*** The official 2023 and 2024 Mac mini thread (it has the M2 chip, the M4 chip and everything!) ***

SSH, or you can use RDP too if you need an interface.
From what I remember when I was reading up on this a while ago, you can't SSH to a Mac unless it's already logged in. And I didn't think it was possible to RDP into it unless it was logged in either. Hence why I'm curious.
 
From what I remember when I was reading up on this a while ago, you can't SSH to a Mac unless it's already logged in. And I didn't think it was possible to RDP into it unless it was logged in either. Hence why I'm curious.

I think screen sharing in system preferences works on the Mac Mini to run headless - it's been a while since I used one headless though, I used to do it on my m1 mini but then when I moved house I never set it back up. I rebooted so rarely though admittedly, but I don't remember issues with SSH, I think I may have had filevault off though.
 
From what I remember when I was reading up on this a while ago, you can't SSH to a Mac unless it's already logged in. And I didn't think it was possible to RDP into it unless it was logged in either. Hence why I'm curious.
It's a good question. As strange as using an old laptop as a "server" is, it does come with nicetohaves like a battery (UPS), keyboard trackpad for manual interaction.

When I ran my 2012 Mac mini I typically connected via SSH / RDP and ran the main system drive without FileVault to allow for auto-login reboots.

With FileVault, you can use
Code:
sudo fdesetup authrestart
in the random times you need to reboot but I believe that doesn't work for OS updates. To get round this, I will likely have it running in my TV cabinet and in range of a spare HDMI connection for the TV in the rare event I cannot do what I need remotely. It'll also be connected to a UPS.
 
How practical is this? How do you connect to it remotely if anything needs to be done and if you reboot it, how do you manage to log in?
Other than using a third-party IPKVM like PiKVM (you'll need to go this route for FV), 'Screen Sharing' is built-in and gives you VNC access at login prompt (with FV disabled).
 
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Was just coming in to post that - saw him tweet that it's basically the best value (at the base model) and he can't get a PC better than it - though that becomes less true as you start upgrading the spec.

It's interesting to note that geekcom just launched a mini pc that might actually be attractive to me if Windows 11 wasn't such a bloated, intrusive, laggy POS for $749. I'm not sure how it'd fair against the M4 in geek bench, but it did have expandable storage as something going for it.
 
Some questions if I may.
Buying one I have and Alienware OLED at about 165hz, Another 34in Widescreen at 60hz and a 55in OLD LG Screen I use to watch movies on etc, would this be capable to run these and what Hub/ adaptors would be needed if so?

Also varying SSD/ M.2 Drives, but cant seem to find anything that encloses several ones in the same bay etc.

Really just completely sick of Windows and what it is now.
 
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Some questions if I may.
Buying one I have and Alienware OLED at about 165hz, Another 34in Widescreen at 60hz and a 55in OLD LG Screen I use to watch movies on etc, would this be capable to run these and what Hub/ adaptors would be needed if so?

Also varying SSD/ M.2 Drives, but cant seem to find anything that encloses several ones in the same bay etc.

Really just completely sick of Windows and what it is now.

It can run 3 monitors at the following.


Two external displays​

Supports two external displays in any one of these configurations:

  • One display up to 8K at 60Hz (or 4K at 240Hz) over Thunderbolt or HDMI, and one display up to 5K at 60Hz over Thunderbolt
  • One display up to 8K at 60Hz (or 4K at 240Hz) over Thunderbolt, and one display up to 4K at 60Hz over HDMI

As for a enclosure for several SSD, I've seen a Sabrent one but it doesn't seem like an elegant solution due to the need to it's power power supply. Might as well get a docking station and then get enclosure that allow daisy chain of the SSD.

SABRENT M.2 Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD Enclosure, USB C to SSD Dual bay, External M2 PCIe Docking Station with Power Adapter, for 2242 2260 2280, TB3 Cable​

 
It can run 3 monitors at the following.


Two external displays​

Supports two external displays in any one of these configurations:

  • One display up to 8K at 60Hz (or 4K at 240Hz) over Thunderbolt or HDMI, and one display up to 5K at 60Hz over Thunderbolt
  • One display up to 8K at 60Hz (or 4K at 240Hz) over Thunderbolt, and one display up to 4K at 60Hz over HDMI

As for a enclosure for several SSD, I've seen a Sabrent one but it doesn't seem like an elegant solution due to the need to it's power power supply. Might as well get a docking station and then get enclosure that allow daisy chain of the SSD.

SABRENT M.2 Thunderbolt 3 NVMe SSD Enclosure, USB C to SSD Dual bay, External M2 PCIe Docking Station with Power Adapter, for 2242 2260 2280, TB3 Cable​

Hmm think this might do the job then, not exceeding any display over 4k actually. Just need to figure out how it carries sound for a sound bar etc.
 
The WD Blue SN580 2TB SSD, NVMe is now £90...up to 4150 MB/s read so plenty fast enough as storage needs....It's the lowest ever according to Keepa.

Should I go for it now or wait for Black Friday....
You really think your going to get any better lol. I think we know now BF is pretty much a con unless Samsung does some cashback offer.
 
Never heard of them, willl check them out. I was in the Hereford istore franchise on Saturday and they are full price.

Edit. Wow £539!
 
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I can get EDU discount so it will be like £499 + ram upgrade £200 (£180?).

Let's call it £699 for base unit with 24G of Ram.

Although it is worth noting that it only applies to the Base M4 chip + upgraded storage and RAM. Not the M4 Pro Mac Mini.

Ah, I should look into that (I became a part-time student again this year and have a .ac.uk email etc.).

I presume it's not going to allow for the next Studio model either then - just limited to some basic models or something? There used to be a good deal on apple care too.
 
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