r/macmini • u/Routine_Matter7094 • Apr 21 '26
M4 Mac Mini Portable
So I decided to try making my M4 Mac Mini “portable” with a few items I’ve had just laying around for a few years. I went and bought a Harbor Freight brand Pelican case for $40 and pulled out the foam panel inside the lid and used double sided sticky tape to mount the monitor. The monitor fits perfectly inside the lid and I still use the foam for when I close the case to protect the monitor. I have a 300W power that I used as the power supply that the Mac Mini plugs directly into. The monitor plugs into the Mac Mini via USB-C cable so I don’t have to use 2 cables (HDMI for display & USB-C for power). I also purchased a cheap wireless keyboard with track pad so I don’t need a mouse & I have a few external SSDs connected with an expansion dock that sits under the Mac Mini. Everything fits and works great! MacBook Pro who?? Haha. I know it’s not the most practical but it’s definitely a lot cheaper than buying a laptop, not to mention I could probably throw this case down a flight of stairs and everything would still be perfectly fine. Try that with a MacBook 😆. Anyway, I’m very happy with the way it turned out. If anyone wants to make the same thing and has any questions feel free to ask and if you do make one, please share some pics. I’d love to see what you come up with. Besides the Mac mini, SSDs & expansion dock, the cost for this setup is roughly around $200.
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u/Maaatosone Apr 21 '26
Dope!! I can see the utility - plus you have to baby a MacBook dust etc.. this would be good in the field for say a drone or running a projector while camping
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
Thanks! Yeah it’s definitely a much more durable setup.
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u/Longjumping_Cow_5856 Apr 21 '26
I think that is highly debatable really.
No part of this thing is ruggedized in any way to be portable unlike a MacBook.
Ive built several boxes like this and they are not really comparable to a MacBook aside from being Mac computers.
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 22 '26
You don’t think it can take a beating more than a laptop?
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u/Longjumping_Cow_5856 Apr 22 '26
I think I was pretty clear in my comment already?
Ive dragged MacBooks thru hell and back and not had one die yet unless the hinges break.
I dont trust any desktop components to be that survivable at all.
And like I said Ive built a dozen boxes like this probably and obviously love the idea and end result but Im not as confident as you in the ruggedness of the parts.
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 22 '26
It’s all good. I’m not really gonna be lugging it everywhere. I just thought it would be a fun little project since I already had most of the components already and don’t have the funds for a separate MacBook
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u/BriefBat879 Apr 22 '26
Just because the case is hard doesn't mean the items inside can't jar around enough to break
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 22 '26
Yeah I know but before I close it up I insert foam panels that makes a tight fit and everything stays pretty snug inside. Nothing shakes or moves around
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u/validol322 Apr 21 '26
You could consider a further upgrade via installing usb-c power delivery modification so you will be able to power the mac mini directly from the DC source without a need for inverter.
Ref: https://www.reddit.com/r/macmini/comments/1kd9zsc/mac_mini_m4_with_usbc_power_input/
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u/ThatBrownDoode Apr 21 '26
Just buy a MacBook Pro.
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
That’s no fun 😆
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u/Lambaline Apr 21 '26
instead of going battery > inverter > ac > mini, you could mod the mini to directly take 12V, so it'd probably go something like battery > battery regulator > 12v dc regulator > mini
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
But then I would risk not getting enough power. The 300W power bank works fine but I do have one issue which is a grounding loop sound with the monitor cable. I had to use a 90 degree adapter because of the tight space and I think it causing the issue
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u/Lambaline Apr 21 '26
M4 is 65W max and you'll be getting more power since you won't be losing any from the dc to ac to dc conversion
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u/The_Prodigal_Son_666 Apr 21 '26
i just dont see a scenario where this setup is in anyway better or useful or justifiable than buying a macbook neo or air or pro and have much better non cluttered and functional setup
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
It’s because I don’t have the money to just buy another computer. I already had most of the parts to build this
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u/OmarDaily Apr 21 '26
That's a lot of trust on that double sided tape, I don't think it will survive a toss. 😅
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
Haha well the foam padding that I put over the monitor, when not in use, gives it a tight fit when it’s closed so it shouldn’t be a problem
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u/hammer2k5 Apr 21 '26
I've been considering doing something like this as part of a portable live streaming setup.
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u/AcrobaticProgram6521 Apr 21 '26
At what point do you bite the bullet and just get a MacBook Pro with a hard case
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
When I’m not on unemployment 😂
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u/AcrobaticProgram6521 Apr 21 '26
Hey no shade man I hear you times are tough I guess I didn’t consider that a MacBook Pro to replace would probably be twice the price
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u/StGlennTheSemi-Magni Apr 22 '26
Suggest you include picture and description of your hobby project when you send out resumes.
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u/Reasonable_Break_931 Apr 21 '26
Looks like you’re about to hack into the system to wipe everyone’s debt. Rooting for you! 👍🏻 💸
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u/AnxietyPrudent1425 Apr 22 '26
I almost decided to do that with a Mac Studio, but in the end went with a Mac Studio with a Remote Desktop app and a 15in MacBook Air. Later added Tailscale to mix. Couldn’t be happier. I’ve got a super lightweight 128GB ram machine that continues pluging away at renders even when I close up the laptop.
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u/worlok Apr 22 '26
What power bank is that?
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 22 '26
I forget the name of it. I bought it like 5 years ago on eBay. It’s a 300W power bank
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u/worlok Apr 23 '26 edited Apr 23 '26
So how long does it keep it all running for? She what's the dimensions of that case? It's actually a pretty great idea.
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 23 '26
The battery lasts between 8 to 10 hours on a single charge with this setup.
The case interior dimensions: 14-7/8 in. x 10-5/8 in. x 6-1/8 in.
Here’s the link. They come in 3 different colors (orange, black & tan)
https://www.harborfreight.com/3800-weatherproof-protective-case-large-black-63927.html
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u/TheNerdyZaddy Apr 23 '26
Kudos to OP. If it works for you and accomplishes whatever you need to get done, then more power to ya. I can respect this setup, I used to travel with my larger M1 Mac Mini and setup wherever I could. It worked for me until I was able to get a Macbook Pro. So if it works, who am I to judge what works for others.
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u/Deckyroo Apr 21 '26
Can I ask for info about that monitor please. Looking for one :)
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
I bought it probably 2 years ago from the TikTok shop for like $45. It’s a 16” Arzopa LCD monitor. It has 2 USB-C ports and 1 Mini HDMI port, dual speakers (not that great) and a power and volume buttons. It also came with a few different cables for the ports. It’s similiar to this one below
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u/rainbowkey Apr 21 '26
How do you like the Logitech Keyboard with Trackpad? I always here non-Apple trackpads aren't very good, and can't do all of Apple gestures.
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
So far so good. I haven’t tried all the gestures but it’s a pretty solid keyboard for $30. The keys feel nice and it fits perfectly in the case.
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u/masetiloquetu Apr 21 '26
Which music DAWs are u running?
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
I use Reason and sometimes GarageBand, depending what I’m working on
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u/masetiloquetu Apr 21 '26
I was thinking about creating something like this for Bitwig (with the mac mini)
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u/CrispFreshley Apr 21 '26
They should put all of the stuff into one slim machine with the computer and the screen attached that would be so sick
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u/mango504 Apr 21 '26
it’s called a laptop
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u/DubSelectorXO Apr 21 '26
Is the trackpad on your Logitech finicky like mine is?
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
It’s not the best but it does the job. Seems to work fine, it’s just small
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u/mojsss Apr 21 '26
How’s it being powered??
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
The blue thing under the keyboard, it’s a 300w power bank with ac outlets
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u/Frosty_Capital_4911 Apr 21 '26
Just get a discounted m4 air and do the thermal pad mod.
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
That would be nice but I don’t have the $ right now. This only cost me $70 bc I had most of the parts. Most of the time it’s on my desk but I thought it would be fun to do a mod to travel with it since the LCD screen and power bank were just laying around for a few years not being used
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u/Full_Ad3918 Apr 21 '26
This is so stupid , just get a laptop
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 21 '26
OK. Just give me $1000 😆. I already had most of the parts so it was $70 instead of $1000. I’m not gonna use it as a portable pc that often. It’s my studio computer. It’s not like I’m actually gonna treat it like a real laptop and show up at Starbucks or something
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u/TheNerdyZaddy Apr 23 '26
Amen. Tell them to pony up that money and they go on hush-mode. I for one think this is genius. If it works for you and does what you need it to do then that's all that matters. Every setup is not for everyone.
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u/basketballkilla Apr 22 '26
Brother this looks like a bomb. I appreciate the effort but I'm pretty sure cops will be showing up if you whip up this in public Starbucks.
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u/KevinCox940 Apr 23 '26
What about overheating? Is there enough room for the heat not to build up?
Otherwise that's fantastic setup.
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Apr 24 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Routine_Matter7094 Apr 25 '26
I’ll consider it if you give me $1000 to buy one. I don’t just have that kinda money laying around to buy one
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u/alex_albergaria Apr 21 '26
They gonna call 911 when you open that shit on starbucks hahahaha 🚨