A window layout for a Mac mini and one monitor
A Mac mini lives on whatever monitor you give it. How to set up one display for lots of windows: scaling, Dock, desktops and a layout that keeps up.
With a Mac mini, the monitor is the whole workspace. These steps get the most from it.
- Scaling: pick the setting that fits three windows across without squinting. See external monitor scaling.
- The Dock to the side: monitors are wide, so put the Dock on the left or right in Desktop & Dock and give windows the full height.
- One desktop, not five: extra desktops hide work. Try working on one first.
- Keyboard shortcuts: with no trackpad, shortcuts and a good mouse do the work. See keyboard only window management.
A layout that keeps up
On a 27 inch monitor, ClutterFreeMac's strip shows two or three windows at a comfortable width, with the rest waiting beside them. A typical day:
| Column | Width |
|---|---|
| Mail or chat | A third |
| Main work | A half |
| Browser | A third, more off to the right |
Save it as a layout in Settings, Arrange, and bring it back from the menu bar each morning. With no trackpad, the strip dock and edge arrows give a mouse the same moves.
Questions
What is the best monitor setup for a Mac mini?
One good monitor at a scaling that fits three windows across, the Dock at the side, and a window layout that keeps windows from overlapping.
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