maintaining unobstructed access to all ports, and allows for a monitor to be added.
VIVO also has a well thought-out design; I just don’t find it as visually pleasing as the HumanCentric one.
4. The Mouse
When I first got my Mac Mini, I tried using a regular mouse again after so many years and found it much less capable than the MacBook Pro’s trackpad. So I ended up ordering Apple’s standalone Magic Trackpad. I can’t work without it. 🙈
I now also love the freedom of being able to arrange the Magic Trackpad however I want, instead of it being fixed below the keyboard like on the MacBook Pro. I find that having it to the right of my keyboard is more comfortable and allows me to hold a better posture.
One issue with the standalone Magic Trackpad though is that it lacks a wrist rest. On the MacBook Pro, the sides of the frame would naturally act as a wrist rest. With the standalone Magic Trackpad you will have to buy your own wrist rest, like this lycra and memory foam one from Amazon:
Or you can get a nice wooden wrist rest like this one from GroveMade:
The second issue with the standalone Magic Trackpad is that it still requires a lightning cable for charging. So if you bought the new iPhone 15 for the USB-C port thinking you can finally retire your lightning cables, the Magic Trackpad will complicate that dream. I’ve still switched all my cables to USB-C, and just keep around a lightning adapter for the Magic Trackpad.
5. The Keyboard
Your keyboard choice will play one of the biggest roles in defining your setup and it’s where your hands will spend the most time working.
It’s crazy how many different variations keyboard designs can come in. When shopping for a new keyboard, lookout for quirks such as:
- The shape of the “Enter” button (some of them take up two rows).
- The location of the “\|” button.
- The location of the left “Command” button (is it between the “Z” and “X” buttons, or only under the “X” button).
- The length of the space bar, and under which characters it starts and ends.
- The location and shape of the arrow keys.
- The keyboard’s color and whether it has backlighting. If a keyboard has a black/dark color but lacks backlighting, then it will be very difficult to read anything on it in low-lighting. White keyboards are more forgiving as they are good at reflecting light.
- How comprehensive the backlighting is. Some brands are sneaky and only backlight the outline of the keys and not the contents of the keys.
- Whether it can be connected by cable, dongle, or is Bluetooth-only.
When setting up your Mac Mini for the first time, you’ll need a keyboard that can be physically plugged with a cable or wireless dongle. If the keyboard is bluetooth only without a dongle, then it cannot be used for Mac Mini setup. I had to learn this the hard way. 😅
Here are three good keyboard setups to get you started:
A) MacBook Pro replica
If you want to fully maintain the MacBook feel, your muscle memory, and the benefits of Touch ID, as well as the easiest portability, then you’ll need to get:
Alternatively, you can get the MagicBridge by TwelveSouth to connect the Magic Trackpad to the left or right side of the Magic Keyboard.
There are also some nice wooden options on Amazon and Etsy:
B) Number cruncher
If you work a lot with numbers, this is a good chance to get a keyboard with a dedicated number pad. I love the “Compact 1800” or “96%” style of keyboard layout in particular because it saves a lot of space compared to a traditional 100% size keyboard and I don’t need the screen control buttons.
I found the Satechi brand to be the highest quality option that stays true to the Apple feel, key layout, and backlighting! They have two variations:
- Compact Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard (if you want groves on the keys)
- Slim X2 Bluetooth Backlit Keyboard (if you want flat keys)
Satechi also has models with the traditional 100% layout.
Satechi keyboards come with two stick-on rubber feet that give the back of their keyboards an extra 3/8" lift if you want it. And if that incline is not high enough for you, then checkout the ESC Flip Pro.
Side note: If you’re on a tight budget and ok without backlighting, then Zebronics has a knock-off of the Satechi Compact at a fraction of the price. But I find dark/black keyboards without backlighting too inconvenient to use at night so that why I didn’t buy it. White keyboards are fine without backlighting but unfortunately Zebronics doesn’t have a white version.
C) Gamer / RGB vibe
If you love the RGB look that is common with many gamer setups, and/or miss that old school mechanical button feel and clicking sounds, I found the EvoFox Katana-X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard to be a gem! 😍 It follows the previously mentioned “Compact 1800” / “96%” design and also includes a volume knob that is fun to use and fidget with. When typing, the button layout and spacing feels quite similar to a Mac keyboard despite the different look; you will just need to re-map the “Win” key as “Option” and “Alt” key as “Command”.
Note: it does take some time to get used to a mechanical keyboard again after years of using the flat MacBook Pro keyboards. The mechanical keyboard feels like more work to type, but after a couple weeks of use it goes back to feeling natural.
D) Other
A popular mechanical keyboard with many of my techie friends is the MX Mechanical and MX Mechanical Mini. But what I don’t like about it is that it doesn’t come in a “Compact 1800” / “96%” layout.
6. TouchID alternatives
If you’re using anything other than the Apple Magic Keyboard, you’ll need to come up with an alternative to TouchID.
Here’s how I repurposed one of my Yubikeys as a Touch ID alternative.
7. The Speakers
Disclaimer: I’m not a qualified audiophile.
I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Mac Mini does come with a basic in-built speaker. Of course, the speaker does leave a lot to be desired and it makes people in podcasts and Youtube videos sound like they are using a bad microphone.
I tried improving the audio quality by dusting off my Amazon Echo (4th Gen) from storage. Unfortunately, the Echo on the Mac Mini developed an odd habit of disconnecting and reconnecting whenever I’d use the masking tool in Adobe Lightroom. And I learned the 3.5mm jack on the Amazon Echo can only be used for output, not input.
Reading reviews online, people in general seem to have intermittent disconnection/reconnection issues and lag with bluetooth speakers — even Apple’s own Homepods are plagued with complaints. So I’ll only be looking at wired speakers from now on.
I ended up buying the Creative Pebble Pro as the specs-to-price ratio was just right for me and based on reviews it seems to be a brand that can be trusted. Many of the cheaper speakers on Amazon were not fully transparent with their specs.
I chose the Pebble Pro model in particular because I like the LED glow at the base of it, it has ports for headphones and a microphone, and because of this helpful explanation on their website:
At a glance, the Creative Pebble Pro looks to be sporting the same 2.25" drivers as its predecessor in the Creative Pebble V3. In reality, they have been overhauled from the ground up with a brand-new driver design to achieve more headroom for a louder, clearer audio performance that sounds beyond its physique, and 3.5x richer and deeper bass performance.
If you have a higher budget, you can get the Creative Pebble X Plus which includes a subwoofer. If you have a lower budget, then go for the Creative Pebble V3 (Amazon also has discounted refurbished options for this one).
Headphones
Even if you have nice quality speakers, it’s hard to beat the quality of sound you’ll get with noise cancelling headphones. I can highly recommend the Sony XM3, which I bought years ago at the recommendation of an audiophile friend and I have zero regrets. And now with the XM4 and XM5 being out, you can get the XM3 at a bargain if you don’t want/need the newer features.
The differences between the Sony XM3 vs XM4 vs XM5 are beyond the scope of this article, but worth researching on your own if you are seriously looking to add headphones to your setup. Just note that newer doesn’t mean everything is better. For example, the XM5 no longer has foldable earcups. 😔
8. The Webcam
One thing I took for granted with my MacBook Pro is the built-in webcam and microphone. This is not something that will come with most external monitors, so you’ll need to find others solutions.
Option 1:
If you already have an iPhone, you can use MacOS’ “Continuity Camera” feature to turn the iPhone into a webcam! It ended up looking better than my MacBook webcam, and even supports Portrait mode (which makes it look better than GoPro’s webcam mode)! Note: Despite my iPhone 14 Pro and MacMini being on the same Wifi and same Apple account, I’ve been unable to get my iPhone recognized by my MacMini without first using a USB-C to Lightning cable.
Option 2:
If you already have a GoPro, you can download GoPro’s official webcam app and then connect your GoPro to your MacMini using a USB-C cable. Note: not all USB-C cables support video (aka “DP Alt Mode”), so make sure the cable is certified as Thunderbolt 3, Thunderbolt 4, or USB4.
Option 3:
If you already have a DSLR, you can just buy a USB video capture card like the Elgato Cam Link 4K and a Micro-HDMI-to-HDMI cable. No app required. If you have DSLR this is the best way to go as it will give unbeatable quality and bokeh (background blur) compared to the iPhone and GoPro.
Option 4:
If you don’t have any of the above, or just prefer a dedicated webcam, there are many to choose from. The sweet spot of price and performance seems to be 1080p with 60fps. A 4K webcam can be tempting, but many of them will run at just 30fps or lower (which doesn’t look as smooth) and are also more likely to lag during a video call. The latest MacBook Pro webcam is 1080p, and even many video capture cards for DSLRs will output at 1080p 60fps and look amazing.
Other things I’d look for:
- How is the low-light performance?
- Does it have HDR? (This is important if you have anything bright behind you like a window or lights)
- Does it have a microphone? (It’s fine if it doesn’t, just be aware that you’ll then also need to buy a separate mic)
- Does it auto-focus? And if so, how fast and smart is the auto-focus? (Some auto-focus cameras will have a visible over-compensation before finding you)
- How easy is it to configure the webcam settings? Does it come with software that is compatible for MacOS?
Make sure to also checkout video reviews/demos of the webcam on Youtube before buying to make sure the actual performance lives up to the specs and marketing.
9. The Microphone
If you get a webcam without a microphone, or just want to improve your voice quality in general, then you’ll need an external microphone.
I recently got the Rode Wireless Me for my camera setup and it works well for that, but I haven’t had the chance yet to try it on my MacMini or any video call apps.
I also have the Elgato Wave:3 and love it except for one thing: in the Zoom app on my work computer the audio from my Wave:3 would frequently cutout. This seems to be related to automatic audio enhancements (like noise cancelling and gain control) in both the microphone and Zoom conflicting with each other. Disabling these helped, but audio issues would still appear sometimes if I didn’t have the WaveLink app open to manage the microphone feed. It ended up being easier to just use the built-in MacBook microphone for work calls.
So when buying a microphone for your MacMini, search the internet for any potential compatibility issues with the video calling apps that you’re planning to use.
10. The Battery
Another thing I took for granted with my MacBook Pro is the battery. If there is a power cut you can still keep working on a MacBook Pro. This is unfortunately not the case with a Mac Mini. So if you live in a place with unstable electricity, you’ll need a UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). Depending on the UPS’ size and load, it can keep a Mac Mini powered for around 30–60 minutes. Many UPS’ have the added benefit of regulating the voltage automatically so that voltage spikes don’t kill your device.
I ended up going with the Artis 600VA LCD Touchscreen UPS because the touchscreen shows you information like the load level and battery capacity. This information is not visible on UPS’ that don’t have a screen (which is most of them).
11. Bonus: Travel case
When choosing a Mac Mini over a MacBook Pro, the biggest sacrifice we make is the freedom to quickly and easily “grab-and-go”. But if you plan your setup right, like I’ve tried to do above (particularly with the monitor choices), you can still make your Mac Mini travel friendly.
The last thing missing is a travel case. I chose this pink one to make it less likely that another traveller “mistakenly” takes it during an airport security check. And if a “mistake” does still happen, it will be very easy to spot and find them.
12. Bonus: Decals
One of the fun parts of getting a new device is getting to personalize it. I love adding a wooden touch to all my devices.
‘dbrand’ used to be my go-to place for skins but they’ve discontinued the Zebrawood design that I loved and also they don’t support Mac Mini. 😒
So I tried out a new decal brand from India called ‘Capes’ and was pleasantly surprised. The wood design looks realistic and is even textured. It’s the same 3M quality that dbrand used to have.
Unfortunately, they don’t have any pre-cut designs for the Magic Trackpad (yes, the trackpads can work even with skins on top of them!), and when I asked their customer support about it they asked me to mail them my Magic Trackpad so they could make a perfect cutout. 😐 No way I’m doing that. They also wouldn’t sell me an uncut sheet. 🙄 So I ordered a skin for the top of a laptop (specifically the Realme Book) and then cut it myself to fit the Magic Trackpad.
The End
I hope this guide was helpful! 🙏 I’m new to writing on Medium so please share your feedback in the comments, don’t be shy to ask any questions, and let me know if there are any other cool accessories you use for your Mac Mini :)
