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User profile for user: Matwithonetee
Matwithonetee Author
User level: Level 1
4 points

Set up a separate workstation with one Mac mini

How to set up a separate workstation (in a different room) using same Mac mini?

Hi guys. I have a nice new M4 mini that I've set up in one room of the house. Recently my old PC in another room died. This I have a keyboard-mouse-monitor spare. The house is wired with Cat6 Ethernet and has a home network with a Synology NAS at its centre.

I am aware the mini can run a bunch of monitors at once, but my question is this:

  • Rather than buying a new computer for the study (where the other just died), can I somehow use existing leftover hardware and access the mini in another room?

Mac mini (M4 Pro, 2024)

Posted on Nov 6, 2026 8:26 PM

5 replies
User profile for user: MartinR
MartinR
User level: Level 7
27,827 points

Nov 7, 2026 6:37 AM in response to Matwithonetee

IMO the only reasonable option would be to use a 2nd inexpensive Mac to do Screen Sharing. I suggest a used mini with your existing display, kbd & mouse for that purpose.


In order to use just your monitor, kbd & mouse you would need either 1) long, active extension cables maybe even requiring repeaters/signal boosters or 2) hardware extenders + cabling to carry USB & display over ethernet cables. And it would be separate from your existing ethernet network. Expect that to cost substantially more than a used mini. (And in the case of a display extender you could run into trouble with the mini sensing the "remote" display.)

User profile for user: MartinR
MartinR
User level: Level 7
27,827 points

Nov 7, 2026 4:10 PM in response to Matwithonetee

The 2018 mini is still a nice machine. It's an Intel model but fully supports Sequoia. I have one currently running Sonoma as a key component of my home theater and it's great. I expect to upgrade it to Sequoia before year end. Just be aware that Sequoia is the end of the road for the 2018 Intel minis. But that would be fine for quite a few years.


FWIW, all the Apple Silicon minis are also fine and, even the original M1 models support Golden Gate. Just make sure to get at least 16 GB RAM (8 GB no longer cuts it in any way)

Set up a separate workstation with one Mac mini

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