Can't recommend M1 Mac mini to family members...

[Think77]

My brother called me yesterday for advice on which new desktop computer to buy. He's a "normal" guy with no immediate preferences for Windows or Mac. However, he's always had Windows machines in the past.

I really wanted to recommend the M1 Mac mini, that I've been using myself for moths now. And however powerful and silent this machine is, it pained me that I just could not, in good conscience, recommend it to him.

- External display not turning on
- Bluetooth keyboard/mouse not connecting
- Apple doesn't seem to recognize there is a problem

Even for me, a tech savvy Mac guy, it's a pain is the ***. So, how wouldn't it be a complete and utter nightmare for "normal" people?

Now he's going with an HP Windows machine, so this was a missed window of opportunity to have him try a Mac.

Best,
A frustrated long time Mac guy

PS: I still have my 12 core 4,1 -> 5,1 Mac Pro from 2009, and though it's become long in the tooth and slow like hell (with certain tasks), it's an absolute work horse. 12 years in, and it just works. And I suspect it could continue to work for another 10 years without any technical issues.

 

[Apple_Robert]

You should recommend the M1 MBA or M1 MBP to him.

The problems cited with the M1 Mac mini are not new unfortunately. They have been going on for 3+ years.

 

[Think77]

You should recommend the M1 MBA or M1 MBP to him.

Yeah, but he needs a desktop computer for the family...

 

[Apple_Robert]

Yeah, but he needs a desktop computer for the family...

If he can wait for 5 - 6 months, we may see an iMac release.

 

[G4DPII]

Would never recommend a Mac Mini - Intel or M1.

There are to many niggling issues with it. Some have which have been present for a very long time, none of which appear to ever get sorted. It could have the best in class CPU inside but the Bluetooth issues, issues with external displays are just to annoying for someone who wants something that is supposed to 'just work'.

 

[MBAir2010]

I always had bluetooth problems on my 2012 mini, a great little computer, but annoying hardware!
seems to me that brother wants a Dell XPS computer no matter what advice you give him,
just be happy your brother is talking to you, most families are not anymore,

 

[Think77]

If he can wait for 5 - 6 months, we may see an iMac release.

I know ... but then again, the window of opportunity is now, since he's in the market for a new desktop computer.

 

[Think77]

I always had bluetooth problems on my 2012 mini, a great little computer, but annoying hardware!
seems to me that brother wants a Dell XPS computer no matter what advice you give him,
just be happy your brother is talking to you, most families are not anymore,

Actually, talking about computers seems to keep differing political view points at bay

 

[yurc]

Well, as 5,1 owner myself, it was outlived every old Macs from 2009~2012. I am stuffing with NVMe blades and newer GPU, still relevant for today standard. Apple make 5,1 look worse by crippling them in newer MacOS.

For your brother, I think it's best way to buy prebuilt desktop either HP or Dell, because I cannot recommended any current desktop Macs offering. Usually I would go for building PC, but building PC in 2021 is nightmare for now due components price increase, hence prebuilt is much better value.

 

[BulkSlash]

I thought it was just me having Bluetooth keyboard issues! I thought I’d alleviated it by keeping the accessibility keyboard open but any reboot for an update closes it, which means I have to dig out a USB keyboard to get back in. You have to wonder what someone with accessibility issues does as they might not have the option of getting out a USB keyboard just so they can use their machine again. It’s really poor Apple still haven’t fixed this and that there’s no way to invoke the accessibility keyboard from the login screen. Windows has had that feature for years.

 

[Moccasin]

Have had no problem with my M1 MM & Dell P2421 monitor - Apple bluetooth trackpad & keyboard work fine & wake up the machine/monitor instantly. Monitor shows good picture with RGB colours.

Could you not buy a Mac Mini and return it if he’s unhappy?

 

[Wando64]

The bluetooth problems with the Mini have always been there. I have a late 2012 mini with exactly the same problem, yet I would not hesitate in buying another one in the full knowledge that I would have to deal with this issue.
and, by the way, the issue is very easily solved with an external USB to bluetooth dongle. Attach a usb cable to the mini, and at the other end (near-ish your keyboard and mouse) attach the Bluetooth dongle.
This will need to be activated as the default bluetooth radio by using the Bluetooth Explorer (there are other threads dealing with the “how to”).
I know we shouldn’t have to do this, but hey, under every other aspect my Mini has been the best computer I’ve ever had and for me this is a small price to pay.

 

[SRQrws]

I agree with the OP. I had an M1 Mini for a couple of months and just sold it. While I didn't have significant problems with the Bluetooth connections for the keyboard or trackpad, I did have issues with a slow wifi connection and a really annoying, well-documented, problem with pixel shift using the LG Ultrafine 5k display. About 2 out of 3 times, a vertical column of pixels would shift downward upon the Mini waking up. The best solution was to create a Hot Corner to sleep the Mini, then wake it up. This should be corrected with an update, but as of a couple of weeks ago when I sold the Mini it wasn't. I'm now using an MBP 16 with the Ultrafine and having no issues.

 

[Fishrrman]

My recommendation:
Apple-refurbished 2019 27" iMac with an SSD inside, 8gb.

Easy-to-maintain Mac.
No T2 chip to cause trouble.
Yes, it's "Intel inside", but he's going to have that with the HP anyway...

 

[EdwardC]

My brother called me yesterday for advice on which new desktop computer to buy. He's a "normal" guy with no immediate preferences for Windows or Mac. However, he's always had Windows machines in the past.

I really wanted to recommend the M1 Mac mini, that I've been using myself for moths now. And however powerful and silent this machine is, it pained me that I just could not, in good conscience, recommend it to him.

- External display not turning on
- Bluetooth keyboard/mouse not connecting
- Apple doesn't seem to recognize there is a problem

Even for me, a tech savvy Mac guy, it's a pain is the ***. So, how wouldn't it be a complete and utter nightmare for "normal" people?

Now he's going with an HP Windows machine, so this was a missed window of opportunity to have him try a Mac.

Best,
A frustrated long time Mac guy

PS: I still have my 12 core 4,1 -> 5,1 Mac Pro from 2009, and though it's become long in the tooth and slow like hell (with certain tasks), it's an absolute work horse. 12 years in, and it just works. And I suspect it could continue to work for another 10 years without any technical issues.

I would have to agree, I have had Mini's since their inception and as nice as the M1 is the display issue, not waking up is a big deal. My 2018 i3 mini has a smaller issue with the HDMI out not syncing but a simple on/off of the monitor solves that issue. I have also called into Apple with the same "We have not heard of this" response. I knew when I bought this it was a test bed of sorts and that's how I've been using it. Maybe 2.0 will be a little better.

Regards..........Ed

 

[Think77]

Have had no problem with my M1 MM & Dell P2421 monitor - Apple bluetooth trackpad & keyboard work fine & wake up the machine/monitor instantly. Monitor shows good picture with RGB colours.

Could you not buy a Mac Mini and return it if he’s unhappy?

I guess, yes. But wouldn't anyone be unhappy, if they purchase a brand new computer that won't connect properly to keyboard/mouse/monitor? Which leeds to this question: Has Apple (silently) rolled out hardware upgrades to more recently produced M1 Mac minis? Or did they just have some really bad batches early on, that many of us got caught up in?

 

[Think77]

The bluetooth problems with the Mini have always been there. I have a late 2012 mini with exactly the same problem, yet I would not hesitate in buying another one in the full knowledge that I would have to deal with this issue.
and, by the way, the issue is very easily solved with an external USB to bluetooth dongle. Attach a usb cable to the mini, and at the other end (near-ish your keyboard and mouse) attach the Bluetooth dongle.
This will need to be activated as the default bluetooth radio by using the Bluetooth Explorer (there are other threads dealing with the “how to”).
I know we shouldn’t have to do this, but hey, under every other aspect my Mini has been the best computer I’ve ever had and for me this is a small price to pay.

Sounds totally crazy considering the streamlined experience and visual appearance that is the mini's "soul" – but hey, I think I will actually try that out! Need to get some work done and not be frustrated.

 

[velocityg4]

Instead of getting the Apple keyboard and mouse. Recommend a Logitech Keyboard and Mouse with the Unify receiver. That Unify receiver is bulletproof. Higher end Logitech mice and keyboards are also very well made. With some nice ergonomic options. Also mechanical keyboard options.

I've never found Bluetooth to be that reliable for any keyboard and mouse on any computer.

 

[alfonsog]

I sent my M1 mini back and went back to my 2018 mini for those same 3 reasons. I sold my older Mac Pro and am waiting for the new one. I also had a 2017 27" iMac but I gave it to my mother when computer died and bought the 2018 mini to hold me over but it works well enough for me.

 

[posguy99]

The correct answer is, don't recommend computers to people. That just makes you responsible. And NEVER support family's computers, that's worse.

 

[Think77]

The correct answer is, don't recommend computers to people. That just makes you responsible. And NEVER support family's computers, that's worse.

I would recommend the classic 4,1/5,1 Mac Pro anytime to anyone (had it been updated with new hardware), based on how rock solid it's been. Whenever I power it on, I never doubt that it connects to any of my peripherals, be it wireless or wired. I would happily be responsible for a family member purchasing that machine

 

[tubular]

Would never recommend a Mac Mini - Intel or M1.

There are to many niggling issues with it. Some have which have been present for a very long time, none of which appear to ever get sorted. It could have the best in class CPU inside but the Bluetooth issues, issues with external displays are just to annoying for someone who wants something that is supposed to 'just work'.

I've been a mac mini user for a decade now. They're great machines. Every now and then it can't find my monitor when it boots, but if that's the worst problem a computer has, then it's a damn fine computer.

 

[jazz1]

There is much to recommend about the M1 MacMini, performance vs. cost is great if you can acclimate yourself to the Apple tax on the cost of internal SSD storage, and RAM.

I've had one since December. But, I have come to the conclusion that it is a glitchy computer/OS. Perhaps it is not a computer that someone new to Macs would be happy with.

I fought for Apple products at an institution of higher education for many years. I'm proud to say that at least in the college worked at I finally got Macs and iPad into the hands of the faculty. I also encouraged the university's and my own college's technical support to be able to assist students with Apple products. I worked closely with the regional Apple sales rep. to introduce the latest and greatest Apple products to faculty, staff, and students. So please don't label me anti-Apple.

How much productivity vs. calling Apple support, or digging into these forums for assistance is one willing sacrifice? My love for Apple runs deep and has done so since the //+. But if the M1 MacMini was a car, I'd probably own a bike

How much of the operating issues is Big Sur or third party app. developers, I cannot tell. How long it will continue to be glitchy is anyones guess.

 

[loybond]

Haven't had too many issues with the m1 MBA. On two occasions the lg 5k monitor didn't wake up, which was fixed by a replugging or switching ports. No major Bluetooth issues. That's not too bad considering I've been using it for about 2.5 months now.

I have wifi 6 issues with all my newer Apple devices though.

 

[MacCheetah3]

I've never found Bluetooth to be that reliable for any keyboard and mouse on any computer.

That really is part of it. As I've pointed out in other threads, it's not an Apple-specific problem.

Fix Bluetooth problems in Windows - Microsoft Support

Learn how to troubleshoot Bluetooth problems in Windows. Resolve issues connecting a Bluetooth device or accessory.

support.microsoft.com

However -- in recent thoughts -- I think, the Mac mini is more prone to the problem than other personal computers, including other Macs, because of its size. Even "small form factor" PCs are rarely as small as the Mac mini. I know, I know... What about the iPhone, etc? Even though the iPhone does have multiple transceivers, the Mac mini wireless connectivity problems stem primarily from USB device interference, which iDevices do not need to contend with. And, again, the Mac mini being so small, length and width footprint, it's difficult to keep the USB controller, ports, and cables far enough away from antennas and other transceivers.

Additionally, as I've also reminded in other threads, never gauge problem scope according to the number of forum/message board or other social media posts.

With that said, I'm not doubting first generation problems with the M1. Furthermore, releasing significantly different hardware with significantly updated software (i.e. Big Sur) is also a bad idea IMO. So much more to test and troubleshot. Thus, currently, M1 users are experiencing something of an expanded testing period (i.e., all of the possible configurations a company couldn't possibly reasonably test).