Mac Mini Advice Needed - Current PC user

[mattyd1234]

Hello everyone!

After about 10 years away Im looking to get myself an Apple Mac (macMini M2PRO)

Long story short - Im a wedding photographer who is using an old (yet strangely kinda current) Windows PC and Lightroom is just awful. And as such Im looking to get back into macs with a purchase of a MacMini.

To confuse things further, Im also a 3d artist who uses PCs, and I will continue to use my PC for this

At the moment my current set up is a simple Logitec Bluetooth Keyboard, a USB wired mouse, and 3 monitors - all quite modern ones all use HDMI or DVI as a connector.

Now what I want todo is to use those monitors/mouse etc on my PC as well as my mac, and I'd like to (ideally) swap between computers quickly and easily.


back in the day I know you used to be able to buy little switch boxes for monitors, but im curious to know if those things are still a thing, and if they are do mac minis play nicely with them??

thanks all!

 

[Bigwaff]

At the moment my current set up is a simple Logitec Bluetooth Keyboard, a USB wired mouse, and 3 monitors - all quite modern ones all use HDMI or DVI as a connector.

Now what I want todo is to use those monitors/mouse etc on my PC as well as my mac, and I'd like to (ideally) swap between computers quickly and easily.

What are the current specs of your PC and monitors?

 

[mattyd1234]

I have 2 x BenQ sw2700pt - DVI-DL/ HDMI 1.4/ DP1.2

and a Huion Kamvas Pro 16 which uses HDMI for its input (that's the only option with that one)

Windows 10, with an RTX 4060 (looks to have 3 DisplayPort and 1 HDMI)

 

[Fishrrman]

BE AWARE that there will be m4pro Minis coming not that far away.

Looks to be before the end of the year, I will GUESS in Oct or Nov.

Just something to consider.

 

[Schnitzel1979]

BE AWARE that there will be m4pro Minis coming not that far away.

Looks to be before the end of the year, I will GUESS in Oct or Nov.

Just something to consider.

i agree; i am looking forward to the new model

 

[MacCheetah3]

Apparently, multi-monitor KVMs exist.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=kvm+for+3+monitors&hvadid=570523827598&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9020126&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13867248027730006830&hvtargid=kwd-1086231476122&hydadcr=923_1014973567&tag=googhydr-20&ref=pd_sl_65fgfdex6m_e

Given the low ratings of most, I did further research.

https://www.reddit.com/r/AskBattlestations/comments/zq6jo2
In reality, it may be best to find a highly rated/reviewed single monitor KVM (USB 3 + HDMI) for the HDMI-only display and connect the other two displays to each computer using the separate inputs (e.g., DisplayPort for the PC, HDMI for the Mac). A downside is one monitor will seemingly require an adapter as the Mac mini has a single HDMI and than USB-C for video output.

Connect to HDMI from your Mac - Apple Support

Mac computers can use an HDMI cable or adapter to connect to a TV, display, or other HDMI device.

support.apple.com

 

[mattyd1234]

In reality, it may be best to find a highly rated/reviewed single monitor KVM (USB 3 + HDMI) for the HDMI-only display and connect the other two displays to each computer using the separate inputs (e.g., DisplayPort for the PC, HDMI for the Mac). A downside is one monitor will seemingly require an adapter as the Mac mini has a single HDMI and than USB-C for video output.

Thank you! im now thinking this might be the best option - its not ideal, but its workable

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

Depending on how you upgrade the machine, be sure to compare it to the Studio Mac, as the latter quickly becomes a much better deal.

 

[leifp]

Depending on how you upgrade the machine, be sure to compare it to the Studio Mac, as the latter quickly becomes a much better deal.

I just did a quick compare yesterday, in an idle moment. Near equivalent spec devices (32GB RAM, 4TB SSD, 10GbE) but +2 performance cores on the CPU, +14 GPU cores, plus the additional sockets on the front of the Studio all for $423.75 CAD. A no-brainer for myself even if I’d miss the smaller form factor of the mini…

Not that I’m buying yet. My oft-stated requirement of Thunderbolt 5… for next generation monitors.

@mattyd1234 Your desired system setup will indeed be difficult. I don’t know how new your monitors are but those connections are far from present day spec (DVI began being deprecated in 2010!). Have you considered consolidating monitors (e.g. buying one larger, nicer display to replace 2 or 3 lesser displays) or will that negatively impact your workflow? This is a HUGE to each their own; I have a dual monitor setup at present, and had triple monitor setups in the past, and personally I’d trade them in for a large single monitor (except that what I’d want doesn’t exist yet, hence my TB5 dreaming: 40” 8K). That makes a KVM switch a very simple solution to your conundrum.

 

[MacCheetah3]

@leifp In the meantime 😃

2023 G95NC 57 inch Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor | Samsung US

Explore 57 inch Dual UHD Curved Gaming Monitor, Odyssey Neo G9 with 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Feel the immersive gaming experience at home.

www.samsung.com

 

[leifp]

@leifp In the meantime 😃

2023 G95NC 57 inch Odyssey Neo G9 Gaming Monitor | Samsung US

Explore 57 inch Dual UHD Curved Gaming Monitor, Odyssey Neo G9 with 240Hz refresh rate, 1ms response time and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro. Feel the immersive gaming experience at home.

www.samsung.com

Hah! Nice… but I require resolution and colour depth and detest curved screens… I do really enjoy the 41.5” RoG 138Hz OLED I have on my gaming PC - looks substantially better than I ever expected such a large 4K display to look (desktop/text). I presently have dual 31.5” LG 4K 60Hz LEDs that leave much to be desired…