I have been thinking about getting a Mac Mini after being out of the Apple game for a few years. I used to have a 2012 Base model Mac Mini and have since had to use a cheap Window's laptop. I see that Apple came out with new Mac Mini models last year and I have been thinking about the base model. Does anyone have this? If so what do you use it for? I'm wondering if the slower processor and only 4gb of Ram will be okay or not.
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Base Mac Mini 2014 Question
- Thread starter littlepooch21
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I bought a mid-tier a few months ago. Core I5 and 8GB of RAM with a 256GB SSD. The base model didn't appeal to me as I feel it was too underpowered to be future-proof.
I use mine as a media server to serve up my iTunes movie/music/TV Show library to my other Mac's and Apple TV's.
I use mine as a media server to serve up my iTunes movie/music/TV Show library to my other Mac's and Apple TV's.
It's going to depend entirely upon what you use the computer for. I assume you don't need much (although clarification would help) as you currently use a "cheap" Window's laptop, but depending on what you use the computer for the baseline Mac Mini can be viable for some users.
Not at all, but I do not have a 2014 model. I use a 2012 baseline entry Mini that I paid $500 for. The pricing is now quite a bit different in the 2014 line.
I felt I could provide a good amount of information because I used 4 GB RAM in mine and it has a faster clock speed but older processor. I also still use a 5400 RPM drive, so I can speak towards what your experience will be like. Depending on what you do, it could be a great or terrible decision.
I use the base model Mac Mini 2014 as my everyday computer, and it's very good for what I use it for, which is web browsing, YouTube videos, email, and documents. I also had a cheap Windows laptop and bought the Mac Mini about a month ago for $349 at Best Buy with a special student discount. Have not had any regrets except having used such a slow laptop for a long time!
The processor is actually not slow at all, as it is an i5 with multi-treading, and the 4GB of RAM is more than enough for my needs. I also do not need an SSD, since I don't launch many programs or transfer large files, and I don't mind the 45-second boot-up time. For my usage, the mid-level Mac Mini would have been a waste of extra performance, but not for other people who require more RAM.
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I currently use my cheap laptop for school work, internet, email, sometimes I use it to hack things. I don't do any converting of video's or anything like that. When I do school work I normally have multiple windows in chrome open and also a couple in firefox. Then I will have an article open in Adobe with MS Word. This is when I can start feeling that I need a different computer.
There was a special sale on Best Buy's website for $50 off the regular price, and then I used a $100 off student discount coupon for iMacs and MacBooks that also happened to apply to the Mac Mini (I'm not sure if it still does). The price was too good to pass, even if I wanted to wait for a redesigned model, as I've always wanted a Mac Mini (even a year ago, it would have cost me $599 + tax). The mid-level model was $549 or $579 (I can't remember), but like I mentioned, I have no need for 8GB of RAM, slightly faster processor, slightly better graphics, or twice the storage. Future-proofing is nice, but I'd rather save money for a redesigned model that comes with all of that and an SSD standard, even if it takes years.
I've seen a lot regarding those deals as far as people getting them for cheap prices. I do not have any information on them, but OP, it sounds like the baseline Mini can handle what you do and if you can pick one up for cheap it sounds like a pretty good situation for you.
Oh okay. Yeah I just tried to add the student promo code right now and it wouldn't work or the mac mini. I wish it would have.
It was probably some sort of mix-up and the coupon was not meant to be used on Mac Minis.
I don't specifically, I am sorry, but just about everything I have seen regarding people getting them for less than the list price was through Best Buy, so I'd try to look up some information regarding them and what deals/promotions they have going.
I have one as my main desktop computer. Got it about three weeks ago from Microcenter for $400. It's been great. If I can get three years out of it I will be happy. It's used for web browsing, Pages documents, media, and some games. I originally bought a mid-range model with SSD, but it was just too much computer for my needs, which is why I am trying to sell it now here on Marketplace.
Interesting, and refreshing to see this point of view, based on experience.
Many here have been scathing of the base model Mac Mini. They go on about needing power and speed, and their desire for "future-proofing"; methinks, more often about ego and bragging rights, than any basis in real life for many.
In truth there is more to the functionality of a computer in use than the specs of its components. That comes down to intended use and how the hardware works in concert with the OS. Time was that it was advisable to go for the top specs, and upgrade what you could to keep up with the ever increasing demands of software and peripherals. The industry has matured a bit since then. My 2009 Mini can run the latest iteration of OS X, though it cannot access some of the connectivity features that I neither need nor desire. I reckon it should see me right for good while more. Buying what you need now should see you right for several years.
A base model Mac Mini is all the computer many folks need for basic use, as has been proved by the experience of several who have dared post here in the face of the rather vociferous 2014 Mini knockers.
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. If I can get three years out of it I will be happy. .[/QUOTE]
I gather from the above that you purchased Applecare??
I gather from the above that you purchased Applecare??
I do some mild graphic work, multiple windows and programs open and I run some software a lot to doing work in the background. This base mini is a beast to me 4gb i5
wow this is nice to hear. i'm still debating but it seems like maybe getting the base model will be fine.
This is exactly right. I have 2 - 2012 Mid level Mac Mini's that have 16GB of RAM because it seemed like the right thing to do. Quite honestly, they sit virtually unused compared to the power they have. My 2014 Mid-Mini with only 8GB of RAM and only a dual core processor is actually my main machine because it can run dual 1440P monitors.
I could probably easily sell one of my 2012's and replace it with a Base 2014 especially since one does nothing but be a Mac OSX Server for TM backups and serving up a webpage used only by my family. Heck, maybe that's what I should do.....
I'm pretty sure a 2012 Quad Core with 16GB of RAM and an SSD should go for a decent chunk of change....
Very true! I think the only reason why people are up in arms about the design of the Mac Mini (or, for that matter, the design of the iMac, or the design of the Mac Pro) is that Apple has obviously given up on the idea of selling a standard desktop PC. The Mini is aimed at a corner of the market: tiny, quiet, and low-cost, it can perform basic desktop duties, but isn't intended to scale up to the kinds of tasks that standard desktop computers perform.
The iMac is gorgeous, relatively powerful, and has a selection of components that the higher-ups in Apple believe is a decent compromise for general-purpose computing; but as an all-in-one, it locks you into purchasing all your desktop components from Apple at the same time. There is practically no concept of being able to customize the device for your personal needs, the way that a standard desktop computer can be customized. And so, while it is aimed at a broad slice of the market, it doesn't fit the market nearly as well as would a standard desktop computer.
The Mac Pro is uber-powerful, but unbelievably expensive. Very few users really need the kind of power it provides on their desktop, and it really isn't aimed at server use either. So again, aimed at a very small corner of the market.
The way that the 2010 remodel of the Mac Mini made the internals (relatively) easy to access brought hope to many folks that Apple might be nosing back in to the general-purpose desktop computer market. 2014's redesign kind of slammed the door on that hope. It seems that Apple simply doesn't ever intend to sell a general-purpose desktop computer again.
But yeah, that doesn't mean that their existing products don't serve their corresponding market niches well.
Well just got my Mac Mini. Crazy story..... I work overnights and was looking on Best Buy for some open box items to save some money. When I was on there I found a base model 2012 mac mini. I thought it was odd but it said it was in excellent condition and was only $350. I ordered it of course. So I go to pick it up today and when I get there they said that it was returned with the old users password locked on it and they couldn't reset it. They decided to fix this by giving me a 2014 base model for the same $350. On top of that I also got an LG 29 inch ultrawide monitor for $229. So I think I made out pretty good. What do you guys think?
Well done…… but in the light of the question you posed at the end of your original post:
Use it for a bit, then let's know, what do you think?