Mac mini (M4) instead of Apple TV

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Level 1

4 points

Mac mini (M4) instead of Apple TV

Hello,

I‘m an i(Pad)OS user considering the base Mac mini as my only device for occasional productivity and regular entertainment streaming. I currently use a beaten-down Windows 10 Laptop and an otherwise unused Xbox for these tasks.

It‘s been a decade since I last owned a macOS device, so I could use your help in assessing how well that OS performs when connected to a 1080p TV through HDMI. I realize that the Apple TV would provide a better user experience, but I‘m OK with some tradeoffs if it means reducing the number of devices.

1) OS Navigation: Is there a practical way to avoid having keyboard & mouse/trackpad connected to the Mac mini when used as a media center (mostly navigating between apps or websites)? Is there a good way to utilize the iPhone as a trackpad with built-in keyboard?

2) In-app Navigation: Is the Siri Remote supported in macOS and if so, how‘s the experience? Are there software solutions? The iTunes Remote App still exists, but hasn’t been updated in years. How does it cope with the Apple TV+ and/or Amazon Prime Video apps?

3) Image Quality: I read that modern macOS is optimized for Retina Displays and that the OS text/icons and/or video content will look blurry on 1080p TV.

I‘d love to know which parts work seamlessly, which parts are possibly (but clunky) and which parts are impossible.

Thanks!

Mac mini (M4)

Posted on Feb 9, 2025 03:01 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

MartinR

Level 7

23,535 points

Feb 9, 2025 03:33 PM in response to muddream

I have a Mac mini that I use as a media center in my home. It is presently connected to a 4K TV via HDMI. Previously it was connected to a 1080p TV. It has worked fine for us with both TVs and we stream from many sources including Disney+, Hulu, iTunes/Apple TV, PBS, Netflix, Prime, YouTube, Skype and others.

Image quality is, in my opinion, just about perfect including text. 5.1 audio is supported via HDMI but getting 5.1 from most streaming sources is an experience in frustration, so don't go into it with high expectations there.

You will need a keyboard & mouse/trackpad in order to use the mini. In my experience a trackpad works better than a mouse in this situation. (Both are bluetooth, so I can move them to my seating area. I put them on the coffee table or end table next to my seat.)

AFAIK neither the Siri Remote nor the iPhone Remote work with the mini.

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Answer 2

Feb 9, 2025 08:28 PM in response to muddream

There is the Satechi R2 Bluetooth Multimedia Remote Control .

I don't think it would replace the need for a Bluetooth keyboard and pointing device, but it looks like something you might want to consider if you were using a Mac mini as a media center.

Mac minis do not have infrared receivers, so "regular" remote controls that use IR light (instead of Bluetooth) would be out of the question.

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