2011 Mac Mini - what to do next.

[Farsider]

Hi all,

I have a 2011 MacMini upgraded to 1TB Samsung QVO SSD and 8GB RAM. Stuck on High Sierra of course which now has no support. Still runs well enough but I'm fast approaching a cross roads.

This is what I use it for in order of importance:

• Drives 2 1080p Monitors
• WFH machine running Citrix to remote into work.
• PS4 Remote Play
• Web browsing & Email
• Streaming Video
• Instant Messaging on Messages and WhatsApp
• Office Apps
• Apple Music
• Photo and Video editing inside Apple Photos only.

It still works just fine today but I'm starting to see App updates drop support for High Sierra one by one. Sony has a history of dropping support on its PS4 Remote Play even though it works just fine. High Sierra also barely supports any of the interoperability features with iOS14 and iPadOS14 which is starting to bug me a little as I use my iPhone and iPad Pro a lot. I can also see over the next 12 months being left behind and exposed to new security vunerabilities.

I can get a brand new 2018 MacMini for £500 off eBay which seems like a great deal. I believe the base model will be more than enough for me on my use case above.

Is the collective view the base 2018 model is a good buy for that price considering ARM macs are just around the corner for probably double the price but longer life span?

 

[Boyd01]

A base model 2018 Mini will be much, much better than your 2011. There is some discussion of prices in this thread.

Why do you assume the ARM Mini will cost twice as much? I got a refurb top-spec Mini three months ago and use it heavily with Windows 10 in Parallels, really happy with it. An ARM Mini wouldn't be able to do that.

 

[Farsider]

What I mean is an eBay sold 2018 base mini is roughly half the price (in the UK) of the 2020 mini and I've made an assumption an ARM Mini will be at least the same price as the 2020 Mini......could be more!

 

[Fishrrman]

Q:
"2011 Mac Mini - what to do next"

A:
Start shopping for a replacement...

 

[Boyd01]

There's no such thing as a "2020 Mini", 2018 is the newest model - just look at EveryMac. In 2020, Apple started putting a 256gb SSD in the base model Mini and stopped offering the 128gb SSD. But you could have bought this exact same computer in 2018, the hardware is exactly the same, it just cost more.

I don't know what you're looking at on eBay, but assume the inexpensive ones have the (discontinued) 128gb SSD. If so, then that would account for some of the price difference in the current 256gb base Mini. The SSD is soldered down and cannot be upgraded after purchase, so it's understandable that the 128gb version would be cheaper. I'd also expect that something from a private seller on eBay would be cheaper than a computer from Apple that can be returned/exchanged easily with no questions asked.

But I don't see how you can make any assumption about what an ARM Mini might cost, since it has not been announced and there have not even been any rumors about it (just iMacs and laptops). Some of the rumors about the ARM laptops suggest that they will actually be cheaper than the existing models.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Hey Farsider,

I think my threads will be helpful for you:

Advice Please: What To Do With Mac Mini mid2011???

Hey guys, Sorry to be making a new thread, but I know MacRumors is the community which has the most experts on Macs on the internet. I searched the forums and I couldn't find a previous thread related to my severe problem. My biggest fear has come true: Apple will stop giving security updates...

forums.macrumors.com

Very Important Question: How To Keep High Sierra Secure???

Hey guys, I have a Mac Mini mid2011 here that I was getting ready to wipe and install Windows 10 or Linux on as I was certain that High Sierra security updates end in September 2020. I'd like to keep running macOS on it instead of Windows 10 or Linux, but I didn't want to run a version of macOS...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Farsider]

Very useful, thank you!

I guess my options are now:

• DOSDude upgrade to Mojave
• 2018 MacMini
• Holding pattern until ARM Mini arrives and decide on 2018/2020 model or ARM.

My only conclusion at the moment is the value proposition of 2018 Mini for £500 is pretty good. Buying a new 'Early 2020' model from Apple, not good. Might as well hold out for ARM model.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

Very useful, thank you!

I guess my options are now:

• DOSDude upgrade to Mojave
• 2018 MacMini
• Holding pattern until ARM Mini arrives and decide on 2018/2020 model or ARM.

My only conclusion at the moment is the value proposition of 2018 Mini for £500 is pretty good. Buying a new 'Early 2020' model from Apple, not good. Might as well hold out for ARM model.

Is it possible to buy a 2018 Mac Mini brand new? This would be perfect for me...!

I don't trust the refurbished Apple products for security reasons... It seems so easy for a previous user of the refurbished Apple product to install a backdoor and gain access to the user who purchases the refurbished Apple product?

 

[Farsider]

Yes, eBay.

 

[Farsider]

In other news, backed up my High Sierra install on my 2011 Mac Mini and upgraded to Mojave using DOSDude's patch. Despite the extra hoops to jump through, installation is straightforward as was the patching.

However despite having a 1TB QVO SSD and 8GB RAM, overall performance is a mixed bag. 1st Party apps seem to be OK, 3rd Party apps are very slow to launch. Graphics performance is sluggish compared to High Sierra and I had to run the patcher 3 times just to get Audio working again. Everytime an Official patch came out, back to DosDude's patcher. That means I'm at the mercy of Dosdude keeping on top of Apple's patching schedules.

Whilst Mojave looks nicer and still get's its security updates, overall I decided that its not worth the degraded experience whilst High Sierra is still functioning OK. That might change when App support for High Sierra is dropped but I think I'll be on a 2018 or better Mac Mini by then.

This experience has taught me that Apple drops support of these older Macs for a reason.

 

[Boyd01]

The 2018 Mini is the newest model, you can buy it directly from Apple, either new or refurbished. Also available from any of the other companies that sell Macs. There's been a lot of confusion about a "2020 Mini" but there really is no such thing. In 2020, Apple just discontinued the 128gb SSD option in the bottom of the line Mini and now offers a 256gb SSD. But this is not new, you could have bought the exact same computer in 2018, it just would have cost more.

In the refurbished section of Apple's online store, you may still be able to find the entry level Mini with the 128gb SSD. Last time I checked, it was going for $600. Refurbished Macs are an excellent option IMO, I bought one myself a few months ago. They are cheaper than new, but in "like new" condition and they have the same warranty as a new Mac.

Honestly @BeautifulWoman_1984 , you should give some serious consideration to this if your budget allows. You will have a nice, new machine with a warranty that is light-years ahead of your 2011 Mini and will be supported by Apple for years to come.

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Is it possible to buy a 2018 Mac Mini brand new? This would be perfect for me...!

I don't trust the refurbished Apple products for security reasons... It seems so easy for a previous user of the refurbished Apple product to install a backdoor and gain access to the user who purchases the refurbished Apple product?

The computers are wiped by Apple, they are not simply returned and sit on a shelf until the next order.

 

[Boyd01]

I agree. There is absolutely no reason not to trust a certified Apple Refurb. I am talking about the computers sold directly from their website, not some third party advertising "refurbished Macs".

Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple

Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

(Wow, there are 16 refurbished Mini's in stock right now, which is a lot. None of the entry level models though)

 

[Farsider]

There’s quite a few brand new sealed 2018 Minis on eBay. Same 1 year Apple Warranty and cheaper than the refurb store.

 

[Nedstah]

If you have the budget, I'd keep the 2011 and use it as a server or for older OS's. I've got a late 2009 as a music server - My Media for Alexa that plays to the Echo devices in the house. And it's connected to the TV for playing movies. An early 2009 is a server with JBOD, three external USB/Firewire drives. The three "work" minis allow me to switch between OS9, 10.4 Tiger, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.12 Sierra and 10.14 Mojave. Each OS being a clone of a previous system and software.

 

[Farsider]

Yeah, that's a fine idea @Nedstah. As I've already invested in a 1TB SSD and 16GB RAM, I had planned to repurpose. I was thinking about installing Linux and using NextCloud, JellyFin + more to turn it into my own Private Cloud.

I had planned on using a Raspberry Pi4 for that but a 2011 Mac Mini would do just as well I think. I've noticed that a Pi4 is actually powerful as the 2011 Mini - not bad for a £35 little SBC.

 

[BeautifulWoman_1984]

The computers are wiped by Apple, they are not simply returned and sit on a shelf until the next order.

Thank you for your reply Mr_Brightside, but I just don't trust

I checked the Apple Refurbished Store for my country and there aren't many Macs available compared to the USA Apple Refurbished Store!

If you have the budget, I'd keep the 2011 and use it as a server or for older OS's. I've got a late 2009 as a music server - My Media for Alexa that plays to the Echo devices in the house. And it's connected to the TV for playing movies. An early 2009 is a server with JBOD, three external USB/Firewire drives. The three "work" minis allow me to switch between OS9, 10.4 Tiger, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.12 Sierra and 10.14 Mojave. Each OS being a clone of a previous system and software.

Thank you for sharing that idea Nedstah!

Do you allow the MacOS's that are no longer receiving security updates to connect to the Internet?

The 2018 Mini is the newest model, you can buy it directly from Apple, either new or refurbished. Also available from any of the other companies that sell Macs. There's been a lot of confusion about a "2020 Mini" but there really is no such thing. In 2020, Apple just discontinued the 128gb SSD option in the bottom of the line Mini and now offers a 256gb SSD. But this is not new, you could have bought the exact same computer in 2018, it just would have cost more.

In the refurbished section of Apple's online store, you may still be able to find the entry level Mini with the 128gb SSD. Last time I checked, it was going for $600. Refurbished Macs are an excellent option IMO, I bought one myself a few months ago. They are cheaper than new, but in "like new" condition and they have the same warranty as a new Mac.

Honestly @BeautifulWoman_1984 , you should give some serious consideration to this if your budget allows. You will have a nice, new machine with a warranty that is light-years ahead of your 2011 Mini and will be supported by Apple for years to come.

Thank you for your reply Boyd: I had no idea the 'Mac Mini 2020' was the same as the Mac Mini 2018...

 

[Nedstah]

Thank you for your reply Mr_Brightside, but I just don't trust

I checked the Apple Refurbished Store for my country and there aren't many Macs available compared to the USA Apple Refurbished Store!



Thank you for sharing that idea Nedstah!

Do you allow the MacOS's that are no longer receiving security updates to connect to the Internet?



Thank you for your reply Boyd: I had no idea the 'Mac Mini 2020' was the same as the Mac Mini 2018...

I may occasionally get on the internet with an older OS but not typically. The older systems are used for earlier software, graphics mainly so I'm working on them instead of surfing. Surfing occurs on the 2012 mini with Sierra and Mojave, mainly Mojave. I use WiFi for internet connection and ethernet for the local connections between computers. WiFi is always off on the 2009 Mac minis, firewall is on and Little Snitch runs in silent mode. In addition to firewall and Little Snitch (in Alert Mode), I use a VPN with the 2012 mini. If I need a file, update, etc. on the older minis, I download it on the 2012, scan it and put it on my server. Then I'll go to the older mini and copy it from the server.

 

[Thoradin]

If you have the budget, I'd keep the 2011 and use it as a server or for older OS's. I've got a late 2009 as a music server - My Media for Alexa that plays to the Echo devices in the house. And it's connected to the TV for playing movies. An early 2009 is a server with JBOD, three external USB/Firewire drives. The three "work" minis allow me to switch between OS9, 10.4 Tiger, 10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.8 Mountain Lion, 10.11 El Capitan, 10.12 Sierra and 10.14 Mojave. Each OS being a clone of a previous system and software.

I use my recently purchased 2011 mini as a media/file server.
It is fitted with 8gb RAM and a brand new 500gb spinning drive I had lying around. Connected via usb I have 2 5tb external drives and a superdrive.
One 5tb is for storing media and the other is used for password locked folders mounted to other machines in the house.
The little mini has been an amazing addition to my home network and as it is only used for backup purposes the slower usb2 speeds don’t bother any of us. Also as it’s not connected to the internet there is never any real need to worry about it’s software ever being out of date.

 

[Farsider]

And to end the story, just bagged a 2018 Mac Mini for £499. 2011 Mini will go headless and I’ll use it as a server now. I’d like to run Linux on it (DietPi).