Switch to MAC from Windows - help needed

[twentyflip20]

Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.

Been a long time Windows user – since around 1995. It’s been a love/hate relationship but I think I may be ready for a change.

I’ve been looking at getting a refurbished Mac Mini. Don’t need a laptop anymore – so a desktop setup is appealing to me and I like the small form factor and port expansions of the mini. Would prefer to have separate monitor, etc. so no iMAC. Don’t need anything super powerful – don’t use any photo editing software, no games, etc. just basic home use like spreadsheets, word processing, online banking, etc.

A few questions I had:

• Will the setup/install see any USB mouse/keyboard?
• Might get an Apple compatible keyboard with dedicated Apple keys, etc. Does the new Magic Keyboard and/or Mouse have a USB dongle or is the Bluetooth interface not need one?
• I believe I can setup an Apple ID via iTunes for Windows without a payment method. How about when asked for setting up iCloud? Will I be required to setup an iCloud account at install and will it ask for payment info or does iCloud use/take Apple ID payment method already established?
• Is Siri required to be setup?
• What is the native/default resolution for the MAC mini Intel 630 graphics? Do I need a 4k monitor or is QHD enough (with say a 24” monitor) given my use referenced above?

How long have you had your Mac’s – if taken care of; do they generally have a good shelf life?

Thanks everyone – stay safe.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

Hope everyone is doing well and staying safe.

Been a long time Windows user – since around 1995. It’s been a love/hate relationship but I think I may be ready for a change.

I’ve been looking at getting a refurbished Mac Mini. Don’t need a laptop anymore – so a desktop setup is appealing to me and I like the small form factor and port expansions of the mini. Don’t need anything super powerful – don’t use any photo editing software, no games, etc. just basic home use like spreadsheets, word processing, online banking, etc.

A few questions I had:

• Will the setup/install see any USB mouse/keyboard?
• Might get an Apple compatible keyboard with dedicated Apple keys, etc. Does the new Magic Keyboard and/or Mouse have a USB dongle or is the Bluetooth interface not need one?
• I believe I can setup an Apple ID via iTunes for Windows without a payment method. How about when asked for setting up iCloud? Will I be required to setup an iCloud account at install and will it ask for payment info or does iCloud use/take Apple ID payment method already established?
• Is Siri required to be setup?
• What is the native/default resolution for the MAC mini Intel 630 graphics? Do I need a 4k monitor or is QHD enough (with say a 24” monitor) given my use referenced above?

How long have you had your Mac’s – if taken care of; do they generally have a good shelf life?

Thanks everyone – stay safe.

Welcome to Macintosh!

• You may use any mouse/keyboard combination
• IIRC it's Bluetooth, but don't quote me on that as I don't own them myself
• You can log in using your preexisting Apple ID
• Nope! Siri is completely optional
• That depends on the interface you're using. Are you using HDMI or Thunderbolt?

I have gotten all of my Macs used (see my signature for the list) and they have come from varying walks of life. I can't complain about any of my Macs. They all work well and serve my needs. My oldest is a Power Mac G4 that turned 19 this past January!

 

[sublunar]

The setup should see a USB keyboard and mouse. Official wireless Apple accessories use Bluetooth - no dongle required.
You should be able to set up without a payment method in Apple Music and iCloud.
You don't need to set up Hey Siri.
The onboard graphics can support up to a 4k screen. As mentioned already you have a choice of HDMI or USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 connectors before you have to use an adapter.

I still have most of my Macs, the ones I use run fine.

The thought occurs if you were thinking of a Mac mini and adding a magic keyboard, magic mouse, and screen - why not look for an iMac? They come with all 3. Obviously it's worth waiting for a refurb with the right spec, SSD only is best. And there's due to be an iMac refresh of some sort imminently.

 

[RogerWilco6502]

The thought occurs if you were thinking of a Mac mini and adding a magic keyboard, magic mouse, and screen - why not look for an iMac? They come with all 3. Obviously it's worth waiting for a refurb with the right spec, SSD only is best. And there's due to be an iMac refresh of some sort imminently.

That's a good point. An iMac might be worth looking into if you can find a good model

 

[D.T.]

I'm a big fan of the Mini, I like sourcing my own display(s), and having a machine with a tiny footprint - using an '18 (i7 6-core, 32GB, 512GB) for development and general/personal computing (went back to one from a MBP).

Since the Mini doesn't have a super powerful GPU, and I wanted two displays, I'm running 2 Dell U2518D, that's a 25" QHD (2560x1440), and with that resolution and size, it's a decent PPI, and noticeably better vs. an HD display.

I used a wired, Das Pro 4 Mac keyboard, with Cherry switches, just a fantastic, mechanical KB (and designed specifically for Mac), though I use it with Windows VMs as well, and with a few keymappings, works excellent. I also use an Apple Magic Mouse, via Bluetooth.

 

[russell_314]

I've used my Mac mini for about a year with no major problems. I have a Windows laptop for gaming and use it daily. Both Windows and Mac have their uses.

I have a 32" 1080P HDMI monitor so I can say for sure 4K isn't required for it to work.

My current keyboard is a cheap Bluetooth keyboard and it works okay except for falling asleep to save power. I've used regular USB keyboards and they work fine. I'm looking forward to getting an Apple Magic keyboard or maybe one of those fancy Matias keyboards when I get the extra $$$.

I have a Logitech M720 Bluetooth mouse and it works perfectly. I've used both wired Logitech and those with the USB dongle with no issues.

Make sure you to use whatever iCloud you use with your other Apple products because they will sync. That is if you have any of course. I think you can skip the payment method but it's been a while since I've set one up.

 

[twentyflip20]

Thanks everyone - super helpful.

Might need to mount monitor to stand - so wasn't looking at iMAC. Guess I need an iCloud account? - but looks like payment info will carry from Apple ID?

Using Android - so no other devices at this time.

Probably would use HDMI to save USB ports - but would use Type C obviously if needed (sounds like it isn't).

 

[RogerWilco6502]

Thanks everyone - super helpful.

Might need to mount monitor to stand - so wasn't looking at iMAC. Guess I need an iCloud account? - but looks like payment info will carry from Apple ID?

Using Android - so no other devices at this time.

Probably would use HDMI to save USB ports - but would use Type C obviously if needed (sounds like it isn't).

Your iCloud account is part of your Apple ID

It looks like the native resolution for the graphics card is 4096x2160 in HDMI

 

[ignatius345]

Don't forget, if you ever need a taste of Windows again (for whatever reason) you can either boot into it natively using Boot Camp, or use Parallels or something to run it alongside MacOS.