2012 Mac Mini Slow

[Bushmuncher]

Hi,
Long time lurker who just recently purchased a Mac Mini (base i5)

Though I'm finding the performance of the mac to be extremely slow in certain circumstances, especially when opening up applications.

I also own a 2009 Macbook pro (Core2duo 2.53, 8GB Ram, 500GB HDD) and in certain situations fin it to be over twice as fast when opening applications.

Any reason why this would be? I thought coming from a core 2 duo to an i5 would triple performance, though i find myself experiencing the complete opposite.

Any answers would be appreciated

 

[hallux]

The performance when just opening an application has LITTLE to do with processor speed and almost everything to do with drive speed. I upgraded mine to SSD and 8 GB of RAM shortly after getting it and I saw marked improvement in application launch times.

 

[Bushmuncher]

The performance when just opening an application has LITTLE to do with processor speed and almost everything to do with drive speed. I upgraded mine to SSD and 8 GB of RAM shortly after getting it and I saw marked improvement in application launch times.

Yeah i though this too. But then i realised that my macbook pro also has pretty much the same 5400rpm 500GB hard drive

 

[Agrajagg42]

my mac mini was crazy slow, if you got it w only 4gb of RAM, that is insufficient by far (the OS uses 3.5GB); I replaced my 2x2gb DIMMS with 2x8GB DIMMS and saw a huge performance boost... now if only i can figure out why i'm only seeing 5Gbit download speeds when every other PC in my house is seeing 20+, that would be nice....

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

Get an SSD, and put it into an external enclosure (or USB3/SATA dock) that supports UASP.

Make that your "external booter".

You will notice an astounding speed difference!

 

[Negritude]

You definitely need at least 8GB of RAM, and the 5400rpm drives in the Minis are usually poor performers for some reason, especially if you have a lot of programs and files. A 7200rpm, Fusion, or SSD drive will improve things greatly. Even a Seagate hybrid drive would help. I'm never going back to 5400rpm by itself.

 

[batting1000]

Get an SSD. Easily the best decision i've made with regards to computers. I have an Evo 120GB SSD + the 4GB of stock RAM and there is a very, very noticeable difference in speed...you won't regret it.

 

[JamesPDX]

Get an SSD. Easily the best decision i've made with regards to computers. I have an Evo 120GB SSD + the 4GB of stock RAM and there is a very, very noticeable difference in speed...you won't regret it.

I did this with my 2012 17 Mini: 16GB RAM, drive-doubler kit+ 2 Angelbird 512GB SSD's. Runs Pro Tools 11, Logic X, Waves, VSL, CS6, LR6, and FCPX like a charm. I liked the SSD so much, I bought one of those little G-Drive Thunderbolt single drives, ripped it open and jammed-in another SSD. Bam! Thunderbolt SSD. Good luck! It's worth it. Use the right tools and check iFixIt. -OS 10.10.5.