M2 Mac mini equipment to get you began

The M2 Mac mini is, in my view, one of the best bang-for-your-buck laptop available on the market proper now. For $599, or $499 from the training retailer, you get the model new M2 chip loaded into the comparatively unchanged Mac mini chassis. The baseline laptop provides you 256GB of storage, 8GB of RAM, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, 8-core CPU, and 10-core GPU. Once more, for under $599! However with this value level, Apple opted out of together with something within the field other than the facility cable and the Mac mini itself. This implies you want some equipment with a view to really use this laptop. Listed below are my picks!

Earlier than we begin

There are an infinite variety of equipment that can be utilized with the Mac mini, however I assumed it greatest to maintain it concise with simply the necessities. I additionally wish to present at the least two choices per accent class to offer you some choices from each an aesthetic and value perspective. The most suitable choice is to make use of what you at the moment have round you to get began utilizing the Mac mini, however if you’re lacking some equipment or simply need one thing new, these will get the job achieved. Let’s get began!

1. Desk suggestions

Autonomous standing desk

I’ve personally been utilizing my Autonomous desk for nicely over 4 years now. It does the whole lot I might need a desk to do. It’s a motorized sit/stand desk that has heights starting from 29.5in to 48in. So it’ll match a overwhelming majority of individuals for each sitting and standing modes. It additionally has a reminiscence controller to can help you save as much as 4 heights for simple setup, however crucial options of this desk have been reliability and sturdiness. Not a single time has the motor damaged down or not labored. Each time I press the arrows its works, even after 4 years. It has additionally survived 4 totally different strikes – many different desks would have chipped, warped, or damaged due to mishandling. I’ve moved cross nation with this desk and each time I set it up once more, it simply works.

FlexiSpot standing desk (funds pleasant)

FlexiSpot is one other model that I’ve been conversant in for years. I bought one for my brother years in the past, and he nonetheless makes use of it. FlexiSpot provides a way more budget-friendly possibility for motorized sit/stand desks. They’ve them ranging from $169 (with the included $30 off coupon), which is an absolute cut price. They minimize prices through the use of totally different construct supplies for issues just like the tabletop, however the precise construct high quality remains to be top-notch. In case you want a sit/stand desk however are on a funds, FlexiSpot is a tremendous possibility.

2. Keyboards

Satechi X1 Slim

I’ve used some variations of Satechi’s X1 lineup of keyboards for years. It’s the closest factor to what Apple gives from a construct high quality and type standpoint. In case you take pleasure in typing on Magic Keyboards or Apple Macbooks, then this keyboard is for you.

There are three important causes I select this keyboard over the traditional Magic Keyboard. First is the truth that it may well hook up with as much as three totally different gadgets, so I can join it to my Mac, iPad, and even iPhone. Then you may have the truth that it prices by way of USB-C and never lightning, which I really like. Then lastly, we now have the worth. You will get the Satechi X1 Slim for underneath $70. I personally benefit from the slim as a result of it’s compact because it eliminated the quantity pad on the right-hand facet of the keyboard. However in the event you’re somebody that wants that quantity pad, you’ll be able to go along with the Satechi X3 for $90 which incorporates the quantity pad.

Nuphy Air 60 Mechanical Keyboard

I’m personally not an enormous fan of mechanical keyboards; I favor the chicklet-style model of keyboards a bit extra. However if you’re in search of a mechanical keyboard that was made to work with Apple merchandise then the Nuphy Air 60 is price contemplating. What drew me to the Nuphy Air 60 is that it emphasised a skinny profile, even for a mechanical keyboard, with out sacrificing the sound and really feel of a mechanical keyboard. It additionally connects with as much as three totally different gadgets, gives a pleasant L-shaped USB-C cable for wired use, and comes with a foldable touring case as nicely.

Apple Magic Keyboard with touchID

I needed to briefly convey this one up simply because it brings wi-fi Contact ID, which is at the moment the one approach to get touchID on the M2 Mac mini. In case you actually worth Contact ID, then that is the one possibility. What I do is have my Apple Watch set as much as unlock my Mac mini. That method it’s nonetheless simple to log in and I can use my Satechi Keyboard. However in the event you require Contact ID, then it will do the trick.

3. Mouse & trackpad

Logitech Wherever S2 & S3

I at all times inform those who the Logitech Wherever S sequence is the most affordable high quality mouse you could possibly purchase. I’ve used the S2 model since 2019, and it nonetheless works like a champ. It has simply sufficient heft to it that it feels very prime quality – it connects to as much as three totally different gadgets and has a clickable scroll wheel and two further facet buttons for shortcuts. It gives immense performance and high quality, particularly for the worth. The S3 model simply provides a brand new white colour, which appears to be like nice, and in addition provides us USB-C enter as a substitute of the micro USB that the S2 brings.

Satechi M1 Mouse

I’ve been testing out the brand new Satechi M1 mouse over the previous couple of weeks, and I like it for the worth. For $30 you get an easy-to-use, high-quality mouse that has, what appears to be, a ceaselessly battery life. It is available in 5 totally different colours – I’ve the silver model, which is extraordinarily light-weight, however has nice construct high quality. In case you want a budget-friendly mouse that appears nice, prices by way of USB-C, has nice battery life, and will get the job achieved then this Satechi M1 is price contemplating.

Apple Magic Trackpad

If you’re like me and luxuriate in utilizing a combo of a mouse and trackpad, then there actually isn’t some other alternative than the Apple Trackpad. It’s a bit dear ($109 on Amazon), however there isn’t a different third-party trackpad that may get the job achieved in addition to Apple’s personal, particularly with regards to gesture controls.

4. Shows & displays

Alogic Readability

I’ve been utilizing the 27in 4k Alogic readability for six months now; I used it for my M2 MacBook Air, my iPad Professional, and now my M2 Mac Mini. Now we have a full video and written assessment that you may take a look at for a extra in-depth assessment.

I’ve beloved this monitor. It has a brilliant and crisp UHD 60Hz show that works nice with the Mac mini. It has a single USB-C cable answer in addition to 2 HDMI ports, a show port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Koorui 24in HD (funds pleasant)

In case you simply want a monitor that works, is simple to arrange, nonetheless appears to be like prime quality and you don’t want to interrupt the financial institution, then the Koorui 24in monitor is the best way to go. It at the moment sells for $91! It connects by way of HDMI, has a full HD & 75Hz show, and is VESA mountable. You could possibly have a twin 24-inch monitor arrange for underneath $190. That is nice for anybody that simply wants their monitor to work!

5. Docks & hubs

Stand & Hub for M2 Mac mini

Since I went with the baseline Mac mini, I solely get 256GB of storage with that. I used to be going to make use of simply any exterior SSD drive that I needed to complement the onboard storage. However then I discovered Satechi’s M2 Mac mini hub and stand that additionally has an SSD enclosure constructed proper in. It’s a hub that’s constructed to suit the form of the Mac mini, so it sits beneath the pc and gives some extra ports on the entrance whereas additionally including an SSD enclosure so you’ll be able to add as much as an extra 2TB. Satechi additionally has the similar model with out the SSD enclosure for $20 cheaper which is superb. Each of those offer you three extra USB-A ports, a USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and SD/miniSD card readers.

Anker 577 Thunderbolt Hub

In case you want a hub that is a little more highly effective, then this Anker 577 hub is price contemplating. It’s a true 13-in-1 Thunderbolt 3 dock. On the entrance, you get two USB-C PD ports, a USB-A port, a headphone jack, and an SD/MicroSD card slots. Then on the rear, you get two thunderbolt ports, an HDMI port, three extra USB-A ports, and an ethernet port. It as each port you would wish in a top quality and compact dimension. Anker additionally has it on sale for $40 off!

6. Miscellaneous

Orbitkey Desk Mat

I want to incorporate the Orbitkey desk mat I exploit as a result of it has a number of tips up its sleeve.

Firstly, it has this divet that runs alongside your entire prime portion of the mat which I exploit to carry my Apple Pencil, and it additionally has a magnetic cable organizer which is nice when needing to cost a keyboard or mouse. However then it additionally has a hidden layer that may be lifted to tuck away a number of items of paper or a brochure – mainly, something flat. It’s made from a very nice vegan layer after which the underside is made from felt, so it received’t destroy the floor it lays on.

Wrap-up

As I discussed at first, there may be an abundance of choices with regards to Mac mini equipment. These are simply a few of the few that I personally use, that I’ve examined, and that I can provide my stamp of approval on. On the finish of the day, select the gadgets and equipment which might be going to encourage you to take a seat down and get your work achieved. I really like my desk setup, and I get excited day-after-day to take a seat down and get to work and my equipment are an enormous a part of that.

Let me know what you consider these suggestions. Have you ever heard of them? Do you personal any of them? What are some equipment you utilize that you’d suggest to somebody getting a Mac Mini? Let’s talk about within the feedback beneath!