If you work with visual media in some way — like as a graphic designer or video editor — you know how important color accuracy on external monitors can be. Today’s M4 Pro Mac mini user relies on a pair of BenQ monitors specifically calibrated to match Mac colors. They’re actually made for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, to reproduce the rich colors on the laptops’ Liquid Retina (Air) and Liquid Retina XDR (Pro) displays.
And that’s not all. The sleek and deceptively simple setup actually packs in a surprising amount of cool gear. See below.
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Dual BenQ monitors make the most of Mac color matching in M4 Pro Mac mini setup
Sporting clear 4K resolution (3840 x 2160p), this monitor for MacBook Pro/Air features Mac color matching, USB hub, 90W power delivery, brightness and volume control on Mac, and a height and tilt-adjustable stand.
- Calibrated to match Mac colors
- USB-hub connectivity
- 90 watts of power delivery to MacBooks
- Not cheap
Redditor MrHtech18 showcased the clean and accomplished M4 Pro Mac mini workstation in a post entitled, “My New M4 Pro Mac Mini Setup.” The mini drives two beautiful 32-inch BenQ 4K resolution monitors specifically calibrated for Mac color matching. That’s ideal for people who need accurate colors for their work, like graphic designers. But while the displays are striking, they’re not the only fascinating gear here. See below for more, like the hugely functional Mac mini dock, the nifty smart pixel clock and interesting Edifier speakers. And don’t miss the full links list with all the gear at the bottom of the post.
BenQ monitors: Features
- Calibrated for MacBook with BenQ’s exclusive color tuning, offering a vibrant P3 wide color gamut for MacBook Pro and MacBook Air.
- Connect and expand your MacBook display with a single USB-C cable.
- Adjust brightness and volume directly from your MacBook keyboard.
- 2 HDMI and 2 USB-C ports. Dual USB-C ports deliver 90W for MacBook and 15W charging for iPad or iPhone.
- Adjust height, tilt, swivel and pivot BenQ monitors for comfort.
Giissmo Mac Mini M4 Dock
This Mac mini stand and HDMI hub works with 2024 M4 and M4 Pro Mac minis. It features an M.2 NVMe/SATA SSD enclosure and USB-C hub with 4K60Hz HDMI,10Gbps USB-A/C, 5Gbps USB-A (2), USB-C charging, SD/TF and audio output.
- HDMI/USB hub expands connectivity
- Up to 8TB of SSD storage
- Fast data transfer speeds
- Some hubs offer faster data transfer speeds
This 10-in-1 Mac mini dock for M4 and M4 Pro models comes equipped with stand and USB-C/USB-A hub together with an M.2 SSD enclosure for NVMe/SATA M.2 SSD storage. It , 4K60Hz HDMI,10G USB A/C, 5G USB A*2, USB-C Charge, SD/TF and Audio. The company said it effectively avoids Wi-Fi signal interference.
Features:
- Designed to complement M4/M4 Pro Mac mini, this USB-C hub sports a sleek brushed finish and silver aluminum alloy construction.
- Comes with SSD enclosure that supports M.2 NVME SSDs of up to 8TB of storage. Compatible with most SSD sizes (2230/2242/2260/2280).
- HDMI port supports up to 4K@60Hz output. Mirror or extend your screen. For multi-screen setup, use it with the Thunderbolt or HDMI port of Mac mini M4/M4 Pro.
- 10Gbps USB-A and 10Gbps USB-C data transfer speeds. Stand also offers two 5Gbps USB-A ports to connect wireless keyboard and mouse.
- Built-in SD card slot supports reader speeds of up to 104MB/s.
Ulanzi TC001 Smart Pixel Clock
This pixel clock can complement gaming, work as a social media counter, function as a digital alarm clock with weather or simply display pixel art. Works as Awtrix simulator. Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Awtrix simulator for digital clock control
- Customize pixel art display
- Sub counter for social media
- Need downloads to expand functionality
People seems to love pixel clocks when they see them in setups. Lots of folks use them as sub counters, to keep track of their following on social media sites. Ulanzi said it’s suitable for YouTube, Bilibili and Weibo (not clear which other sites it may work with). But you can also customize the pixel display however you like, even creating images on it.
If you want to go nuts with more functions, you can download multiple programs to add more functions. The RGB self-programmable LED screen can function as an alarm clock, score keeper, stopwatch, planner/calendar or simply display pixel art.
Edifier QR65 Desktop Active Monitor speakers
These desktop computer speakers feature a 65W GaN fast-charger function, 70W RMS of audio power, Bluetooth 5.3 or wired connectivity, certified hi-res 24bit wireless audio, subwoofer out and light effects (in white or black colors).
- Power 70 watts RMS
- Certified hi-res audio
- Light effects
- You can find more powerful speakers for not much more money
I’m a sucker for Edifier audio gear because it usually sounds great but doesn’t come close to breaking the bank. This setup features a pair of QR65 speakers angled upward on stand — an ideal desktop audio solution that far outstrips what the speaker in the Mac mini can do. And it appears to BenQ monitors lack built-in speakers altogether. MrH’s QR65 boxes look like they might blow away my Edifier QR3 speakers, with almost twice the power, so I’m a little jealous.
- 70W (RMS) total output power with Class-D Tl amplifier chips, featuring 1.25-inch (32mm) silk dome tweeters with neodymium magnets and 2.75-inch (70mm) long-throw aluminum diaphragm mid-low drivers.
- With LDAC, the leading-edge high-resolution audio codec, QR65 supports wireless Hi-Res audio transmission at a maximum bitrate of 990Kbps through Bluetooth V5.3.
- Each USB Type-C port provides a maximum power capacity of 65W for charging. Powered by TurboGaN charging technology and supporting mainstream fast charging protocols, it can charge 1000+ compatible devices.
- Light effects powered by TempoAbyss technology bring to mind layers of light ribbons falling from a mirror, according to Edifier. Use the Edifier Connex app to customize more than 16 million light effects.
- Bundled aluminum speaker stands diminish sound coloration effects that can come from sound reflection against the desktop surface.
- The 10-degree angle of the stand is designed to direct the sound precisely at ear level when the speaker is mounted on the desktop.
- Edifier ConneX App adds playback control, sound effects switch and customization, light effects switch and customization, and more.
And if you like the gradient desktop wallpaper showing on the displays, you can get it from Basic Apple Guy.
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The new Mac mini is smaller, lighter and 50× more adorable. It's super-powerful and by far the best deal in computing right now.
- Powerful M4 Pro chip
- 512GB storage
- 24GB unified memory
- Compact desktop design
- Headphone jack on front
- BYODKM (bring your own display, keyboard and mouse)
Computer and hub/stand:
BenQ monitors and light bar:
Input devices:
Audio:
Accessories:
If you would like to see your setup featured on Cult of Mac, send some high-res pictures to [email protected] (iPhone pics usually work fine). Please provide a detailed list of your equipment. Tell us what you like or dislike about your setup, and fill us in on any special touches, challenges and plans for new additions.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
