Mac Mini 2012 - time to move up to Mac Mini M1?

[siddey]

With just one more year left for MacOS Catalina support on the 2012 Mini, should I migrate to an M1 Mini now or wait another year? Not a power user. Perfectly happy with the 2012. Problem free for 9 years! Ongoing MacOS support is the issue. I can get a base M1 Mini for $599, no tax. Plus some costs for a USB hub and maybe an external SSD for files/photos.

Am a little concerned about monitor compatibility (Dell U2412M). Currently using HDMI to DVI cable.

Would you make the switch now or wait to see what the next year brings? Thanks for any insignts!

 

[0128672]

I have an M1 mini and if I was in your shoes, I'd wait to see what gets announced for the new version. If it's more than you need or want to spend, presumably you'll still be able to get the current M1 version via Apple refurbs (which are an excellent option).

Or you can get the current M1 mini and trade it in for the new version if it's a must have.

 

[Boyd01]

You're "perfectly happy" and have at least another year of Catalina support, so why change now? Generally speaking, you get more for your money the longer you wait.

 

[siddey]

Thanks for the replies. Actually, there is one item I'd like to improve: MacOS Photos. Would the M1 Mini be significantly better with face recognition and general operation of the Photos library? Or if this more a function of the speed of the SSD? The 2012 does seem to take a lot of time to scan and catalogue faces.

 

[scottrngr]

If I were you, I'd keep the 2012 and put in an SSD, in addition to getting the M1. You can then run software that will no longer work with the current Mac OS. It's not like it's worth much at this point anyway, nor will it take up much space in the drawer or closet. I use mine to run old software like EyeTV, and to open some old quicktime files that no longer work with the current OS. EDIT: My 2012 mini also has Mavericks on it, and I boot to that to run old 32 bit programs. This is helpful when trying to play 20 year old quicktime movies, etc.

 

[Miat]

I use mine to run old software like EyeTV, and to open some old quicktime files that no longer work with the current OS. EDIT: My 2012 mini also has Mavericks on it, and I boot to that to run old 32 bit programs. This is helpful when trying to play 20 year old quicktime movies, etc.

Have not tested it myself, but I think that VLC still plays media files that MacOS won't from Catalina on.

I also have a 2012 Mini (16GB RAM, dual SSDs), still running fine (fingers crossed), and I am having to decide when to move on for the hardware.

Now that Mojave is no longer supported by Apple, I have to move to Catalina. Which in turn is pushing me towards a hardware upgrade to the M1. I have held out as long as possible, but I think the time is nigh for the Big Switch. Probably better to do it while the 2012 Mini is still running, and avoid a rushed transfer across.

I will miss Quicktime 7. One of my all time favourite and most used bits of Mac software. ?

 

[esbardu]

If I were you, I'd keep the 2012 and put in an SSD, in addition to getting the M1. You can then run software that will no longer work with the current Mac OS. It's not like it's worth much at this point anyway, nor will it take up much space in the drawer or closet. I use mine to run old software like EyeTV, and to open some old quicktime files that no longer work with the current OS. EDIT: My 2012 mini also has Mavericks on it, and I boot to that to run old 32 bit programs. This is helpful when trying to play 20 year old quicktime movies, etc.

My 2012 i7 Mini is currently running Big Sur (thanks to Opencore legacy) on SSD and Mavericks on the second HDD .

 

[bearcatrp]

My 2010 mini was giving me problems so upgraded to a new mini. Fast SOB. Went with 16 gb ram and 1TB drive. Was worth it. Sure miss the dvd drive.

 

[Fishrrman]

I wouldn't buy the existing m1 Mini now. Too weak for "what you get".

Either wait for a "Mini" replacement (possibly with m2),
or
Take a jump up to the base model Mac Studio.
(you might wait another month or two to see if there's an amazon sale on them, similar to the one they're having for the MBP 14")

 

[George Dawes]

My iMac 2015 runs mojave , apple no longer support it and I have loads of old 32 bit apps as well as reading lots of issues upgrading to catalona so I just bought an m1 16/2tb . Overkill for my very limited usage but I was feeling left behind when my iOS stuff couldn’t communicate with my Mac properly

I was looking at the studio. but it’s too big , too noisy and ugly as sin