Ultimate BUDGET Mac desktop setup!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 มิ.ย. 2024
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With the Mac Studio Apple provided a great way for Pros to get a powerful desktop without spending $6,000+ on the Mac Studio, but they also removed the 27 inch iMac, which was a great middle ground machine. Now, with the M2 Pro Mac mini some of the magic is back- but Apple's display and accessories are very expensive.. So today I'm going to put together the ultimate BUDGET Apple desktop setup to show you how I would do it!
Time stamps
0:00 Macs are getting more expensive
2:30 M2 Pro Mac mini is a sleeper
4:01 Criteria for an Apple setup
5:10 30 inch Cinema Display
6:12 Desk
7:21 Finishing touches
8:32 Editing on the M2 Pro Mac mini
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It's sick how you can now pop an entire desktop in your backpack (minus the monitor) and have an 8k editing workstation right there, on your back. We've come so far.
it can fit in pocket
so sick my guy!
Sick like Sick Sick or just sick ?
8K video is so pointless atm
@@emilsecker7881 Not really, many companies use it as a standard like RED, Sony and BlackMagic. It's good to have the capability. Also movie theaters run PLEX servers and projectors that use 8K.
Check your power bill from using Cinema display after a few weeks, it probably uses 10 times what the Mini uses. On the other hand it makes for a good space heater if you live in a cold climate.
What about the LED version?
@@jahkobej6157 the 30 inch is LCD you can get the older Thunderbolt Display that came out after the cinema displays
I have one too 20 inch 1920x1200 with gtx960-2gb + first-gen-dual-core i5-sleeper-desktop-pc and with classic 04slim usb xbox controller working as360gamepad in aaa games...
@@Thebestgamer021 I had the 30inch when they first came out, it got very yellow over time and pixels on the edges started to die but I sure loved it for several few years although I wish I had bought Apple stock with the money back then instead of the crazy expensive monitor.
Yeah I can confirm that power consumption is horrible on those 30” Cinema Display. I have two of them hooked up to a 2012 MacPro 12 CoreHore, and unplug them when not in use.
I have been using a 2008 cinema display since I bought it back in 2008, although very heavy for today's standards, it is by far one of the best purchases I've done in my life... 0 problems so far!
Hey there! As a fellow tech enthusiast, I'd recommend checking out the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule. It's a compact and powerful device that offers both vacuuming and blowing capabilities. With features like high-quality filters, swift keyboard cleaning, and efficient storage, it seems like a handy tool for maintaining a spotless desktop setup. Plus, the versatile accessories make it ideal for road trips and outdoor activities. Overall, it appears to be a quality product worth considering. Let me know if you have any other questions or need further recommendations!
Hey there! As a fellow tech enthusiast, I can totally understand the importance of keeping your desktop setup clean. Have you heard about the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule? It's a versatile tool that combines vacuuming and blowing capabilities, making it perfect for maintaining a spotless environment on your desk and beyond. I've found it to be of good quality and reasonably priced compared to other brands. You might want to check it out!
Same here, it is great
First off, love this video. Second, I highly recommend any Mini owner to invest in the little "dock" hubs that fit the exact footprint, they're about 40% of the height of the Mini and add a bunch of front IO such as SD and USB, as well as usually an internal SSD slot inside them. (They just plug into a rear USB-c). It really enhances the usability! And totally agree that if you can do one upgrade these days it may as well be storage, especially since this generation FINALLY graduated to 16GB min ram. I have been helping a friend and it's shocking to me how hard Apple makes it to use external storage for things now. If you like most people want to also use the cloud to back up AND keep a copy locally on your large external SSD, you're out of luck. iCloud Drive can only use storage on your main boot disk, and OneDrive is the same, it can only live on a non-ejectable volume, so that rules out any other disk unless you're using a Mac Pro, I guess?
I have one of these and its a godsend.
apple dont want you using external storage they want all your data in their cloud so they have total control over you..fuck them
I have the M1 Mac mini and a Satechi hub with a PNY 1TB SSD
Those hubs are crazily slow. No thanks. I have thunderbolt nvme enclosure with WD ssd that I use as a boot drive (it has to be WD as other nvme controllers have huge trim issues under macos) and cheap usb 3.2 hub. Maybe not as compact but much faster. Those usb 3.2 ports actually work at full speed.
the Mac Mini Pro has 2 extra Thunderbolt ports. unless you really need SD... I'm good with 2 X USB & 4 X Thunderbolt 4's
That 30" 2004 Cinema Display is insane. It is nearly my age and better than a lot of new monitors you can buy today. Also the design holds up brilliantly. The matte display matched with thin aluminium besels still looks great. The design language hasn't changed that much, the foot of the display tells a lot. I am glad you picked that for this video. You can have a sub-$600 M2 Pro desktop setup in 2022. How the times have changed.
running dual 30" Cinema Displays here :)
Great monitor but they use so much electricity. I just sold mine because of this.
The sub 600 is not M2 pro
run 60Hz ? Thanks
You can find the 27" TB displays for about $200 these days too. And don't be alarmed if you get one with a crappy cord, either get a new one (~$35 eBay) or get and extension and plug it into the other TB port. I have two of them and they are so nice. Speakers, mic, camera, ports, decent resolution for $200.
Man I love this Cinema Display model.
I still use my 20" from 2006. Great image. Combines perfectly with my Mac mini or with my wife's iMac as a secondary monitor.
Looking today, this amount of cables seem weird, but more than fifteen years ago, it was really innovative. An era where PCs were ugly beige boxes with small tube monitors.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I do not understand why you would not simply buy a 4k tv for cheaper than that.
@@Suddhadeep you just can’t understand or explain a fanboy, man!
Hahahahhahahha
P.S.: I already use a cheaper 4k monitor. And it’s better than the Cinema Display and the Thunderbolt Display.
@@MarcosRavena Either way, there was no 4K monitors or even TVs till 6 years later. Plus the cinema display has such a better design in my opinion.
@@Suddhadeep You can get the cinema display for like £30 or $40 today second hand and still will provide a great image.
A refurbished 14" MBP is the best value. Typing this comment from my refurbished 1TB 14" MBP, which I got for $1469. Looks and feels brand new and came in sealed Apple box. Can't go wrong.
Honestly people sleep on the official apple refurbished section, so many great deals there for basically new tech. I'm planning on getting one of the new 24 inch imacs refurbished, you can get crazy specs for like $700 cheaper than normal sometimes
@@gliixo UHM. WHERE! THAT WOULD BE LIKE $599!!
@@jahkobej6157 ..... wat?
@@gliixoYea, I was going to mention the 24” iMac. Even new, an up speced one 16/1TB is $2,099. The mini M2 with the same storage and ram is $1,499. Even though the monitor he used is under $200 it’s a cable mess and doesn’t come with speakers or camera. Yes the 24” iMac has a smaller screen than the 30” but it’s still a 4.5k monitor that also has 4 ports on the back and a headphone jack if you want one of those. Not to mention a matching Touch ID keyboard, and a magic mouse, which I actually like.
But cool setup anyway. Luke is pretty inventive.
Luke refers back to the conversion he did with a 27" iMac with a 5K display to make it into his monitor. It was a great idea, but here's a pro tip. I did this with a 2K iMac by opening up the iMac and putting the Chinese conversion board inside, but it started to fail after a couple of months when the monitor got too hot. Keep the components outside in another enclosure so if they fail you don't have to pry open your iMac to fix it, which is a hassle and expensive if you buy the mounting adhesive strips.
2k iMac??
@@jahkobej6157 yes pre 5k 27 inch iMacs were 1440p
@@themacintoshnerd2.5k
I've just finished my conversion on a 27" 5K. Fingers crossed for the long term...
Converted a 27" 5k 2017 iMac around 10 months ago. Working fine & dandy. No heating issues
23" Studio Display from 2005 still in service as a 2nd display here with a Mac Studio. Very good for proofing. A few other displays over that period didn't make it either because the backlight failed or I had to reject them due to them humming out of the box. Also a fan of the 16:10s.
I’ve had plenty of mini PCs, and the best thing about Mac minis is the integrated power supply, which makes its size surprisingly competitive
I am totally happy with my Mac Mini M2 (non-Pro). In my setup it’s hooked up to a LG Ultrawide monitor which I’ve had already. This setup masters all the tasks I throw at it.
Whats the performance like
You should do another one where you build the cheapest apple silicon setup (refurb gen1 mini), cheap monitor, keyboard, mouse and make it targeted for longevity for an older adult. Note: peripherals are 3rd party to be even cheaper.
Have used my 30" cinema display since I was 18 in 2008. It's gone through Macbook Pros, windows gaming pcs, the 2019 Mac Pro, and now a Mac Studio. I have two 27" refurbished 1440p viewsonic monitors as well mounted vertically on each side. I have a hard time justifying getting another pricey monitor ever again, simply because this one is so great.
I use the 24 inch one of these and as a graphic designer, for colour it's one of the best monitors I've used. I'm getting a pro mini soon and I've already bought a dvi-hdmi cable (old boxed stock from apple) not bad for an £80 monitor. Also theres docks that add ports and SATA storage too for cheap too!
have had mine for a couple months and love it. a bit more computer than i really need, but having the option of having three monitors at a time is what sold me on it for my recording studio...
I have been using my 30” since I got it in 2008 and my model has yellowed with age a bit but not too bad. I upgraded a few years ago but still keeping it around and continuing to use it. The thing is a beast at over 30 lbs.
Your retro reviews are killing it! Keep it up👍🏻
Great video! But the 2010 27 inch Cinema Display is a better option in my opinion. It looks better and it has built in speakers and an iSight camera. And the resolution is with 109 dpi (vs 100 dpi on the older model) also slightly better.
I absolutely love my 30” Cinema Display! Currently using it as a dock with my framework and I absolutely love it. I would recommend a monitor riser tho, not the best with height adjust.
Impressive, Luke. I prefer the mini over any other Mac. What would it take to upgrade that display to 4K?
Good one. Love that Cinema Display. I fell into one recently and have been able to use it thanks to your adapter recommendation. Keep ‘em coming.
I used two 30" displays for about a year. They were fantastic but ran extremely hot. eventually replaced them with an ultra wide and after a few years upgraded to triple 32" monitors
I already mentioned this in the comments - you can replace the CCFL backlighting with LEDs
One item I would budget into the mix is a Mac Mini hub or stand. I recently purchased a stand which now has a 1 GB SSD. I also now have 2 USB-C ports and SD card readers within easy reach. No more fumbling behind the Mini to plug in a cable or drive for me.
Still use my 30" Cinema Display today. It's the updated late 2006 model with the higher contrast ratio and HDCP support. Still a beautiful display to look at.
Excellent tips Luke love the mix of your new/old setup. But after the 2004 iMac i have converted my desktop set up with MB pro and the bluetooth keyboard/track pad. If and when required a hub mainly for external HD. It adds a second screen and the most welcome flexibility of portability. In my humble opinion the best of both worlds.
Hey {{3}}, thanks for your comment! I'm glad you liked the mix of new and old in the setup. If you're looking for a great tool to keep your desktop spotless, I'd recommend checking out the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule. It's a compact device with powerful vacuuming and blowing capabilities, perfect for cleaning your desk, car, and more. Plus, its multiple tubes and high-quality filters ensure long-lasting performance. Check it out!
Interesting video. I actually just bought a Mac mini with the M2 pro for my audio work. I was having all sorts of dpc latency issues on Windows and even a full upgraded to the latest hardware didn't help. I went for that 1tb upgrade and just hooked it up to my existing 38" ultrawide monitor and kb/mouse with a cheap USB kvm so I could switch between devices easily. Nothing really matches aesthetically, but it gets the job done and I've found myself using the mini for way more than I initially planned, including some work in resolve, and even some lighter video captures in OBS. At $1450, the M2 pro mini with the storage upgrade was money well spent, IMO.
Hi Luke, Thanks for the videos. Always interesting. I have just done what you suggest in this video. The only difference is that I've got the Apple Dual DVI to to mini DisplayPort adapter and then a Mini DisplayPort to Thunderbolt adapter so my cable spaghetti is even worse. I'm loving the M2 Mac mini but I have never worked on any other monitor that is half as nice as the Apple 30" display. Don't ask me why but it just is. To my mind its only weakness is the power brick, which I've just had to replace for the first time since new (with new old stock). Hopefully it will last another 20 odd years now!
Got my 30 inch Cinema Display for $50.00 plus my i7 2.6 mini (put in a 2tb SSD) 16 of course- another $50.00 already had my mouse and key board from Apple… the SSD what is $83… total cost $183…opened to Ventura… it’s a beast for that price and that look of the 30 inch monitor it’s incredible!!!!! No stuttering at all!!!
For an extra $40 you can get the 27” Cinema Display from 2011, I got mine for $240 plus $10 for a t-bolt to usb-c adapter, fits the same aesthetic, but, the best part - great speakers!!! Worth it
These cinema displays still look incredible, it was unbelievable when the 30” one was announced.
I had the very first gen Mac mini g4 with 20” Cinema Display. Looked so cool together
I'm watching this on one of those old displays, and just got a shocked by how old this display is. I'm amazed it actually still works and that the backlight hasn't given out yet.
They are still very good, considering their age. But their power draw is no joke
@@EremittVyeah the power draw is concerning. I got a Thunderbolt Display for $17 + $20 gas (2 hour drive) recently. It’s beautiful. And only needs one connection on my 2012 Mac mini (Thunderbolt).
And maybe another alternative for the screen would be to use an old iMac from 2009 and use it as monitor. I actually have this setup to work in my home studio and goes perfect. I take advantage from the 2K display and the power from my Mac mini. Maybe it won’t be as cheap as the 30” display but it also works.
Just watched this video on my 30" Cinema display! It's still my go-to monitor at home, and I use it between my M1 MBP 14" (work), 2015 MBP 15" Retina (home), and 2010 Mac Pro 5,1. Not always the most convenient with having to switch adapters, but man, is it a great-looking monitor!
Yup I got one and plugged it straight into my 8KTV … crazy you say? Mine is 55-inch with an almost-decent dpi. And the M2 Pro has the fast RAM single-core sweetness that I felt with my 128 GB M1 Ultra Studio.
Glad to see video like this. I encountered a problem when using a Mac with an M1 chip: For non-Apple monitors (such as DELL, LG and BENQ), there is a certain probability that the screen will flicker, and Apple has not solved this problem so far. I'm currently using a Displaylink dock to connect the monitors so I don't have to buy an expensive Studio Display. It's very disappointing that Apple does its best to make you use only Apple's own products.
Thank you so much Luke. I've been looking for an adapter for a while now for my 20inch Cinema. This one works perfectly!
To clean up the setup, I would recommend getting the apple powered adapter. Side note: I have this exact setup at the office but with a trackpad and the aforementioned powered adapter.
I use 2 Apple 27” Thunderbolt displays with my M1 Mac Mini and they work brilliantly - I had them with the Cheesegrater Mac Pro and got the adapters (took a few attempts to get a thunderbolt to HDMI converter that works - very happy with this setup!
I used to use the 30" Cinema display. I sold it in around 2008 for $1000 (Canadian) and picked up a new Dell U3011. Both displays use the same LCD panel. Luke, you are probably responding to the quality of the LCD which at the time was reverred for clarity and accuracy. Dell U3011's can also be had cheap and don't require a video adaptor. Thats why I sold mind - I was afraid I wouldnt be able to use it because of the limited interface. If I were to do it again, I would go for the Dell U3011 over the 30" Cinema because its the same panel but the Dell has way more options.
I enjoy your vibe. Relaxed yet entertaining as well as informative. Good job.
Hi Luke, Satechi makes a hub/stand/dock for Mac Mini, it is made from aluminium, and brings connectors to the front, also SD card slot..and I think I saw some dock with inegrated nvme storage (not included)
Funny, after seeing many of your video's on YT, yesterday I made the decision and order the Mac Mini M2 Pro, but I only I spend extra money for a 1 TB SSD because I see many warnings about the SSD don't last forever, in particular when you you write many times to the SSD.
I like to see your videos thanks for showing this, and it can help many people to make the right decision.
Excellent video Luke! I'd love to see a comparison between the 24-inch, 27-inch Apple Cinema Display and the new Apple Display 5K, as well as compare the 24-inch and 27-inch to 5K.
I’ve got that same 30 inch Cinema Display. It had been a bit redundant lately. Definitely going to get a Mac Mini for it now. They look like they’re made for each other despite the huge age gap.
Im glad you did this, I was thinking of a way to go for the Mac Mini instead of waiting for the iMac M3 but, it seems I'm still going to wait for it
Still using my Mini M1 and it crunches through video without issue. I would love the M2, but I cant really complain about my performance currently so the pragmatic part of my brain wont justify getting a new one even though the reckless spendthrift part of me wants to really bad.
Luke, I really liked this TH-cam episode. You gave great ideas along with your professional analysis. Thank you.
Totally agree I've just got an M2 mini and its amazing replacing both my 2012 iMac ( 32Gb ram 1 TB running Ventura via opencore patcher) and my 2013 Macbook pro (1TB 32GB) its totally worth the money (27" 4K Dell ex demo display was dead cheap on Amazon at $300!)
The Magic Mouse also has the great feature that no one has ever complained about, charging port on the bottom
But it charges in 15 minutes and lasts for months
@@WeMuckAround it does-
For the same $200 as the 19 year old display, you can get a brand new 27” 4K 60hz IPS display (albeit a lower end one). As long as you’re not after the apple aesthetic that would likely be a better option. For speakers pick up a set of creative pebbles for $20
Hey Luke! Great video. After the quick comment about the keyboard, I was wondering if you'd make a video about the best keyboards for mac setups and comparing them to the Apple magic keyboard. I'm interested in buying a mechanical keyboard, but on the fence between getting a Logitech MX Mechanical Mini, Keychron K3 Pro, and just going for the non-mechanical Apple magic keyboard.
I owned this monitor for about 5 years, bought it used on Craigslist for about $600, sold it again for $600. I now own a Pro Display XDR and plan to own it for many, many years.
Absolutely loved this. I am mega impressed with the monitor!
Great video I’ve actually got 3 x of these new m2 mac mini but with the 16 gb and 1tb drives they all have identical set ups for my editing I’m aiming to use them for at least 5 x more years I was waiting for the m2 Mac mini for a while very happy with the purchase I’m using normal 2k monitors pictures are superb
Luke if the price was the same would you recommend the 30” display over a Thunderbolt Display? Does the extra screen size trump the better resolution?
Damn you Miani, you’re making me pine for my old trusty 20-in Cinema Display; versatile, stylish, and made like a tank it was ahead of anything out there back in the early ‘00s.
Great video! I see many people saying they use, or used to use, the 30" Cinema Display, but they find they run hot and/or use 3x more power than other monitors. I own three 30" Cinema Display (2 of which I bought brand new in 2004) and I always run 2 at a time, but I've never had an issue with them getting hot or using lots of power - and I have carefully checked the latter. I currently run them with a Mac mini M2 Pro, and everything performs flawlessly and is incredibly well-matched in appearance. Good design, along with high-quality engineering, stands the test of time! Viva Apple! 🍏😁
Excellent suggestions. I loved the old 30 display. I got a 2008 model off of eBay for just over 300, and am going to get the Mac Mini pro. Huge savings monitor wise and I will use the HomePod minis for sound..
The Magic keyboard is so simple to pair and it also functions as a wired keyboard when plugged in with lightning cable which is import for SMC resets, dual booting with Intel Macs …
Love your humor… your content is gold
I edit videos on my base model Mac mini. I just bought a few 1TB Samsung T5s and I edit right off of those. I have one for TH-cam, one for Freelance work, and one for personal files and that was cheaper than maxing out the storage. Not to mention, I can just get another one when ever I need.
I got a Magic Mouse! I paid 18$ for it at my local thrift store! I think it was barely used though because when paired it to my 2008 Mac Pro the battery was at 100%
Great video Luke as always! Though at 10:37 I think you meant those newer displays are all 16:9. Also perhaps an old Thunderbolt Display might be a good option to still keep everything Apple, though get integrated speakers and a webcam also.
I have almost the same setup, except that I use m1 Mac mini, so that would be a more budget friendly setup, I got m1 Mac mini Display I got for 100, Keychron K3 Keyboard (Which I think is much better than Mac keyboard) and a Phillips mouse, can u beat that, I run m1 Mac mini with (ubuntu and Windows 11 in parallels) I get best of all worlds, a Thunderbolt External Drive with 2500Mbps rate) to extend the internal setup and also a 50$ Lenovo Think vision display as a secondary monitor, now I plan to get the M2 pro
My setup is similar: M1 Mini with a Thunderbolt Display from eBay, magic mouse and keyboard with Touch ID, and a second 1080p monitor. All I need is a new desk.
G'day Luke,
When I first got the MacMini/M1 it really blew me. I had a couple of romper stomper keyboards with mice lying around with older Mac's I'd kept. I was lucky to pick an old G5X2(heavy in really good nick) for about $110 US dollars when it arrived in two boxes I thought the worst. But I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the lighter unexpected of the 2 to find Keyboard , Mouse and a 2005 Apple 23" Cinema HD Display. I already had a few Mini HomePods scattered around the place so I was all set from the get go.
I use the 30” with my Mac Studio every day. I’ve thought about upgrading it, but I just can’t bring myself to do it. I use a set of swan M10 speakers and an apple keyboard and magic trackpad. It’s a really nice system.
runs 60Hz or 30Hrz ? Thanks
@@eduart79 60hz, I believe.
Such a great video Luke! I thinking of doing the same but getting the Apple Thunderbolt Display(2k/1440p!) from 2011 instead
I need to replace the 40" tv I won at a raffle for an actual monitor, I never considered an apple cinema display for that, they're incredibly cheap for the 23" version, and they're a very good resolution, I think I'll get one of those
I use older Apple stuff too….still works like old monitor it may not have the best current resolution but its great for my needs and its so well built and still hip in its Industrial Design :)
The Apple Thunderbolt 27" display is a much better option. Requires just a small thunderbolt adapter (which is more compatible) slimmer more attractive design with built in FaceTime camera, microphone and speakers and runs a more standard 2540x1440 resolution, and even includes a USB A hub in the back. It's a much newer design 2011-2016, and you can pick one up for under $200.
You could think about the 27" Thunderbolt Display. I guess you could add a Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adapter and just rock it. I had one couple of years ago with the late 2013 Retina MacBook Pro and it was a great display...
Still got a 20" Cinema Display that's been all over the world with me since 2004! At the mo, I have a couple of LG Ultrawide monitors with my Mac mini M1 - yes - base model! But, the Cinema Display lives on paired with an M1 MacBook Air. The Cinema Display was truly a great monitor back in the day, and for almost 20 years old - it was worth it!
2014 mac mini ventura plus 2009 24 inch apple cinema display all-in at under $500 works great. Second display 30 inch cinema display. on Ikea desk. Backup computer, 2009 Mac pro with 8tg hard disk and two 1tb ssds. ALL under $1000 plus storage and ram. 2012 Imac with 1tb ssd sits in the family room. $350.
Complete apple setup UNDER $1,500. Thanks Luke!
Always have a soft spot for the cinema display. Still using a 23" today!
I am using a 50" 4k Vizio television (~$600 7 years ago) driven directly by the HDMI port on my Mac mini at 60 Hz. 3840x2160 (around 8 million pixels) is basically "Retina" quality for reasonable viewing distances, and noticeably roomier than a 30" old computer monitor for opening lots of windows. No interfaces required, just an HDMI cable. Completing the setup is an Apple Bluetooth keyboard and a Bluetooth mouse, and of course, the base model mini for $400 at the Education store. A $25 flash drive plugged into one of the USB ports provides automatic Time Machine backups. The TV furnishes the speakers, and when work is done, I can watch the evening news on it or use it as a "smart" TV to stream video. Why anyone wants to use a "computer monitor" any more is hard to figure.
Having seem used 2014/2015 5K iMacs for around $250-300 I’d probably go that route and convert to a monitor. You get the speakers, webcam, keyboard and mouse through that approach which would cover all the additional accessories outlined in the video.
I bought a 27" Apple Thunderbolt display from a woman on Facebook for $300. Think it's a 2013 model. Works perfectly and I set it up with my M1 Mac mini that I bought a couple of years ago when my 2009 27" iMac finally bit the dust. Still have that one boxed away. So it's like having a brand new iMac really. Hope it lasts for many, many years to come. Love it.
Luke, good effort on the budget project but I think I might have you beat😊. I just bought the M2Pro MM for $1199, an LG 32” 4K via HDMI with built in speakers for $199, Satetchi backlit USB-C keyboard for $79, 2 multiport hubs that sit under the MM and each has 1TB SSD for $69 each, the SSDs were about $100 each, SuperDrive for $79, TrackPad 2 for $99, and a LeCie 4TB HDD for $129. Actually, the only thing I did was replace my 2020 Intel with the M2Pro as Zi already had the other equipment. The hubs have SD card readers as well as extra ports. My desk is a jelly bean shaped glass top desk that is static. You win on the desk😊. I also have a color laser printer/scanner. Very impressed with the M2 Pro which will more than meet my mundane needs and then some. I would’ve liked the Mac Stufio but $1500 is way too much to spend for a monitor by a casual user like myself. I could’ve gone with the base M2(16GB) but I wanted the 4 TB4 ports and the extra umph might come in handy someday so I got the Pro.
It is also crazy how good mini pc's have become and at amazing price points even with i7/ryzen 7 chips with 32 gigs of ram. Another great video from the best Fruit Fly (apple fanboi) on youtube!
I run a pair of 30” ACDs with my Mac Studio. Typically only use one of them daily unless I’m deep into a project and need the extra real-estate. Someday I’d like to replace them with something newer but I’m just too attached to them.
i had the 2009 mac pro and the 27" cinema display + the classic usb magic keyboard and magic mouse 1st gen they always looked so clean to this day i still use the cinema display as my main monitor for my 2014 imac after i broke the lcd on te imacs built in display
I use 3x HP ZR30w monitors on my primary (windows) workstation for my job. They're from 2013 (so they have displayport) but there a similar form factor to the cinema display. I love them and they were super cheap
I've always liked the 2004 Cinema display, and I'd even go as far as to say I prefer it aesthetically to the 2010 black-glossy displays (even though the '04 was made in the same year I was born!)
Hey there! If you're looking for a great tool to keep your desktop spotless, I'd recommend checking out the HOTO Compressed Air Capsule. It offers powerful vacuuming and blowing capabilities, and the compact design is perfect for reaching tight spaces. Plus, it has some handy features like keyboard cleaning and versatile accessories. Might be worth considering for your setup! 😄👍
I've been using Apple products for a long time; starting with an iMac G3 DV400 in 2000, a PowerMac G4 in 2002, a 20" Intel iMac in 2006 etc etc. my last purchase up until recently was a Macbook Air in 2020.... right before the silicon chips happened. I knew that I would be getting a desktop Mac in the future, have been biding my time. when I saw the Mac Mini Pro drop earlier this year I knew it was "the one". in my opinion it is the best value for money Mac that Apple have ever released. it is SO powerful. I have Logic, Resolve, multiple browser tabs, virtual instruments, iZoptope / Fab Filter plugins, a webcam all running at once..... the thing is using less than 2% CPU power. it is insane
I bought M2 Mini base model for $499 + 27 Thunderbold Display $75 + Magic Keyboard $20 + Apple USB C converter $15 from eBay + Old Magic Mouse from drawer $0. I got full Apple experience with speaker and camera for about $610.
The 2009 cinema Display is the way to go, mini DP works great with any kind of Mac / PC
Btw the colors after grading look slightly better than your previous videos-a little more natural skin tones and more natural saturation! It looks awesome, and your color grading skills are really good! What do you film on? RAW?
@USERNAME_MRLUKEMIANI2 🤣
Great Video couple of questions how would this stock M2 Pro Mac mini compare to a Mac Studio - Apple M1 Max Chip currently at Costco for 1499 and the 30" display vs a 27" Apple Thunderbolt Display.
hej Luke, grejt video. I do own a 23" apple cinema display and recently upgraded to the 27" Thuderbolt Display (2011) connected to the trashcan. Would be fun to watch you upload a video review on that one and what your thoughts would be. ;))
Two Questions: 1. How much for the DualDVI to DP adapter. 2. Does the Monitor support native upscaling from macOS itself?
Thanks, always in touch with your content.
Adapter is 40 dollars, he got the studio display for 200. And also most likely for the other one
Keep in mind the old Cinema display uses a CCFL backlight, which consumes significantly more power than modern monitors that are LED backlit. Just look at its 150 W power supply. I mean it ultimately depends on for how many hours you actually use it per day/week.
Gracias!! me has solucionado la duda que tenía sobre qué adaptador comprar para usar mi Apple Cinema de 24" de 20 años con el Macbook Pro de 14" de 2023. He comprado el mismo adaptador en Amazon Renewed y funciona perfecto!!😁
Watching from a 2019 Mac Pro and a 23-inch Apple Cinema HD Display.. still like those old displays a lot. Nice to see a 30-inch paired with an M2 Mac Mini (y)
My 30” Apple Cinema display finally died after 10+ years. I replaced it with a 30” Dell (U3023E) with the same 16x10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1600 resolution. It’s much lighter than the Cinema display (with an adjustable stand), and has a built in hub for multiple connections on the back. No power brick either, it is all internal. It even has a built in KVM switch to hook up two different computers. If you use a MacBook Pro, it can even charge your laptop at the same time with the single USB C cable. It is pricey for what it is, but found it on sale at B&H for $629. I bought two!
My setup is not quite as inexpensive as this but it works for me. M1 MacBook Air (16 GB RAM/512 GB SSD), OWC Gemini Thunderbolt 3 dock (2 TB hardware RAID), 24" LG Ultrafine Display Apple Magic keyboard (with TouchID), and Magic Trackpad. It's basically close to 24" iMac, but I can take the computer with me when I want.
To put this into perspective, my first Mac in 1994 was a Performa 6115, which was a PowerMac 6100 with a 15” display, mouse and keyboard. Remember that back then new Macs didn’t come with a keyboard!
I paid about $1,500. The 6100 was a 60 MHz PPC 601 CPU, 8 MB of RAM, and a 500 MB hard drive. It also had a CD and floppy drive. That was 29 years ago. 😁
I would choose the Magic Trackpad over the Magic Mouse (150), magic keyboard with touchid (150). An Asus ProArt 27-inch display (2560x1440) costs $320 (sometimes goes on sale). Peripherals + display = 620. Mac mini (M2 Pro) 1299 = 1919. upgrading storage to 1TB and it reaches 2119. you can shave off cost by doing what Luke did-- buy keyboard and trackpad off eBay for cheaper (or buy wired). Depending on what you're going to use the Mac mini for, I would still choose a good but inexpensive and modern display over the Cinema Display or ProDisplay. You can also choose to buy a portable monitor and you can throw the whole thing into a backpack.
I've got to x2 of the 24inch displays connected to my pc, love them still :)
Hey, I got my entry level Mac mini with the 8GB ram today... I plan to use it in my home office to edit videos, pictures, etc.... I hope I did not make a mistake I also got a full hd monitor... more was unfortunately just not inside... at work however I have the Mac mini with 24 GB and m2 pro , I had a 2017 iMac before that took 15 minutes to use... I think that should still be an upgrade