2012 8GB vs 2014 4GB for light web browsing and music stream?

[adam9c1]

What would you prefer?

2012 8GB Catalina
vs
2014 4GB Monterey

light web browsing using Safari and music audio or music video streaming
Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, ...

or should I forget about both of these options and save for 2014 8GB or 2018?

 

[Miat]

I wouldn't get anything less than 8GB RAM.

If you are considering a 2018 model then you might be better off getting an M1, seeing as there is not much price difference, and much more bang for your buck.

One advantage of the 2012 and 2018 models is that you can upgrade RAM. Can't do that with the 2014 and M1 models.

The older the model, the less time left that Apple will officially support it. The 2012 is near the end of its official life span.

Whichever one you choose, if you are on a tight budget then consider getting a refurb. Savings are usually 15%.

 

[adam9c1]

This device would be purchased through eBay or Facebook marketplace.

While I know M1 is a very potent machine I've sold off my two cMP 2010 and I'm keeping an eye on a M1 or "M1X" as a replacement for my daily driver. Granted my usage has changed too and I'm fairly certain the current M1 Mini would work I'm waiting to stick it out a bit. Currently my daily machine is a 2018 base mini 8GB 128GB.

The computer in question is for the "man cave" to research stuff online - browse the internet, or listen to audio (not so much video) as I work on stuff... but I don't want it to be a bad experience where I loose video frames / have jitter.

Again, I know the refurb M1 is a great deal. I just can't justify the cost for the intended purpose.

 

[Boyd01]

Forget the 4gb 1.4ghz 2014 Mini. I used one as an iTunes server (just ran iTunes 24/7 with home sharing) and it was fine for that. But for anything else, it was almost unusable. For example, it took 45 seconds just to open System Preferences after clicking. I have replaced it with an 8gb 2.8ghz 2014 Mini which is a much better machine, but again, it's just a server that is not used interactively. I would not buy one for the usage you describe.

The 2012 quad core Mini's were very nice in their day, I still use mine as a file server. Also had a base model 2012 dual core Mini and it was OK - much better than the base 2014 Mini and RAM is easily upgraded (Apple even supports it and has instructions on their site). However, I wouldn't buy any of the 2012 Mini's today, just getting too old and no longer supported.

Would definitely save up for a 2018 Mini, it is much, much better than either the 2012 or 2014. Apple does not support users upgrading RAM, but it is possible and many people have done it.

 

[Fishrrman]

I would NOT buy a 2014 Mini with only 4gb of RAM for ANY purpose.

At least 8gb.

 

[richmlow]

What would you prefer?

2012 8GB Catalina
vs
2014 4GB Monterey

light web browsing using Safari and music audio or music video streaming
Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, ...

or should I forget about both of these options and save for 2014 8GB or 2018?

I would recommend a minimum of 8GB RAM. As for a specific Mac mini model, I personally would recommend the recent M1 (Apple Silicon) one. It will have far greater longevity into the future.

Good luck on your decision.


richmlow

 

[mcnallym]

What would you prefer?

2012 8GB Catalina
vs
2014 4GB Monterey

light web browsing using Safari and music audio or music video streaming
Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, ...

or should I forget about both of these options and save for 2014 8GB or 2018?

Neither for that then would get an iPad.

 

[now i see it]

4 GB is brutal. Don't even consider it as an option. Computer will run slow as molasses always swapping out to the hard drive.
I purchased a used mini (2010 model) that only had 4GB of ram in it. When I first booted it up I thought it was broken. I thought it had frozen. Everything was really slow.
I then upgraded it to 8GB and the difference was like night & day. Computer was soooo much more responsive...And that was running El Capitan, the newer OSes will be even more demanding

 

[Micky Do]

What would you prefer?

2012 8GB Catalina
vs
2014 4GB Monterey

light web browsing using Safari and music audio or music video streaming
Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, ...

or should I forget about both of these options and save for 2014 8GB or 2018?

I’m still using an early 2009 Mac Mini with 5 GB RAM and El Capitan for that and much more. Sure, a bit slow to open apps, but once open they work fine. Boot time is irrelevant as it is on 24/7, unless I am away for several days.

Don’t sweat over what to get for such basic needs. Go for what is available and fits your budget and you’ll likely be good for several years.

If the price is the same, favour the 2014 as it will still be good for Mac OS updates and support going ahead for a couple or three years. The 2012 has reached the end of the line for updates and support.

I also have a 2017 MacBook Air with 8 GB RAM, which I seldom use at present. It will get more use next year when I return to study. The extra speed and grunt is irrelevant. Day to day the ancient desktop is adequate and more pleasant to use. In due course I’ll replace the Mini with an M1 iMac, but don’t feel any urgency. Right now I have other priorities.

 

[opeter]

Whatever Mac mini will you choose, it should have a minimum of 8 GB RAM. We are soon in 2022 and the internet and web services are getting more and more demanding...

 

[Micky Do]

Whatever Mac mini will you choose, it should have a minimum of 8 GB RAM. We are soon in 2022 and the internet and web services are getting more and more demanding...

I suggest that having an up to date browser has more effect on working with web services than the amount of RAM installed. The out-dated version of Safari on my 2009 Mini (El Capitan / 5 GB RAM) no longer works well with some websites. Change to the latest version of Chrome on the same computer and they work OK.

 

[opeter]

You are right about the CPU usage.

But please don't forget, that the newest version of Chrome also eats more resources than the old Safari version on your El Capitan installation.

Here is a newer test:

Which Browsers Use the Least memory in 2022?

The fact that browsers can consume a big chunk of your computer’s memory is certainly no secret. Most websites you access run web applications that can take u

www.routerhosting.com

 

[steve217]

The drive type for either choice is going to be decisive.

I would recommend the 2014 model if you boot from an external SSD. Otherwise, all the molasses comments here will be understatements.