The Ultimate Mac Mini and iPad Pro Setup - Extremely Portable!

[@BrownGuyMadeIT]

The fact you found an empty road to set this all up on flabbergasts me

[@TausifHussain]

LOL bro i had a couple close calls and had to shit everything asap. Gotta risk it for the tube 😂🫡

[@bassyey]

Lol must have been an awkward shoot.

[@Len_M.]

@@TausifHussain Is this better than the charging stand? I’m thinking about getting a stand and M2 Pro Mac mini to use with my UAD Apollo Twin X. I have a 13 inch MBP that I will be using with an external display as well as my PC & Laptop. I have 1 Curved 34 inch and 2 Straight 27 inch displays. It will be handy to have my M2 iPad Pro for a display too.

[@AI_Talks_About_The_Bible]

Lol I thought about that the entire video

[@mr.m3747]

take a macbook

[@nissan_skyline]

It would be helpful to know more about the power bank and how long you were able to keep the Mac Mini running for before reaching 0%. I think that's what most people who want a portable Mac mini setup as a replacement for their laptop are interested in since making the Mac Mini portable to begin with is pretty straight forward (power bank, portable monitor, bluetooth mouse & keyboard). Also, for internet access, you can just use your phone as a mobile hotspot if your plan allows it, or locate one of Xfinity's free WiFi networks using their app. They're all over the place within major cities, so you don't have to go to a coffee shop or try to find an establishment that offers free wifi. Just make sure to use a VPN at the same time, as you should while accessing any public wifi network.

[@tienphotographer]

i agree. how long does it run on the portable battery??

[@purposebee]

Using a free open wifi .... puts you and your security on vulnerability so dont do that thats how most of the payment or cards are being stolen the network should always be secured period. In this case scenario not even the mac firewall can protect... peace 😊

[@pdppdp3854]

question: how many hours and minutes did the Anker powerhouse 90 last??

[@daryldixon6664]

Why not a portable monitor 15.6 inch etc , will there be any problems with that ? I'm thinking to plan this way , because I'm in india , luna display isn't available in india! Please let me know what will you recommend , ( i have a mac mini m2) And the power bank it's freaking 500 dollars in our country ( 2.5x expensive than original price)

[@kalyankadali4622]

Same situation! Please recommend an alternative to luna display, it's not available in India

[@49_kalyan57]

Please let us know!

[@kalyankadali8871]

Waiting for your response

[@TausifHussain]

You can definitely use an external monitor through thunderbolt or hdmi. However keep in mind, you’d prob have to plug that monitor in as well (some of them tend to have terrible batter lol). Also the iPad Pro 12.9 Liquid Retina screen is goated. So you prob won’t get that image. But is it doable? Yes definitely! You also won’t get touch screen input. You also won’t be able to use on the go like I did with the iPad/ Magic Keyboard combo, which is part of the appeal for me. Also wow. No Luna display availability and 500 for the power bank.. sheeeesh. Yeah I’d prob just buy a an external monitor like you said if I wanted to use it on the go like this. This is the ideal standard in my mind, but of course budget plays a huge role in our decisions!

[@daryldixon6664]

@@TausifHussain Wow, I didn't expect your reply so quickly, sir! In the meantime, I was busy liking and replying to my own comment with three other accounts to get your attention! Hey there, I'm Kalyan! As you know, I'm working on a portable Mac Mini M2 setup too. The problem is, many international gadgets aren't available in India, so I've been researching a ton. Thankfully, I found a 15.6-inch portable 100% sRGB monitor with 2K+ ratings that's also sold in India, and ordered them, they're on the way! Now that I've hopefully found a solution, I'm eager to create an Indian version of the Mac Mini portable setup video (except for the power bank) using gadgets available in India. I haven't come across an Indian version yet, even after all my research. So, when I release the Indian version of the Mac Mini portable setup video, could I ask for your help in spreading the word about my video? I'd really appreciate it. Thanks a lot!

[@katelynnmatta2378]

I'm definitely one of those niche use cases: looking to be an international student with hopes of changing countries permanently. I've got an iPad mini and a MacBook Air, but my Mac mini+dock are my main storage locations, and when I move obviously it's not feasible to take my two giant monitors with me as well. This is a great solution I was looking for!

[@TausifHussain]

I’m so glad I could help! Good luck on your move!

[@Annette_Hons]

with the new Mac mini that is coming out which is literally half the size of the current Mac mini, it makes it even that more portable, and frankly a game changer! I can use the Mac mini hooked to a monitor at my desk, but in the evening I can sit in my chair and hook the Mac mini to my iPad Pro screen and use it while I"m watching TV!

[@Z__K217]

Greetings. How long would the anchor power plock power the mac mini for word processing? Thank you !

[@JasonJurotich]

yep, want to know the same thing....

[@landsman737]

most expensive display ever

[@WesonTroll]

With it depending on who you are

[@sparrowsings4260]

This set up is the BOMB! I will living out of country for six months and have been struggling with wanting to take my Mac Mini and how to transport my 27” LG. You saved me the work. All I need is the Luna Display and possibly the stand. I plan to also take my IK speakers. Why sacrifice sound. I live out of a 15” tear drop camper with space limitations between eBike, Oru Kayak, dog pen (3 dogs) etc. etc. etc. Cannot tell you how valuable this information is. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!

[@cosmicspectrum4507]

Can I ask you something, are you a millennial?

[@raindogred]

@@cosmicspectrum4507 I turn 60 next year,l ooking at the grey nomad/van/rv lifestyle...everything he says makes perfect sense to me..Why would he be a millenniel...I think hes old :)

[@cosmicspectrum4507]

@@raindogred lol, I’m thinking he’s a millenial because he used the term “The bomb”. That is a slang term that was extremely popular for those of us who grew up in the 90s.

[@sharingmatters]

I love the scenery of Mac Mini in the middle of the road. You nailed it! I work from an office twice a week - I have the monitor and all that stuff so will use Mac Mini as a portable device. Amazine!

[@DeviceElectronic]

Why don't you just use the Sidecar?

[@Luisdbarber]

What’s that ?

[@donaldlongjr]

This is dope! Hopefully Apple can natively integrate these features between iPadOS/macOS now that iPads have M chips. Won't hold my breath tho 😪

[@butterflylr]

If I connect it to my iPad Pro will the Apple Pencil work on it as well or just basic touchscreen? I’m just thinking the possibilities with photoshop.

[@MariaFranciscaFigueira]

Hi! thanks for the video. I was thinking of combining mac mini m1 and the new ipad pro and this video helped. Just one question: can you also use the ipad pro's amgic keyboard while using the ipad pro as a mac mini display monitor, instead of another keyboard like in the video? thanks in advance

[@rohit77777777]

Massive Respect for the time and effort u put into this project! Back when i couldnt afford a Macbook i went all out and built a hackintosh mini ITX SFF system that gave me the best of both worlds Mac and windows. Used XDisplay which was usable kinda lol on my 5th gen ipad. I'm a traveling live audio engineer so this was by system tuning/ recording rig. I have however since then moved to the dark side and recently bought a M2 Macbook air 😆 Still hoping windows will catch up some day with software stability coz at heart I love windows. Point is I know the struggle. Love ur passion....Keep em coming!!

[@Emeraldcrownn]

Thank you for this. I rather use my mac mini for travel.

[@rafaeldomenikos5978]

I wouldn’t do this, but I could see a situation where it might be useful. If you are on a strict budget and require both a Mac and an iPad, and you need a powerful system, I could see a situation where you could get an M2 pro Mac mini and a 12.9 M1 iPad Pro for less than a price of m2 pro 14” MacBook Pro. So you’d still have you power and your iPad, but I would only consider this if I was using the system out of home very very occasionally. If like me you work on the go constantly this would not be a good fit. If you can’t afford a MacBook Pro, just take an m1 air (or if you can stretch an M1 Pro 14” refurbished) and a 2018 12.9 refurbished. Will work a lot better overall with a similar price.

[@ShervinShares]

I want a desk in the middle of the road - this is sick

[@TausifHussain]

Hahaha try procrastinating knowing you gotta pack up any second.

[@RSV9]

The most difficult thing to transport is... the table and a chair 😂😂

[@TausifHussain]

LOL 😆

[@mikemcdonald5147]

I tried this and none of it worked. Then I subscribed and it all worked. So you better subscribe. ;)

[@TausifHussain]

LOL love it! Thanks for watching and welcome!

[@IAmNumber4000]

The demented IT Bro setup 😂 I might actually need to do this though since my MBP died, I have an iPad Pro, and all I can afford RN is the Mac mini

[@gabyfrank0307]

What is the cable you use to connect the mac mini to the ipad?

[@ianden6780]

Dear TOO SMART TECH KZbinR, In case you don't know, laptops are like portable computers.

[@Jianfa88Tsai]

Pay $400 more for MacBook Air with much less weight and size?

[@laubowiebass]

The specs I needed were a $1,200 difference. Hence the Mac mini choice, why I use it with a portable screen.

[@jjay.kempis]

As a college student running on a budget, this "detachable head" setup (as described by my friends) give the best that a mac offers with the additional benefits of an iPad. I have been using this setup with my Mac Mini M1 and iPad Pro A12Z for over 2 years now and it's been reliable with a few caveats. *3 caveats:* - requires a power source (either external powerbank supply, or a socket from the library/cafe) - App Dependent, I had this occurrence when an update happened midway through my work. It disabled the app from pairing between the two devices because the app on the mac mini required a re-login and additional setup post-update. It would be nice if apple's sidecar feature integrated the same features that Luna/Duet provides - needs peripherals (keyboard & mouse, as compared to just owning a laptop) But overall, with how I use my device, I don't see any problems plus it saved me a lot of money going for this setup instead.

[@storyboardman9459]

It’s reassuring to hear from someone who has been using it for a while , I’m wondering if Apple Pencil would work as usual to draw on screen , and softwares which work on iMac would also work well on the Mac mini setup .. that’s the route I’m looking at … been looking for a a while actually 😂😂,, right now I use the Astropad app on my android laptop for a software called storyboard pro(toonboom) to match screen on my iPad … works well enough ,, but something tells me there’s a bigger option here with Mac mini

[@sorakeyblademaster16]

I would like to see you put the Mac mini and everything in a backpack and walk around using the iPads touch screen

[@TausifHussain]

Dude that’s genius lmao. Might have to do this for the Instagram and tik tok haha. Make sure you’re following

[@sorakeyblademaster16]

@@TausifHussain Will this setup work with the iPad Pro 2020 and the Mac mini Pro M2 ?

[@panampace]

@@TausifHussain Good way to snag a subscriber, lol. I'm interested too, this is would be my dream setup. I'm curious how heating and connectivity with Luna would play out.

[@melphillips1608]

@@sorakeyblademaster16I’m not an expert, but I don’t see why not, if the iPad is used as just a monitor, and it’s the Mac mini doing the powering/computing. For example, when people use a monitor or tv as external monitor, those don’t even have any OS running on them and htey work just fine. :) This is what I plan to do since I don’t want ot get rid of my 4th gen iPad Pro just yet. Mac mini would help convert to desktop experience whilst still prolonging life of my iPad . :)

[@MapleJokerRofl]

or just let me take out my laptop....

[@projectE4]

Cool, you can afford a laptop. Good for you. Not everyone can. The M2 mini is a great solution for those of us that can’t.

[@79f250ranger]

@@projectE4you can get an older MacBook for about 150 and an old Mac mini for about 375 same year what do you mean

[@caftood]

@@projectE4Cool, how about get a fuckin job bozo 😂

[@DomainObject]

Nahh… boring.

[@jerrykovis5417]

You got him so good with this comment. I wish I could be your friend.

[@Techninjaspeaks]

First ❤

[@TausifHussain]

Lol damnnnn Kevin. I’m moved 😅

[@nerdgrafx]

You always go above and beyond for the skits and thumbnails and I'm here for it! I think this could be useful to artists that are used to having a Wacom with a screen and maybe want to switch to the iPad for the portability, it's definitely a cool concept

[@TausifHussain]

Thank you! Appreciate you watching!

[@storyboardman9459]

Just wondering if the Apple Pencil can be used as usual for drawing on the screen … also if software like toonbooms storyboard pro (which works on an iMac , so I’m assuming it will work with this setup too 😅

[@the0000alex0000]

ffs just bring a macbook...

[@impulsesystems]

Great video. I am a fan of the Mini and of Luna Display. Luna seems better behaved and more versatile than SideCar, allows touch on the iPad, use of older Macs and even PC screens! Don’t you also need to set up auto-login on the Mac Mini? This does not work if you have FileVault turned on; in other words if you have file encryption on your drive.

[@TausifHussain]

Thank you so much! Yes you’re right. You need to turn on auto login and turn off file vault! Had to do those steps to get this to work. But yeah overall a pretty neat solution!

[@pointblankeloquence9578]

I need an iPad stand that works with a big chunky case. Nobody in their right mind uses their mobile devices without a case on them. I had a second gen iPad Pro that lasted 5 years, and as soon as the case was off, the screen got cracked. It's just stupid to not have a case on it. So stand makers be aware! Make stands that handle cases!

[@1lovisions355]

Idk about what case you may have but my iPad cases are all magnetic and still stylish and not too bulky. Likes it’s thick but not otterbox thick. Just a thought

[@rick-d5c]

great video and love your sense of humor; but thanx to you I can go ahead and get the ipad to pair with my mac mini and best of all I know what battery pack will work with the mini power-bank for x-gen people....

[@RSV9]

I was precisely thinking of leaving my Mac mini on in my work room and using my iPad 12" in the living room while I watch TV, but I didn't know if it would work with the distance. But I just saw that Luna is expensive. Great video 😅

[@TausifHussain]

Haha yeah that should be possible and how well it works is up to the wifi connection! Thank you for watching!! 🫡

[@uncleanAlibertine1]

Wow ankerpowerhouse how much does it lasts?

[@TausifHussain]

It can go for many hours. The Mac mini doesn’t use too much power!

[@uncleanAlibertine1]

Well :) this very broad answer… I mean 3 hours or 9 or between? Mac mini m2 pro is little more hungry but not much

[@JasonJurotich]

@@TausifHussain would be nice to have a ballpark figure. The new mac mini m4 might be half the size of the present mac mini, so it becomes more interesting....

[@SkeeterMelody]

Question, if you hook the iPad 12.9 directly to the Mac mini and the Mac mini is in the house plugged in to the wall will it charge through the USB-C to the iPad Pro so iPad is being charged while you're using it? Thank you I really enjoy your videos👍

[@shalfeiisolid]

if you use ipad for mac mini as a monitor, would you be able to use the apple pencil or no?

[@noahfigueras]

why not a macbook?

[@jobiej7416]

Can the power bank power the Mac min while it’s charging? How long does it last in battery mode?

[@CescoCDN]

Can we forego the Luna and use a HDMI to USB-C connection to the he iPad? Seems it'd be cheaper.

[@theflippestside]

Does the stand work with other tablets? I assume so because the back isn't large enough to cover the camera bump. Wanting to get it to use with my Samsung S9 Ultra, or Xioami Pad 6. thanks

[@yousefkassir9587]

The sad part is that the internals of the m1 ipad pro and the m1 mac mini are the same. The only thing holding it is the software. If only apple let macos boot on ipad pros natively, there will be no need to carry the mac mini around and huge power brick. I think that apple needs to rethink iPadOS. Instead of starting with iOS to iPadOS (which gets you an enlarged iOS) they should start from MacOS to iPadOS (which will get you a touch friendly MacOS)

[@relative_vie]

I’m trying to control my macbook pro on ipad. Sidecar and Universal control doesn’t do the jon or I’m just dumb. With the Lunar Display be my solution? Also I should note I am using magic keyboard as well.

[@tomasmunilla]

great video, very excited about the idea of this setup. question though as you said the battery could run the Mac mini for hours. do you have any insight into exact time? obvi it would depend on how hard you're pushing the mini w/whatever work you're on, but I haven't been able to find any estimates either on the anker site or otherwise. thanks!

[@retropcretropcuser7964]

It would be nice if Apple created a computer like the Mac Mini, but with a screen attached directly, and also integrated batteries. and also a keyboard with some kind of trackpad integrated. Well, let me dream, it would be like a mac, but the size of a book

[@obenjerry674]

Bro! This video is Bunkers. I do not understand a single thing from what you said but hell Yeah! I am still watching it. Why? cuz the video is so good, so entertain, and attention-trapping. Bro, you nailed it. this seems like a very borrowing topic but you made it so interesting.

[@kisho2679]

How can installed softwares in MacMini interact with iPad's apps, e.g. sharing audio and documents?

[@ElectricVRoom]

buy laptop lol

[@Chris_Hruska]

orrrr just use the iPad by itself it has the same M1 or M2 and can do everything!! ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ well mostly, but soon it'll do every single thing. Spoiler!!

[@KingstonHawke]

Using an iPad for this seems like a waste. Even the cheapest iPads with USB-C cost triple what a standalone USB-C monitor does. You lose touch capability, and screen resolution, but that’s it. And you’re better off spending that extra $200 or so upgrading the ram. What I would really love to see is someone make a battery product specifically for the Mac Mini. Would be even cooler if it not only charged from outlets but you could plug in solar and power it that way. If they did that I’d give away my iPad and laptop and just take the Mac Mini everywhere with me.

[@kevinpinck8499]

So it looks like if I wanted an even more minimalist setup, I could just use the iPad Magic Keyboard with a Mac Studio and the Luna dongle. Thanks for the great video.

[@karlitobanks]

Why bother with all this hardware when a MacBook Air would be much more suitable and cheaper? It's pointless.

[@pointblankeloquence9578]

Logitech drivers on Mac are a joke. Never works. No help. Don't ever buy Logitech for mac.

[@vicluistudio3320]

For a cable method : So no need HDMI cable, just a normal cable with USB C on both side, to connect the mac studio/ mac mini with ipad air/ ipad pro?

[@SPITFIREshAkez]

The Bad news: the luna app is not working on my old ipad. the first on with the retina display :-( no resuscitation possible

[@atomicfx6885]

but why tho if you want a portable mac just get a macbook will last longer on a charge and has a monitor built in and luna display is just a huge ripoff i can buy a 1920x1080 touchscreen portable monitor with a battery built in that will work perfectly without accessory's and full support for under the cost of luna displays dongle ($100) that can get messed up just moving in your bag then you can use it without wifi at all cause it uses a hdmi to connect to and a laptop would be less to take around then this setup cause its all built into one and cost would even be cheaper to run a laptop then buy everything to make a decent portable m1 that can last as long as a just base like macbook specially cause if you have a mini like me thats on ventura it limits what you can use atm in the first place

[@mgj1582]

No me gusta. No quiero programas ajenos. Estos dispositivos son demasiado caros como para que no puedan conectarse directamente sin hacer nada mas.

[@ChilenonetoYoutube]

Teke your mac mini an mimimize it with Snazzy labs tutorial, or 3d print a case for everything in one, and create the ultimate portable iMac

[@OnesFan1]

I’m comparing Mac mini with mac book because the old one is dead… and I only use iPad, but I’ll have to but the Luna display and set all this with another monitor that I don’t know how I’m gonna do

[@FarruxbekXasanov-v3q]

it’s all together called macbook 😅

[@rohankhokar9787]

Mac mini is ideally meant for desks. Do yourself a favor and get a laptop for portability rather than getting into this hassle.

[@otdosa]

can you have 2 ipads as monitors? that would be awesome.

[@toxo_wb]

i wish. i just wish i watched this video before buying a m2 mbpro.

[@AweeterM]

I purchased a brand new AirPods pro max benks stand and they sent me an open box. It’s disgusting

[@Konokdrums]

at this point just get a laptop dude

[@tanishqmurarkar2621]

😂

[@blacksheep7576]

If they don’t add xcode to the M4 pro, I might just get a base model mini to run xcode on

[@nerkymusselman8843]

i use the chrome remote desktop ipad app to remote into my 2009 imac with my ipad. how can i do the same to remote into a 2012 mac mini?

[@andreaslassak2111]

Why just plug the Ipad via usbc cable to mac mini and use it as external display ?

[@_aisolo]

This is actually super cool! i have a mac mini m2 as well and the ipad pro m2.. alwasy wanted a portable way to take my mac mini this is pretty dope

[@TausifHussain]

Glad I could show an extra use case / utility!

[@snowydafurry4619]

could I use my macbook as a display to set everything up?

[@OliviaandAngel]

Can we just connect the iPad to the mini without the Luna display ???

[@zweiwing4435]

Can you do Tablet and with Windows? and Linux laptops?

[@GABRIELfloreslopez-pu1ww]

Stupid and interesting question why is not posible to do it without the dungle and do it native with the wire

[@NoAlliance]

If the iPad has data service does it work? Like can the mini connect to the internet from the pad?

[@itzpromise2679]

Lots of information but I think I missed something. Do you still need Luna Display if directly plugging in the iPad to the Mac Mini?

[@TausifHussain]

Thank you for watching!! Yeah unfortunately you still need to plug the Luna in because it is what runs the software.

[@jwmappleby]

for approximatly the same price you can get a macbook pro!

[@hoodskulls6736]

Great video, thanks! Wouldn't a dummy HDMI plug and Sidecar function the same as the Luna dongle?

[@Rockthedice]

Pretty cool set up. Not sure if I wound do this over a Macbook. However it’s cool

[@TausifHussain]

Haha yeah makes sense. It’s cool if you already have a Mac Mini or studio and an iPad lol

[@HeresMo]

This is exactly what I wanted to do, knew YT would deliver. Great looking production too bro. Nice.

[@Nighthawk715]

i rather use a good ipad with keyboiard than have more bulk to carry around

[@RSV9]

Why not just buy a Laptop 🤷‍♂️

[@TausifHussain]

Yes that‘a ideal. This video is not a supplement to a laptop. Rather it’s a showcase of what’s possible if you don’t have one and only have an iPad or Mac :)

[@TheIpadiphone]

you can now connect an HDMI from Mac mini directly to an iPad

[@ChronicallyJessie]

I have a lot of hand pain and need more touchscreen options than my ipad pro, some work requires chrome browser on desktop & this is such an awesome solution

[@MakarPirog]

iPad pro +luna Display + Mac studio m1 Ultra?

[@DennyKurniawan-w1h]

The question is, why iPad just not release with Mac os ??

[@demonhogo]

does that stand work with the first gen 12.9 ipad pro?

[@ExplorerOfTheGalaxy]

Macbook + iPad w/ sidecar is a better option (TO ME)

[@zakariaidrissi7035]

thats why they created something called macbook !

[@shadymarkets1749]

what a useless seup buy a MacBook instead !!

[@laurentroose2429]

As somebody who isn’t sponsered I use the Magfit stand with ports. My iPad airM1 looks like a mini iMac 😉

[@sunitathomas2024]

Does this work with the Magic Keyboard case?

[@AungKyawTharGree]

Mac Mini $799.00 + iPad Pro $799 + Keyboard + Mouse + Power Bank + Bluetooth Headphone + Power Cable , so why not a MackBook Instead ?

[@TausifHussain]

I made it clear in the video, it’s not prescriptive but an descriptive way of using what you already have. There’s people who own a Mac and an ipad and this just opened another way for them to use them rather than spending more money on a laptop. It’s all about perspective.

[@gamer30000]

dude amazing video! really interested in this set up and love how it's extremely portable! bless up! might opt same and get the ipad mini just to reduce in size but be extremely portable!

[@ChilenonetoYoutube]

at last!!!! A youtuber creating for non-youtubers Ipad usage... Genious idea

[@zackaryhaddon5445]

Great video! It's absolutely nuts that one needs extra hardware and a 3rd party app to essentially RDP into a Mac/MacMini from your iPad... I can RDP into my WINDOWS machine from my iPad no problem, but can't from my MacMini...!? 👎

[@TausifHussain]

Thank you!! I think you can RDP into iPads easier. This particular solution is if you wanted to use it as your main and primary monitor basically

[@bruintoo]

I don't get it. Just hack the Apple silicon based iPad Pro to run Mac OS and you're good to go without the mini.

[@amandeep9930]

How can we do it?

[@jacquelynnacopoulos1278]

Hello, Congratulations Cool. 👍👏👏👏👏👏

[@Seravat7]

Do you need the mouse, or does the touchscreen work?

[@alexmanea211]

Why not to buy just a MacBook, cheaper and portable with battery, This is set is to complex to be portable...

[@TausifHussain]

I made it clear in the video, it’s not prescriptive but an descriptive way of using what you already have. There’s people who own a Mac and an ipad and this just opened another way for them to use them rather than spending more money on a laptop. It’s all about perspective.

[@ShaneFerguson-c7u]

Hiya, great video. what resolution does the iPad Pro run at when using it has the only/primary screen for a Mac Mini? Many thanks :)

[@fazr_tv]

i also have same question