I love the “before” and “after” setups posts with photos on social media. Today’s is on the basic side, but it’s always fun to see clear visuals of what people do. In this one, an iMac toiling away for eight years gets judged into well-deserved retirement by Apple’s hot little M4 desktop machine on a Satechi Mac mini hub that greatly expands connectivity and storage. With the iMac’s lovely screen gone, the new rig is a Dell-4K-display-Mac-mini combo.
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Setup’s powerful new Mac on a Satechi Mac mini hub gives long-serving 2017 iMac a break
This mini desktop computer's M4 chip packs a 10-core CPU and 10-core GPU for plenty of processing power. Multiple ports for connectivity include Gigabit Ethernet. Works with iPhone/iPad.
- Powerful M4 chip
- Starts at 16GB unified memory
- Several SSD storage size options
- Headphone jack on front
- BYODKM (bring your own display, keyboard and mouse)
In a post titled “Went from a 2017 iMac to an M4 Mini, and decided to go for a cleaner-looking setup. After & before shots,” Redditor nekomichi showcased “before” and “after” shots. Before is above. After is below. A commenter weighed in on the impact the before shot had on them.
“Wow, it’s crazy how dated the iMacs look like now,” they said. “I mean it’s almost 10 years since 2017, but I remember being out of high school and thinking there was nothing better than an iMac design. Now it’s so bulky and dated. Crazy how time flies and everything keeps moving.”
Neko didn’t respond to the comment, but odds are performance had more to do with his switch from iMac to M4 Mac mini than appearances did. His mini sits on a Satechi connectivity- and storage-expanding hub and stand as it drives a 27-inch Dell S2725QC 4K monitor. The second display, on the left, is a 24-inch HP 24ea 1080p resolution monitor (discontinued). And the input devices are pretty standard: Magic Keyboard (looks like what came with the iMac years back) and the mouse I see in setups more than any other, Logitech MX Master 3S.
The ‘after’ photo:
Photo: [email protected]
Satechi Mac mini M4 Hub and Stand
With Satechi’s popular hub and stand, you can expand your Mac Mini M4 capabilities not just with extra ports, but by adding up to 4TB internal storage. The Satechi Mac Mini M4 Dock supports M.2 NVMe SSD in 2230/2242/2260/2280 sizes for blazing-fast data transfer with speeds up to 10Gbps.
And by the way, you can get $30 off the device right now on Amazon ($129.99 $99.99).
Other features:
- 5-in-1 expansion ports. Front-facing port accessibility features two high-speed USB A 3.2 data port (10Gbps), a USB-A 2.0 (480Mbps) and a SD card reader UHS-II (up to 312MB/s) for rapid media access.
- Optimized self-cooling. Heat-dissipating bottom vents help keep the hub cooler. A recessed area on top ensures proper heat dissipation without obstructing the fan on the bottom of the Mac Mini.
- Streamlined design. Matching M4 Mac mini, the USB-C hub is made with industry-grade aluminum, combining durability with a slim, micro design (L: 12.7cm/ 5in; W: 12.7cm/ 5in; H: 2.06cm/ 0.8in). Features a dedicated space to easily power on your device using the new integrated power button.
- Accessories included. Comes complete with a screw, screwdriver and thermal pad for easy and secure installation, plus a detailed user manual, dedicated customer support and a 2-year limited warranty.
Shop these items now:
The affordable Dell S2725QC is a 27-inch, 4K (3840 x 2160p) monitor with 120Hz refresh rate,16:9 aspect ratio, AMD FreeSync Premium, sRGB 99% color gamut, integrated speakers,1500:1 contrast ratio and ComfortView Plus.
- Clear 4K resolution
- Speedy 120Hz refresh rate
- 1500: 1 contrast ratio
- Higher-resolution displays (5K) are becoming widely available
Computer:
Designed for the 2024 Mac mini with M4 chip, the Satechi Stand & Hub expands the machine's functionality with front USB ports, an SD card slot and an SSD enclosure.
- M.2 NVMe SSD enclosure offers speeds up to 10Gbps
- Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports (up to 10Gbps) and one USB-A 2.0 (up to 480Mbps)
- Limited to 10Gbps speeds
- Does not lock Mac mini in position
Display and light bar:
Input devices:
Audio:
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.
