A question on keeping a 2018 Mac Mini

[Fogger]

Hey guys, I have a 2018 Mac Mini. It is the base model with 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i3 and 8 GB of RAM. It has Mac OS Sonoma 14.6.1

I use it for very limited work, mainly filling out PDFs in Acrobat Reader and printing them, basic spreadsheets in Numbers, and very light surfing in Safari. This computer is old and underpowered, but it works very well for me. It's very zippy and it never freezes.

I would like to keep using it for these same purposes for 2-3 years longer, by then the work I do on it now should be all digital and online. And that is where my questions lies:

What should I do now?
Should I stop updating the OS when the next one is available?
Should I only download some updates but not others?

Right now it is telling me to update to Sequoia 15.3. I am not sure if that will slow down my computer or not. There is also the option to only update to Sonoma 14.7.3

 

[kitKAC]

I have a 13" 2018 MacBook Pro (2.7 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 with 16Gb RAM) and it runs Sequoia 15.3 absolutely fine.

You could stay on Sonoma and install all the updates for it and if Sequoia is the end of the line for these machines, install that when the next macOS is released later in the year.

 

[smithrh]

I have a similar model, but it's got 6 cores of I5 and I've upgraded the RAM to 32Gb.

It works fine on Sequoia. Quite a few of the bells and whistles (such as AI) in Sequoia won't work on a Mac this old, but many view that as a plus.

If you can find RAM for it, I'd suggest boosting it up to something like 24Gb, RAM is generally cheap and will keep you running for a while on this machine. Security updates are going to be quickest on Sequoia, so you may want to entertain that. Guessing Sequoia is the end of the line for these older Intel Macs.

Hopefully someone with your exact specs can chime in.

 

[Boyd01]

I have the top spec 2018 Mini, still very happy with it. But my needs are unusual, I rely very heavily on Windows 10 GIS software running in a 32gb 4 core Parallels VM which works well on Intel. I'm way behind, still on Monterey. I'm slow to update because it always breaks something that takes days to figure out 🤣

Anyway, happy to hear that Sequoia is working well for some of you, it's certainly in my future when I get a little break from some current projects. I also have a base m4 Mini as a media server and am quite happy not to have those "bells and whistles" on the 2018.

 

[mcnallym]

I tend not to upgrade to the new OS till had chance to get rid of the kinks in it. So still on Mac OS 14 myself and on M1 Max Studio.

Running 14.7.3 myself and running fine.

Probably look at 15 when gets to 15.4 myself.
Generally that is when pickup the new OS at the .4 point.

Nothing in 15 that need or appears will improve what i use the computer for. I a sure that for some people will be parts that improve but not for me.
Basically import video recordings
Convert to ProRes
Import to FCP X
edit and export
Handbrake
IFlicks 3 for metadata
Import to TV which the Plex on NAS then imports.

Don’t believe the hype in that a computer is underpowered. If it does everything YOU need it do then it isn’t underpowered.

I haven’t noticed any slow down with my Mac when updated the OS and been OK but generally wait till .4.

 

[Fogger]

Yeah my computer has plenty of power for what I use it for. But I question whether it will have the power for future operating systems. That’s why I’m asking whether I should continue to install updates or to just stop completely to make sure that I could continue to use it for 2 to 3 years.

 

[turbineseaplane]

@Fogger

How much SSD do you have on the 2018?

 

[mcnallym]

Yeah my computer has plenty of power for what I use it for. But I question whether it will have the power for future operating systems. That’s why I’m asking whether I should continue to install updates or to just stop completely to make sure that I could continue to use it for 2 to 3 years.

The OS won't add much horsepower requirements. You will just find that maybe not all features work on the Mini 2018, ike AI for instance, which is where would find need extra grunt.
Needs the Neural Engine I believe that not in Intel Macs

 

[Fogger]

I have the base hard drive, I’m not sure what that is and I don’t have access to it at the moment to check. I just know that it’s more than enough space for me.

I really use that computer on a very limited basis, just the stuff I mentioned in the original post. I can’t wait for the day that I don’t need a computer at all, hopefully this one will last until then.

 

[mcnallym]

I have the base hard drive, I’m not sure what that is and I don’t have access to it at the moment to check. I just know that it’s more than enough space for me.

I really use that computer on a very limited basis, just the stuff I mentioned in the original post. I can’t wait for the day that I don’t need a computer at all, hopefully this one will last until then.

Base on the i3 was 128Gb which whilst slated I used mine purely as iTunes Server/Elgato Server with external storage so the size was fine.

 

[Boyd01]

I have the base hard drive, I’m not sure what that is and I don’t have access to it at the moment to check.

The original base 2018 Mini only had a 128gb internal SSD (which is not user-upgradeable). In 2020, they discontinued that option and gave the base model a 256gb SSD. This created some confusion, because it was called a "2020 Mini" in some places. Actually, it was exactly the same computer as the original 2018 base Mini with a 256gb upgrade.

 

[asdfjkl;]

I have an i5 2018 Mini that I've upgraded to 32GB of RAM. Mine is currently running Sonoma as well. I'll be upgrading to Sequoia shortly. I tend to keep my machines up to date with OS and patches. I was waiting for 15.3 to update and just haven't gotten around to it yet.

There shouldn't be any issues, performance or otherwise, with moving to Sequoia. I frankly expect the next version of Mac OS to be the last for Intel Macs. I don't see any reason why you can't keep upgrading the OS and things working out for you.

 

[Allen_Wentz]

Yeah my computer has plenty of power for what I use it for. But I question whether it will have the power for future operating systems. That’s why I’m asking whether I should continue to install updates or to just stop completely to make sure that I could continue to use it for 2 to 3 years.

Your query is off a bit. Slowdown over time is not simply about having "the power for future operating systems." Reality is that this is tech and everything improves over time demanding more hardware and RAM support. Just keep OS/apps upgrading as feasible and when things get too slow buy new hardware. However if your current box allows RAM upgrading by all means do that, because more RAM usually has significant impact.

Edit: Also maintain your boot SSD at less than 50%-80% full.

Note that for most folks trying to keep an old box using just old OS and apps is not a feasible strategy. Doing so takes dedication to the process of maintaining old tech, and with internet use being so important few of us want to invest our lives in that time-consuming process. [some do]

 

[Fogger]

Your query is off a bit. Slowdown over time is not simply about having "the power for future operating systems." Reality is that this is tech and everything improves over time demanding more hardware and RAM support. Just keep OS/apps upgrading as feasible and when things get too slow buy new hardware. However if your current box allows RAM upgrading by all means do that, because more RAM usually has significant impact.

Edit: Also maintain your boot SSD at less than 50%-80% full.

I’ll be happy to keep up updating it over the next couple years if that will allow me to keep using it.

But for curiosity sake, don’t newer operating systems often require more power or resources to run?

I thought that was the way it was. I thought it was the same on iPhones, why older models get slower when upgrading to the newest iOS.

 

[mcnallym]

I’ll be happy to keep up updating it over the next couple years if that will allow me to keep using it.

But for curiosity sake, don’t newer operating systems often require more power or resources to run?

I thought that was the way it was. I thought it was the same on iPhones, why older models get slower when upgrading to the newest iOS.

They will get slower if introducing new tasks that features that require more power. They won't require more power or slow down to do the same tasks.

Hence why Apple not introduced AI to older phones etc.

The new features that adding to the Mac OS now aren't making it too Intel Macs as don't have the hardware in them such as Neural Engine.

As such you shouldn't really get that with your 2018 Intel Mini.

My Studio hasn't slowed down with newer OS. Bought my M1 as soon as could collect in the Apple Stores

I am now on my third OS on this Mac and hasn't slowed down on the work I do and I have the BASE spec Max. Admittedly still a powerful computer but isn't upgraded at all.

Actually found that got better performance as Apple Silicon Software matured and software got better developer understanding and expanded to use the hardware more.

 

[sfphoto]

Hey guys, I have a 2018 Mac Mini. It is the base model with 3.6 GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i3 and 8 GB of RAM. It has Mac OS Sonoma 14.6.1

I use it for very limited work, mainly filling out PDFs in Acrobat Reader and printing them, basic spreadsheets in Numbers, and very light surfing in Safari. This computer is old and underpowered, but it works very well for me. It's very zippy and it never freezes.

I would like to keep using it for these same purposes for 2-3 years longer, by then the work I do on it now should be all digital and online. And that is where my questions lies:

What should I do now?
Should I stop updating the OS when the next one is available?
Should I only download some updates but not others?

Right now it is telling me to update to Sequoia 15.3. I am not sure if that will slow down my computer or not. There is also the option to only update to Sonoma 14.7.3

For what you are using it for, if the i3 and 8 GB of RAM are working well for you - leave as is. For what you are doing it is not 'underpowered'.
As mentioned here, any OS upgrades might well require investing $$ on the machine.

 

[TechnoMonk]

Chances of Apple releasing security patches and updates are higher for sequoia than Sonoma. It’s a trade off running an outdated OS with something that is at least patched for security updates.

 

[X86refugee]

Yeah my computer has plenty of power for what I use it for. But I question whether it will have the power for future operating systems. That’s why I’m asking whether I should continue to install updates or to just stop completely to make sure that I could continue to use it for 2 to 3 years.

I might be new to the current MacOS, however this seems like a really loopy question.
Just image your drive when you upgrade, ie .1, .2, .3, etc.
If you reach a point where you find MacOS has outstripped your machine and you want to go back to an earlier version, just re-image from that backup and copy your data from the last backup.
Good re-use for an old spinning rust or blu-ray.

 

[richmlow]

Yeah my computer has plenty of power for what I use it for. But I question whether it will have the power for future operating systems. That’s why I’m asking whether I should continue to install updates or to just stop completely to make sure that I could continue to use it for 2 to 3 years.

My personal take is that you should keep your Mac mini on macOS Sonoma (and its future updates). I've done this with my 2013 Mac Pro (using macOS Mojave) and it works very well!


richmlow

 

[macnavarra]

I would thinking upgrading it to the alpha OS in the works, or disconnecting from the Internet and downgrading it to Mojave in your case, if you Where on Fusion HDD Yosemite and up to Mojave.

 

[weaztek]

A 2018 computer isn't old by most standards. Around this forums it is, but this is unquestionably a tech crowd.

I just replaced my 2018 but I use it for professional photo editing.

My friends are running Mini's that are well over ten years old with no problems whatsoever (I do their tech help).

I think you can easily keep running it for 3 more years. The newest OS will run on it fine.

Just have TimeMachine or your alternate backup of choice current. So if a hard drive or chip goes down, it will be a very easy process to restore to a new machine.

 

[currocj]

I have a similar model, but it's got 6 cores of I5 and I've upgraded the RAM to 32Gb.

It works fine on Sequoia. Quite a few of the bells and whistles (such as AI) in Sequoia won't work on a Mac this old, but many view that as a plus.

If you can find RAM for it, I'd suggest boosting it up to something like 24Gb, RAM is generally cheap and will keep you running for a while on this machine. Security updates are going to be quickest on Sequoia, so you may want to entertain that. Guessing Sequoia is the end of the line for these older Intel Macs.

Hopefully someone with your exact specs can chime in.

Word to the wise…when upgrading RAM be extremely careful with the fan cable, it commonly breaks when doing the RAM upgrade

 

[macnavarra]

Word to the wise…when upgrading RAM be extremely careful with the fan cable, it commonly breaks when doing the RAM upgrade

And the LED cable to.

 

[StoneJack]

Yeah my computer has plenty of power for what I use it for. But I question whether it will have the power for future operating systems. That’s why I’m asking whether I should continue to install updates or to just stop completely to make sure that I could continue to use it for 2 to 3 years.

dont worry for future and just use it now

 

[Fogger]

dont worry for future and just use it now

The future is exactly what I’m concerned about and what I’m asking about. The absolute last thing I want to do is have to buy a new computer just to finish out the 2-3 years that I have to do this type of work. Don’t tell me what to worry about.