I just bought a 1012 Mac mini pretty cheap. I need to get it to Catalina, which it’s says is compatible. But it’s saying that I have to upgrade from the current OS (mountain lion) to maverick before I can do anything else. So the question is, where can I find maverick? Is there a good reliable website that you folks trust for downloads?
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Maverick download for 2012 mini in 2020?
- Thread starter Rog newmac
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You do not need to download Maverick (10.9), Apple does not provide it unless you had previously downloaded it.
support.apple.com
According to Apples instructions in Section 1 "Check compatibility" you need "Mavericks or later". That section also said from Mountain Lion first upgrade to El Capitan. I would recommend going from Mountain Lion to High Sierra, then to Catalina.
Apple table that shows macOS and with links to available macOS installers.
support.apple.com
Here is the link to High Sierra install instructions.
support.apple.com
Make sure you have a good backup before attempting any OS upgrades. Be aware that Catalina is only 64 bit and you will not be able to use any older 32 bit apps.
How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
Apple table that shows macOS and with links to available macOS installers.
Find out which macOS your Mac is using - Apple Support
Use About This Mac to see the version of Mac operating system installed on your Mac.
Here is the link to High Sierra install instructions.
How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
Make sure you have a good backup before attempting any OS upgrades. Be aware that Catalina is only 64 bit and you will not be able to use any older 32 bit apps.
Exactly which 2012 Mini do you have? Unless it is the quad-core i7 version with a SSD, IMO Catalina might not be a good idea. You can see all the different Mini's here:
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/index-macmini.html
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/index-macmini.html
This is the machine I have.
everymac.com
Mac mini "Core i7" 2.3 (Late 2012) Specs (Late 2012, MD388LL/A, Macmini6,2, A1347, 2570): EveryMac.com
Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i7" 2.3 (Late 2012). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.
everymac.com
What kind of disk? I believe there were options for a 1tb hard disk, 256gb SSD or 1TB "fusion drive", which is a 128gb SSD paired with a 1TB hard disk where your most frequently accessed files are stored on the SSD to improve performance. A used Mini may have been upgraded to a SSD by the previous owner. Also how much RAM? The basic machine only had 4gb with 8gb or 16gb optional. RAM may also have been upgraded by the previous owner.
Anyway, I have the next model up with the 2.6ghz quad-core i7, 16GB RAM and original Apple 256gb SSD. I used MacOS Sierra on that machine for most of its life and it ran very well. After getting my 2018 Mini, I turned my 2012 Mini into a file server and installed Catalina. That works fine, but it just runs file sharing 24/7 without a screen or keyboard.
Anyway, I have the next model up with the 2.6ghz quad-core i7, 16GB RAM and original Apple 256gb SSD. I used MacOS Sierra on that machine for most of its life and it ran very well. After getting my 2018 Mini, I turned my 2012 Mini into a file server and installed Catalina. That works fine, but it just runs file sharing 24/7 without a screen or keyboard.
You could leave the original operating system on the internal hard drive and get an external SSD (like a Samsung T5) to install the operating system. That should be a considerably more responsive machine. I ran mine for years from a 1TB external SSD. You can also install an internal SSD, but that's somewhat complicated. Here are some tests that I did FYI
Original Apple 1TB internal hard disk
1TB external Samsung T3 SSD
Original Apple 256GB internal SSD
Original Apple 1TB internal hard disk
1TB external Samsung T3 SSD
Original Apple 256GB internal SSD
You do not need to download Maverick (10.9), Apple does not provide it unless you had previously downloaded it.
According to Apples instructions in Section 1 "Check compatibility" you need "Mavericks or later". That section also said from Mountain Lion first upgrade to El Capitan. I would recommend going from Mountain Lion to High Sierra, then to Catalina.How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
Apple table that shows macOS and with links to available macOS installers.
Find out which macOS your Mac is using - Apple Support
Use About This Mac to see the version of Mac operating system installed on your Mac.
Here is the link to High Sierra install instructions.
How to download and install macOS - Apple Support
Download and install current or previous versions of the Mac operating system on compatible Mac computers.
Make sure you have a good backup before attempting any OS upgrades. Be aware that Catalina is only 64 bit and you will not be able to use any older 32 bit apps.
Thanks CoastalOR!! You’re answer really helped me out!
I highly recommend getting a USB3 SSD, and installing Mojave and booting off of it. That 2012 mini is extremely sluggish with the 5400rpm laptop drive inside of it.
I think I'm going to leave my Late-2012 Mac-Mini on Mojave.
Reasoning ?
a. It's working fine the way it is.
b. I don't have to give-up (or find replacements for) any 32-bit apps.
And if you don't have one ... an internal SATA SSD makes it much faster. A 256gb-512gb one is pretty inexpensive now-days.
Reasoning ?
a. It's working fine the way it is.
b. I don't have to give-up (or find replacements for) any 32-bit apps.
And if you don't have one ... an internal SATA SSD makes it much faster. A 256gb-512gb one is pretty inexpensive now-days.
For your disk replacement, I would replace it with a 1 or 2TB SSD depending on your budget. You don't have the option for an all-internal Fusion Drive because Fusion uses 2 drives (an SSD plus a HDD) and on your system, you only have the choice of SATA form factor drives and there is only one.
I have 4 minis, all of them are 2012 Server models (2 SATA drive capability) and all of them have been upgraded with a 512GB SSD and one of their original 1TB HDD. One still runs macOS with those drives in Fusion Drive mode. The others are all Linux. This upgrade is easy if you are good at following instructions (Ifixit.com) and aren't a caveman when it comes to using tools (i.e. it's possible to snap some connectors, but I've swapped drives many times in these and never broken them).
I have 4 minis, all of them are 2012 Server models (2 SATA drive capability) and all of them have been upgraded with a 512GB SSD and one of their original 1TB HDD. One still runs macOS with those drives in Fusion Drive mode. The others are all Linux. This upgrade is easy if you are good at following instructions (Ifixit.com) and aren't a caveman when it comes to using tools (i.e. it's possible to snap some connectors, but I've swapped drives many times in these and never broken them).