Apple Classifies 2011 Mac Mini as Obsolete

[9081094]

But they said they are releasing a new Mac Pro, too.

They keep telling they've amazing products in the pipeline for years too. They’re relying on the brand name they worked very hard for in the period 2001 till 2010, since then they’ve been stalling in every category they’re in.

To name one big embarrassment: used google maps lately? Remember flyover from Apple maps and the introduction of another city every two months? Google maps has all the flyovers covered for each city and village of the whole Netherlands. Wanna try it? Use street view and zoom out. That really amazes me and shows how far Apple is falling behind.

This is just one example and it’s software related. Name one example Apple excels in these days...

 

[EightyTwenty]

Only a few more years for my brand new 2014 Mac Mini

You'd still have 5 years to go, assuming a new model was released today.

 

[itguy06]

It almost feels like they are just mailing it in on the Mac product line. Then again, the whole PC market segment is pretty boring. What else is left to do. Desktops and laptops seem like dinosaurs.

I dono. My Spectre x360 from January 2017 is the Mac Apple should have made. Fast, great screen, great build quality, great battery life, and has been a solid machine for the past 11 months I've owned it. The form factor, while it does have compromises is awesome and much better than a computer and iPad. I don't think I could ever go back to a non touchscreen laptop.

I just built an AMD Ryzen 7 1700 system from scratch. 8 cores, 16 threads, 32GB RAM, 2x 4TB HDs in RAID 0, 256 SSD. It's a beast. Cost me $1100. Runs VM's like crazy, is a great Photoshop/Lightroom machine. Even if I bought a 5k monitor I'd still be cheaper than the iMac Pro by a long shot. And it will probably outperform the low end configurations of iMac Pro.

The PC space is somewhat exciting with the new crop of affordable multi-core(4+) machines.

 

[OldSchoolMacGuy]

Mine with SSD and additional RAMs, still running really well, don't see much difference between the 2011 vs 2014. The only thing bothers me is the speed of USB2.0 transfer from a USB device.

You (and many here) are also missing the late 2012 Mac mini. It was similar to the 2011 but also featured USB 3.0 along with better processors and RAM.

The i7 offered on the late 2012 Mac mini is faster than that offered on the 2014 Mac mini.

Late 2012 got Ivy Bridge while Mid-2011 was Sandy Bridge processors.

Late 2012 models got much faster 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L SO-DIMMs RAM.

 

[fhall1]

I revived my 2011 Mini with an SSD, worked wonders. I've since moved up to a 5K iMac, but my wife uses that 2011 constantly and it's just fine under High Sierra. i/o is slow as hell with that USB 2.0, but it's only connected to a Time Machine drive so it's not really an issue.

And at my previous job, 2 years ago, I was running two big 1600x1200 monitors off a 2012 Mini, doing Photoshop, Illustrator while running whatever else (Office and whatnot), and it was still very usable.

Two years is a long time in computer age....just because it was fine then, doesn't mean it will be now - all depends on what the software vendors did to their hardware/OS requirements over that span.

 

[9081094]

What also amazes me is that they still charge the same for a product that has ancient tech inside as if it was introduced yesterday.

 

[ssgbryan]

There is no external dvd or blue ray for the mac? We have 2 official apple external dvd drives.

That were deliberately engineered not to work with all Macs.

 

[le_cagou]

The i7 offered on the late 2012 Mac mini is faster than that offered on the 2014 Mac mini.

Late 2012 got Ivy Bridge while Mid-2011 was Sandy Bridge processors.

Late 2012 models got much faster 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3L SO-DIMMs RAM.

the late 2012 i7 is the mini king ...

 

[willnpc]

Apple sells, whatever great or abysmal its products are. That's hardly a CEO's accomplishment. Schiller/Forstall/Schmidt/Ballmer could have run that rally. But Cook was chosen - supposedly a provisioning genius. Well, what provisioning do we see with the Cook launches (HomePod, AirPower, Airpods) It's mostly desperate amateurism, currently. He's supposed to provision (or supply better geniuses who provision)
Sleep along.

Anyone who starts talking about profitability probably owns stock... they are pretty easy to spot so of course they are going to have only glowing things to say and are blinded by reality

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

Please send me a link. When my iMac and MacBook Die (each of which has 7 ports of I/O), I need to buy a dock when I replace them with Apple's current models and all of the docks I see are very expensive.

It all comes down to what combination of ports you need.

There are lots of USB-C Docks that have multiple USB-A (3.0) Ports, an Gigabit Ethernet Port, and an SD Card slot and a 4K HDMI port for around $70-80. Here's a couple from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/SIIG-Docking-Station-Multiport-Adapter/dp/B0748N794G/


Here's one that also supports audio, VGA and DVI out for $95:

https://www.amazon.com/Wavlink-Aluminum-Universal-Vertical-Ethernet/dp/B01M7PP31E/


...And if you just use WiFi for your home Ethernet, here's one for $40 that has 3 USBs, a Card Slot and HDMI:

https://www.amazon.com/HooToo-Adapter-Charging-MacBook-Chromebook/dp/B019R9ILTG/


This one doesn't have Ethernet, but it does have Audio, HDMI (1080P only, I think), VGA, one USB 3.0, and multi-card slot (SD,TF,CF). Kind of a nice complement of ports for someone doing conferencing with a laptop. It also has a nice stowage-slot for the USB-C cable built-in. $47:

https://www.amazon.com/Adapter-Delivery-Charging-MacBook-Chromebook/dp/B074XY15CJ/


And if you just need a PILE (7) of FULL-SPEED USB 3.0 Ports, here is a $35 Dock for you. Keep in mind that this is NOT a "Hub". EACH of those USB 3.0 Ports gets FULL-BANDWIDTH. Perfect if you have a bunch of outboard audio gear for a audio recording setup!

https://www.amazon.com/Wavlink-Aluminum-Multi-function-Swapping-Ultra-Slim/dp/B017N3VDE8/


And keep in mind that any Apple computer will have a MINIMUM of TWO (and usually FOUR) TB-3/USB-C Ports; so you can mix and match to suit YOUR particular needs!

And, BTW, this was only the first of some FORTY Pages of results on Amazon!!!

Yes, you DO have to read the reviews to determine Mac compatibility, need for Drivers, etc; but seriously, TB3 and USB-C are REALLY a Good Thing(tm)...

 

[fairuz]

Wow. I'm drooling looking at all of those ports. That's amazing.

It's only what a pre-2016 rMBP has plus 2 USB ports and with a FW800 instead of one of the TB ports.

 

[theMaccer]

I thought the 2011 mini was the current mini.

 

[MacsRuleOthersDrool]

For an EXTRA £100 or more of course...Rather than getting it all for free *with* the computer...

...actually less, depending on what ports you need.

And then, you STILL likely have THREE more TB3/USB-C Ports available. Fully maxed-out, you can realize something like FIFTY-SIX I/O Ports with 4 TB3/USB-C Ports.

Try THAT with the 2011 'mini!!!

 

[Martyimac]

Why are you still using DVD's like it's 1995? Pretty much all of the major companies have gotten rid of drives.

Not true, just went into a Best Buy last week and the Asus, Dell, Lenovo and HP desktops all had DVD drives. Didn't look at the laptops.

 

[Beachguy]

RIP—was a great idea. Guess making all-in-one desktop iMacs and standalone towers is a more lucrative business model.

What are you talking about? They didn't discontinue the Mini, just one year's production.

 

[Martyimac]

I'll just echo most of what the others have said about the 2011 mini. Upgraded the RAM and went with an SSD and it is more than sufficient for anything I now use the computer for. It's plenty fast enough for what I do nowdays.

 

[emvxl]

Apple this week added all Mac mini models released in mid 2011 to its public-facing vintage and obsolete products list.

Mid 2011 models have officially been classified as vintage or obsolete as of November 30, 2017, according to an internal memo distributed to Apple Authorized Service Providers and later obtained by MacRumors.

The distinction means that Apple and Apple Authorized Service Providers will no longer repair or service the 2011 Mac mini, given over five years have passed since it was last manufactured, except where required by law.

The only regions exempted include California and Turkey, where customers may still obtain service for up to two additional years.

Apple repairs and services products for up to five years after they are no longer manufactured, and 2011 Mac mini models have now eclipsed that coverage period after being discontinued in late 2012.

2011 Mac mini models were the first with a Thunderbolt port, and the first without an optical disc drive for CDs/DVDs.

It has been over 1,100 days since Apple last refreshed the Mac mini, according to the MacRumors Buyer's Guide. The computer is still powered by Intel's dual-core Haswell processors, now five generations old.

When Apple announced plans for a modular Mac Pro, Apple marketing chief Phil Schiller said the Mac mini "is an important product" in the company's lineup, but he didn't confirm if a new machine is in the works.

Apple CEO Tim Cook likewise said the Mac mini will be an "important part" of Apple's product lineup going forward in a recent email.

Article Link: Apple Classifies 2011 Mac Mini as Obsolete

I never knew that Apple posted these obsolete computer info. I guess my 2007 iMac 20-inch (running Ubuntu now and running great) and a 2009 iMac 20-inch (which is running El Capitan as the latest Mac OS won't work) are both obsolete. Oh wait, is my Apple II obsolete as well? Have been playing Lode Runner on that thing for sometime now, though my son can't fathom playing on it as the graphics are woeful according to him.

 

[Martyimac]

That were deliberately engineered not to work with all Macs.

Maybe the Apple external DVD's were engineered that way but i have an external LG DVD which works just fine on my 2011 mini, my nMP, and my 2015 13" rMBP

 

[Mike MA]

Next my MacBook Air 2010 I‘m afraid, the upcoming OS already heads into this direction if I’m not mistaken.

 

[bartvk]

Just bought a entry level 2013 Mac Pro for under 2 grand. No more wait.

That's a very good price, congrats and have fun with the machine! For which purpose have you bought it?

Apple has released new MacBook Pros and iMacs this year plus should be releasing an iMac Pro soon. Apple has also committed to a new Mac Pro. They are officially supporting eGPUs

You're totally right. Of course, the Mac Mini is really really strange and should not be sold for this price. However, there are a lot of exciting products at the moment! I'm the happy owner of a 2016 15" MBP and it's a beast of a machine.

 

[bladerunner2000]

Late 2014 "upgrade" should be considered a crime.

What are you showing here?

Courage...

LOL! That's brilliant.

 

[nvmls]

What also amazes me is that they still charge the same for a product that has ancient tech inside as if it was introduced yesterday.

Yea happens when you have a bunch of idiots still buying and supporting these practices, can't blame Tim for exploiting them.

 

[Dangermen]

I wish Apple was more transparent about their EOL policies around security vulnerabilities and on their roadmap. I know I am not the only one but the lack of security updates or EOL’ing a platform because itunes isn’t updated anymore are just jerk moves.

 

[smbu2000]

Apple has provided software support for machines on the "obsolete" list. The "obsolete" list just lets them plan on not stocking components in Apple stores and repair centers for those machines. Its basically a means to remove parts from their production / stock list. I believe my late-2009 27-inch iMacs have been obsolete for a couple of years and both run High Sierra.

BTW.... fun fact about the 2011 Mac mini (which I do own).... It had a Thunderbolt port, but NO USB-3. Apple was really late to the USB-3 party as they tried to push Thunderbolt as a standard first. It was not until 2012 that the Mac mini got USB-3.

Actually, that was more on Intel, which didn’t have native usb3 support until Ivy Bridge CPUs (in 2012 mini). The previous generation Sandy Bridge CPUs in the 2011 mini were still very capable, but were limited to native usb2 support. Other vendors had to get around that by using an extra 3rd party usb3 chipset if they wanted usb3 support.

I had to purchase an extra pcie usb3 card for my home built Sandy Bridge i7-2600k system at the time as the motherboard/chipset (Intel P67)didn’t have native usb3 support.

 

[GoodWheaties]

So confused ... we have one of these and it got High Sierra - it works just fine - does this mean it won't get the next version of Mac OS next year?

Not necessarily. High Sierra currently supports at least a couple Macs that have been obsoleted by Apple.