2014 mini future macOS support

[Macminifan0691]

Will the 2014 Mac mini be dropped from the compatibility list for macOS 12? If so I think this is a little unfair on customers who only bought one 3 years ago, from January to October 2018 just before the release of the 2018 model. Even though the mini 2014 was 4 years old at that point it was still available to buy direct from Apple as new. If they wanted to drop support for the 2014 model they should have discontinued it much earlier instead of leaving the Mac mini to stagnate in touched for 4 years. I would like to think that Apple would take this into consideration when developing macOS versions for the next couple of years but with the transition from intel to silicon I don’t hold out much hope . But I would be satisfied with just one more MacOS version before they drop support.

 

[velocityg4]

I doubt it. It was discontinued too recently. Which wouldn’t follow their usual cutoff.

 

[Kaida]

I'm guessing at least 5 years from 2018 when Apple took it off the shelves.

2012 stopped selling in 2014, then it supported all the way till Catalina (2019) and got dropped off for Big Sur (2020). 5 years.

 

[Macminifan0691]

I doubt it. It was discontinued too recently. Which wouldn’t follow their usual cutoff.

I'm guessing at least 5 years from 2018 when Apple took it off the shelves.

2012 stopped selling in 2014, then it supported all the way till Catalina (2019) and got dropped off for Big Sur (2020). 5 years.

That sounds positive but might it be different now that Apple are using their own processors? They won’t want to support intel macs for too long

 

[Boyd01]

Apple's policy is here, the "obsolete clock" starts ticking when the computer was discontinued. But my impression is that they sometimes continue operating system support for longer than hardware support.

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"Owners of iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, or Apple TV products may obtain service and parts from Apple service providers, including Apple Retail Stores and Independent Repair Providers, for 5 years from when Apple last distributed the product for sale. Service and parts may be obtained for longer, as required by law, or for an additional two years, subject to parts availability. Apple discontinues hardware service for certain technologically-obsolete products. Your device is supported by ongoing OS updates and backed by a network of more than 5000 Apple-certified repair locations that you can count on if something unexpected happens."

 

[Dr_Charles_Forbin]

That’s basically my question too. My in-laws have a 2012 mini that obviously doesn’t support Big Sur... I think they’re on Catalina. They really don’t see a need to replace the mini but I‘m of the opinion that lacking security updates for new CVE’s and other discovered security issues is not the smartest move. I’m trying to get a a concrete answer from Apple on their patch releases for security issues on older OS releases and I’m not a getting a straight answer. For those out there running older machines- have you ever seen them push security updates out on older releases?

 

[velocityg4]

That’s basically my question too. My in-laws have a 2012 mini that obviously doesn’t support Big Sur... I think they’re on Catalina. They really don’t see a need to replace the mini but I‘m of the opinion that lacking security updates for new CVE’s and other discovered security issues is not the smartest move. I’m trying to get a a concrete answer from Apple on their patch releases for security issues on older OS releases and I’m not a getting a straight answer. For those out there running older machines- have you ever seen them push security updates out on older releases?

They typically push security patches for the two prior versions. Right now that would be Mojave and Catalina.

 

[Ghokun]

2014 minis have the same internals (CPU and SSD models) as the Retina 13-inch Mid 2014. I think they will drop support together. It happened with 2012 macbook pro and 2012 mini.

 

[headlessmike]

It probably mostly depends on how long Intel (and other suppliers) supports the chips. The Ivy Bridge CPUs in the 2012 Mini were dropped by Intel in the fall of 2020 (together with the 2000 series Sandy Bridge CPUs). Software can obviously still support the chips, but Intel no longer offers support. Hardware support from the chip manufacturers is often what ultimately determines if Apple supports a system or not.

 

[ktcifone]

Ive had the 2010, 2012 and the 2018 minis i think the 2014 overall was disappointing which is I bought the top 2012 mini in 2014. its 7 years old at this point should be time to put that to pasture.

 

[mdgm]

That sounds positive but might it be different now that Apple are using their own processors? They won’t want to support intel macs for too long

I think they will continue to release new Mac OS for Intel at least as long as they are still selling new Macs with Intel CPUs, so definitely this year and possibly next year as well.

One reason to release new Intel Mac OS is to strand the older models on old versions of Mac OS so that they stop getting security updates sooner. Macs that get the latest Intel version of Mac OS will probably get software security updates for longer than usually would happen for a Mac OS release.

I think Big Sur is probably the end of the line for the 2014 Mini.

 

[iHorseHead]

I remember I bought MacBook (white) for 1200€ and in 2012 it was already unsupported.
Then in 2013 I got myself used MacBook Pro mid 2010 for 320€ and was surprised that it was supported for so long.

 

[Micky Do]

Will the 2014 Mac mini be dropped from the compatibility list for macOS 12? If so I think this is a little unfair on customers who only bought one 3 years ago, from January to October 2018 just before the release of the 2018 model. Even though the mini 2014 was 4 years old at that point it was still available to buy direct from Apple as new. If they wanted to drop support for the 2014 model they should have discontinued it much earlier instead of leaving the Mac mini to stagnate in touched for 4 years. I would like to think that Apple would take this into consideration when developing macOS versions for the next couple of years but with the transition from intel to silicon I don’t hold out much hope . But I would be satisfied with just one more MacOS version before they drop support.

Unlikely for the 2014 Mac Mini to be dropped from MacOS updates for at least a couple of iterations, or more......

And when it is dropped, no longer being updated will not render the 2014 Mini unless. I am still using an early 2009 Mac Mini running El Capitan (and the original HDD), which remains fine for general day to day needs.

 

[mdgm]

I still have a few 2009 Minis. My early 2009 Mini now has a FW800 SSD for the boot drive.

I agree that old Macs can remain useful for a long time.

 

[Fishrrman]

My 2012 Mini runs fine on Low Sierra.
I see no reason to upgrade it further.

That "Apple has dropped support" means NOTHING to me.
It still runs fine when I need to use it.
(My "daily driver" is a 2018 Mini, which will forever remain on Mojave...)