@@LeoOuyang Leo, I have Macbook air m2; I use it primarily for email, netflix, basic work tasks, spotify etc... Now I'm a graphics designer and I work exclusively on the web... I've seen that my laptop really struggles when I try to have photoshop, figma, light room, my online CRM open and running at the same time.... I'm worried those tasks are too intense for my laptop unfortunately but is the cheapest option to buy a mac mini, or to buy an M4 macbook pro?
@@andyvaldez212 Hey Andy! How much RAM do you have on your MacBook Air M2? Based on your usage, I think a larger RAM would be really helpful. If you're currently using the 8GB version, both the base model M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pro come with 16GB of RAM, which is a huge upgrade. The chip itself shouldn't impact your workflow too much, so you might not need to go for the M4 Pro if you want to save more. If you already have the peripherals, the Mac mini is definitely a more budget-friendly option. :-)
I am also planning on getting a M4 mac mini and even got the same mouse! Also I like your voice it’s very good for explaining and a lot calmer than most people’s voices when doing tech reviews! 😊
For a portable battery solution, I just ordered the EcoFlow River 3 portable powerstation. It provides enough battery for a full work day depending on your usage. It can fit in a carry bag or you can carry it using the handles.
@andyt7294 nah. using my preferred peripherals is end game computing. I setup the Mac Mini using Viture Pro XR glasses instead of a display and it was an incredible experience. I can use an Apple Vision Pro, XR glasses, or portable monitors for the display depending on the environment.
the laptop at this point is better, less space and you can use it always, no cable, and you get also better speaker, a camera, microphone and way better display!
@ you missed the function of modularity. A laptop is a device that compromises superior quality of each individual component for a device that integrates several “acceptable” components. Using the iPhone’s camera using continuity will always be superior to a laptop’s camera. Using an external mouse and trackpad will always be superior to the integrated trackpad. Using an external mic will always be superior to the integrated laptop mic. Using external speakers like HomePods or AirPods Max will always be superior to the laptop speakers.
@ you miss that you can use all this products also with the laptop, but still have more versatility. But if you move with your mac mini and forgot the mouse? or the cable? really can't believe that people prefer carry a pc+monitor+mouse+keyboard+webcam+microphone every single time
I have an old MacBook that I'm planning to replace with an M4 Mac mini. I rarely use my MacBook outdoors, so having a new MacBook is not feasible. I got an iPad Air for most of my portable needs. But if I for some reason may need my Mac outside, I can use my iPad as a monitor with help of an HDMI capture card. I got the Pebble combo too for my iPad, so only the Mac mini is missing now.
I like how he found a keyboard and mouse that use disposable batteries AND Bluetooth. I’ve got too much crap to charge all the time. I’d rather swap batteries out every 6 months. Also a lot of them have USB-A connectors that don’t directly work on the Mac Mini.
Thank you for taking the time for doing such a thorough review and breakdown of your setup. Im currently in a position where im in New Zealand for study and in 6 months will be heading to Australia for work. I want the portability of a laptop but the power of a desktop on a budget while on a luggage weight restriction, and i dont wish to pay the extra cost for more allowance 😂. So your setup is perfect! Im gonna get that display as well. Thanks again 👍 great video.
Thank you for your comment! That’s exactly what I was thinking as well. I don’t really need portability for daily use, but I do want to keep the whole setup as lightweight as possible since sometimes I need to move between cities. I guess that’s where this idea came from. Hope you enjoy your new machine! 😊
I have a similar setup but with a GPD Win Mini. It's a handheld gaming PC, basically a UMPC with a built in thumb keyboard, battery and display (and game controls) making it functional on it's own without the need for external peripherals or being tethered to a power outlet making it truly portable. When I need a bigger display and a more comfortable typing experience, I hook it up to a 13 inch portable OLED monitor through a single usb-c cable like you demonstrated in the video and I connect a bluetooth thinkpad trackpoint keyboard. The trackpoint allows me to navigate without the need to bring a mouse. Also, since the Win Mini has a battery, I don't need to be tethered to a power outlet. Battery lasts me about 3-4 hours and I have a portable power bank if I need more. I also have a very compact One Dock eGPU that has an RTX 4060 low profile graphics card slotted in if I need that extra GPU boost (mainly for gaming) but with this I need to be tethered to a power outlet which eliminates the portability aspect of the setup. Not as budget friendly as your setup but powerful enough to serve as desktop/laptop replacement with the added benefit of being able to take it out from a jacket pocket and use it as a handheld PC.
Exactly what I have been doing for the last 2 years but with M2 Pro Mac Mini - can not wait to see M5/M6 Pro Mini, thats when I will upgrade my Portable Solution
I have 3 “Uperfect O2” version portable monitors and I like them for this use-case. I have them in the X-wing orientation. Portrait, landscape, Portrait. They are mounted on Feising magnetic desk clamp arms.
minor suggestion for a perfect remote workstation. buy a desk clamp folding vesa mounted or magnetic monitor arm. I have the “Feising Portable Monitor Arm Desk Clamp” and I recommend it. It provides a cleaner look and experience by allowing you to adjust the monitor orientation and height. 🙂
Nice video! I thought about this setup too but if I were to bring a battery that would power this setup for 5-8 hours, it would add another 7-9 pounds and at least $250. I bought an air instead.
I already planned on doing is myself.. I already bought my Mac mini m4 I have it hooked up to a 24 inch Sony ps 3d monitor but for on the goooo this is what I am gonna do awesome setup brotha
This is an amazing setup, to be honest the only downside would be the fact that it is not battery powered like a macbook, and i think that is what warrants the extra cost.
Nice budget setup. I already had the M3 Pro MBP 14 when I purchased the M4 mini (both base models) and I had all the peripherals so setting up the mini didn't cost me any extra. I considered using the laptop for trade-in when I bought the mini, but I still wanted a laptop when I fly, at least for now.
Thanks for watching-I was in a similar situation! I had the 11-core M3 Pro MBP 14 but realized it barely ever left my desk, so I went ahead and traded it in. It's nice to have both if you need a machine for on-the-go use. :-)
Did hear about some compatibility issues between external displays and the Thunderbolt 5 port! I don’t have an M4 Pro Mac mini, but I’m wondering if the two USB-C ports on the front would work since they are not TB5.
Hello… have you tried hooking up iPad as the monitor? I already have iPad m2 as my work device 80% of the time but sometimes I still need my old mbp (2012) to do some stuff that requires it. I want to upgrade my mbp but its price makes me reconsider my decision to do so and opt to mac mini instead if I can only use my iPad as its monitor. Can you let me know if that is something you have tried as well? Thanks!
Thanks for watching! Actually I’m in the exact same situation as you. I can do most of my work on my iPad Pro but occasionally need macOS, so I’m currently using my iPad as the only monitor for my Mac mini. You can either use an HDMI capture card or rely on the Sidecar feature. An HDMI capture card is fast and easy to set up, but the image quality and latency aren’t as good as Sidecar. Sidecar performs well, but using it in headless mode requires some little hacks, and sometimes it takes a minute to connect. Most of the time I use Sidecar, but I do keep an HDMI capture card as a backup. The overall experience might not be as smooth as using a dedicated portable monitor, but it’s definitely doable if you don’t plan on getting an extra screen. :-)
I also have my own setup, and people on reddit keeps refusing to read the post and just complain that I just get a MacBook. Also a pros of getting Mac mini is maintenance cost. MacBook repairs are insanely overpriced, display and battery are the most common repair, and if one thing breaks either you pay half of new MacBook cost to repair or worse, throw the whole thing away
That’s true-I’ve been thinking the same. It’s a solid machine and very easy to maintain. I also find it really fun to build a personalized setup around it, which is an experience I never had when using MacBooks. :-)
Great video - I just bought the z1rc monitor more to go with my work laptop (windows one) as an extra screen if I am working away from my usual desk. I do like this idea as it brings a different level of portability to a desktop! One question - what is the monitor stand you used? I have an old laptop stand but that is designed more to angle the laptop screen to vertical... I would like to use my work laptop and have my new screen sit on top and that stand looks like it would work as long as its very stable!
Thanks for watching-hope you’re enjoying your new portable monitor! The stand I use is a generic brand laptop stand I found on Amazon. It’s not specifically designed for portable monitors so it doesn’t go very high, but it is very stable. I think a height-adjustable tablet/portable monitor stand might work even better!
Hi thanks for the video. I see you using 1 usb C cable but with me it wont work. I have to use USB for the power and HDMI for the signal. How can I change that? Thanks
Thanks for watching! Do you have the regular M4 or the M4 Pro chip? I’ve heard the same issue from M4 Pro Mac mini users, and it seems to be caused by the USB-C cable that comes with the monitor not being compatible with the M4 Pro mini’s Thunderbolt 5 ports on the back. I don’t have the M4 Pro model, but I suggest trying one of the two USB-C ports on the front of the machine, since they are not Thunderbolt 5 ports.
Fuck yeah !!! I'm completly with you men, I decided to pay more for a Mini M4 with more RAM instead of paying for a Retina display and a small keyboard (macbook). Mini is a for traveling not for working on the park
Agreed! This setup is definitely not designed for ultimate portability or use without power outlets, but it's a powerful, cost-effective, and still packable workstation. :-)
@@LeoOuyang There is a guy with something similar using a powerbank with an integrated inversor, sou you can create something more independient from outages, like a Mac Ciberdeck which is pretty cool
Nice video. Do you have any issues with words being too small, too big, fuzzy images or images stretching or black bars on the top and bottom on certain programs?
Glad you enjoyed the video! I haven't experienced these issues with the display. I use BetterDisplay to set it to a scaled resolution that's comfortable for me while keeping HiDPI enabled at the same time. :-)
$10 swap meet Brief case. $599 +tax M4 Mac mini. $69 40GB/s Enclosuer + $119 Samsung 990 EVO SSD, 4K 16" screen with speakers. I place the M4 Upside down in the middle rear of the Brief Case cables And mouse left of M4 External SSD right of M4 Screen in Breaif case top half. Wireless Key board in front half of Brief case Just need a 110 V outlet. I can also
If you want the full Apple iMac desk experience, bring a Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse, and 60% Magic Keyboard with you. Place the trackpad on the left side of the keyboard and the mouse on the right side. Bring a small felt or leather desk mat and you have a portable workstation solution :)
better the laptop at this point is better, less space and you can use it always, no cable, and you get also better speaker, a camera, microphone and way better display!
A laptop definitely provides a perfect all-in-one solution! I think this video is more about me getting bored with my MacBook and wanting to explore DIY and try something new. :-)
hey nice work. i got the same setup. I am wondering if you could share the resolution your using the Arzopa display at? while i watch youtube its looks quite stretched!
Thanks for watching! I use BetterDisplay to set the resolution to 1600x1000 while keeping the HiDPI on. The texts and icons are larger and feel more comfortable than the default resolution, and the aspect ratio and clarity are still the same. :-)
@@LeoOuyang Thanks Leo, this setup is really amazing ...and truly portable for me as well, and that 16 inch screen and perfect size mac mini m4.. cheers.
I feel like it shouldn’t be an issue as long as we turn the machine off properly. :-) And I only turn it off when I need to pack it up, which doesn’t happen every day.
Can we use the Asus VivoBook G15 OLED laptop display as a monitor with a Mac Mini M4 ( CPU ) Please confirm with me, by practical youtube video, Thanks 😊
Hello! I don't have a Windows laptop to test this, but you might want to try using an HDMI capture card to connect your Mac to your PC and using streaming software on PC to view the feed. Or, you could use third-party apps on your PC to view Mac's screen wirelessly through AirPlay. Good luck :-)
Hi, really enjoyed your video. I‘m searching for a good portable/second monitor for the Mac mini m4. I researched and understood the ppl matter a lot with Mac OS. Either using 2x downscaling with 225ppi or having native ppi around 120. How do you feel about the Mac OS sizing on your 180 ppi 16“ I really would like to get a 18“ version but am struggling between 1080p for the native sizing or 2k for better clarity. Would appreciate your experience a lot. Thank you for your great video 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching-I'm glad you enjoyed it! macOS does have an well-known scaling issue with external monitors, and when it happens it does use some extra computing power. But personally I haven't experienced any negative effects when I'm using a scaled resolution. I do have a QHD monitor with 110 PPI and native resolution, but I find it not quite enjoyable to look at due to the lower PPI. Hope this helps! :-)
Hi, I'm rocking m1 mini with z1fc with FHD, but FHD is too small for my needs (example browser + devtools). I want to go with z1rc but not sure about scaling of this monitor in Mac OS. Did you film this without any scaling (native 2560 x 1600 resolution) or something scaled like 2048x1280? did it work with hidpi?
Hi! I use BetterDisplay to set the resolution to 1600x1000 with HiDPI on, and I find the scaling comfortable for me-the UI is not too big or too small. :-)
@@ProvakorKonik there are plenty of other battery power stations available in the marketplace. Just look for a portable power station that has an outlet and has more than 100 watt hours
@@ProvakorKonik No, the M4 mac mini doesn't support powering through USB, it can only input power from the AC input, so either you buy the river 3, or a power bank with an AC outlet
How did you get the M4 to connect to Arzopa z1RC with just Usbc to usbc cable? I have the same devices, but am forced to use hdmi cable in addition to usbc cable with M4 mini. I would like to use just 1 cable. How did you manage to get it to work with just the one cable?
Thanks so much. Maybe it (M4 and/or display) went into standby mode, I tried it several times and only got blank screens, I’ll try it again. Also, I have M4 Pro if that makes any difference, I know it can handle more advanced displays via usbc, but wouldn’t think it would matter here.
@@LeoOuyang well, actually it seems to make a difference. Other social media posts have confirmed, along with Apple forum, the Mac Mini 4 PRO has Thunderbolt 5 connectors instead of Thunderbolt 4. There is a difference, it seems the makers of screens did not make their compatible with the Thunderbolt 5 spec. Now, I have no problem plugging this monitor into a Dell laptop with just the usbc. Thanks for your video, really enjoy the Mac mini 4 so far.
@@mathewshafe9228 I see-it’s good to know that the TB5 port might cause compatibility issue. Have you tried the regular USB-C ports on the front of the Mac mini? Sometimes I also use them for the monitor. Glad you enjoyed the video! :-)
I have mac mini m2 how you can control the britness of the monitor from your kybord I have benq monitor and I can't control I have to adjust with my monitor buttons ??
@ portable power station is too heave to carry around all time and light weight power station don’t give a long time backup so mac mini are only usable for indoor usage Point out this on the video it’s only applicable as portable when you are going on a trip in hotel or office.
True. I think this is more suitable for users who occasionally need to switch locations and bring their setup with them. For ultimate portability MacBooks definitely work better.
@ Yeah, and on top we carried one of these huge pilot 🧑✈️ bags 💼 with several folders filled with marketing presentations for the overhead projectors…😂 💪
NEED ADVICE a little bit large comment but please give attention MACBOOK M1 vs M2 vs MAC MINI m4 or OTHER DEVICE budget 65k max USECASE- study(college end comptative exam aspirant for next 1-2 yr after that business) entertainment- watching movie, vlogs reels editing normal use case NEED- device should be futureproof nice build, looks premium macbooks- pros- more portable ,luks premium, strong build, best trackpad, best screen best speaker con- lesser ram ,lesser upcoming os update MAC MINI M4 with arzopa portable monitor- latest software futureproof more ram best software processor at same price con- less portable, there will not be premiumness of screen speaker, trackpad, keyboard
Hey! Personally, I think the MacBook Air might be a better choice for college since it's more portable than a Mac mini setup and fits a school routine perfectly. With the new M4 MacBook Air coming out soon, you'll likely find discounts on M2 or M3 models if you want to save some money. For future-proofing, as long as you get the 16GB RAM model-which is now the base configuration for M2 and M3 models-you’ll be all set.
@@LeoOuyang i have completed my college and now i am preparing for job exams, so i go to just library for study what do you think in this case do i need portability?
@@sunnykapoor4153 For me I think a laptop is still a good choice! You can carry it around easily to libraries or other places and don’t need power supply. I feel like the Mac mini setup is more suitable for users who usually stay at one spot but occasionally need to bring the machine with them for work or travel. Both of them are good choice tho.
@@LeoOuyang I wanted to get a macbook Pro actually, but Apple doesn't accept crypto and the MB Pro doesn't have a touchscreen nor does it fold or anything and it's really heavy at 2.4kg. If Apple was to make a Mac mini with a M4 Pro, I'd consider it, but having soldered on memory also not having like Samsung Pro SSD, kinda pushes me away though. Instead now I got myself a nice Xiaomi tablet (Could have waited for 7s Pro, but meh.) And I am freaking loving it, sooo much better than a laptop ever was.
@@jakebenson4187 Xiaomi makes great tablets! They definitely have a smaller footprint compared to laptops. If they suit your workflow and needs, they’re an excellent choice. :-)
Love it. It's also really refreshing to listen to someone with such a light and friendly attitude! Great video! :)
Thank you very much-glad you enjoyed the video and felt that way! 😊
You sound comforting and your smile makes me smile too. I also have a mac mini m4 so this is very informative.
I’m so glad to hear that. :-) Thanks for watching and hope you enjoy your Mac mini!
Girl you must be a teacher. You explained everything so perfectly well. This video was amazing!!!
Thanks for this. Interesting. I subscribed after about 7 seconds. I don't know why, but I love your voice! Keep smiling!
What a video! I am sold buying it. Thanks
Thanks for watching! Glad you found it helpful. 😄
Wow. Nice setup. Good idea for portability. Love it. Would love to check out more about mac m4 operation and interface.
Thank you so much-glad you liked it! Excited to share more about the daily experience with the Mac mini M4 in the future as well :-)
@@LeoOuyang Leo, I have Macbook air m2; I use it primarily for email, netflix, basic work tasks, spotify etc... Now I'm a graphics designer and I work exclusively on the web... I've seen that my laptop really struggles when I try to have photoshop, figma, light room, my online CRM open and running at the same time.... I'm worried those tasks are too intense for my laptop unfortunately but is the cheapest option to buy a mac mini, or to buy an M4 macbook pro?
@@andyvaldez212 Hey Andy! How much RAM do you have on your MacBook Air M2? Based on your usage, I think a larger RAM would be really helpful. If you're currently using the 8GB version, both the base model M4 Mac mini and MacBook Pro come with 16GB of RAM, which is a huge upgrade. The chip itself shouldn't impact your workflow too much, so you might not need to go for the M4 Pro if you want to save more. If you already have the peripherals, the Mac mini is definitely a more budget-friendly option. :-)
I am also planning on getting a M4 mac mini and even got the same mouse! Also I like your voice it’s very good for explaining and a lot calmer than most people’s voices when doing tech reviews! 😊
Thanks for watching, and I'm glad you felt that way! Hope you enjoy the new M4 Mac mini. :-)
i could stay listening this guy for hours
for true portability, like using it when there is no available power outlets, you need a charger that includes an outlet. I think Anker has one.
That’s true. It will be super cool to make it purely mobile!
I think the portability you are talking about already exists and is called a laptop)
Amazing setup, and also great video ☺
For a portable battery solution, I just ordered the EcoFlow River 3 portable powerstation. It provides enough battery for a full work day depending on your usage. It can fit in a carry bag or you can carry it using the handles.
just get a laptop at that point lmao
@andyt7294 nah. using my preferred peripherals is end game computing.
I setup the Mac Mini using Viture Pro XR glasses instead of a display and it was an incredible experience.
I can use an Apple Vision Pro, XR glasses, or portable monitors for the display depending on the environment.
the laptop at this point is better, less space and you can use it always, no cable, and you get also better speaker, a camera, microphone and way better display!
@ you missed the function of modularity.
A laptop is a device that compromises superior quality of each individual component for a device that integrates several “acceptable” components.
Using the iPhone’s camera using continuity will always be superior to a laptop’s camera.
Using an external mouse and trackpad will always be superior to the integrated trackpad.
Using an external mic will always be superior to the integrated laptop mic.
Using external speakers like HomePods or AirPods Max will always be superior to the laptop speakers.
@ you miss that you can use all this products also with the laptop, but still have more versatility. But if you move with your mac mini and forgot the mouse? or the cable? really can't believe that people prefer carry a pc+monitor+mouse+keyboard+webcam+microphone every single time
I found this video delightful. Thanks for making it.
Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it. :-)
I have an old MacBook that I'm planning to replace with an M4 Mac mini. I rarely use my MacBook outdoors, so having a new MacBook is not feasible. I got an iPad Air for most of my portable needs. But if I for some reason may need my Mac outside, I can use my iPad as a monitor with help of an HDMI capture card. I got the Pebble combo too for my iPad, so only the Mac mini is missing now.
Can you video-out a Mac with a capture card? I hope it's not iPad only.
I like how he found a keyboard and mouse that use disposable batteries AND Bluetooth. I’ve got too much crap to charge all the time. I’d rather swap batteries out every 6 months.
Also a lot of them have USB-A connectors that don’t directly work on the Mac Mini.
I really appreciate the Pebble combo for this aspect as well! Plus, their battery life is surprisingly long. :-)
Great review. Your experience and opinion on the portable monitor was decisive for my choice!
Glad you found it helpful. Hope you enjoy your new setup! :-)
Thank you for taking the time for doing such a thorough review and breakdown of your setup. Im currently in a position where im in New Zealand for study and in 6 months will be heading to Australia for work. I want the portability of a laptop but the power of a desktop on a budget while on a luggage weight restriction, and i dont wish to pay the extra cost for more allowance 😂. So your setup is perfect! Im gonna get that display as well. Thanks again 👍 great video.
Thank you for your comment! That’s exactly what I was thinking as well. I don’t really need portability for daily use, but I do want to keep the whole setup as lightweight as possible since sometimes I need to move between cities. I guess that’s where this idea came from. Hope you enjoy your new machine! 😊
I would suggest the Logi Keys to Go 2 for an even more sleek and portable look.
Indeed! It’s a great choice if budget isn’t a concern. :-)
Gran video!
I have a similar setup but with a GPD Win Mini. It's a handheld gaming PC, basically a UMPC with a built in thumb keyboard, battery and display (and game controls) making it functional on it's own without the need for external peripherals or being tethered to a power outlet making it truly portable.
When I need a bigger display and a more comfortable typing experience, I hook it up to a 13 inch portable OLED monitor through a single usb-c cable like you demonstrated in the video and I connect a bluetooth thinkpad trackpoint keyboard. The trackpoint allows me to navigate without the need to bring a mouse. Also, since the Win Mini has a battery, I don't need to be tethered to a power outlet. Battery lasts me about 3-4 hours and I have a portable power bank if I need more.
I also have a very compact One Dock eGPU that has an RTX 4060 low profile graphics card slotted in if I need that extra GPU boost (mainly for gaming) but with this I need to be tethered to a power outlet which eliminates the portability aspect of the setup. Not as budget friendly as your setup but powerful enough to serve as desktop/laptop replacement with the added benefit of being able to take it out from a jacket pocket and use it as a handheld PC.
Your setup sounds so cool! It's amazing that you can pack everything into a compact handheld device, and 3-4 hours of gaming is impressive enough 😄
@@LeoOuyang it's very similar to yours just geared more towards gaming. I'm a big fan of the umpc form factor with how little desk space it takes up
Thank you sooo much for this video! I'm actually getting the same set up. You seem a nice guy!
Thank you for watching! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video and found it helpful. :-)
I like the set-up.
Glad you liked it! :-)
wehave the same set up!!! best decision ever
i was thincking about that last week ........ i'll do it
I’m sure you’ll enjoy it! :-)
nice explanation, i like the way you explain
Thanks very much! Glad you enjoyed the video. :-)
now just need a adventure vlog with how bring n use your m4 mac mini set
That's actually a great idea! 😄
Wonderful setup, I bought the same portable monitor, it's really nice, and plan to buy the recommended mouse and keyboard.
Thanks for watching! Hope you enjoy your new setup. :-)
Exactly what I have been doing for the last 2 years but with M2 Pro Mac Mini - can not wait to see M5/M6 Pro Mini, thats when I will upgrade my Portable Solution
It’s a really powerful setup isn’t it! :-)
@@LeoOuyang handles 4k video editing and edits my Raw 25mp Photos like a champ = good enough for me 🥂
@ That’s awesome. The M2 Pro is definitely still very powerful and will last for many years! 😄
@@LeoOuyang 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Cool! Your English is great👍
Thank you very much! 😄
@ and setup as well. I really like it👍🏻
I have 3 “Uperfect O2” version portable monitors and I like them for this use-case. I have them in the X-wing orientation. Portrait, landscape, Portrait. They are mounted on Feising magnetic desk clamp arms.
minor suggestion for a perfect remote workstation. buy a desk clamp folding vesa mounted or magnetic monitor arm. I have the “Feising Portable Monitor Arm Desk Clamp” and I recommend it. It provides a cleaner look and experience by allowing you to adjust the monitor orientation and height. 🙂
Thanks for the suggestion-that sounds pretty cool! I’d really appreciate a monitor that I can adjust freely. :-)
Nice video! I thought about this setup too but if I were to bring a battery that would power this setup for 5-8 hours, it would add another 7-9 pounds and at least $250. I bought an air instead.
Thanks for watching! That’s a very reasonable thought. If portability is the top priority, the MacBook Air is indeed the better choice. :-)
I already planned on doing is myself.. I already bought my Mac mini m4 I have it hooked up to a 24 inch Sony ps 3d monitor but for on the goooo this is what I am gonna do awesome setup brotha
Thanks for watching, and you have a cool setup as well! Enjoy the Mac mini :-)
The only prob is no battery. But quite honestly, Mac Mini M4 has great potentiality for portable purposes.
This is an amazing setup, to be honest the only downside would be the fact that it is not battery powered like a macbook, and i think that is what warrants the extra cost.
Thanks for watching! True-for ultimate portability, the MacBook is definitely worth getting. :-)
Congrats you are on Google feed lol glad to see a cheap but good monitor
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video :-)
MacBook Air 13 is amazing
Agreed!
Thank you for the video! I am interested in how you organize your mac mini setup in your bag or backpack when you decide to carry it with you!
Thanks for watching-glad you enjoyed it! Would love to share more experiences with this machine in the future. 😄
great video
Thank you very much! :-)
Your sound’s very nice & good
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. :-)
Nice budget setup. I already had the M3 Pro MBP 14 when I purchased the M4 mini (both base models) and I had all the peripherals so setting up the mini didn't cost me any extra. I considered using the laptop for trade-in when I bought the mini, but I still wanted a laptop when I fly, at least for now.
Thanks for watching-I was in a similar situation! I had the 11-core M3 Pro MBP 14 but realized it barely ever left my desk, so I went ahead and traded it in. It's nice to have both if you need a machine for on-the-go use. :-)
Thunderbolt 4 or 5, because en m4 pro MacBook Pro external display doesn’t work with arropa throw 1 cable
Did hear about some compatibility issues between external displays and the Thunderbolt 5 port! I don’t have an M4 Pro Mac mini, but I’m wondering if the two USB-C ports on the front would work since they are not TB5.
@ yeap in my case t5 doesnt work throw type c and my arzopa z1rc , i use two cables the hdmi and typec for charge
@@NomedigasYisus Indeed, M4 Pro MacBook Pro could get tricky since all the three USB-C ports are TB5.
Hello… have you tried hooking up iPad as the monitor? I already have iPad m2 as my work device 80% of the time but sometimes I still need my old mbp (2012) to do some stuff that requires it. I want to upgrade my mbp but its price makes me reconsider my decision to do so and opt to mac mini instead if I can only use my iPad as its monitor. Can you let me know if that is something you have tried as well? Thanks!
Thanks for watching! Actually I’m in the exact same situation as you. I can do most of my work on my iPad Pro but occasionally need macOS, so I’m currently using my iPad as the only monitor for my Mac mini. You can either use an HDMI capture card or rely on the Sidecar feature. An HDMI capture card is fast and easy to set up, but the image quality and latency aren’t as good as Sidecar. Sidecar performs well, but using it in headless mode requires some little hacks, and sometimes it takes a minute to connect. Most of the time I use Sidecar, but I do keep an HDMI capture card as a backup. The overall experience might not be as smooth as using a dedicated portable monitor, but it’s definitely doable if you don’t plan on getting an extra screen. :-)
I really enjoyed it. Inspiring ideas. Grazie!
Thanks for watching! So glad to hear that :-)
I also have my own setup, and people on reddit keeps refusing to read the post and just complain that I just get a MacBook.
Also a pros of getting Mac mini is maintenance cost. MacBook repairs are insanely overpriced, display and battery are the most common repair, and if one thing breaks either you pay half of new MacBook cost to repair or worse, throw the whole thing away
That’s true-I’ve been thinking the same. It’s a solid machine and very easy to maintain. I also find it really fun to build a personalized setup around it, which is an experience I never had when using MacBooks. :-)
I like how the Mac mini is so cheap, you can upgrade every year.
That’s true! I also like how its trade-in/resale value holds up pretty well. :-)
Thanks
Thanks for watching!
nice rig!
Thank you! :-)
Great video - I just bought the z1rc monitor more to go with my work laptop (windows one) as an extra screen if I am working away from my usual desk. I do like this idea as it brings a different level of portability to a desktop!
One question - what is the monitor stand you used? I have an old laptop stand but that is designed more to angle the laptop screen to vertical... I would like to use my work laptop and have my new screen sit on top and that stand looks like it would work as long as its very stable!
Thanks for watching-hope you’re enjoying your new portable monitor! The stand I use is a generic brand laptop stand I found on Amazon. It’s not specifically designed for portable monitors so it doesn’t go very high, but it is very stable. I think a height-adjustable tablet/portable monitor stand might work even better!
best monitor is the xreal one. I just wish the MacMini would work with usbc power input.
A power of XREAL does sound cool! If the Mac mini can be powered through USB-C that'll definitely be a game changer. :-)
Hi thanks for the video. I see you using 1 usb C cable but with me it wont work. I have to use USB for the power and HDMI for the signal. How can I change that? Thanks
Thanks for watching! Do you have the regular M4 or the M4 Pro chip? I’ve heard the same issue from M4 Pro Mac mini users, and it seems to be caused by the USB-C cable that comes with the monitor not being compatible with the M4 Pro mini’s Thunderbolt 5 ports on the back. I don’t have the M4 Pro model, but I suggest trying one of the two USB-C ports on the front of the machine, since they are not Thunderbolt 5 ports.
Fuck yeah !!! I'm completly with you men, I decided to pay more for a Mini M4 with more RAM instead of paying for a Retina display and a small keyboard (macbook). Mini is a for traveling not for working on the park
Agreed! This setup is definitely not designed for ultimate portability or use without power outlets, but it's a powerful, cost-effective, and still packable workstation. :-)
@@LeoOuyang There is a guy with something similar using a powerbank with an integrated inversor, sou you can create something more independient from outages, like a Mac Ciberdeck which is pretty cool
@ That does sound good. So many possibilities!
i just got the same mouse and keyboard for my mini m4. i just need the monitor. thanks
Thanks for watching-enjoy the new Mac mini!
when comparing to Macbook, should we include battery/powerbank? also for more portability ;)
True-I’ve seen people using a portable power supply for the Mac mini and it looks really cool!
What about storage? Do you used an external ssd? 256gb seems a bit low for this
Yes I do! I always plug my Samsung external SSD in when I need to work :-)
Nice video. Do you have any issues with words being too small, too big, fuzzy images or images stretching or black bars on the top and bottom on certain programs?
Glad you enjoyed the video! I haven't experienced these issues with the display. I use BetterDisplay to set it to a scaled resolution that's comfortable for me while keeping HiDPI enabled at the same time. :-)
try the keychron c3
$10 swap meet Brief case. $599 +tax M4 Mac mini. $69 40GB/s Enclosuer + $119 Samsung 990 EVO SSD, 4K 16" screen with speakers. I place the M4 Upside down in the middle rear of the Brief Case cables And mouse left of M4 External SSD right of M4 Screen in Breaif case top half. Wireless Key board in front half of Brief case Just need a 110 V outlet. I can also
Thanks for sharing-that sounds like a wonderful compact and budget setup!
If you want the full Apple iMac desk experience, bring a Magic Trackpad, Magic Mouse, and 60% Magic Keyboard with you. Place the trackpad on the left side of the keyboard and the mouse on the right side. Bring a small felt or leather desk mat and you have a portable workstation solution :)
You have such a wonderful setup! It’s so thoughtfully designed, and I’m sure it’s super comfortable and keeps you productive. 😄
What about using a power bank in this mobile setup?
That'll be so cool! :-)
better the laptop at this point is better, less space and you can use it always, no cable, and you get also better speaker, a camera, microphone and way better display!
A laptop definitely provides a perfect all-in-one solution! I think this video is more about me getting bored with my MacBook and wanting to explore DIY and try something new. :-)
hey nice work. i got the same setup. I am wondering if you could share the resolution your using the Arzopa display at? while i watch youtube its looks quite stretched!
Could share your display resolution settings?
Thanks for watching! I use BetterDisplay to set the resolution to 1600x1000 while keeping the HiDPI on. The texts and icons are larger and feel more comfortable than the default resolution, and the aspect ratio and clarity are still the same. :-)
@@LeoOuyang Okay, i have done that seems better.. how do I Turn the HiDPI on?
@ You can find it in the main menu of the BetterDisplay app
@@LeoOuyang Thanks Leo, this setup is really amazing ...and truly portable for me as well, and that 16 inch screen and perfect size mac mini m4..
cheers.
The only downside is the storage . Apple charges a lot for storage upgrade .
That is true-so I always plug in my own drive when I need to work with large files. :-)
but will it not have a bad effect on the mac mini to use it as portable.. I mean because you will have to keep turn it off and on completely
I feel like it shouldn’t be an issue as long as we turn the machine off properly. :-) And I only turn it off when I need to pack it up, which doesn’t happen every day.
Can we use the Asus VivoBook G15 OLED laptop display as a monitor with a Mac Mini M4 ( CPU )
Please confirm with me, by practical youtube video,
Thanks 😊
Hello! I don't have a Windows laptop to test this, but you might want to try using an HDMI capture card to connect your Mac to your PC and using streaming software on PC to view the feed. Or, you could use third-party apps on your PC to view Mac's screen wirelessly through AirPlay. Good luck :-)
@LeoOuyang in my windows 11 laptop 💻 righ
Hi, really enjoyed your video.
I‘m searching for a good portable/second monitor for the Mac mini m4. I researched and understood the ppl matter a lot with Mac OS. Either using 2x downscaling with 225ppi or having native ppi around 120.
How do you feel about the Mac OS sizing on your 180 ppi 16“
I really would like to get a 18“ version but am struggling between 1080p for the native sizing or 2k for better clarity.
Would appreciate your experience a lot.
Thank you for your great video 🙏🏼
Thanks for watching-I'm glad you enjoyed it! macOS does have an well-known scaling issue with external monitors, and when it happens it does use some extra computing power. But personally I haven't experienced any negative effects when I'm using a scaled resolution. I do have a QHD monitor with 110 PPI and native resolution, but I find it not quite enjoyable to look at due to the lower PPI. Hope this helps! :-)
UPerfect “O2” portable monitor :)
@@LeoOuyang Thanks for your answer. Do you rescale with Mac OS internal setting or do you have to use an external app like better display ?
@ No problem! Yes, I do use BetterDisplay.
Hi, I'm rocking m1 mini with z1fc with FHD, but FHD is too small for my needs (example browser + devtools).
I want to go with z1rc but not sure about scaling of this monitor in Mac OS. Did you film this without any scaling (native 2560 x 1600 resolution) or something scaled like 2048x1280? did it work with hidpi?
Hi! I use BetterDisplay to set the resolution to 1600x1000 with HiDPI on, and I find the scaling comfortable for me-the UI is not too big or too small. :-)
Does it work with powerbank ? if M4 mac mini work with powerbank than it will be crazy deal
Actually it looks like there are people doing it, and it’s super cool!
Order an EcoFlow River 3 portable power station. Carry it with you or it can fit in your bag. Enough power for a full day.
@@briancrink-tech its so expensive... i believe mac mini will work with mobile powerbank by connecting it usb C ? Am i right ?
@@ProvakorKonik there are plenty of other battery power stations available in the marketplace. Just look for a portable power station that has an outlet and has more than 100 watt hours
@@ProvakorKonik No, the M4 mac mini doesn't support powering through USB, it can only input power from the AC input, so either you buy the river 3, or a power bank with an AC outlet
macbook also have built-in battery, so be plugged to socket is not portable
How did you get the M4 to connect to Arzopa z1RC with just Usbc to usbc cable? I have the same devices, but am forced to use hdmi cable in addition to usbc cable with M4 mini. I would like to use just 1 cable. How did you manage to get it to work with just the one cable?
Actually I didn’t do anything special-just connected them with the USB-C cable that came with the monitor, and it just worked!
Thanks so much. Maybe it (M4 and/or display) went into standby mode, I tried it several times and only got blank screens, I’ll try it again. Also, I have M4 Pro if that makes any difference, I know it can handle more advanced displays via usbc, but wouldn’t think it would matter here.
No problem! Right, I don’t think the Pro chip should make any difference. Hope you can make it work soon :-)
@@LeoOuyang well, actually it seems to make a difference. Other social media posts have confirmed, along with Apple forum, the Mac Mini 4 PRO has Thunderbolt 5 connectors instead of Thunderbolt 4. There is a difference, it seems the makers of screens did not make their compatible with the Thunderbolt 5 spec. Now, I have no problem plugging this monitor into a Dell laptop with just the usbc. Thanks for your video, really enjoy the Mac mini 4 so far.
@@mathewshafe9228 I see-it’s good to know that the TB5 port might cause compatibility issue. Have you tried the regular USB-C ports on the front of the Mac mini? Sometimes I also use them for the monitor. Glad you enjoyed the video! :-)
I have mac mini m2 how you can control the britness of the monitor from your kybord I have benq monitor and I can't control I have to adjust with my monitor buttons ??
You can try some third-party apps like BetterDisplay!
What about power ?
I feel like this setup is more suited for use with a power supply, but I have seen people use the Mac mini with a portable power station. :-)
@ portable power station is too heave to carry around all time and light weight power station don’t give a long time backup so mac mini are only usable for indoor usage
Point out this on the video it’s only applicable as portable when you are going on a trip in hotel or office.
True. I think this is more suitable for users who occasionally need to switch locations and bring their setup with them. For ultimate portability MacBooks definitely work better.
@ if you can make some video about enclosure im confused witch should i buy
@@mdmh2959 That's a good idea! I'm currently using my portable external SSD but hoping to get some upgrades as well.
There's no way I'm going to use pebble mouse with Mac.
Haha, it's definitely not the mouse for everyone!
same set bro. hahaha
A really powerful combo isn't it!
Ppl saying "just get a macbook"
The price of MacBook💀😢
The price of mac mini🗿🥳
Exactly! 😄
@@LeoOuyang btw i love ur content
@Ammar42069 Thanks! Glad you enjoyed :-)
Sadly the mac mini is $1000 dollars in australia
Ohhhh :-(
🥰
😊
I remember travelling with a notebook weighing 5kg 20 years ago….. now you can bring your desktop computer to the hotel room.
Haha, you just reminded me of the gigantic IBM ThinkPad laptop I used to play with in the early 2000s!
@ Yeah, and on top we carried one of these huge pilot 🧑✈️ bags 💼 with several folders filled with marketing presentations for the overhead projectors…😂 💪
the words mac mini and budget-friendly don't belong on the same sentence.
NEED ADVICE
a little bit large comment but please give attention
MACBOOK M1 vs M2 vs MAC MINI m4 or OTHER DEVICE
budget 65k max
USECASE- study(college end comptative exam aspirant for next 1-2 yr after that business) entertainment- watching movie, vlogs reels editing normal use case
NEED- device should be futureproof nice build, looks premium
macbooks- pros- more portable ,luks premium, strong build, best trackpad, best screen best speaker
con- lesser ram ,lesser upcoming os update
MAC MINI M4 with arzopa portable monitor- latest software futureproof more ram best software processor at same price
con- less portable, there will not be premiumness of screen speaker, trackpad, keyboard
Hey! Personally, I think the MacBook Air might be a better choice for college since it's more portable than a Mac mini setup and fits a school routine perfectly. With the new M4 MacBook Air coming out soon, you'll likely find discounts on M2 or M3 models if you want to save some money. For future-proofing, as long as you get the 16GB RAM model-which is now the base configuration for M2 and M3 models-you’ll be all set.
@@LeoOuyang i have completed my college and now i am preparing for job exams,
so i go to just library for study
what do you think in this case do i need portability?
@@sunnykapoor4153 For me I think a laptop is still a good choice! You can carry it around easily to libraries or other places and don’t need power supply. I feel like the Mac mini setup is more suitable for users who usually stay at one spot but occasionally need to bring the machine with them for work or travel. Both of them are good choice tho.
@@LeoOuyang thank you...
No sound please reupload
Hey! It has-maybe try to play on another device :-)
are you a man or a woman??
For portability a macbook doesn't work, actually no laptop works for that. A tablet does suffice though.
Macbook Air sucks ass, get a Ryzen AI laptop with a real OLED screen instead of that cheap LCD.
OLED screens are indeed on a whole other level!
@@LeoOuyang I wanted to get a macbook Pro actually, but Apple doesn't accept crypto and the MB Pro doesn't have a touchscreen nor does it fold or anything and it's really heavy at 2.4kg. If Apple was to make a Mac mini with a M4 Pro, I'd consider it, but having soldered on memory also not having like Samsung Pro SSD, kinda pushes me away though. Instead now I got myself a nice Xiaomi tablet (Could have waited for 7s Pro, but meh.) And I am freaking loving it, sooo much better than a laptop ever was.
@@jakebenson4187 Xiaomi makes great tablets! They definitely have a smaller footprint compared to laptops. If they suit your workflow and needs, they’re an excellent choice. :-)