Mac mini i5 2012 advices

[rb90]

Evening guys,
I currently own a macbook unibody late 2008 (2ghz, ssd, 4gb) setup with an 23' monitor.
I'd like a mac mini 2012 i5, there is plenty on ebay (around 400euros) but by checking different topics it seems like the mac mini 2012 has several problems with the HDMI.
Now I don't know what to do because it looks perfect for my use.
Best

 

[treekram]

On my 2012 Mini (2.6Ghz i7), I don't use HDMI but I've kept up with the forum since I bought my Mini in late 2012. There were HDMI issues early on that were addressed by a firmware update. There were also major issues that I remember with HDMI with Yosemite that were resolved for the most part as updates were issued (although I would suggest not using Yosemite if you get the 2012 Mini). Most people can connect a 1920 x 1080 HDMI monitor, given the proper cable, without a problem. If there's a specific issue you're worried about, you can tell us what that is and maybe people will respond.

 

[rb90]

Thx for the reply,
So basically if I use OS X El Capitan = no issues (late firmware and so on ...) with a mac mini 2012.
What do you think ?
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/272152838533?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[opeter]

It should work, I gues.

 

[hanser]

I have this model and its working fine. Although the HDD is slower than the SSD you are used to, so you have to be patient during booting or program start.

 

[tibas92013]

I bought a Refurbished i5 MM(Late 2012), 2.5GHz, 4GB Ram, 500GB HD from the USA Apple On-Line Store in October, 2013 and have had no problem with the HDMI Connection.

Why not buy a Refurbished MM along with a cheap AppleCare Plan which will cover any problem for three(3) years from date of purchase. Also, the AppleCare Plan will also cover a Apple Keyboard, mouse, trackpad if bought at the same time as the MM.

 

[rb90]

I'll put an ssd for sure.
I'd prefer a refurbished one but there is none. 2012 are hard to find now.

 

[danwestbrook]

Thx for the reply,
So basically if I use OS X El Capitan = no issues (late firmware and so on ...) with a mac mini 2012.
What do you think ?
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/272152838533?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2648&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Had mine running via HDMI to my 55" Tv for over a year no issues to report... I use it more as a always on server, hope this helps... +1 for SSD upgrade!!

 

[oneMadRssn]

I have a 2012 Mac Mini, and I have my monitor connected with HDMI running at 1920 x 1200. I think some on this forum have used HDMI with even higher resolutions without any issues.

 

[treekram]

I understand very little French but it seems that a return is not allowed on the Mini you posted in the link. If you don't need 16GB, you may want to look at used or refurbished 2014 2.6Ghz models (8GB 2014 models are more likely to be available than 16GB). They don't seem to go for that much more than the 2012 models. Here in the US, the 2014 2.6Ghz models do not always appear at the Apple refurb store, but compared to the 2012 models, they are more readily available.

 

[Crosscreek]

The 2012 Mini was released with faulty firmware and resolved with firmware update.

 

[rb90]

thx for the replies,
the major issue on my macbook unibody late 2008 is when I display a movie or youtube video in 1080p (monitor 24'), the mac reach quickly 85C (185F), it's ok for few minutes but not for many hours (I changed the thermal paste, clean regularly the fan...)
C2D and 9400M are getting old now (2008 > 2016 time flies ^^)

I just need an i5 (above 2Ghz), 4gb and an ssd.
Like you previously mentioned, the 2014 might be a better deal
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/FGEN2LL/A/Refurbished-Mac-Mini-26GHz-Dual-core-Intel-Core-i5
But can I put an SSD (M2 Card) in the i5 2,6

 

[treekram]

I have a 2007 Macbook and with certain 720p videos, the fans will run with some videos. This has not happened on my 2012 MBP non-Retina, which is similar hardware-wise, to the 2012 Mini (both use mobile, not Desktop CPU's). On my 2012 Mini, I have no problem with 1080p (BluRay quality) videos. Even though I use my 2014 Mini for recording video, I usually don't watch much video on it but there's no problem that I've seen there. I actually have not heard the fan at all on my 2014 Mini even though I use it for Handbrake on a regular basis.

Yes, I think if you can live with 8GB (the minimum on 2.6GHz 2014 Mini), getting the 2014 Mini Apple refurb is better - the GPU is newer and you can get a warranty. (You can get 16GB on the 2014 Mini but it sounds like you don't need/want that much and I don't see those computers that often in the refurb store.)

You cannot put a M2 SSD in the 2014 Mini unless you have some sort of adapter - it has to fit the standard SATA dimensions. You can replace the HDD (it takes some work) with a standard SATA SSD or you can get an external SSD (USB 3 or Thunderbolt). If you're willing to spend more, you can also get a refurb of the 2014 Mini with the Apple PCIe SSD.

 

[rb90]

you can also get a refurb of the 2014 Mini with the Apple PCIe SSD.

SSD PCIe that what I meant when I said M2 SSD. For instance on every mac mini 2014 can I keep the current HDD for storage and add a PCIe SSD (install the os on it) ?

Mac mini 2016, worth the wait ? maybe soldered fan, motherboard, HDD and so on... ^^

 

[chrfr]

SSD PCIe that what I meant when I said M2 SSD. For instance on every mac mini 2014 can I keep the current HDD for storage and add a PCIe SSD (install the os on it) ?

Mac mini 2016, worth the wait ? maybe soldered fan, motherboard, HDD and so on... ^^

To add an SSD to the 2014 Mini, and keep the standard SATA disk, you'd need to buy either a used Apple SSD or the new SSD from Other World Computing that was just announced. You can't buy a standard PCIe type SSD for these computers and they do not use the M2 connector, which is just SATA anyway.

 

[treekram]

SSD PCIe that what I meant when I said M2 SSD. For instance on every mac mini 2014 can I keep the current HDD for storage and add a PCIe SSD (install the os on it) ?

Mac mini 2016, worth the wait ? maybe soldered fan, motherboard, HDD and so on... ^^

What chrfr said is correct and so if you want a PCIe SSD, it's better to buy an Apple one with the computer rather than adding on later, if possible. M2 is a hybrid of different standards, including SATA.

There's an announcement from Apple on March 21, but I don't think they'll announce a new Mini. They usually announce Mini's sometime in the autumn.

 

[davidg4781]

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but not really, but were there some issues with the USB 3 ports on the 2012 mini? I remember reading something about it, but I was also looking for a specific USB 3 device to go with it and can't remember which one had the problem. I know I ultimately decided to stick with the 2011.

 

[chrfr]

Sorry to go a bit off topic, but not really, but were there some issues with the USB 3 ports on the 2012 mini? I remember reading something about it, but I was also looking for a specific USB 3 device to go with it and can't remember which one had the problem. I know I ultimately decided to stick with the 2011.

I've never had USB problems with any of the 2012 Minis I use at home and at work.

 

[treekram]

Problems that I'm aware of (I have the 2012 and 2014 Mini's).

- Non-storage devices (scanners, DAC's, etc.) no longer working - this is an OS/device vendor issue.

- Storage devices don't work - there seems to be more variation in the USB3 implementation than there was with USB2. I have two docking stations and there is one that works directly connected to the 2014 Mini, but not to the 2012 Mini. Same docking station works when connected to my hub on the 2012 Mini, but not to my hub on the 2014 Mini (different hubs).

- One port works for one device but not another port. I have this issue with the 2014 Mini. I just plug the device into the one that works. It may be the combination of devices plugged into my ports (I use all 4 on the 2014 Mini).

- Interference with Bluetooth/WiFi. I dont' have this issue but it seems pretty common. USB seems fine - it's Bluetooth and WiFi that are affected. This could be due to a number of issues, but none seem directly related to the USB hardware in the Mini.

- OSX issues. It looks like the USB driver software in El Capitan was re-written/modified and there are a number of threads on this issue.

USB3 is a requirement of mine. USB2 is way too slow. I don't think there is a major flaw in the USB hardware in the Mini (either 2012 or 2014). If you can't deal with the USB3 issues, stick with the 2011 Mini until USB 3.1 or Thunderbolt 3 comes out. But my guess is that at least some of the same issues will be around - it's the nature of high-throughput technology and Apple's penchant for sometimes breaking what's not broken.

 

[andeify]

I have a 2012 Mac Mini and I've not had any problems with it. I use it connected via HDMI and I have had various USB 3 devices connected to it.

The only problem I had was some Bluetooth interference, but after researching it turned out that it was down to a cheap USB 3 cable that didn't have good shielding.

 

[rb90]

it looks like throughout the years mac products are less and less reliable.
Since I bought my macbook unibody late 2008, I had no issue, not a single one. (same for my macbook 2006)
Now I'm used to it. I don't know if you feel the same for the ones who use apple for many years.
Anyway it's a personal observation, I've probably wrong.

 

[treekram]

it looks like throughout the years mac products are less and less reliable.
Since I bought my macbook unibody late 2008, I had no issue, not a single one. (same for my macbook 2006)
Now I'm used to it. I don't know if you feel the same for the ones who use apple for many years.
Anyway it's a personal observation, I've probably wrong.

Computing products have packed more throughput into smaller spaces at lower prices since 2008. The posts here would also indicate that a lot of the problems are software based or, in the case of USB hubs, a marketplace where cost over everything else drives the marketplace. So I think, hardware wise, the Mini is pretty reliable. For me, I can say that my 2012 and 2014 Mini's have been as reliable as my 2009 Mini. As for the different OS's that have come during that time period, well, ...