Mac Mini as media server - 2012 base i5 good enough, right?

[dmk1974]

I currently have a 2012 i7 2.3 Mac Mini that I just use as my media server machine (music, videos, pics, files). I souped it up to 16 GB RAM and replaced the stock HDD with a 240 GB SSD drive. I also have a 1 TB USB 3.0 drive connected to it which contains all of those media files.

Other than browsing the web on it infrequently, I've come to the realization that it's over-kill for what I need from that machine. I was thinking of replacing it with the 2012 base i5 Mac Mini and selling the i7 to a buddy or something. Especially since the stock drive would just be sitting on the shelf (since I'd still put an SSD into it), that i5 unit should be plenty good for what I really need, right? Thanks!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

The i5 will more than suffice, even a 2011 Mac mini would do, even with the USB 2.0 interface, which is fast enough to stream generously compressed 1080p media.

 

[dmk1974]

The i5 will more than suffice, even a 2011 Mac mini would do, even with the USB 2.0 interface, which is fast enough to stream generously compressed 1080p media.

I thought about the 2011 refurb from Apple as well (just $469) but I really want the USB 3.0 interface which is why I am thinking 2012 base model. When backing up and copying tons of files, it does save quite a bit of time.

 

[c1phr]

I thought about the 2011 refurb from Apple as well (just $469) but I really want the USB 3.0 interface which is why I am thinking 2012 base model. When backing up and copying tons of files, it does save quite a bit of time.

I use a $35 Raspberry Pi as my media server, and I haven't had any issues streaming 1080p content from that (media stored on a USB 2 drive). Granted, it's pretty slow to transfer media to it, but I deal with it just fine.

That being said, any Mac that you can buy should be good enough as a media server, so long as the I/O available meets your needs.

 

[dmk1974]

Cool. I ordered the i5 Apple refurb and will sell my i7 machine. Can then put the extra money towards replacing and upgrading my MBA.

 

[mcnallym]

I use a mini 3,1 so is a 2009 Core2Duo 2Ghz mode with a Drobo Pro unit attached via Firewire.

Upgraded it last night from 4.0Gb to 8.0Gb and replaced HD with a Corsair F60 SSD, more because I had it sitting around, however even with 4.0Gb of RAM was fine.

Is left running 24/7 running ElgatoTV system and iTunes, serving my AppleTV.

This copes happily with streaming a movie and recording two programs at a time.

If my mini can cope with this then no reason anything from 2009 onwards wouldn't cope with what you want.

 

[Minhthien]

Cool. I ordered the i5 Apple refurb and will sell my i7 machine. Can then put the extra money towards replacing and upgrading my MBA.

Did you order it from apple website? How much did you paid for it?

 

[opinio]

I currently have a 2012 i7 2.3 Mac Mini that I just use as my media server machine (music, videos, pics, files). I souped it up to 16 GB RAM and replaced the stock HDD with a 240 GB SSD drive. I also have a 1 TB USB 3.0 drive connected to it which contains all of those media files.

Other than browsing the web on it infrequently, I've come to the realization that it's over-kill for what I need from that machine. I was thinking of replacing it with the 2012 base i5 Mac Mini and selling the i7 to a buddy or something. Especially since the stock drive would just be sitting on the shelf (since I'd still put an SSD into it), that i5 unit should be plenty good for what I really need, right? Thanks!

Overkill? I base my whole Apple/Mac/Peripherals purchasing plan on overkill!

 

[dmk1974]

Did you order it from apple website? How much did you paid for it?

From the Apple Refurb site, the 2012 base i5 Mac Mini was $509.00. Not currently in stock, but here's the link:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD387LL/A/refurbished-mac-mini-25ghz-dual-core-intel-core-i5

 

[Minhthien]

From the Apple Refurb site, the 2012 base i5 Mac Mini was $509.00. Not currently in stock, but here's the link:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FD387LL/A/refurbished-mac-mini-25ghz-dual-core-intel-core-i5

509 isn't a good deal! 509+tax is going to be almost a brand new one from B&H for 565!

 

[dmk1974]

509 isn't a good deal! 509+tax is going to be almost a brand new one from B&H for 565!

Tax is only 6.25% for me and I get 5% extra cash back from Discover. So still $50 less than B&H and the only difference is the box.

 

[Che Castro]

Tax is only 6.25% for me and I get 5% extra cash back from Discover. So still $50 less than B&H and the only difference is the box.

You get parallets free and a good deal on apple care with B&H

 

[dmk1974]

You get parallets free and a good deal on apple care with B&H

Good deal if you need those, but I have no need for Parallels an I've never purchased AppleCare for my Macs.

 

[WilliamG]

I currently have a 2012 i7 2.3 Mac Mini that I just use as my media server machine (music, videos, pics, files). I souped it up to 16 GB RAM and replaced the stock HDD with a 240 GB SSD drive. I also have a 1 TB USB 3.0 drive connected to it which contains all of those media files.

Other than browsing the web on it infrequently, I've come to the realization that it's over-kill for what I need from that machine. I was thinking of replacing it with the 2012 base i5 Mac Mini and selling the i7 to a buddy or something. Especially since the stock drive would just be sitting on the shelf (since I'd still put an SSD into it), that i5 unit should be plenty good for what I really need, right? Thanks!

I use a 2012 base i5 with an SSD as my Plex media server. Zero issues streaming to all my systems: iPhone, iPad, HTC One, iMac etc. Heck, I used a 2011 before that, and a 2010 before that, and a 2009 before that...