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MarkAtl

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jul 9, 2019
402
407
After buying one 5 years ago and realizing how poorly it performed, and then upgrading with a SSD and still not being thrilled even as a server, I boxed it up and put it aside.

Until today!

I set it up via HDMI to a 32” 1080p TV, wired via Ethernet, upgraded to Big Sur and connected an Avaya HC020 camera (recommended) and a cheap sound bar (via TV optical out).

I then loaded Zoom and Krisp.ai and did a test call. Even with image smoothing and noise reduction CPU load remained below 50%. I haven’t checked out the virtual background yet but I don’t need it. I don’t know if CPU spikes when there are many more people on a call but I imagine the impact is minor.

Next I will test out my iPad as a “whiteboard” as well as screen sharing and loading Word, PowerPoint and Google Docs. So far no memory issues but I won’t be loading a lot of Chrome tabs.

i now have a great dedicated Zoom / FaceTime / Skype / Teams station!

Anyone else repurpose their 2014 Mini this way? Any suggestions to turn off or remove unneeded services to reduce resource impact?
 
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