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Hi! Not sure what you mean by fan header, but it sounds like you've damaged the logic board and the fan connector to power? Otherwise if it is just the fan that is damaged just buy a new fan assembly.

But ... Sounds like a logic board problem. You could try this:

Remove the round cover on the bottom. Get a fan like this to blow into the chassis. The design is for the installed fan to pull air into the chassis then out the back vents. By doing this you are replacing the internal fan for an external one blowing into the machine. I do the same thing with this fan:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MWH4FL4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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Best to you,

Jim

I have no use for 4K, but I just bought these https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00NZTKOQI/ref=pe_3034960_236394800_TE_dp_1 with a thunderbolt 3.0 to displayport adapter. They're actually nicer than I expected, super thin bezel. Always been happy with Dell monitors.

I purchased 32GB (16x2) Crucial SODIMMS through Amazon Prime for $275. https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H38422/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Unfortunately, I may return them, and my soon-to-arrive-any-minute Mac Mini if I decide I don't want to swap out the memory myself. I'll just order another Mac Mini, but with 32GB of RAM instead of 8 this time.

As long as I'm posting, it would be great if someone else had a look at the RAM I ordered from Amazon to ensure I chose the right ones. Thx.

Definitely go with the SSD *before* upgrading the RAM. The speed difference is night and day. I followed the step-by-step installation instructions on iFixit. It's not a difficult install, just be sure to read through all the instructions AND comments BEFORE opening the device, so you know where to use the most care. I bought this installation toolkit off Amazon – it's much cheaper than the $40 kits iFixit and OWC are selling.

I just built a 4k setup with a mac mini 2018 - i5 upgraded to 32Gb Ram It works well with this LG 4k 27

I use it only for media/ twitch so I noticed the mini can run hot, so I bought this fan to blow underneath it.

Works like a charm!

Mine runs hot when I'm using Photoshop. I've read elsewhere that the heat is within Intel specs.
Regardless, I bought a USB fan that I point at the Mini, and it cools it down great.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XN24GY/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_NxCyDb335Y7YE

The header is a small port where the connector at the end of the fan’s wires connects to. That’s what I unfortunately broke off.

It’s serendipitous you posted that link because as I was looking for something last night, I came upon a similar possible solution and it’s the same company and almost the same thing. Only instead of a fan, it’s a blower.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B012CL2V3I/ref=ox_sc_act_title_5?smid=A2AW0W4FKP16S5&psc=1

My thought was that I would just remove the fan from the Mac mini, put the cover back on, and then set this blower behind it to where the air discharge is blown straight into the vent at the rear of the Mac mini. Hopefully. I can even butt them together. What do you think?

Bought this a year ago and works great.


https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B009EH010E?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_image

I have heard that this little dongle really helps if you want to be able to remote into the headless mini! Ups the resolution since the mini has garbage graphics when it doesn’t detect a display.

Thank you!

Got this one, and it works great, no issues!

No glitches, no issues at all (but it's a native 2k/1440p display)

***
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07VCCTX3N/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable,
Capshi [4K@60Hz]

Thunderbolt to DisplayPort Cable Gold-Plated,

6.6Ft Ultra High Speed Mini DP to DP Cable

Compatible MacBook Air/Pro, Surface Pro/Dock - Grey

Return eligible through Oct 31, 2019

$8.99

I just did this two days ago. Here's everything you'll need:

RAM: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H38422/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

Tools: https://www.amazon.com/iFixit-IF145-348-2-Essential-Electronics-Toolkit/dp/B01MRNIFR6/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?keywords=ifixit+essentials&qid=1557882817&s=gateway&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&smid=A3JGOE00MHF9QZ

Guide: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQq4hLKv1Cc

It took about 20 minutes total :)

Edit: I did 32GB, but the process is the same. You would just have to find the correct ram sticks

Dear god we're hopeless!

I got this to use with my 850 EVO that I pulled from my 2014, and putting back in the 1TB HDD, prior to selling it.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B0133F30R8/ref=od_aui_detailpages00

standard USB keyboards and mice work just fine. here's a mouse and keyboard for $10 shipped w/prime. you can probably find something cheaper/free if you dig around locally.

https://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters-Mini-DisplayPort-Black/dp/B00C7RJQPY

The one linked looks like 1.2, but it should do 4k at 60hz though.

I don't see Cablematters here:

https://www.displayport.org/product-category/cables-adaptors/

https://www.displayport.org/cables/how-to-choose-a-displayport-cable-and-not-get-a-bad-one/

Here’s the one...

https://www.amazon.com/Tinpec-Alloy-Desktop-Aluminium-Silver/dp/B00XU1GDZM

There's a Mini DisplayPort to HDMI cable in the wild that may work for you. The one Belkin makes is about $30 (though the quality is really nice) but there are cheaper options available.

The 2018 Mac mini only has Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) connections, not Mini DisplayPort. So you’ll need a USB-C to Mini DisplayPort cable. Here is the one I have:

Plugable USB C to DisplayPort Adapter - 6ft (1.8m) Adapter Cable (Supports Resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01EXKDRAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_DztyDbKZCMVDS

I have this https://www.amazon.com/Dell-UltraSharp-34-Inch-LED-Lit-Monitor/dp/B00PXYRMPE . you can pick them up sub $500.

Also i think the 2012 mac mini can't support resolutions more then 2560x1440

I feel like this is something where most people are going to say just get the MBP because that's what laptops are kinda for. I always seem to get lazy responses that don't help me do what I'm trying to do when I have a weird request, but rather "just get the laptop", "It's not worth the trouble" or "Why are you doing that when MBP will give you what you're looking for".

I'm only thinking of your in-bed experience because I don't know where you plan on keeping your mini. I assume near your bed because even I wouldn't bother moving my desktop around my house.

But, if you're ok without the out-of-home portability which really is only logical with a laptop, you could use a Mac Mini in bed with the laptop stand. Wireless keyboard is no problem nor is a wireless trackpad/mouse assuming your Mini is close enough. The only issue I see is a display. Displays need an HDMI and a power source and they are usually big and bulky so not bed friendly.

I don't know your setup, or where you plan on having your mac mini but if you have an iPad you can use an app called Duet (or there might be others) to make an iPad as an external monitor via lightning cable. That way you only have one wire going to you bed which is no more cumbersome than a MBP power wire. A mini projector would work (again depending on your setup) if you have the space for just while in bed or if you just have a TV in your bedroom.

I just saw they have this for $250 or so which would work for when you need it in bed: https://www.amazon.com/MB169C-1920x1080-Powered-Portable-Monitor/dp/B01C83BE06

I know this might sound like a long winded obvious answer but, if you can figure out how to display your screen without more hassle than it's worth, I'd also want to get the mini.

AmazonBasics Adjustable Tablet Holder Stand - Compatible with Apple iPad, Samsung Galaxy and Kindle Fire Tablets this

I used to have a 2012 mini, and used a cheap cable (https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00595KTKC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1) with my Acer CB270HU 2560x1440 monitor with no issues whatsoever.

IIRC HDMI won't output anything more than 1080.