Not everyone would consider a well-equipped M4 Pro Mac mini driving a pair of 4K external displays a “budget” computer setup, but today’s user does. After suffering a job loss, they replaced an M1 Mac mini with the tiny new powerhouse and a nice array of peripherals, including data and power hubs and solid input devices.
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M4 Pro Mac mini supercharges new budget computer setup
Redditor pseudosuto (“PS”) showcased the M4 Pro Mac mini setup in a post entitled, “New Mac mini, New Desk Setup.” Their new Mac mini is an M4 Pro model with a 12-core CPU, a 16-core GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 24GB of unified memory and a 1TB SSD for storage. The potent little desktop machine drives a pair of 4K displays through a CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub. An 11-inch iPad Pro also sits in the setup as a third display.
“For 2+ years, I was saving up for my dream desk setup. I lost my job earlier this year and had to use the savings to cover all necessities these part many months,” PS said. “After selling my old M1 Mac mini and getting the new M4 Pro Mac mini, I was able to find cheaper items to complete my desk for graphic design+photography projects and hopefully a remote job. I’m really happy with how it turned out and won’t have to make any upgrades any time soon!”
Dual 4K displays
What do you think about the monitors?” a commenter asked.
Here are PS’s replies:
- “The Dell P3223QE is a decent 32-inch 4K monitor all around. It has 1x USB-C 3.2 port, 1x HDMI 2.0 and 1x DisplayPort 1.4 but is missing built-in speakers, mic and a webcam. The color profiles and resolution [are] good but not great.”
- “The LG Ultrafine 24MD4KL-B is one of the favorite monitors I’ve ever used. It’s fully integrated into the macOS software and controllable by macOS too, has high pixel density, great color profiles, high resolution, 3x USB-C 3.1 gen 2 ports and 2x Thunderbolt 3 ports (and supports daisy chaining). Although it’s missing a mic and webcam (like the 27-inch version by LG has) it does have passable 5w speakers built-in.”
- “My dream monitor setup would be two of the LG UltraFine 24MD4KL-B or two of the Apple Studio Displays.”
M4 Pro Mac mini
Cult of Mac has raved aplenty about the new M4 and M4 Pro Mac mini desktop computers. As Apple puts it: “The far mightier, way tinier Mac mini is 5 by 5 inches of pure power. Built for Apple Intelligence. Redesigned around Apple silicon to unleash the full speed and capabilities of the spectacular M4 chip. With ports at your convenience, on the front and back.”
Features:
- Powerful M4 Pro chip works with Apple Intelligence and macOS.
- Ample connectivity: Thunderbolt, HDMI, and Gigabit Ethernet ports on the back, and for the first time, front-facing USB-C ports and a headphone jack.
- Works with other Apple devices: View and control what’s on your iPhone from your Mac with iPhone Mirroring. Copy something on iPhone and paste it on Mac. Send texts with Messages or use your Mac to make and answer FaceTime calls.
- Security: If your Mac is lost or stolen, Find My can help you get it back. FileVault makes sure your files are encrypted so others cannot access them. And free security updates help keep your Mac protected.
- Environmentally friendly: Mac mini is carbon neutral, according to Apple.
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- Powerful M4 Pro chip
- 512GB storage
- 24GB unified memory
- Compact desktop design
- Headphone jack on front
- BYODKM (bring your own display, keyboard and mouse)
Computers, hubs and stand:
- M4 Pro Mac mini (16GB/1TB)
- CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 Element Hub
- Anker 525 Charging Station
- 11-inch iPad Pro
- TwelveSouth HoverBar Duo for iPad/iPad Pro
Displays and mounts:
- 32-inch Dell P3223QE 4K monitor
- 24-inch LG UltraFine 24MD4KL-B 4K monitor
- Fully Jax monitor arms (2)
- Ikea Vattenkar monitor stands (2)
Input devices:
Audio:
Storage:
Other accessories:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually suffice). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
