Mini M1 suggestions

[Tessbe]

Kind of frothing over the new M1 and ready to pull the trigger. I'm going to likely get the base model m1. I do some hobby video editing (Davinci resolve) and music production but nothing too intense.

I have read that bluetooth can be problematic. Is the best solution to get the apple keyboard and mouse? Or other keyboards and mice to recommend?

I'm also confused on what monitor to get. I have dell credits so was hoping to go with dell and between a 24" and 27" or wide. I have had a 24" ultrasharp E248WFP for 10 years that's been really great to me, but it's connected via VGA so guessing I can improve a bit on it with something new.

Your expertise and help is much appreciated!

 

[pldelisle]

I have read that bluetooth can be problematic. Is the best solution to get the apple keyboard and mouse? Or other keyboards and mice to recommend?

It seems that there are issues, but we only read those who have issues. It’s not 100% of people getting a Mac Mini is having Bluetooth problems.

For keyboard, I like the Magic Keyboard because of the key switches. But I’m more a mechanical keyboard guy, and Das Keyboard is the best I’ve ever tried.

I'm also confused on what monitor to get. I have dell credits so was hoping to go with dell and between a 24" and 27" or wide. I have had a 24" ultrasharp E248WFP for 10 years that's been really great to me, but it's connected via VGA so guessing I can improve a bit on it with something new.

Ultrasharp is still among the best monitors you can get. U2720Q should plenty satisfy yourself. It’s rated among the best on rtings.com and many other reviewers. LG 27UN850 is virtually the same panel. USB-C to USB-C connector (usually included with the monitor).

I’d take 16 GB of unified memory.

 

[Tessbe]

It seems that there are issues, but we only read those who have issues. It’s not 100% of people getting a Mac Mini is having Bluetooth problems.

For keyboard, I like the Magic Keyboard because of the key switches. But I’m more a mechanical keyboard guy, and Das Keyboard is the best I’ve ever tried.



Ultrasharp is still among the best monitors you can get. U2720Q should plenty satisfy yourself. It’s rated among the best on rtings.com and many other reviewers. LG 27UN850 is virtually the same panel. USB-C to USB-C connector (usually included with the monitor).

I’d take 16 GB of unified memory.

Thanks for your reply. That monitor might be a step above my budget. What would be the next step down? Was hoping for $300-$400 but might go a little higher on monitor. Think U2520DR would work well?

 

[pldelisle]

Thanks for your reply. That monitor might be a step above my budget. What would be the next step down? Was hoping for $300-$400 but might go a little higher on monitor. Think U2520DR would work well?

Yes, or the S2721QS could make it too.

 

[Tessbe]

That one looks nice! 4k 27”. Sold out in dell store though unfortunately. I guess I should consider resalevalue. Perhaps bigger and 4k being better. This buy is really a layover until the new imacs come out.

 

[pldelisle]

That one looks nice! 4k 27”. Sold out in dell store though unfortunately. I guess I should consider resalevalue. Perhaps bigger and 4k being better. This buy is really a layover until the new imacs come out.

Every 27’’ displays from dell seems sold out. WFH hurts ahah!

Don’t go too big. The bigger you go the less sharp the text will be (lower PPI).

 

[Scottl2]

Very happy with my base M1. Mostly using it for home photo management.
Using Apple trackpad and an Amazon Bluetooth keyboard. Trackpad does randomly disconnect and immediately reconnect on occasion. Slight annoyance but fixes itself in 5-10 seconds.
Haven’t noticed it on the keyboard.

 

[Fishrrman]

"I have read that bluetooth can be problematic. Is the best solution to get the apple keyboard and mouse? Or other keyboards and mice to recommend?"

I wouldn't count on bluetooth on the Mini. It's been a problem on the Intel Minis, and seems to also be a problem on the m1 Minis.

Logitech is my preferred brand of mouse, for going on 20 years.
Keyboards? I use OLD wired USB keyboards (that look like they came from the 1990's, because ... they do). They work fine, and my MacAlly USB keyboard has USB ports in the ends into which I plug the receiver for my Logitech mouse.

Displays?
Dell is a good choice. I wouldn't buy a 24" display these days -- 27" or larger.
You could probably use the old one for the time being by getting a USBc to VGA adapter.

 

[Suzatlarge]

It seems that there are issues, but we only read those who have issues. It’s not 100% of people getting a Mac Mini is having Bluetooth problems.

^^ Good point. I swapped my M1 mini into the desktop setup that my 2014 rMBP 15" had been running. With the rMBP I had no BT connectivity issues with the Apple Magic Keyboard, Magic Mouse 2, and [older model] Apple trackpad.

Now all three are connected by BT to the M1 Mini. I'm experiencing an occasional brief disconnect/reconnect of the mouse. The other two devices are stable. But, yesterday I couldn't get the mouse to reconnect until I went into BT preferences and removed it, then did a fresh connection. So far it's not too annoying; I can always use the trackpad if the mouse is balky.