Great review Craig, THANK YOU! Can the BenQ MA270U be daisy chained to an additional monitor? Can you use a Thunderbolt port or is a Display Port required? This is for use w/ the Macmini M4.
Great video again, filmed my first one today and I have gone for the no script approach too, made a few mistakes I can edit out, but I want my channel to be super authentic like yours. Keep up the great work!
Great channel, Craig. Just got my M4 Mac mini 16gb memory, 512gb hd. Using 2 Benq GW2790 27in100hz monitor which I paid $234 tax included. For me they work fine. Keep up the good work and thanks.
Thanks to you, I got the MA320U and could not be happier with that choice. Every detail seems so well considered and it was so easy to snap together and looks amazing.
I actually really enjoy your videos. I like that it’s just you, and I like that it’s not scripted, and I like that it’s not trying to look polished. I like that. It’s real helpful information. Keep it up.
Thanks for the feedback. It seems that RUclips is moving so quickly and everybody has $5000 cameras and staff and I feel that is not what RUclips was meant to be. I like being real and say what I feel. But, I still try to make a nice looking video with fairly good sound because I know that matters. I'm just so busy too trying to do this each day. Thanks.
Thanks for all the insight Craig. Is there any reason why the BenQ PD3225U is worth an extra $400 over the MA320U for Mac other than Thunderbolt connection?
The pd3225u is made for professional color accurate work and is a very good panel. For most people that are average users maybe not but professionals who do photo works might be able to tell.
Hi Craig, I always enjoy your honest and straight forward approach. Thanks for putting this video together, it is exactly what I have been waiting for to combine "affordable" yet high quality accessories together with a new Mac mini.
Great timing, just got my mini, with extra hard drive. This video is great timing. Re the satechi, you can also buy the number pad separately if you dont use it much and like the small one. BACKLIT keyboard is fantastic.
Great recommendations especially introducing the Satechi Keyboards. But the main thing holding me back from creating a desktop setup with the Mac mini are speakers. I'm not particularly impressed with built in monitor speakers so I hope you could review the speaker quality coming out of the mini.... if you've not done so.
I'm gonna give that Satechi keyboard (with numpad) a try. I got the Logitech MX Keys S for Mac last week for almost twice the price. Solid build quality on the Logi...the Satechi will be here Saturday.
I've got a MacBook Pro (M1 Pro chip) 16gb/512gb . I never really move my MBP from it's clamshell mode, so thinking of getting the M4 Mini instead. Is it worth it??
It would only be worth it if you need more power. If the MacBook Pro is working I would just keep that to be honest. Unless you can sell it and make money after buying the M4.
That's a lot of fun products. I'm really enjoying the heck out of my "new" method of running my home folder and apps from an external Thunderbolt 3 drive. It whets my appetite for my M4 Pro machine...for which I'll buy an external drive. Buying a "base" model doesn't require compromises anymore with regard to storage.
@@jimcabezola3051 thanks. So you changed the home folder to an external drive right away? How's it working out. Did you setup any admin accounts? I might do video on this but haven't had time yet.
@@craigneidel YES! You and several RUclipsrs showed me how we DON'T have to fork out tons of money on overpriced Apple storage. One of my existing 512GB NVMEs from an old Acer desktop is already enclosed in an old Thunderbolt 3 case. As YOU already know, Thunderbolt-speed storage is fantastic. After you pointed that out, one of your fellow RUclipsrs from "Mac Musical Solutions Inc" made a video about this home folder/external boot jazz. Since I have an existing 8GB/256GB just lying around, I implemented this idea. As I've said, I'm a crazy old retired IT guy who spends time doing crazy hobbyist stuff with his old rubbish. Under my daily internet/email/RUclips/mahjongg-playing usage...I cannot perceive any lag in performance from using a Thunderbolt 3 drive in this external bootup/home folder configuration. So? Yeah, man! Try this idea when you get a chance with your M4 Pro Mini. See if you notice problems when you do actual production work with it. That's the acid test, and you will make very valuable content by documenting this journey! Because of you and the other dude...I actually WANT to splash out a little retirement income on an M4 Pro and a Thunderbolt 5 drive. Have fun! Aloha! Oh...BTW. I created a user account with which to experiment on external boot and home folder. I didn't try the admin account like "Mac Musical Solutions Inc" does in his videos. I may try that...but maybe on my OTHER M1 Mac. Since I have 5 othet Intel and Raspberry Pi Linux machines, I guess I can "de-Linux" my other M1 Mac... ...or why don't I keep my dual-booting M1 Mac and ADD the external boot function? Hmmm... More crazy, hare-brained experiments ahead, huh? Aloha!
Thanks for all the details. Yes, I did a bunch of videos on my channel when I got started about booting off external SSDs as early back as the 2011 imacs. But, just changing the home directory is easier but I really want to see how it could affect things. I'll see what I can come up with and thanks for the post again.
@@craigneidel I need to watch your back catalog right away! I apologise for missing all your stuff that would've helped me make this step a decade and more ago! Mahalo for the heads up!
Hey Craig how’s the Quizzlab vs the OWC 1M2? Can you tell if the Quizzlab disconnect often or any at all as I usually hear from people complaining enclosure always have issues. I usually just go with prebuilt one like Crucial X10 (not thunderbolt) but it doesn’t disconnect.
Great video! Love the Satechi keyboard I would like to see if the company makes the mouse too. I am going for tv 4k Oled as monitor it’s real budget friendly with the Mac Mini no USB-C but that is find with me, also adding a Samsung SDD external drive it’s better than nothing.
If you want a real bargain screen go for the Dell S2722QC, it's 4k and at the moment is £260 in the UK, I have one hooked up to my M2 mini and it's great 👍
Thank you…..Mac mini pro, 32 GB ram, 2TB Storage….looking for a 32 inch…..maybe ultra wide 35….i am a video editor, your 32 good for my job…? I’d be willing to go $800 for monitor….thoughts ?
Unless you are doing studio quality video a 4k tv will save you plenty add a tv tuner to the Mac and you have it all. I am using a 75 inch TV running at 1080p so I can see the menu bar. Any 32 inch TV makes a decent table top monitor.
@@craigneidel Strange I have several of them hooked to computers. Most Tvs today have an operating system built in, I just choose to use my Mac as the operating system. Try it you will like it besides you can buy 32 inch Tvs for way less than you can buy a 27 inch monitor. I have a 75 inch. 70 inch, a 55 inch and two 32 inch I'm my home, one is on 24 7 running on a 2009 Mac Pro.
I haven’t got a new Mac yet, I’ve got a new mouse recently. It’s the Logitech G304, yeah it’s a gaming mouse, and I’m not a gamer, but it’s great for other stuff too. It’s using an USB receiver, and I have a hub for the mouse, keyboard and webcam, making switch peripheral between computers much easier. It’s got a very high polling rate of 1000hz, so it’s very responsive and smooth. Those so called productivity mice, including the very expensive MX Master 3S, only got 125hz, which in my opinion is bad for productivity. I used to use Microsoft’s Surface Precision Mouse for my home mouse, its 125hz polling rate really wasn’t great for video editing, I have to use wired mode to get a good experience. And Microsoft didn’t provide a Mac software to configure their mice, I had to turn on my rarely used Surface Pro to do that. Logitech provides a software, which made things much easier. I also use a Magic Mouse 2 for work, despite it’s only 90hz, I don’t know what magic Apple put into it, it’s incredibly smooth and responsive, but switching it between Macs is too complicated, so I decided to go the USB receiver way.
@ when you go into the storage in the settings on the iPad, you see all the apps and their sizes. The iMessage app size just goes up. The documents and data. And I don’t even use it. It happened before on my first gen. iPad mini. If you don’t use iMessage and you have it turned off, look at the size. Take a screen shot, and see if it goes up later on.
I think you are cheaper with the Mac Mini than the iMac when it becomes defective after the 2 -year warranty and can no longer be repaired. The RAM and SSD will still be replaced, but what about a CPU or the motherboard and what does a repair cost.
Pass on the PD3225U. Low max brightness and only 140 PPI. 4K on Mac just isn’t Retina-crisp, esp. at 31.5” size. This is an absolutely terrible option vs. Apple Studio Display.
These Mac mini are for those who have computers already. People buying Mac mini and building from scratch is making a mistake. They might as well wait for the iMac m4 and it will have an awesome screen!!!
Yes, in some cases for sure but remember those are 8 core 8 core on the base models vs 10 and 10 on the Mac mini etc. Some people like larger displays too but I have a iMac so I'm not one.
Speaking of "budget" -- M4 Mac Mini 16/256 is $499.99 @ Costco ( through Dec 2). Also, a number of other configurations available on sale. As well as M4 and M3 laptops - all are on sale.
![Eminem - Fuel (feat. JID) [Official Lyric Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/t5H_CewqpKA/mqdefault.jpg)
I enjoy your channel, Craig. The fact you're real and talking without a script is refreshing.
@@renéTheCoder thanks for the feedback. Appreciate that...
Katy Perry AI voice/music generated intro?
Great video
I love my Apple Keyboards with Touch ID. Not having to type passwords is very satisfying.
Yes, that is one advantage for sure.
Thank you for the video, just ordered that SSD enclosure and a 2tb SSd for my new M4 mac mini.
You had me at "budget", but it turns out I already had versions of your recommendations that I used to set up my base M4 mini.
@@bryans8656 funny
Great review Craig, THANK YOU! Can the BenQ MA270U be daisy chained to an additional monitor? Can you use a Thunderbolt port or is a Display Port required? This is for use w/ the Macmini M4.
Thx , Craig ! Always nice to watch the stuff you come up with 👍
Great video again, filmed my first one today and I have gone for the no script approach too, made a few mistakes I can edit out, but I want my channel to be super authentic like yours. Keep up the great work!
Thanks and good luck with things.
Great channel, Craig. Just got my M4 Mac mini 16gb memory, 512gb hd. Using 2 Benq GW2790 27in100hz monitor which I paid $234 tax included. For me they work fine. Keep up the good work and thanks.
Thanks for watching the channel and good luck with the new mini.
Another great video. Very informative. Thanks Craig.
Thanks for watching and the feedback.
Thanks to you, I got the MA320U and could not be happier with that choice. Every detail seems so well considered and it was so easy to snap together and looks amazing.
Thank you! This was exactly what I was looking for!
Thanks for watching.
Look forward to watching it Craig, thank you!
Thank you.
Lots of cool products, Craig. Thanks for what you do. Fedex and UPS must make regular stops at your home.
@@prsearls thanks. I try and find some cool products. Thanks for watching.
I actually really enjoy your videos. I like that it’s just you, and I like that it’s not scripted, and I like that it’s not trying to look polished. I like that. It’s real helpful information. Keep it up.
Thanks for the feedback. It seems that RUclips is moving so quickly and everybody has $5000 cameras and staff and I feel that is not what RUclips was meant to be. I like being real and say what I feel. But, I still try to make a nice looking video with fairly good sound because I know that matters. I'm just so busy too trying to do this each day. Thanks.
love that video, exactly what I was looking for !
Thank you.
Thanks for all the insight Craig. Is there any reason why the BenQ PD3225U is worth an extra $400 over the MA320U for Mac other than Thunderbolt connection?
The pd3225u is made for professional color accurate work and is a very good panel. For most people that are average users maybe not but professionals who do photo works might be able to tell.
Craig, thank you for this content, honestly very informative packed full of advice gems!
Thank you for watching the channel.
Hi Craig, I always enjoy your honest and straight forward approach. Thanks for putting this video together, it is exactly what I have been waiting for to combine "affordable" yet high quality accessories together with a new Mac mini.
Thanks for the feedback and nice words. These are some good budget accessories and more to come later.
Great timing, just got my mini, with extra hard drive. This video is great timing. Re the satechi, you can also buy the number pad separately if you dont use it much and like the small one. BACKLIT keyboard is fantastic.
Thank you and thanks for the added info.
Great recommendations especially introducing the Satechi Keyboards. But the main thing holding me back from creating a desktop setup with the Mac mini are speakers. I'm not particularly impressed with built in monitor speakers so I hope you could review the speaker quality coming out of the mini.... if you've not done so.
It's ok but not good enough if you like stereo music etc.
Loving your channel…looking forward to all your other recommendation video…no bullshit and honest presentations…..what’s not to like!👍🇦🇺
Thanks for the nice words. I hope I can provide some good fun content.
Do you have any recommendations for 4K webcams?
I'm looking into that but not right this second. Hopefully in future.
Take a look at the OBSBOT Tiny series, or the Logitech Brio series. I have the OBSBOT Tiny 2 lite, and it's fantastic.
I think the most underrated accessory for the Mac mini is the $20 Apple usb-c EarPods. The sound is solid and the mic hits way above its pay grade
For $20 bucks not bad but try out those headphones - wow.
it has no sense to buy overprices Apple accessories with a "cheap" mac. Nice video
Thanks for watching the channel.
Just ordered my Setechi X1 today for $63 along with 1 of those see through mouse to go with the Mac mini I’m getting😀
X1 is a nice keyboard. The see-through mouse is ok but more of a conversation piece.
I'm gonna give that Satechi keyboard (with numpad) a try. I got the Logitech MX Keys S for Mac last week for almost twice the price. Solid build quality on the Logi...the Satechi will be here Saturday.
Nice. It's great for the price.
I've got a MacBook Pro (M1 Pro chip) 16gb/512gb . I never really move my MBP from it's clamshell mode, so thinking of getting the M4 Mini instead. Is it worth it??
It would only be worth it if you need more power. If the MacBook Pro is working I would just keep that to be honest. Unless you can sell it and make money after buying the M4.
Going to get those Tozo headphones. Can't beat the price on them.
They are great
That's a lot of fun products. I'm really enjoying the heck out of my "new" method of running my home folder and apps from an external Thunderbolt 3 drive. It whets my appetite for my M4 Pro machine...for which I'll buy an external drive. Buying a "base" model doesn't require compromises anymore with regard to storage.
@@jimcabezola3051 thanks. So you changed the home folder to an external drive right away? How's it working out. Did you setup any admin accounts? I might do video on this but haven't had time yet.
@@craigneidel YES!
You and several RUclipsrs showed me how we DON'T have to fork out tons of money on overpriced Apple storage.
One of my existing 512GB NVMEs from an old Acer desktop is already enclosed in an old Thunderbolt 3 case. As YOU already know, Thunderbolt-speed storage is fantastic.
After you pointed that out, one of your fellow RUclipsrs from "Mac Musical Solutions Inc" made a video about this home folder/external boot jazz.
Since I have an existing 8GB/256GB just lying around, I implemented this idea.
As I've said, I'm a crazy old retired IT guy who spends time doing crazy hobbyist stuff with his old rubbish.
Under my daily internet/email/RUclips/mahjongg-playing usage...I cannot perceive any lag in performance from using a Thunderbolt 3 drive in this external bootup/home folder configuration.
So? Yeah, man! Try this idea when you get a chance with your M4 Pro Mini. See if you notice problems when you do actual production work with it.
That's the acid test, and you will make very valuable content by documenting this journey!
Because of you and the other dude...I actually WANT to splash out a little retirement income on an M4 Pro and a Thunderbolt 5 drive.
Have fun! Aloha!
Oh...BTW.
I created a user account with which to experiment on external boot and home folder.
I didn't try the admin account like "Mac Musical Solutions Inc" does in his videos.
I may try that...but maybe on my OTHER M1 Mac.
Since I have 5 othet Intel and Raspberry Pi Linux machines, I guess I can "de-Linux" my other M1 Mac...
...or why don't I keep my dual-booting M1 Mac and ADD the external boot function?
Hmmm...
More crazy, hare-brained experiments ahead, huh? Aloha!
Thanks for all the details. Yes, I did a bunch of videos on my channel when I got started about booting off external SSDs as early back as the 2011 imacs. But, just changing the home directory is easier but I really want to see how it could affect things. I'll see what I can come up with and thanks for the post again.
@@craigneidel I need to watch your back catalog right away! I apologise for missing all your stuff that would've helped me make this step a decade and more ago! Mahalo for the heads up!
@jimcabezola3051 thanks I appreciate that
Hey Craig how’s the Quizzlab vs the OWC 1M2? Can you tell if the Quizzlab disconnect often or any at all as I usually hear from people complaining enclosure always have issues. I usually just go with prebuilt one like Crucial X10 (not thunderbolt) but it doesn’t disconnect.
I have not had any issues. I have not really tested that OWC one yet but should soon.
Budget monitor so there is no need to sell a kidney! Thank you very much! Craig!
599 isn't cheap but it beats 1599.
@@craigneidel Cheap is relative, right Craig?
Costco has a 4k 60hz IPS LG monitor for $239
Great video! Love the Satechi keyboard I would like to see if the company makes the mouse too. I am going for tv 4k Oled as monitor it’s real budget friendly with the Mac Mini no USB-C but that is find with me, also adding a Samsung SDD external drive it’s better than nothing.
Let me know how you like the OLED TV as a monitor. Thanks
If you want a real bargain screen go for the Dell S2722QC, it's 4k and at the moment is £260 in the UK, I have one hooked up to my M2 mini and it's great 👍
Yes, there are some great bargins out there for sure.
Thank you…..Mac mini pro, 32 GB ram, 2TB Storage….looking for a 32 inch…..maybe ultra wide 35….i am a video editor, your 32 good for my job…? I’d be willing to go $800 for monitor….thoughts ?
I think it would be a good one and is big enough but you would need to make that call.
One thing you didn’t cover, maybe there isn’t anything, but is there an alternative to the Magic Trackpad?
I would just get that if you need it as they perfected that.
Unless you are doing studio quality video a 4k tv will save you plenty add a tv tuner to the Mac and you have it all. I am using a 75 inch TV running at 1080p so I can see the menu bar. Any 32 inch TV makes a decent table top monitor.
Yeah, but a TV isn't a great solution for most. It's hard to work in front of.
@@craigneidel Strange I have several of them hooked to computers. Most Tvs today have an operating system built in, I just choose to use my Mac as the operating system. Try it you will like it besides you can buy 32 inch Tvs for way less than you can buy a 27 inch monitor. I have a 75 inch. 70 inch, a 55 inch and two 32 inch I'm my home, one is on 24 7 running on a 2009 Mac Pro.
So between 990 EVO Plus and SN770 which runs cooler?
I haven't tested temps yet. Will depend on cooling tape and enclosure too.
@@craigneidel Will be great if you can do a comparison by using the same enclosure and thermal pad.
To me, Keykron K3 Pro or K7 pro is my best bet. As for the mouse I actually prefer the Apples Magic 2.
Setechi makes a great mechanical keyboard for the Mac too. I did a video on it and I forgot to put that in the video.
I haven’t got a new Mac yet, I’ve got a new mouse recently. It’s the Logitech G304, yeah it’s a gaming mouse, and I’m not a gamer, but it’s great for other stuff too.
It’s using an USB receiver, and I have a hub for the mouse, keyboard and webcam, making switch peripheral between computers much easier. It’s got a very high polling rate of 1000hz, so it’s very responsive and smooth. Those so called productivity mice, including the very expensive MX Master 3S, only got 125hz, which in my opinion is bad for productivity. I used to use Microsoft’s Surface Precision Mouse for my home mouse, its 125hz polling rate really wasn’t great for video editing, I have to use wired mode to get a good experience. And Microsoft didn’t provide a Mac software to configure their mice, I had to turn on my rarely used Surface Pro to do that. Logitech provides a software, which made things much easier.
I also use a Magic Mouse 2 for work, despite it’s only 90hz, I don’t know what magic Apple put into it, it’s incredibly smooth and responsive, but switching it between Macs is too complicated, so I decided to go the USB receiver way.
I'll need to check that mouse out. Thanks for watching the channel.
Do you know how to get the data in iMessages to stop going up? I’m not even using it and the data keeps going up.
I'm not sure what you mean. I have not heard of that.
@ when you go into the storage in the settings on the iPad, you see all the apps and their sizes. The iMessage app size just goes up. The documents and data. And I don’t even use it. It happened before on my first gen. iPad mini. If you don’t use iMessage and you have it turned off, look at the size. Take a screen shot, and see if it goes up later on.
Asus proart is a great line of monitors for Mac
Yes they are good too
Instead of the Edifier G2000 you could get the Edifier R1280 for the same price and they’ll actually sound good!
Yes, but the G2000 sound great as I had them for a while and now one of my family members have them.
How about a camera?
Working on it
I think you are cheaper with the Mac Mini than the iMac when it becomes defective after the 2 -year warranty and can no longer be repaired. The RAM and SSD will still be replaced, but what about a CPU or the motherboard and what does a repair cost.
If it's not for you then get a Windows machine. That's the best answer.
@@craigneidel What a very stupid reaction that is.
Pass on the PD3225U. Low max brightness and only 140 PPI. 4K on Mac just isn’t Retina-crisp, esp. at 31.5” size.
This is an absolutely terrible option vs. Apple Studio Display.
Not at all. That is your opinion but I use mine and love it. But do what works for you.
broda I'd buy a 27 inch qhd+ touch screen for that price
Get what is best but where and how good is it.
I think people who buy a Mac mini most likely already have a keyboard, mouse and monitor.
Maybe but this one is so good they are making MacBook owners buy one who may not have those .
What about webcam, speakers.
Speakers are there
Thank you, what to do for Webcam? 😂
Working on that one
👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thanks.
Buy base model iMac. -SIMPLE.
More storage is best at 512
Why do you use that AI song in the intro?
Why does it matter
These Mac mini are for those who have computers already. People buying Mac mini and building from scratch is making a mistake. They might as well wait for the iMac m4 and it will have an awesome screen!!!
Agreed. I like the iMac better than the Mini. But it’s a great option if you want a more modular system
Yes, in some cases for sure but remember those are 8 core 8 core on the base models vs 10 and 10 on the Mac mini etc. Some people like larger displays too but I have a iMac so I'm not one.
Speaking of "budget" -- M4 Mac Mini 16/256 is $499.99 @ Costco ( through Dec 2). Also, a number of other configurations available on sale. As well as M4 and M3 laptops - all are on sale.
@@sauleomarova7730 nice
Costco has that 2 year warranty too that comes with purchasing a Mac. It’s not Apple care but it’s still pretty amazing. It’s such a good deal!