Hi newbie here, I’m currently using my iPad Pro M1 as my main computer hooked up to my monitor (BenQ 2780). My experience so far is positive however I still feel like I could do with something else as a back up, I was thinking of getting a Mac mini 2012 or 2014. Question is are these still good for basics, for example word processing, Apple Music, YouTubing and maybe some light gaming on Apple Arcade ? And also which model would you recommend ?
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Mac mini 2012 or 2014 ?
- Thread starter Rusht4628
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The 2012 Mini is no longer supported by current versions of MacOS, Catalina (introduced in 2019) is the newest version it can run. Catalina will most likely stop receiving security updates by the end of this year. Games don't interest me, but the HD4000 GPU in the 2012 Mini is definitely older technology and might be an issue. Wordprocessing and YouTube should be ok. I don't use Apple Music, but guess it would be OK although you may need to update to Catalina if the machine already doesn't have it installed.
The 2014 Mini is still supported by current versions of MacOS (AFAIK) but this year is considered a low point by a number of people who follow the Mini. The top-spec 2012 quad-core 2.6ghz i7 Mini is 50% faster than the top-spec 2014 3.0ghz i7 Mini, for example. Apple did not offer a quad-core Mini in 2014.
The base 1.4ghz 2014 Mini should definitely be avoided, I have one and performance is horrible. For example, just clicking on System Preferences would take about 40 seconds before it opened. Installing an internal SSD will help, but memory is NOT upgradeable on the 2014 Mini and 4gb really isn't enough. The 2012 Mini was designed with user-upgradeable memory (just twist open the bottom cover) and can be upgraded to a max of 16gb.
Frankly, I wouldn't really recommend either the 2012 or 2014 Mini (although I have both myself). They are just getting too old. If you want an Intel CPU, the 2018 is the only way to go, the base model will be much faster than any ofd the 2012 or 2014 Mini's and it will be supported much longer.
The 2014 Mini is still supported by current versions of MacOS (AFAIK) but this year is considered a low point by a number of people who follow the Mini. The top-spec 2012 quad-core 2.6ghz i7 Mini is 50% faster than the top-spec 2014 3.0ghz i7 Mini, for example. Apple did not offer a quad-core Mini in 2014.
The base 1.4ghz 2014 Mini should definitely be avoided, I have one and performance is horrible. For example, just clicking on System Preferences would take about 40 seconds before it opened. Installing an internal SSD will help, but memory is NOT upgradeable on the 2014 Mini and 4gb really isn't enough. The 2012 Mini was designed with user-upgradeable memory (just twist open the bottom cover) and can be upgraded to a max of 16gb.
Frankly, I wouldn't really recommend either the 2012 or 2014 Mini (although I have both myself). They are just getting too old. If you want an Intel CPU, the 2018 is the only way to go, the base model will be much faster than any ofd the 2012 or 2014 Mini's and it will be supported much longer.
Thank you, I was unsure due to the age of both systems. I did consider getting a m1 Mac mini bought thought it may make my iPad redundant. Maybe the Mac mini 2018 is the way forward. Thanks again
If you don't need to run x86 VMs, the M1 Mini is the way to go. There is no reason to buy a 2018 these days (except if you need to run X86 VMs, as I said - or if you need more than the 16 GB of RAM the M1 can accommodate).
EugW
macrumors P6
I dunno about Apple Arcade gaming, but an 8-16 GB 2014 will run Monterey well for word processing and Apple Music, after you upgrade to NVMe SSD (which is literally just a 10 minute hardware install if you have the right screwdrivers). I say 8-16 GB because you have to pay specific attention to the RAM when buying a used 2014. There are a lot of cheap 4 GB models available on the used market, but 4 GB is not sufficient and the RAM is not upgradable.
The 2012 has upgradable RAM, but cannot officially run Monterey.
For the time being, until the M2 / Mx Pro Mac mini models are released, my 2014 8 GB Core i5 dual-core Mac mini is my primary work machine, with Safari, Pages, Apple Music, Apple TV+, YouTube, Netflix, VPN, etc. Pretty decent. I bought a cheap model with hard drive only, and installed an NVMe adapter (< US$15) with 500 GB Western Digital SN550 SSD. I left the hard drive in place since it would have been too much of a hassle to remove, and I can use it for extra storage/backup, etc.
The 2012 has upgradable RAM, but cannot officially run Monterey.
For the time being, until the M2 / Mx Pro Mac mini models are released, my 2014 8 GB Core i5 dual-core Mac mini is my primary work machine, with Safari, Pages, Apple Music, Apple TV+, YouTube, Netflix, VPN, etc. Pretty decent. I bought a cheap model with hard drive only, and installed an NVMe adapter (< US$15) with 500 GB Western Digital SN550 SSD. I left the hard drive in place since it would have been too much of a hassle to remove, and I can use it for extra storage/backup, etc.
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I've had both. My Late 2014 is a 8GB with Fusion Drive, and has served me well since Jan 2015. Fortunately it's still supported by Monterey, but probably won't support macOS 13.
There have been some really good deals on the M1 mini for ~$600 new if that's in your budget, probably even $500 used. That's going to be a much better 'value' than either a 2012/2014/2018.
There have been some really good deals on the M1 mini for ~$600 new if that's in your budget, probably even $500 used. That's going to be a much better 'value' than either a 2012/2014/2018.
MajorFubar
macrumors 68020
Most definitely not. M1 Macs still run MacOS and are exactly like the Intel Macs in terms of user-experience. Nothing like an iPad.
EugW
macrumors P6
The 2014 Mac mini will likely get macOS 13.
Apple usually supports the OS until 5 years or longer after a Mac is discontinued. The 2014 Mac mini was discontinued in 2018, which means it will likely be supported until at least 2023 (with 2 years of security updates after that). Even macOS 14 isn't completely out of the question, since the 2014 Mac mini wasn't discontinued until October 30, 2018, and macOS is usually (but not always) released before the end of October.
That would be great, as mine is an internet-facing media server that I don't need to upgrade. The longer life I can get out it, the better.
Any predictions on the early 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro? I just got one on eBay for cheap. It will be so awesome if Apple announces it will support macOS 13 at WWDC next month.
EugW
macrumors P6
Great minds think alike! I also bought the 2015 13" Retina MacBook Pro for cheap on eBay recently (end of last year). Brand new battery and top case, and perfect screen too. My daughter was very, very pleased with her Xmas gift. 🙂
However, while I am hopeful it will get macOS 13, I'm not optimistic. The 2015 MacBook Pro was discontinued at WWDC 2017, meaning that the 5 year mark will take it to WWDC 2022, which is long before macOS 13 is officially released. Let's just hope Apple decides to throw us a bone and give it another year. Even better, they could just make the requirements of macOS 13 the same as macOS 12, and do a bigger Mac cull with macOS 14.
Crossing fingers for those 12" MacBooks, too! I'm still hanging onto a 2017 base model. If only it had a better keyboard, I can deal with the (lack of) ports. The trade in value is so poor, I can't bear to get rid of it.
EugW
macrumors P6
We really do think alike. 😵 I have a 2017 12" m3 (16 GB) too. That will get macOS 13 for sure, and it will get macOS 14 too. It wasn't discontinued until mid-2019.
MBAir2010
macrumors G3
2012
2012
20-oooooh 12!
they are much shiny as well!
and get one with an i7 intel chip!
everything works much better with that
OCLP will get any older mac running Monterey and is easier to install on these fine minis!
also
these older mac are made MUCH better and will last longer
according to a great repair tech in Manhattan NYC
a great mac software developer who designs software and OS for older macs
and many in the comouter repair industry.
Mu MacBook air from 2010 still works great today
while the later 2010 decades are losing chips and typing is a chore.
just a friendly suggestion and observation!
2012
20-oooooh 12!
they are much shiny as well!
and get one with an i7 intel chip!
everything works much better with that
OCLP will get any older mac running Monterey and is easier to install on these fine minis!
also
these older mac are made MUCH better and will last longer
according to a great repair tech in Manhattan NYC
a great mac software developer who designs software and OS for older macs
and many in the comouter repair industry.
Mu MacBook air from 2010 still works great today
while the later 2010 decades are losing chips and typing is a chore.
just a friendly suggestion and observation!
Heindijs
macrumors 6502a
Well I'm one that can speak from experience in buying a 2012 model in 2022. Yes, they're not officially supported by Apple anymore, but that doesn't mean you can't install Monterey on it. Because you absolutely can with minimal patching.
The Intel HD4000 iGPU is definitely weaker than the one in the 2014 model, but I can play all Apple Arcade games and most of them run well too!
A 2,3ghz quad i7 model like I have is much faster than even the highest end 2014 model in terms of raw CPU power. So for CPU intensive tasks you can't go wrong with the 2012 model compared to the 2014 ones.
Upgradable RAM is obviously another benefit since I often see 2014 models with 4gb sold for more than the 2012 models go for, even though you can't upgrade the ram yourself.
I mean of course a newer model like the 2018 is a better option than both, but considering that I only paid €175 for my 16gb i7 2012 model (with a 500gb SSD!), it's still a great deal.
Oh and did I mention Universal Control works great on the 2012 model? Because the 2014 model is officially supported with Monterey, Apple has that model black listed and you can't easily get UC to work with iPads. But the 2012 model was never officially supported by Apple in the first place, so it's not black listed! Works great with my iPad Air 4!
The Intel HD4000 iGPU is definitely weaker than the one in the 2014 model, but I can play all Apple Arcade games and most of them run well too!
A 2,3ghz quad i7 model like I have is much faster than even the highest end 2014 model in terms of raw CPU power. So for CPU intensive tasks you can't go wrong with the 2012 model compared to the 2014 ones.
Upgradable RAM is obviously another benefit since I often see 2014 models with 4gb sold for more than the 2012 models go for, even though you can't upgrade the ram yourself.
I mean of course a newer model like the 2018 is a better option than both, but considering that I only paid €175 for my 16gb i7 2012 model (with a 500gb SSD!), it's still a great deal.
Oh and did I mention Universal Control works great on the 2012 model? Because the 2014 model is officially supported with Monterey, Apple has that model black listed and you can't easily get UC to work with iPads. But the 2012 model was never officially supported by Apple in the first place, so it's not black listed! Works great with my iPad Air 4!
Thank you everyone for your input but I think I’m going to go with a M1 Mac mini as previously stated in comments you can pick one up for a decent deal now. although I am wanting a back up I must admit I’ve been using the iPad rigged up to my monitor and I’m really enjoying my experience with very little limitations for my own usage.
For longevity alone an M1 mini should be the choice really - refurb models are a bargain, and it's a quantum leap over what the 2012 and 2014 was. What about looking for 2018 models? Are they still in budget? The 2018 model is still technically an active model so you can expect 5+2 years support - I think it'll get discontinued by October before next macOS comes out.
EugW
macrumors P6
I figured the question about the older models has to do with cost. As mentioned, I paid <$150 plus $30 shipping for an 8 GB 2014 last year (although NVMe upgrade after the fact was extra).
The 2018 models are still remarkably expensive, meaning that IMO you would usually be better off just going with M1. However if longevity is truly the concern, then the ideal solution would be a 2022 M2.
Heindijs
macrumors 6502a
You can use OCLP on a 2014 model to enable UC, Sidecar and Airplay to Mac, but I think the blacklist is still there on iPads, meaning you may need to spoof your Mini to think it’s a 2018 model. You may run into other problems that way.
You can still use Universal Control without spoofing, but you’ll be limited to other patched models that way iirc.