Hey so I've been thinking of buying a 2018 Mac Mini and I thought of using it with my 4K LG TV instead of with a monitor on a desk. I already have a wireless Apple Keyboard and trackpad. Would this be a good idea or would an UHD TV not be as good a picture as a computer monitor? I currently have a 2014 13" MacBook Pro which still works well but I'd like to upgrade.
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Using a 2018 Mac Mini with a 4K TV
- Thread starter bigpoppamac31
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Hello there
I do it too but I added a Apple TV 4K & Infuse as there is some stuttering on my OLED TV with the mini.
I do it too but I added a Apple TV 4K & Infuse as there is some stuttering on my OLED TV with the mini.
I have an Apple TV 4K. I'm just wondering if it would be practical for everyday use to have a Mac Mini connected to my 4K TV. I think I'm looking to avoid having a traditional desk setup.
Well, depend on what you would use the mini for. Personally, I use it only fir uTorrent & roon. Working on a 4K TV is weird, I am not used to it. I use my MacBook Pro for that.
You connect your MacBook Pro to your 4K TV? I've tried that with mine but my 2014 MBP can only do 30Hz whereas the newer ones can do 60Hz.
Nope, I use only the Apple TV 4K to watch TV shows. I turn the TV off when listening to music via Roon.
I’ve never heard of Roon. I stream my music via AirPlay to my Apple TV into my AV receiver.
Been there. Done that. You might want to think about these 3 questions…
1 - Do you live alone?
- Using your only TV as a Monitor can be a relationship challenge
She wants to watch TV and you want/need to use the Mini.
2 - How big is your 4K TV?
- Anything bigger than 32in will make the UI look very large. If you like your 13”MBP you’re used to a much smaller UI.
3 - Where do you plan to sit while a) watching TV b) using your Mini?
- The comfortable viewing distance and seating for watching TV vs using a computer are usually quite different.
GetRealBro
1 - Do you live alone?
- Using your only TV as a Monitor can be a relationship challenge
She wants to watch TV and you want/need to use the Mini.2 - How big is your 4K TV?
- Anything bigger than 32in will make the UI look very large. If you like your 13”MBP you’re used to a much smaller UI.
3 - Where do you plan to sit while a) watching TV b) using your Mini?
- The comfortable viewing distance and seating for watching TV vs using a computer are usually quite different.
GetRealBro
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I use TVs as monitors with older mini Macs. They work fine at 1080i.
On our main TV,4k, 55" TCL. we use a $30 fire stick for 4k and an 09 mini for peeks at the internet and mail. TV has 3 HDMI inputs.
My main day to day computer, a 2012 mini, runs a 32" TCL TV, at 1080i and other resolutions.
We have two other Minis on TVs in the house. All videos, and text look great. a2
On our main TV,4k, 55" TCL. we use a $30 fire stick for 4k and an 09 mini for peeks at the internet and mail. TV has 3 HDMI inputs.
My main day to day computer, a 2012 mini, runs a 32" TCL TV, at 1080i and other resolutions.
We have two other Minis on TVs in the house. All videos, and text look great. a2
Been there. Done that. You might want to think about these 3 questions…
1 - Do you live alone?
- Using your only TV as a Monitor can be a relationship challenge
2 - How big is your 4K TV?
- Anything bigger than 32in will make the UI look very large. If you like your 13”MBP you’re used to a much smaller UI.
3 - Where do you plan to sit while a) watching TV b) using your Mini?
- The comfortable viewing distance and seating for watching TV vs using a computer are usually quite different.
GetRealBro
I live with my dad but we each have our own TV in different rooms. I am not dating or married. My TV is a Sony 4K 55" TV. I sit around 10 feet from the TV. I tried using my MBP 2015 15" with my TV but it was difficult to get thing to look right on the TV. Especially text in apps like Safari in the top section where the tabs and address bar are. Text was pretty harsh in those areas. Thing is I would rather not revert back to a desk setup. I prefer reclining and relaxing while computing. Now if I could just go wireless to my headphone DAC/amp setup that would be great.