Mac Mini Basics

​Mac Mini Basics

Objectives

• Learn the basics of using Mac Mini computers

• Learn how to navigate DaVinci Resolve to edit videos

Mac Minis are not Chromebooks

​Mac Mini Overview

• Power Button

• Thunderbolt 4

• HDMI

• USB-A

• Headphone Jack

​Mac Mini Overview

Logging In

Username: Student ID aka 510

Password: your assigned password

• Finder is the Face on the Dock

• The Dock is the bar of icons for apps

• Primary apps

  • Chrome

  • DaVinci Resolve

​

Finder, Dock, & Applications

Multiple Choice

What type of computers do we use for editing in this class?

• Mac Mini

• Chromebook

• Dell

• Apple II

Multiple Choice

Where is the power button on the Mac Mini?

• On the back right hand side if you are sitting at your desk

• On the back left hand side if you are sitting at your desk

• On the front

• On the monitor

Multiple Choice

How many thunderbolt 4 ports does a Mac Mini have?

• 4

• 3

• 2

• 5

Multiple Choice

How many USB-A ports does a Mac Mini have?

• 4

• 3

• 2

• 5

Multiple Choice

Where is the headphone jack?

• Under the USB-A ports

• On the monitor

• Under the power button

• On the front of the Mac Mini

• Make a template in your Media Productions Folder

• Project Name (Folder)

  • 1_Videos (Folder)

  • 2_Audio (Folder)

  • 3_Graphics (Folder)

  • .DRP (File)

  • Exported Project (File)
    

​Duplicate and Rename for new Projects

​File Management

​Sharing Files

| Option | Speed | Access | Notes |

| Google Drive | 🐢 Slowest | Anywhere | Cloud storage |

| NAS | ⚙️ Medium | School only | Local network |

| Mr. Ray’s SSD | 🚀 Fastest | School only | Request access |

Backing Up Your Projects

💾 Always back up your work!

Move your Entire Project Folder

Where to back up:

Google Drive – Safest for long-term storage; can access anywhere.

Class NAS – Faster for current projects; only available at school.

⚠️ Don’t rely on one copy! Keep at least two backups — one local, one cloud.

🌐 Tip: Upload at the end of every editing session or before big changes.

Multiple Choice

How many different places should you keep/backup your project folder?

• At least two

• You only need to keep it in one place

• 0

• what?

Multiple Choice

Why do we all use the same folder structure?

• to stay organized, share projects, and to be able to get help

• we don't

Multiple Choice

What's the fastest way to share files?

• Mr. Ray's SSD

• Google Drive

• NAS

• SD card

Multiple Choice

Which file sharing options let's you access files anywhere?

• Google Drive

• NAS

• Mr. Ray's SSD

Backing up Work

• Once you complete an assignment, back it up and delete it off your Mac Mini

• Back it up on the NAS and Google Drive