Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Mac Mini - Buyer's Guide status: caution

C

cltd

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 22, 2014
137
32
Hello,
my iMac 2013 died (GPU burn), so I think about Mini 2018. But...
- MacRumors Buyer's Guide shows status: caution
- checked with some Apple resellers: Mac Mini i5 (16 gb ram, 256 or 512) mostly marked as "waiting" or "on request".

I'm not into rumors, so I'd like to ask here: is there a new Mini on the horizon?
 
because of#macmini2018hdmigate, see https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-2018-hdmi-failes-after-os-upgrade-patch.2221573/
I would advise to reconsider and avoid buying MacMini2018 until the HDMI issue is fixed or if you really do not need HDMI. In the meantime better try to get a used MacMini 2014. This will be cheaper that the trouble you will have with macMini2018, if you need HDMI. And if you decide ti buy a MacMini2018 i would strongly advice to buy it with AppleCare.
 
tstimper said:
because of#macmini2018hdmigate, see https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-2018-hdmi-failes-after-os-upgrade-patch.2221573/
I would advise to reconsider and avoid buying MacMini2018 until the HDMI issue is fixed or if you really do not need HDMI. In the meantime better try to get a used MacMini 2014. This will be cheaper that the trouble you will have with macMini2018, if you need HDMI. And if you decide ti buy a MacMini2018 i would strongly advice to buy it with AppleCare.
Click to expand...

I'll respectfully disagree with you on not purchasing a 2018 Mac mini. As per post #38 of that thread, I'm not having your issues.
However, I do take your point that Apple really needs to address this and other troublesome Mac mini issues.
 
  • Like
Reactions: iAssimilated
tstimper said:
because of#macmini2018hdmigate, see https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-2018-hdmi-failes-after-os-upgrade-patch.2221573/
I would advise to reconsider and avoid buying MacMini2018 until the HDMI issue is fixed or if you really do not need HDMI. In the meantime better try to get a used MacMini 2014. This will be cheaper that the trouble you will have with macMini2018, if you need HDMI. And if you decide ti buy a MacMini2018 i would strongly advice to buy it with AppleCare.
Click to expand...
I personally would caution anyone considering the purchase of a 2018 Mac mini. Sure, there are those who have trouble free machines but there are those who do have legit complaints. And "caution doesn't mean you don't buy", it just means to read up on those who have problems because if you do windup getting a trouble Mac, well, you've been warned.

My 2012 Mini has not had one issue since I purchased it 7 yrs ago, everything works. My 2018 Mini has HDMI problems where the video signal intermittently disappears then reappears all by itself. I also have Bluetooth issues. So yeah, if I could have a do-over, I would have stayed with my 2012 Mini because I read up on all the complaints beforehand but decided to buy it anyway. So the choice to buy is now on me.

My advice is to read up on the complaints and use your best judgement.
 
I would definitely recommend a 2018 Mac mini to anyone that is looking for a new computer. Overall my mini has been rock solid and one heck of a computer. It has been everything I hoped for and more. I did have an issue with the latest Mojave security update taking hours to install, but I believe it has more to do with my eGPU setup then the mini itself. Yes, be aware of the HDMI issues, but from what I understand it is more with Catalina (software) than the mini's hardware. As for the bluetooth issues, I wouldn't know since I do not use anything that needs it. As for the buyer's guide status: caution, @macdos is correct about how MR determines those statuses.

BTW, I would never recommend the 2014 mini over the 2018 mini, the 2014 model was average at best (some people would say well below average). The 2014 comes with a dual core laptop processor and soldered RAM. The 2018 comes with a desktop processor (cores depend on your configuration) and upgradable RAM (but soldered storage). As for the 2012 Mac mini vs. the 2018 Mac mini, that is debatable (depending on your needs).
 
  • Like
Reactions: honestone33, watakoola and OLDCODGER
Thanks a lot for all answers, I really appreciate it. If only Mini had better GPU...
 
  • Like
Reactions: mburkhard
Heat_Fan89 said:
1. I personally would caution anyone considering the purchase of a 2018 Mac mini ... you've been warned.

2. My 2012 Mini has not had one issue since I purchased it 7 yrs ago, everything works.

3. My 2018 Mini has HDMI problems where the video signal intermittently disappears then reappears all by itself. I also have Bluetooth issues. So yeah, if I could have a do-over, I would have stayed with my 2012 Mini because I read up on all the complaints beforehand but decided to buy it anyway. So the choice to buy is now on me.
Click to expand...

1. Thank you.

2. Same here.

3. HDMI-trouble also? Man, I guess add it to the list of reported troubles.

- Audio drop-outs and glitches (T2-chip and USB Audio)
- Bridge-OS errors (T2-chip and TB-3 transfers)
- Over-heating on normal Mac work-loads (might only be Intel-i7 models)
- Coil-wine from internal power-supply (when stressed)
- Audio-distortion during normal use (SSD access has audible sound ?)
- Bluetooth problems (even with Apple Keyboard/Mouse and WiFi off)
- Aquantia 10GbE NIC overheating in BootCamp (a possible "MacsFan" work-around is known)
- HDMI-video blanks-out intermittently
 
Last edited:
I've had my machine since mid-Sep '19, a i7/32/512 (OEM), and it's been very solid. I'm using it as my personal machine and as a work machine for development, the latter includes running Win10 in a Parallels VM, a few Docker containers, multiple services/server on MacOS, often times, concurrently.

I'm running 2 Dell U2518 (QHD 25") displays, both using the OEM DP-to-mDP cable, and on the Mac side, USB-C/TB3-to-mDP adapters, no display issues at all. For audio, I'm running a Modi 3 DAC off of a Anker 4 port USB hub, that's connected to a Vali 2 tub amp/pre-amp, running some headphones and a set of near field powered speakers, the audio is fantastic. I'm using a wired Das USB Pro 4 Mac keyboard, and a Logitech Anywhere MX mouse with the unifying adapter in one of the two USB ports on the keyboard. I've got a Logitech C270 camera/mic on that same Anker hub, and an external 1TB spinner, on one of the TB3 ports I've got a TEKQ/Sabrent TB3 NvME drive that, while not quite as fast as the internal storage, it's a good 2K read / 2.5K write 1TB of additional storage (formatted APFS, using it for my Photos library).

Before a recent reboot, my uptime was 48 days :)
 
  • Like
Reactions: iAssimilated and Tesla1856
i like the performance of the MacMini2010, especially the 6 core i7 3.2 GHz.
But: because of#macmini2018hdmigate, see https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-2018-hdmi-failes-after-os-upgrade-patch.2221573/
think about:
If you need to use HDMI, which is nothing special but the main build in Display connector, them you need to know the issue with the HDMI port on MacMini 2018.
In the current hardware / software status you will have a broken HDMI port after upgrading.
And the only way Apple does in such case if you have AppleCare or Warranty is replacing the main logicboard.
But this does not fox the issue because they still either do not know how to fix or do not care.
My MacMini 2018 hasd the third logicboard, now again with broken HDMI port.
I need to buy another two or three MacMini2018 but i cannot and will not do it until this is fixed.
 
My HDMI port on my 2018 Mini works fine. In fact, it was what I used until I got my eGPU issue sorted.

I’m running Catalina without issues otherwise.

I replaced a 2010 Mac Pro and am glad I did.
 
  • Like
Reactions: watakoola and iAssimilated
MevetS said:
My HDMI port on my 2018 Mini works fine. In fact, it was what I used until I got my eGPU issue sorted.
Click to expand...
Ok, so now you are not using the HDMI port?
Did you apply a macOS update after changing to eGPU? 10.15.2 to 10.15.3 or 10.15.1 to 10.15.2 to 10.15.3?
I my cases which where only fixable by replacing the logicboard at the time of the update the HDMI port was used by a Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter to the display.
I could be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during the update.

I still try to find out what happens with the macMini 2018 HDMI port
So my questions to you are:

Did you do any upgrade after changing to eGPU?
Is the HDMI port of your MacMini 2018 still working, if you power down, then disconnect the eGPU, connect a HDMI to DVI Adapter or a HDMI cable using a display which do not search for a signal source?
If you had updated macOS and there was nothing connected to HDMI at the time of the update that it can be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during upgrade.
Can you confirm or deny something of that?
 
tstimper said:
Ok, so now you are not using the HDMI port?
Did you apply a macOS update after changing to eGPU? 10.15.2 to 10.15.3 or 10.15.1 to 10.15.2 to 10.15.3?
I my cases which where only fixable by replacing the logicboard at the time of the update the HDMI port was used by a Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter to the display.
I could be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during the update.

I still try to find out what happens with the macMini 2018 HDMI port
So my questions to you are:

Did you do any upgrade after changing to eGPU?
Is the HDMI port of your MacMini 2018 still working, if you power down, then disconnect the eGPU, connect a HDMI to DVI Adapter or a HDMI cable using a display which do not search for a signal source?
If you had updated macOS and there was nothing connected to HDMI at the time of the update that it can be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during upgrade.
Can you confirm or deny something of that?
Click to expand...

Eeek! It's the Spanish Inquisition!

I'm NOT MevetS but let me answer with my experiences. It will be intriguing to see if MevetS' answers match mine.

Q: Ok, so now you are not using the HDMI port?
A: I’ve only ever used the HDMI port for a display when I had black screen issues. I purchased the eGPU and Mac mini at the same time so went straight to Thunderbolt 3 for my displays.

Q: Did you do any upgrade after changing to eGPU?
A: Yes. 10.15.2 to 10.15.3

Q: Is the HDMI port of your MacMini 2018 still working, if you power down, then disconnect the eGPU, connect a HDMI to DVI Adapter or a HDMI cable using a display which do not search for a signal source?
A: Yes. Remember, in my case the HDMI port is working with display emulator plugged in which shows up in Display Preferences.

Q: If you had updated macOS and there was nothing connected to HDMI at the time of the update that it can be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during upgrade.
A: Sorry. Can’t answer that one.
 
My 2018 Mac Mini is a pleasure! It works very well, is very fast, and the HDMI connection with my Samsung 24" Monitor (it too has an HDMI port) also works fine.

I actually thought I could be taking a step back from my late 2012 Mini (a truly fine machine), as it has a Core i7 processor, whereas the 2018 model I purchased has a Core i5 processor). But that is certainly not the case. The 2018 model really flies.
 
  • Like
Reactions: russell_314
tstimper said:
Ok, so now you are not using the HDMI port?
Did you apply a macOS update after changing to eGPU? 10.15.2 to 10.15.3 or 10.15.1 to 10.15.2 to 10.15.3?
I my cases which where only fixable by replacing the logicboard at the time of the update the HDMI port was used by a Apple HDMI to DVI Adapter to the display.
I could be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during the update.

I still try to find out what happens with the macMini 2018 HDMI port
So my questions to you are:

Did you do any upgrade after changing to eGPU?
Is the HDMI port of your MacMini 2018 still working, if you power down, then disconnect the eGPU, connect a HDMI to DVI Adapter or a HDMI cable using a display which do not search for a signal source?
If you had updated macOS and there was nothing connected to HDMI at the time of the update that it can be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during upgrade.
Can you confirm or deny something of that?
Click to expand...

Q: Ok, so now you are not using the HDMI port?
A: I am using the HDMI port for an HDMI display emulator. And thus the HDMI port is still working.

Q: Did you apply a macOS update after changing to eGPU?
A: I always had an eGPU and yes I had applied a MacOS update. And one of my monitors is now connected to one of the RX 580's HDMI port.

Q: Did you do any upgrade after changing to eGPU?
A: What kind of upgrade? You already asked about MacOS upgrades in the previous question. As the only user upgradable item is RAM I assume you are asking about this? If so then the answer then is no. It came with 32 GB and still has 32 GB RAM.

Q: Is the HDMI port of your MacMini 2018 still working, ...
A: Yes, see the answer to your first question.

Q: ... if you power down, then disconnect the eGPU, connect a HDMI to DVI Adapter or a HDMI cable using a display which do not search for a signal source?
A: I do not entirely understand the question. Perhaps English is not your first language (your profile is silent with respect to your location). But let me try ... If I connect a display to the HDMI port on the Mini, and boot up, the display turns on just fine. That is what I did prior to getting the emulator plug.

Q: If you had updated macOS and there was nothing connected to HDMI at the time of the update that it can be that HDMI only breaks if something is connected to the HDMI port during upgrade.
Can you confirm or deny something of that?
A: I had a display connected to HDMI when I upgraded the OS. This was before I had the emulator plug.

Hope this helps.
 
I had my Mac mini for over a year now and it's still working perfectly. I'm typing this comment on it connected to an HDMI monitor.

You have to take most of the "don't buy ___ Apple product" comments with a grain of salt. For one thing any device can have problems if you make enough of them. You can search Google for "Problems with (Insert device name here)" and you will find dozens of results for people having issues. Secondly for some reason Apple products attract haters so you will have people on these forms that have nothing better to do but talk about how terrible Apple products are. Do some research and find out if the mini is right for you but don't let a few negative form comments scare you.
 
  • Like
Reactions: hdrummon
We have 2 2018 i5 mac minis, both using HDMI for 4k monitors. One is a 27” dell 4k, the other a 40” samsung 4k. Make sure you have at least 16gig memory. We don’t use wireless keyboards. One is using a magic mouse. The other a usb connected magic trackpad 2.
 
I have a 2018 Mac mini with 64GB ram and use the HDMI port from day one. I have never had any issue with it. Runs flawlessly. I have upgraded the macOS several times including Catalina beta versions. Never any issues. It is a wonderful Mac. I've been an Apple customer since 1983 and have had just about every Mac they have made (except the recent Mac Pro). I still have the 2012 Mac mini running as well. I think you may have gotten a bad unit or maybe the HDMI cable is bad? (not sure about that but I would check that if not tried.....could the HDMI port on the monitor be flaky?...try hooking up to a different monitor to see if that is the issue).
[automerge]1582091202[/automerge]
russell_314 said:
I had my Mac mini for over a year now and it's still working perfectly. I'm typing this comment on it connected to an HDMI monitor.

You have to take most of the "don't buy ___ Apple product" comments with a grain of salt. For one thing any device can have problems if you make enough of them. You can search Google for "Problems with (Insert device name here)" and you will find dozens of results for people having issues. Secondly for some reason Apple products attract haters so you will have people on these forms that have nothing better to do but talk about how terrible Apple products are. Do some research and find out if the mini is right for you but don't let a few negative form comments scare you.
Click to expand...
Could not agree more and great advice.
 
  • Like
Reactions: szczottie and russell_314
There probably isn't going to be a new Mini until October 2021 or October 2022, if there is one even then. It's not Apple's highest priority. In this case, the Macrumors "caution" indication means... well... next-to-nothing.

But the 2018 Mini remains an excellent performer, and I'm willing to speculate that it would be "nice jump up" from a 2013 iMac.

You can save money by purchasing from Apple's online refurbished store.
Be sure to get at least 16gb of RAM and the 500gb SSD.
 
Fishrrman said:
There probably isn't going to be a new Mini until October 2021 or October 2022, if there is one even then. It's not Apple's highest priority. In this case, the Macrumors "caution" indication means... well... next-to-nothing.

But the 2018 Mini remains an excellent performer, and I'm willing to speculate that it would be "nice jump up" from a 2013 iMac.

You can save money by purchasing from Apple's online refurbished store.
Be sure to get at least 16gb of RAM and the 500gb SSD.
Click to expand...
I could not agree more! I recently sold my late 2012 model (a real, good dependable performer), and am very, very pleased with my 2018 model, with a 256 gig SSD, 8 gig of Ram, and a Core i5 processor. I actually thought I might be taking a step backwards, as the late 2012 model has a Core i7 processor. But that's certainly not the case! The new mini is fast, and definitely a pleasure to use. Also, the person who purchased the late 2012 model (8 gig of Ram, and a Samsung 840 Pro 256 gig SSD) is pleased too. Of course it helps that I make a concerted effort to keep my Macs "lean, mean, and clean". That goes a long, long way in contributing to both the performance and longevity of each of my Macs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back