Can the modern mac mini whatever the latest from 2025 is, the one with the m4 chip--can it be used without a screen or minotor connected? Or can it be turned into a semi-portable laptop somehow?
Hi there. I use a 2024 Mac mini every day With VoiceOver and I've never had it hooked up to a screen, however, You may need one when you set it up initially… I can't remember… My apologies. As far as Using it like a laptop, I'm sure some company out there has come out with a battery pack… I'd check Amazon or give it a Google. HTH God bless!🤗
I purchased a M4 Mac Mini last December and can confirm that you can indeed use it primarily without a screen, nor without an HDMI dummy adapter plugged into it. Although there are a couple of caveats when using it this way.
When setting it up for the first time, be sure to connect a wired keyboard to it, as without a screen, you won't be able to pair a Bluetooth keyboard to it from the start. Unless you have an Apple keyboard, then it might be detected automatically. Not quite certain as I do not own one
Secondly, apps that might require you to sign in by scanning a barcode, looking at you WhatsApp, then you will need a screen so you can scan the barcode. I just bought a small seven inch screen on Amazon for when these types of situation come up.
Either then that, I mainly use it without one and haven't come across any major issue, besides those I mentioned above.
You can use the Mac Mini without a screen. Just no that it has no battery, so if you take it anywhere, you have to plug in the machine. Don't forget the keyboard!
Most of these stupid mouse issues have been solved, so you shouldn't have problems with Sequoia or Tahoe on an M4. If you boot into macOS Recovery without a mouse connected, it pops up a screen that seems to have an image of a mouse and a link to an Apple support website. Fortunately, this screen goes away on its own after about a minute and you can use the recovery tools normally. I've reported this to Apple and would encourage anyone else to do so. There should be a continue button on this screen to let you skip it.
As for power, I don't think the Mini supports USB Power Delivery, so you'll need a portable battery that can output enough juice for a standard power plug. I unfortunately don't know what to recommend.
I'm guessing bootcamp is no longer an option for mac mini? So how do you handle windows audio games? suppose I wanted to play Jim Kitchen's games, for example. Does wine work? Or is it best to somehow virtualize an older windows version?
Get a copy of Windows 11 ARM and run it in UTM or VMware Fusion. BootCamp isn't available, and I doubt official support is coming. Microsoft wants everyone to buy Copilot PCs, and Apple wants you to use macOS. I suspect the main issue is getting drivers working in Windows to interface with Apple's proprietary hardware. You should change the topic title since we've moved beyond the initial subject.
Comments
Yep.ðŸ¤
Hi there. I use a 2024 Mac mini every day With VoiceOver and I've never had it hooked up to a screen, however, You may need one when you set it up initially… I can't remember… My apologies. As far as Using it like a laptop, I'm sure some company out there has come out with a battery pack… I'd check Amazon or give it a Google. HTH God bless!🤗
It can be done!
I purchased a M4 Mac Mini last December and can confirm that you can indeed use it primarily without a screen, nor without an HDMI dummy adapter plugged into it. Although there are a couple of caveats when using it this way.
When setting it up for the first time, be sure to connect a wired keyboard to it, as without a screen, you won't be able to pair a Bluetooth keyboard to it from the start. Unless you have an Apple keyboard, then it might be detected automatically. Not quite certain as I do not own one
Secondly, apps that might require you to sign in by scanning a barcode, looking at you WhatsApp, then you will need a screen so you can scan the barcode. I just bought a small seven inch screen on Amazon for when these types of situation come up.
Either then that, I mainly use it without one and haven't come across any major issue, besides those I mentioned above.
Re: Monitor.
Which monitor did you get? That might be handy.
Absolutely
You can use the Mac Mini without a screen. Just no that it has no battery, so if you take it anywhere, you have to plug in the machine. Don't forget the keyboard!
Mac Mini
Most of these stupid mouse issues have been solved, so you shouldn't have problems with Sequoia or Tahoe on an M4. If you boot into macOS Recovery without a mouse connected, it pops up a screen that seems to have an image of a mouse and a link to an Apple support website. Fortunately, this screen goes away on its own after about a minute and you can use the recovery tools normally. I've reported this to Apple and would encourage anyone else to do so. There should be a continue button on this screen to let you skip it.
As for power, I don't think the Mini supports USB Power Delivery, so you'll need a portable battery that can output enough juice for a standard power plug. I unfortunately don't know what to recommend.
bootcamp on modern mac mini
I'm guessing bootcamp is no longer an option for mac mini? So how do you handle windows audio games? suppose I wanted to play Jim Kitchen's games, for example. Does wine work? Or is it best to somehow virtualize an older windows version?
Virtualization
Get a copy of Windows 11 ARM and run it in UTM or VMware Fusion. BootCamp isn't available, and I doubt official support is coming. Microsoft wants everyone to buy Copilot PCs, and Apple wants you to use macOS. I suspect the main issue is getting drivers working in Windows to interface with Apple's proprietary hardware. You should change the topic title since we've moved beyond the initial subject.
Re: Mac Mini battery.
Apparently, at least one person has gotten it working.
https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/11/27/smallest-mac-yet-is-perfect-apple-vision-pro-companion-with-the-right-battery-pack