It’s a Friday challenge: Try to locate the Mac mini in today’s featured setup. You likely won’t find it because the user cleverly mounted it on the rear of their 5K Samsung ViewFinity S9 external monitor, a close visual rival to Apple’s 5K Studio Display.
A commenter remarked on the minimalist aesthetic of Mac setups, to which the user jokingly replied, “Apple store energy, hehe.”
Mac mini Hidden Behind a Samsung ViewFinity S9 in a Clean Workstation
In a Reddit post titled “Setup for Uni & Music Production,” Redditor Far-Communication886 (“FC”) shared their workstation used for university studies and music production. The only visible computer device is an iPad Pro attached to the front of a TGmastery monitor shelf, but it’s actually a Mac mini setup. The primary computer is mounted to the back of the 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K display, which directly rivals Apple’s 27-inch 5K Studio Display.
FC mentioned mounting the Mac mini to the back of their monitor to create an iMac-like setup. They used mounts like this one to achieve this.
Maximizing Monitor Screen Usage with iPad
One user inquired about maximizing the screen ratio on the monitor when connecting an iPad. They noted that a standard HDMI to Type-C connection doesn’t utilize the full screen. FC suggests using a Thunderbolt cable, especially with a 5K screen, to achieve full-screen utilization, as AirPlay also does not maximize the screen.
Webcam Usage
With a Xiaomi monitor light positioned atop the display, the user was asked how they handle webcam functionality. FC explained that they either move the monitor light to use the ViewFinity cam or position the iPad vertically to use its camera.
The ambient lighting is achieved using Govee light bars. The speakers, Yamaha HS8 powered studio monitor speakers, are placed sideways on stands for optimal music production.
List of Items Used
Here’s a breakdown of the equipment used in this setup:
Computers and Stands:
- M2 Mac mini (mounted on display back).
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro.
- Barolo tablet mount.
Display and Light Bar:
- 27-inch Samsung ViewFinity S9 5K monitor.
- TGmastery monitor shelf.
- Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar.
Input Devices:
- Magic Keyboard.
- Magic Mouse 2.
Audio:
- HomePod mini.
- Yamaha HS8S Powered Studio Monitor speakers.
Lighting:
- Govee light bars.
This setup showcases a clever way to minimize desk clutter by mounting a Mac mini behind a monitor.