Considering getting a mini for audio production. I'm torn between a "new" maxed out 2014 or picking up a Late 2012 quad core, maxing out the ram and adding an ssd. Both should be adequate for my needs. However, I can get the 2012 cheaper. My concern is the longevity of buying the 2012. How much use can I expect to get out of it? Am I better buying new even though the older quad cores are technically better machines? Help!
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
2012 quad or 2014
- Thread starter esable72
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
For audio work, get a quad core, max out RAM and SSD. Only has one moving part, the fan, so blow it out when upgrading and otherwise leave it alone.
I've got a 2011 I use for recording and a 2012 at work and both are getting pretty slow. The 2012s are nearly identical to the 2011s except they have USB3, but the wifi is old 802.11n and they can't hold blade SSDs. Both of the minis I use have SSDs, but they're noticeably slower than newer macs with blades. Also, both minis sound like jet engines at full load, but I don't know if the 2014s are any quieter.
However, the quad 2012s have double the threads, and thus can handle almost double the tracks as the 2014s. For that reason alone I'd say go for the 2012 now and save some money to put toward whatever comes next.
However, the quad 2012s have double the threads, and thus can handle almost double the tracks as the 2014s. For that reason alone I'd say go for the 2012 now and save some money to put toward whatever comes next.
We're about to roll into 2018... I wouldn't bother with a 2012 or 2014 computer unless you're getting it for a very reasonable price.
What software do you intend to use for music production? It's surprising how little hardware it can be done on unless you're using a boatload of VSTs and effects.
What software do you intend to use for music production? It's surprising how little hardware it can be done on unless you're using a boatload of VSTs and effects.
I was faced with the same choice a little over a year ago. I went with a 2012 2.6ghz i7 quad mini with 16gb and original Apple internal 256gb SSD. I got it from MacSales (OWC) because they offer a 90 day warranty and two week return/exchange. It was still cheaper than the fastest 2014 Mini with the same options. It looked like new and has been flawless.
My primary use is video and I wanted the quad core for rendering (which is about 50% faster than the top 2014 model). It also runs Logic Pro X fine. I work with a lot of legacy video so the firewire port is nice to have for my DVCAM/HDV tape deck. The 2014 model has faster wifi but I don't care since it's a desktop machine on gigabit ethernet. The internal SSD is faster on the 2014, but I am using a 1TB external Samsung T3 SSD as a boot drive and that is still quite fast (write ~400 MB/sec, read ~430 MB/sec).
The main limitation of the 2012 is the HD4000 graphics chip IMO. It is still supported by Final Cut Pro and many other software packages but playing an unrendered video project with a lot of effects from the timeline results in a dropped frames. I doubt this would be much of an issue with Logic though. Of course some high end video software requires discreet video cards and that will be a problem on any of the Mini's.
Would I buy another 2012 Mini today? Not sure, but I'm still very happy with mine and it should continue to meet my needs for another year or two.
My primary use is video and I wanted the quad core for rendering (which is about 50% faster than the top 2014 model). It also runs Logic Pro X fine. I work with a lot of legacy video so the firewire port is nice to have for my DVCAM/HDV tape deck. The 2014 model has faster wifi but I don't care since it's a desktop machine on gigabit ethernet. The internal SSD is faster on the 2014, but I am using a 1TB external Samsung T3 SSD as a boot drive and that is still quite fast (write ~400 MB/sec, read ~430 MB/sec).
The main limitation of the 2012 is the HD4000 graphics chip IMO. It is still supported by Final Cut Pro and many other software packages but playing an unrendered video project with a lot of effects from the timeline results in a dropped frames. I doubt this would be much of an issue with Logic though. Of course some high end video software requires discreet video cards and that will be a problem on any of the Mini's.
Would I buy another 2012 Mini today? Not sure, but I'm still very happy with mine and it should continue to meet my needs for another year or two.
Last edited:
I was looking at a 2012 2.3Ghz, i7 with an ssd for around $650. Only has 8Gb so I'd have to tack on a few more $ to update that. I'm planning on running Pro Tools 12 with a UA Apollo MKII. My original thought was to find a nice Mac Pro cheese grater, but I need a Thunderbolt for the Apollo.
[doublepost=1513262216][/doublepost]
Yeah, I feel like upgraded graphics of the 2014, plus the fact that I'd be buying it brand new might make for a better choice. I don't know.
I said.... "Would I buy another 2012 Mini today? Not sure"
What I should have added is, "...Would I buy a 2014 Mini? No."
I just don't think it's a good value for what it is, and it bothers me that the 2012 quad is actually 50% faster.
What I should have added is, "...Would I buy a 2014 Mini? No."
I just don't think it's a good value for what it is, and it bothers me that the 2012 quad is actually 50% faster.
Last edited:
The *only* significant advantage I think the 2014 has over a quad 2012, other than the warranty for buying new, is (probably) two more years of support. (OK, better integrated GPU, but still.) The 2012s with quad i7 have held their resale value as well as any computer I've ever seen. I'd guess mine has depreciated *maybe* $200-$300 with almost five years of use. There's a reason why people are still paying almost-new money for the 2012s, at least the quad core models. Buying the quad-core i7 version of the 2012 Mini was as close to a good "investment" as I've ever made in buying a new computer.
Hopefully by the time the 2012s are desupported, there will be a new, more compelling offering.
Hopefully by the time the 2012s are desupported, there will be a new, more compelling offering.
I'd go the other way and aim for the 2014 model.
I'm no expert on the workflow you are planning to use but for the main things i do it's single core performance that counts the most and the 2014 Haswell I7 dual is marginally quicker then the Ivy Bridge i7 quad core, but the graphic performance is significantly better in favour of the 2014 model. That together with the ability to use the much faster NVMe storage were my key drivers (and that i can get it new) when i was looking.
All that said, right now - i wouldn't buy either. I would wait and see if anything is released next year.
They are both borderline obsolete and significantly behind everything else in the store. Maybe even consider a refurbished iMac which are leaps and bounds better technology wise with their 7th Gen quad cores and Radeon graphics.
I'm no expert on the workflow you are planning to use but for the main things i do it's single core performance that counts the most and the 2014 Haswell I7 dual is marginally quicker then the Ivy Bridge i7 quad core, but the graphic performance is significantly better in favour of the 2014 model. That together with the ability to use the much faster NVMe storage were my key drivers (and that i can get it new) when i was looking.
All that said, right now - i wouldn't buy either. I would wait and see if anything is released next year.
They are both borderline obsolete and significantly behind everything else in the store. Maybe even consider a refurbished iMac which are leaps and bounds better technology wise with their 7th Gen quad cores and Radeon graphics.
If you’re using a Apollo then I would go with either a 2014 Mini or the cheapest Mac Pro if you can swing more - you don’t want to be limited to a single TB Port. As to storage, with 2 or more you can always go with something external later.
If you have an existing computer and can wait (possibly many, many months), I'd wait for a 2018.
If you cannot wait and you need this to do work, I'd get a used 2012 or 2014 to tide me over and then a 2018 when they come out. (Flip the 2012/2014 on Craigslist and your total cost of ownership I bet will be $60 or less, possibly close to $0, unless you bought high.)
No sense at all in buying a 2014 new. IMHO it's ridiculous buying a 3-year old computer at new prices.
If you cannot wait and you need this to do work, I'd get a used 2012 or 2014 to tide me over and then a 2018 when they come out. (Flip the 2012/2014 on Craigslist and your total cost of ownership I bet will be $60 or less, possibly close to $0, unless you bought high.)
No sense at all in buying a 2014 new. IMHO it's ridiculous buying a 3-year old computer at new prices.
Needing the TB port I'm limited with the Mac Pro to getting a trash can, which I didn't really want to do. External storage isn't really an issue.
FYI, I have 14 UAD cores - Apollo 8 quad, 2 quad Satellites, and a TB Twin Duo. That runs well on a single TB bus. Make sure you take advantage of this month’s buy 3 get 1 free $399 deal....
I have started to consider the refurb iMac idea. Saw a couple late 2013, i7s with 32Gb and SSD for decent prices. Might be a better way to go for me. I'd love to wait until next year to see what happens with the minis, unfortunately that's not an option.
FWIW, as part of our equipment reduction, I think I'm going to sell our Mini. It's a '12 2.3GHz i7 QC, 16GB RAM, server model with a 512GB crucial and a 1TB HDD original, very clean, a +very+ light scratch on the top - it was a refurb and does have AC but it runs out in a couple of weeks.
I haven't posted it for sale yet, saw your thread, figured I'd just pop in and mention it.
I haven't posted it for sale yet, saw your thread, figured I'd just pop in and mention it.