I recently added an M4 Mac mini to my homelab. Since Mac minis aren’t meant to be mounted—and additional storage is typically external—this post covers how I wall-mounted both the computer and the external drive for a tidy, cable-managed setup.
Printer & filament Link to heading
- Printer: Bambu P1S with a textured PEI plate
- Filament: iBoss PLA+ (Black Matte, ±0.02 mm)
The P1S defaults worked fine. I’ll capture exact slicer settings next time, but if you need a starting point: 0.2 mm layer height, 4–5 walls, 20–30% grid infill, 60 °C bed, and enable part cooling after the first few layers to combat warping.
Mac mini (M4) mount Link to heading
I used this community model: Mac mini M4 VESA mount on Thingiverse.
Orientation & cooling notes
- I initially printed back-side down and had to clean a lot of supports.
- For better surface finish and layer-line strength in the load direction, I prefer printing front-face down so the downward force sits “with” the lines rather than across them.
- I reduced early-layer fan to minimize warp, then ramped to moderate cooling after layer 3–5.
External drive mount Link to heading
I designed a simple bracket sized for my external drive (≈119 mm long, ~36 mm thick; measure your exact width).
Design choices:
- A snug U-channel with a tiny clearance to avoid rattling.
- A lip at the bottom to carry the weight and a strap slot (optional) for security.
- Chamfers/fillets on edges to reduce stress risers and print cleanup.
I didn’t need VESA holes since I’m mounting to a plywood backer.
Link to the stl files.
Hardware & install Link to heading
- Screws: #8 × 3/4" pan-head (worked for both mounts; the drive bracket is tight with #8 but works fine when you use an impact drive).
- Backer: 12–18 mm plywood anchored into studs.
- Tip: Pre-plan cable paths and leave room to snake power/Thunderbolt without removing the mounts.
Lessons learned / future improvements Link to heading
- Both designs require vertical clearance above the unit to lift the Mac mini/drive out. Plan spacing between shelves/gear accordingly.
- Next iteration: a two-piece design—a wall plate plus a slide-in cradle—or a hook-and-latch to allow front removal with minimal overhead clearance.
Photos Link to heading
