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

• 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.

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