Recommended Gear
The exact hardware we use for local AI on Apple Silicon
Every product on this page is something we've personally bought, tested, and run Ollama on.
No filler, no guesswork — just the gear that works.
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🖥️ Monitors
BenQ's Mac-optimised displays are the best monitors we've used for AI development work. Colour-accurate, USB-C powered, and built for long sessions.
BenQ MA270U 4K Monitor
3840×2160 · Dual USB-C · 90W Power Delivery
Crisp 4K display designed specifically for Mac. Powers your MacBook over USB-C while you work — one cable, clean desk.
View on Amazon →BenQ MA320U 4K Monitor
3840×2160 · Dual USB-C · 90W PD · P3 Colour · Height Adjustable
The larger sibling with wider P3 colour gamut and height-adjustable stand. Mac Colour Match built in — what you see is what you get.
View on Amazon →Which one to choose?
27" MA270U — best for single-monitor setups or where desk space is tight.
31.5" MA320U — best for developers who want more screen real estate for terminals, code, and model outputs running side by side.
🦾 Monitor Arms
Raise your monitors off the desk, free up space, and get the height right for your posture. Essential for long AI development sessions.
BenQ BSH02 Ergo Monitor Arm
Gas spring · Up to 45" & 20kg · VESA 75×75 & 100×100mm
No sag, no drift. Top clamp and grommet base options, reinforcement plate included. Pairs perfectly with either BenQ monitor above.
View on Amazon →HUANUO Dual Monitor Arm — HNDS6
Gas spring · 13–32" screens · 2–9kg per arm · C-clamp & grommet
Full adjustable dual mount for two-monitor Mac setups. Run your BenQ 27" alongside a second display — ideal for AI workflows with separate terminal and output windows.
View on Amazon →We run two BenQ monitors
We personally run two BenQ monitors on the HUANUO dual arm — one for the IDE and terminal, one for the Ollama output and browser. If you're serious about local AI development, dual monitors make a significant difference.
🗂️ Mac Mini Docks & Hubs
The Mac Mini M4 and M4 Pro have limited ports. These docks expand connectivity and add an M.2 NVMe bay — critical for storing large AI models locally.
UGREEN Mac Mini M4 Dock — 10 Ports
8K DisplayPort · M.2 NVMe enclosure · USB-C/A 10Gbps · SD/TF · Audio
The all-in-one hub for Mac Mini M4. Sits underneath the Mac Mini, adds 10 ports, and gives you a built-in M.2 NVMe slot for blazing-fast model storage.
View on Amazon →Hagibis MC60H Hub & Stand
4K@60Hz HDMI · M.2 NVMe enclosure · 10Gbps USB 3.2 · SD 4.0/TF 4.0
Built specifically for the Mac Mini M4 Pro. 3-in-1 design — stand, hub, and NVMe enclosure in one clean unit. Keeps your desk tidy while maximising I/O.
View on Amazon →NVMe for AI model storage
Ollama AI models range from 1GB to 70GB+. Storing them on an external NVMe drive means faster load times and you're not filling up your Mac's internal storage. Both docks above have a built-in M.2 slot — pair with a Samsung 990 PRO below.
💿 NVMe Storage
PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs for your dock's M.2 bay. Fast enough to load even the largest Ollama AI models without waiting.
Samsung 990 PRO 1TB NVMe
PCIe 4.0 · M.2 2280 · Up to 7,450 MB/s read
Our go-to NVMe for Mac Mini M4 setups. Slots directly into the UGREEN or Hagibis dock M.2 bay. 1TB gives you comfortable room for 10–20 large models.
View on Amazon →Samsung 990 PRO 2TB NVMe
PCIe 4.0 · M.2 2280 · Up to 7,450 MB/s read
For serious model libraries. 2TB gives you room to store every major Ollama AI model and still have space to spare. Recommended for M4 Max and M3 Ultra setups.
View on Amazon →1TB vs 2TB
1TB — right for most M4 and M4 Pro users. Holds 15–20 mid-size models comfortably.
2TB — right for M4 Max and M3 Ultra users running large 70B models, or anyone building a broad local model library.
⌨️ Keyboards & Input
Long AI development sessions demand comfortable input. These are what we use and recommend for Mac-based AI work.
Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID
Wireless · Rechargeable · Touch ID · USB-C
The keyboard we use daily. Touch ID gives you fast, secure authentication without reaching for your Mac Mini — essential when you're switching between AI workflows all day. Low profile, quiet, and pairs instantly.
View on Amazon →Keychron K2 Pro — 75% Wireless Mechanical
Hot-swappable · QMK/VIA · Bluetooth + USB-C · Mac & Windows
If you prefer mechanical keys, the K2 Pro is the best compact Mac-compatible option we've tested. 75% layout keeps it compact, hot-swappable switches let you customise the feel, and QMK/VIA lets you remap anything.
View on Amazon →Apple vs mechanical
Apple Magic Keyboard — best if you value Touch ID, low profile, and seamless Mac integration. Quiet for shared offices.
Keychron K2 Pro — best if you type for extended sessions and want tactile feedback. Better ergonomics for heavy coding and terminal work.
Apple Magic Mouse
Wireless · Multi-Touch · Rechargeable · USB-C
Multi-Touch gestures on the surface make navigating documents, code, and model outputs faster than a traditional mouse. We use it alongside the Magic Trackpad — mouse for precision, trackpad for gestures.
View on Amazon →Apple Magic Trackpad
Wireless · Force Touch · Multi-Touch · USB-C
Large glass surface for fluid gestures — swipe between desktops, pinch to zoom, and scroll through long model outputs naturally. Force Touch adds an extra layer of control. Pairs perfectly with the Magic Mouse for a dual-input setup.
View on Amazon →We use both
We run the Magic Mouse and Magic Trackpad side by side. Mouse on the right for precision work, trackpad on the left for gestures and navigation. It sounds unusual, but once you try dual input for AI development — switching between terminal, browser, and IDE — you won't go back.
💼 Portable SSD
For backing up model libraries, transporting AI stacks between sites, or keeping a portable copy of your Ollama AI models.
Samsung T7 Shield 1TB Portable SSD
USB 3.2 Gen2 · Up to 1,050 MB/s · IP65 Water & Dust Resistant
Rugged, pocket-sized, and fast enough to run Ollama AI models directly from the drive. IP65 rated — take it between offices, client sites, or keep it as a backup of your model library. USB-C connects straight to your Mac.
View on Amazon →Samsung T7 Shield 2TB Portable SSD
USB 3.2 Gen2 · Up to 1,050 MB/s · IP65 Water & Dust Resistant
Same rugged design with double the capacity. 2TB holds a comprehensive local model library — every major Ollama AI model with room to spare. Ideal for teams managing models across multiple machines.
View on Amazon →When to use which?
Dock NVMe (Samsung 990 PRO) — your primary model storage. Faster speeds (7,450 MB/s), always connected, runs models at full performance.
Portable SSD (T7 Shield) — backup, transport, and field work. Take your model library to a client site, keep a second copy off-machine, or quickly set up a new Mac.
Not sure which Ollama AI models will run on your Mac?
Use our free Ollama Model Finder to find models compatible with your Apple Silicon chip and RAM. No sign-up, no cost.
We can help you build the right local AI setup
From hardware selection to Ollama deployment — discovery calls are free, no obligation, and genuinely useful.
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