Advice?

[Rjones351]

Wondering if I could get some advice. I've searched and came up with a lot of info, but most of it was over my head if I'm honest. I'm replacing an old g5 tower and the Mac Mini looks pretty good to me. I'm on a budget so I was looking at "renewed" ones on Amazon. Really all I'll use it for is photoshop, maybe internet. From what I gather I'll be able to either connect it to the g5, or at least move files between the two, for storage i was thinking. Will this one do the trick? I know more RAM would be preferable, but for the price it seems ok. Thanks!!

Apple Mac Mini Desktop Intel Core i5 2.6GHz (MGEN2LL/A ) 8GB Memory, 480GB Solid State Drive, ThunderBolt (Renewed)

Apple Mac Mini Desktop Intel Core i5 2.6GHz (MGEN2LL/A ) 8GB Memory, 480GB Solid State Drive, ThunderBolt (Renewed)

www.amazon.com

 

[Boyd01]

That is a 2014 Mini, more info here

Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014) Specs (Late 2014, MGEN2LL/A, Macmini7,1, A1347, 2840): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

I have the next step up, with the 2.8ghz i5 and 1tb Fusion Drive. The 480gb SSD is a nice upgrade and that machine should perform OK for "everyday" tasks. But it is basically a used computer and has no warranty from Apple. The 2014 Mini's get very little love around here, that was not a very good year for the Mini. But it is still a viable choice IMO. The RAM cannot be upgraded on the 2014 after purchase, it is soldered down.

I would also give some consideration to buying an Apple-refurbished 2018 Mini, you can get the entry level i3 model for about $600, although those only have 128gb SSD's. I think the refurbs with 256gb SSD's go for about $680. This is a much faster computer with newer ports and lots of other advantages. It will also have a full one-year Apple warranty and is eligible for AppleCare. IMO, a much better investment if you can afford it.

You have to be patient if you want an Apple refurb. More often than not, there won't be any on their site. But just keep checking frequently throughout the day. Eventually a whole bunch of different models will appear. Then, within a day they'll all be gone. So be prepared to buy immediately when you find what you want. Took me over a month, but I got the one I wanted. It is possible to upgrade RAM yourself on the 2018 Mini (although this is not officially supported by Apple)

Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple

Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

Regarding moving files, not quite sure what you are asking. You can turn on file sharing on the G5 and connect the two computers with an ethernet cable. You could then just drag the files you want over using the finder. You could also use an external drive to transfer files. I had a G5, but it is long gone, so not sure about software compatibility. With Intel Macs, you could use a Time Machine backup or Carbon Copy Clone disk to migrate your old files, but this probably doesn't work with a computer that old.

 

[Rjones351]

That is a 2014 Mini, more info here

Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014) Specs (Late 2014, MGEN2LL/A, Macmini7,1, A1347, 2840): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

I have the next step up, with the 2.8ghz i5 and 1tb Fusion Drive. The 480gb SSD is a nice upgrade and that machine should perform OK for "everyday" tasks. But it is basically a used computer and has no warranty from Apple. The 2014 Mini's get very little love around here, that was not a very good year for the Mini. But it is still a viable choice IMO. The RAM cannot be upgraded on the 2014 after purchase, it is soldered down.

I would also give some consideration to buying an Apple-refurbished 2018 Mini, you can get the entry level i5 model for about $600, although those only have 128gb SSD's. I think the refurbs with 256gb SSD's go for about $680. This is a much faster computer with newer ports and lots of other advantages. It will also have a full one-year Apple warranty and is eligible for AppleCare. IMO, a much better investment if you can afford it.

You have to be patient if you want an Apple refurb. More often than not, there won't be any on their site. But just keep checking frequently throughout the day. Eventually a whole bunch of different models will appear. Then, within a day they'll all be gone. So be prepared to buy immediately when you find what you want. Took me over a month, but I got the one I wanted. It is possible to upgrade RAM yourself on the 2018 Mini (although this is not officially supported by Apple)

Refurbished Mac Deals - Apple

Save up to 15% on a refurbished Mac. Tested and certified by Apple including a 1-year warranty. Free delivery and returns.

www.apple.com

Regarding moving files, not quite sure what you are asking. You can turn on file sharing on the G5 and connect the two computers with an ethernet cable. You could then just drag the files you want over using the finder. You could also use an external drive to transfer files. I had a G5, but it is long gone, so not sure about software compatibility. With Intel Macs, you could use a Time Machine backup or Carbon Copy Clone disk to migrate your old files, but this probably doesn't work with a computer that old.

Ah, that's good info, thanks! I thought about the "renewed" part, wasn't too sure about it. I'm not really in a hurry so I can keep an eye on the apple site. I thought the prices would be a lot higher, but if I can get a much better machine WITH a good warranty for a couple hundred more, that sounds like the way to go. Thanks again!

 

[Boyd01]

Yeah, I think you will be much happier and it will continue to get support from Apple for much longer than a 2014 Mini. There are quite a range of Mini's at the Apple refurb store with different specs and prices, you never know what to expect. But patience is the key, it may take a week of constant checking before you find any at all.

Coming from a G5, software compatibility is going to be an issue. Are you planning to use any of your old software on the new machine? That is not likely to work on the new Mini (with a few complicated exceptions). Back in the days of the G5, there were "Universal Apps" that could be installed on either the old PowerPC or new Intel Macs. But these will almost certainly be 32-bit apps that will not work on the newest version of MacOS (Catalina). There are some work-arounds though.

But most likely, you will need new versions of any old programs that you use, such as Photoshop. (note - there was a typo that I corrected in my post above, the $600 refurb Mini has the i3 processor, not the i5. Still a much better machine than any of the 2014 Mini's).

 

[Rjones351]

The g5 I was thinking mainly just storage. I've got a boatload of pictures on there that I would want to be able to access one way or another. And if I can just leave them there and still get to them easily, thats even better. Its been quite a while since I did anything at all with computers, just recently started getting back into photography and wanting to do things with the images. I'm pretty sure most anything I get will be better than the ancient g5.

 

[Boyd01]

How large is the disk in the G5? In most cases it would make more sense to just get an external disk, transfer all your files there and plug it directly into the new computer. The main thing I remember about my G5 is how HOT it ran. No reason to leave one of these running as a server unless you need to (such as accessing it from multiple computers at the same time).

You can get a 500gb external SSD (solid state disk) such as the Samsung T5 or T7 for under $100. These are super-fast and use almost no energy, would be a much better companion for any newer Mac.

 

[Rjones351]

I don't remember it being giant or anything, 150gb maybe? Something like that anyway.

 

[r6mile]

I don't remember it being giant or anything, 150gb maybe? Something like that anyway.

You could even just get a USB enclosure for the existing HDD from the G5. No need to have two actual computers.

If you have old PPC software you need to run, one solution is to create a 'Snow Leopard 10.6 Server' (must be Server) Virtual Machine, using VirtualBox, Parallels, or other software. Snow Leopard has 'Rosetta' which allows you to emulate PPC software on Intel machines. In theory there is a performance hit from virtualising and then emulating, but a current Mini is many many times faster than an old G5 so should still run a lot better.

 

[Fishrrman]

Don't buy a 2012 or 2014 Mini.
It will not be "a big enough jump upwards".

Get a 2018 Apple-refurbished Mini from Apple's online store.
The MINIMUM RAM you want is 16gb with these (get it pre-installed)
512gb SSD or even 256 if budget demands.
I'd suggest an i5 (at least), but if you have to get i3, get that.

 

[Amethyst1]

A 2012 or 2014 Mini would be a HUGE speed boost over the G5, but: I wouldn't go for a 2014 Mini - reason: they've only got dual-core CPUs. Don't bother with those anymore.

Go for a 2012 with the quad-core i7 and put in 16 GB RAM and an SSD. Alternatively, the 2018 with 16 GB RAM and an SSD.

 

[Kaida]

A 2012 or 2014 Mini would be a HUGE speed boost over the G5, but: I wouldn't go for a 2014 Mini - reason: they've only got dual-core CPUs. Don't bother with those anymore.

Go for a 2012 with the quad-core i7 and put in 16 GB RAM and an SSD. Alternatively, the 2018 with 16 GB RAM and an SSD.

2012 doesn't get big sur though.. I actually enjoyed my 2014 as my daily home machine. Low power usage and hardly ever gets warm. The 2012 quad core and the 2018 6-cores runs pretty warm idling..

 

[Monotremata]

The 2012 quad core and the 2018 6-cores runs pretty warm idling..

The 2018/2020 gets hot if you start pushing it gaming or doing some serious audio work or something. At idle, the thing sits at room temp most of the time Im on it.

 

[Rjones351]

Thanks everybody! I'll be religiously checking the apple site for refurbs. I'm glad I asked, there's all kinds of stuff I didn't know, or think about.

 

[Rjones351]

Since I've started checking the apple site, I see a lot of laptops. Only a few in my price range and those are have 8gb. I know 16 would be best, but would 8 work? I think the g5 was 1gb. I'm not opposed to a laptop, I could get an external drive, and hook my monitor to it, I assume?

 

[Boyd01]

I thought you wanted a Mini, not a laptop? But please re-read what I posted about the Apple Refurb store above, you have to check very often (every few hours throughout the day) and may go for a week or more without seeing anything.

IMO, 8gb is not adequate for a Mini. Have not kept up with the new Apple laptops, so I don't know about that (but I gave my kids a new MacBook Air with 8gb and they are very happy with it). If you want a laptop now, I suggest that you start another thread in the appropriate forum. A Mini will be cheaper than a laptop because you aren't paying for a screen, keyboard, trackpad and battery.

You have to be patient if you want an Apple refurb. More often than not, there won't be any on their site. But just keep checking frequently throughout the day. Eventually a whole bunch of different models will appear. Then, within a day they'll all be gone. So be prepared to buy immediately when you find what you want. Took me over a month, but I got the one I wanted.

 

[Rjones351]

I thought you wanted a Mini, not a laptop? But please re-read what I posted about the Apple Refurb store above, you have to check very often (every few hours throughout the day) and may go for a week or more without seeing anything.

IMO, 8gb is not adequate for a Mini. Have not kept up with the new Apple laptops, so I don't know about that (but I gave my kids a new MacBook Air with 8gb and they are very happy with it). If you want a laptop now, I suggest that you start another thread in the appropriate forum. A Mini will be cheaper than a laptop because you aren't paying for a screen, keyboard, trackpad and battery.

Yeah Mini would be the way to go, I just saw the laptops and thought I'd ask.

 

[Boyd01]

Another important question would be: what are you going to do for a monitor, mouse and keyboard? Will you use the same same ones from your G5? Up until June, I was still using the Apple 23" Cinema Display HD that I bought with my own G5 back in 2006! Still looks surprisingly good, I remember it was really expensive back then, but I certainly got my money's worth over the years. That display has a DVI connector and would need an adapter to go into either the HDMI or USB-C port on the new Mini. There are a couple threads in this forum where others are still using this same screen with the new Mini, and evidently it has some issues (such as a purple line down the edge of the screen, or refusing to wake up after the computer has been asleep).

I decided to get a new 32" screen to make the most of my own new Mini, but there are many other options available today and the prices for large screens have gotten very reasonable in recent years. As for keyboards and mice, almost any USB or bluetooth one will work, although some people have had issues with bluetooth.

 

[Rjones351]

I planned on using a Samsung monitor from the g5. The only keyboard I have is from the OLD g3 blue and white. I've been using it with the g5.

 

[Boyd01]

I had a G3 too, along with the HUGE blue and white Apple monitor (think it was called a "Studio Display"). That screen died and Apple fixed it under warranty. On the repair receipt, Apple called it a "Moby Monitor". 😂 That was appropriate, it weighed a ton and the shape make it really difficult to handle.

Anyway, you will no doubt need an adapter for your old screen. My G5 had the proprietary Apple Display Connector, Apple stopped using those long ago. The Cinema Display was new when I got it in 2006 and it included a DVI to ADC adapter for the G5.

Regarding the keyboard.... maybe it's a good idea to get a new one every 20 years?

 

[Rjones351]

I still have the g3..the tower still works but the monitor died a while back. That thing was a pain in the butt to move. Probably not a bad idea to get a keyboard. I'm still using the g3 mouse too. I do have the one that came with the g5 but I never liked it.

 

[Boyd01]

Did the G3 have the round mouse, like the old iMac? Can't remember. I hated those! Newer versions of MacOS benefit from a three button (or at least two button) mouse.

 

[Rjones351]

Did the G3 have the round mouse, like the old iMac? Can't remember. I hated those! Newer versions of MacOS benefit from a three button (or at least two button) mouse.

Yep, round mouse. I got a little snap on cover that made it "regular" shaped. A mouse with buttons would be nice.

 

[r6mile]

Yep, round mouse. I got a little snap on cover that made it "regular" shaped. A mouse with buttons would be nice.

Boy you really are rocking older hardware!

 

[Monotremata]

HAH I still have a blue and a grey G4 hockey puck around here somewhere. I wonder if my old G3 keyboard still works. That was my first Mac over 20 years ago, that thing was like a spaceship compared to my old beige P3 box at the time.

I still want to know who's stupid idea it was to put the power button on it though.

 

[Rjones351]

HAH I still have a blue and a grey G4 hockey puck around here somewhere. I wonder if my old G3 keyboard still works. That was my first Mac over 20 years ago, that thing was like a spaceship compared to my old beige P3 box at the time.

I still want to know who's stupid idea it was to put the power button on it though.

The g3 was my first one too. I don't remember exactly now, but it got all kinds of upgrades and cost some stupid amount I had to finance. I remember getting a VST firewire external drive. Big stuff then.