Using a Mac Mini headless?

[T34p075]

I have an old 2014 Mac mini that I want to use headless, preferably from my windows pc. I want to be able to use Mac features such as iMessage in a desktop environment but without having to have the mini physically on my desk (trying to avoid clutter). 
 

I know vnc exists but it’s not great. Are there better solutions to remotely access the computer? I’m not going to game on it or anything. Just using it for Mac specific applications that I can’t get on windows. 
 

I wanted to setup a vm but those never work well. 

[jaslion]

Parsec?

 

But really a local vnc should ve about the most performant really.

[T34p075]

Parsec is a good idea. I was hoping for sound as well. 
 

but yeah maybe VNC too. I will try it. 

[Brian McKee]

Why wouldn't parsec work? Parsec even has microphone passthrough now.

[T34p075]

6 hours ago, Brian McKee said:

Why wouldn't parsec work? Parsec even has microphone passthrough now.

Old Mac, not super fast. Probably will try it but also it will probably be slow.

[Brian McKee]

45 minutes ago, T34p075 said:

Old Mac, not super fast. Probably will try it but also it will probably be slow.

2014 mac will have quicksync, it'll be fine.

[jaslion]

On 4/7/2025 at 3:02 AM, T34p075 said:

Old Mac, not super fast. Probably will try it but also it will probably be slow.

Its got media encoding and decoding engines itll be fine heaps stuff new today slower than these