M1 Mini experience (in hot and cramped environment) Show off your M1 Mini.

[hugodrax]

Test setup for ghetto Mobile prod Trailer. Works great for tight spaces
1 Mac mini with 1TB DASD and 16GB core.
1 pair framework stands
1 pair Genelec monitors
1 ADI-2 DAC
1 AKM320
1 Magic Keyboard
1 Magic Trackpad version 2
1 Dell U3219Q 32inch monitor

M1 Mac mini is a rock solid machine. (Fast quiet and lightning response time) It really works great for tight spaces and where its at now is REALLY tight. Average ambient temps 80-81 and CPU just loafs, 30-35c average and even on heavy loads I never hear the fans. A Intel NUC will sound like a hair dryer and run like ****, Intel Mac minis same issues, loud and mediocre performance.

 

[Luposian]

Test setup for ghetto Mobile prod Trailer. Works great for tight spaces
1 Mac mini with 1TB DASD and 16GB core.
1 pair framework stands
1 pair Genelec monitors
1 ADI-2 DAC
1 AKM320
1 Magic Keyboard
1 Magic Trackpad version 2
1 Dell U3219Q 32inch monitor

M1 Mac mini is a rock solid machine. (Fast quiet and lightning response time) It really works great for tight spaces and where its at now is REALLY tight. Average ambient temps 80-81 and CPU just loafs, 30-35c average and even on heavy loads I never hear the fans. A Intel NUC will sound like a hair dryer and run like ****, Intel Mac minis same issues, loud and mediocre performance.

That is a sweet looking setup! Nice desk! But... how do you get to the power button if you ever want to get into Recovery mode? 😁

 

[Luposian]

My setup. Not as nice looking as Hugodrax's, but just a wee bit more accessible! 😁

 

[hugodrax]

That is a sweet looking setup! Nice desk! But... how do you get to the power button if you ever want to get into Recovery mode? 😁

Actually its not hard at all I can reach to the back and feel the button. The desk is small. 15 1/2 depth and 31 1/4 length. temp right now on this Mini is 28c I am amazed at the silence and low thermal load.

I suspect having the SOC/RAM will improve reliability for use in Trailers etc.. What is funny is compare the price of base M1 Mini to a Intel NUC setup and the price delta and MIPS per bucks between the two is just embarrassing for intel

400 bucks and you get an i5 NUC with no RAM, no disk no OS, not even any apps like iMovie,Photos or GarageBand (Gotta buy that license) and an inferior product that sounds like a hair dryer while doing a ****** job.

Apple really hit this ball out of the park and I don't think it is sinking in yet to a lot of folks.

 

[jazz1]

Bedroom Pandemic Workstation:

When I purchased the small gaming 47" gaming desk I did not anticipate having two Dell Monitors pressed into service. They actually hang off the sides of the desk, even slightly angled in.

The large Dell dual monitor stand's base plate accommodates the M1 MacMini and an OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock. The OWC HD is to the far right. I could stack the MacMini and the external hard drive, but they'd block the monitors. I suppose I could hide them, stacked, behind the monitors.

I have two Apple HomePod Minis on the way. One arrives today. I was hoping I could set them up as stereo speakers for the MacMini. I hope they are as low profile as they look . However, I read you have to do some workarounds to do stereo on a Mac. I may just have my iPad Pro or iPhone drive them for stereo music.

1. MacMini 16GB 512GB HD
2. Two 27" Dell monitors (one USB-C, one HDMI cabled)
3. OWC Thunderbolt 4 dock
4. OWC external (stackable) HD
5. Two monitor style LED desk lamps (saves space on desk)
6. Audiquest Dragonfly Red USB DAC/AMP
7. Bowers & Wilkins P9 wired headphones
8. Logitech webcam (very ancient)
9. Arriving today the first of two Apple HomePod Minis
10. VIVO sliding keyboard and mouse under the desk sliding shelf
11. Logitech MX Master Keyboard, MX Master 3 (for Mac) mouse