Mini 2018

[novanut]

Currently have a mini 2014 running Sierra 10.12.6. Reason being is due to my ancient After Effects CS4. I use it for family photos and videos. Up until recently I even had Photoshop CS3 but it won't work anymore. Not even on my mac pro 2006 running 10.6.8. Refuse to go on Adobe's monthly payment plan.

Would like to know if the 2018 mini will run Sierra and CS4. My 2014 is starting to act buggy; beach balls with Safari, Mail & CS4 (so far).

Thanks.

 

[chrfr]

Would like to know if the 2018 mini will run Sierra and CS4. My 2014 is starting to act buggy; beach balls with Safari, Mail & CS4 (so far).

Thanks.

A 2018 Mac mini can't run anything earlier than Mojave, so Sierra is out of the question. If your 2014 Mac mini doesn't have an SSD, replacing the existing disk with an SSD would likely solve the problems you're having with that one.

 

[novanut]

A 2018 Mac mini can't run anything earlier than Mojave, so Sierra is out of the question. If your 2014 Mac mini doesn't have an SSD, replacing the existing disk with an SSD would likely solve the problems you're having with that one.

Thanks for the quick reply.

Hadn't considered that angle. And I guess Mojave won't run CS4? Recommend anyplace for a replacement drive?

 

[Boyd01]

You could get something like a Samsung T5 external USB 3 SSD, clone your internal disk to it and then use it as a boot drive. It will be somewhat slower than an internal SSD but is really easy to setup and will be much, much faster than the hard drive in a 2014 Mini. Will also be easily moved to a different Mac if you upgrade later.

Which 2014 Mini do you have? If it's the base 1.4ghz/4gb model, that one is just really slow (I have one). An SSD will help but there is no way around the 4gb of soldered RAM. I also have a 2014 2.8ghz/8gb Mini and it is much better. However, even the base model 2018 Mini is much faster and all-around better than any 2014 Mini.

But, as has been said, it won't run anything older than Mojave. I run Sierra and Mountain Lion Virtual machines in Parallels on my 2018 Mini. Pretty sure that would work with my old Photoshop CS3, but probably not After Effects.

 

[novanut]

Thanks again.

Let me see if my old brain still works:
The Samsung T5 will clone my internal drive,
Could I then install the Samsung in the 2014??
By "cloning" do you mean something like carbon copy cloner?

You run Sierra/Mountain Lion in Parallels on your 2018? How? Don't understand "in Parallels".
Maybe, if I had a 2018, I could do that too??

Sorry for being so confused. Not as tech-savvy as I thought. :{

Here's my info:

 

[Boyd01]

The Samsung T5 is an external SSD - a small box with a cable that plugs into the Mac. Nothing to install. Yes, you would just run Carbon Copy Cloner. You might need to download an old version to use it with Sierra. After cloning, go to Startup Disk in System Preferences and select the external disk, then restart. You Mini should then be running from the system on the external SSD.

Parallels allows you to run a old versions of MacOS as virtual machines - like a computer inside your computer. I use it for old 32-bit programs, but would doubt it would be a good solution for you.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

The hard truth you must face:
If you don't want to sign onto Adobe's "subscription" program, it's time to be looking at alternatives. They ARE "out there".

Sooner or later, you're gonna run up against this wall.
Probably within the next 4-5 years.

Might be worth the time and trouble to start downloading trials of other photo applications, and begin a "process of evaluation" -- in other words, look before you leap, because sooner or later, you're going to have to take that "leap"...

 

[Boyd01]

I ran my version of Photoshop CS3 up through Sierra, it got buggier and buggier with each new version of MacOS but was still usable on Sierra. Years ago, I used Photoshop Elements, which was exactly the same as the full version but missing a few features I could do without. So I picked up a cheap copy of Elements when they were having a sale. Unfortunately, Adobe has "dumbed down" Elements and I never got used to it.

But I was getting tired of CS3 crashing on Catalina, so I subscribed to their Photography Plan, which is $10/month. Yeah, I also dislike subscriptions but this just made sense for me. Having used Photoshop since (pretty near) the beginning, I don't want to learn something new.

However, the OP (apparently) needs After Effects which is something completely different, Adobe charges $21/month just for that one program, or $55 if you want the full Creative Cloud bundle.

 

[novanut]

The Samsung T5 is an external SSD - a small box with a cable that plugs into the Mac. Nothing to install. Yes, you would just run Carbon Copy Cloner. You might need to download an old version to use it with Sierra. After cloning, go to Startup Disk in System Preferences and select the external disk, then restart. You Mini should then be running from the system on the external SSD.

Parallels allows you to run a old versions of MacOS as virtual machines - like a computer inside your computer. I use it for old 32-bit programs, but would doubt it would be a good solution for you.

Thanks again,
Is it possible to get a replacement drive for the 2014 mini?

Would that be something even this old man could do surgery on?

I have a 1tb external backup that's currently awaiting a new power supply from OWC; a story for another time.

 

[novanut]

I ran my version of Photoshop CS3 up through Sierra, it got buggier and buggier with each new version of MacOS but was still usable on Sierra. Years ago, I used Photoshop Elements, which was exactly the same as the full version but missing a few features I could do without. So I picked up a cheap copy of Elements when they were having a sale. Unfortunately, Adobe has "dumbed down" Elements and I never got used to it.

But I was getting tired of CS3 crashing on Catalina, so I subscribed to their Photography Plan, which is $10/month. Yeah, I also dislike subscriptions but this just made sense for me. Having used Photoshop since (pretty near) the beginning, I don't want to learn something new.

However, the OP (apparently) needs After Effects which is something completely different, Adobe charges $21/month just for that one program, or $55 if you want the full Creative Cloud bundle.

I have given up on any hopes for CS3. Found I could do what I wanted just as well with AE CS4.

Won't do the monthly fees thing; have enough of them already. Am also an old dog with CRS and am not interested in new tricks (software). Downloaded gimp and tried to "re-educate" myself... Not even close to what AE can do...

 

[novanut]

Created with AE CS4:

 

[chrfr]

Created with AE CS4:

You're using After Effects for this rather than Photoshop/Illustrator/Indesign? After Effects is a video program, but what you're doing there is easily served by many inexpensive photo editing programs.

 

[Boyd01]

After Effects is a video program, but what you're doing there is easily served by many inexpensive photo editing programs.

I am also a bit puzzled as to why After Effects is needed for family photos. However, the OP did say

I use it for family photos and videos.

 

[chrfr]

I am also a bit puzzled as to why After Effects is needed for family photos. However, the OP did say

Either way, I'd bet that iMovie would do nearly everything needed here.

 

[novanut]

You're using After Effects for this rather than Photoshop/Illustrator/Indesign? After Effects is a video program, but what you're doing there is easily served by many inexpensive photo editing programs.

Many thanks again for all your replies.

Years ago I cut my "real teeth" on photoshop, after effects, final cut studio and premier. My background was in radio, television, film, graphics design, etc. Since my retirement I still can't get away from creating photos and videos, mostly for family stuff. I still have final cut studio which has a wonderful graphic/video program called motion. It's living on my old mac pro. I use that sometimes but the old mac is much slower and doesn't have bluetooth which inhibits me from using the magic mouse. It has a usb cordless but I don't like it as much. However, since I lost CS3 I like using AE CS4 since it does almost everything CS3 did.

Now, did y'all see my question about being able to buy another drive for the mini and how easy/hard it would be to install it?

Gracias.

That's a, much younger, photoshopped me btw.

 

[Boyd01]

Now, did y'all see my question about being able to buy another drive for the mini and how easy/hard it would be to install it?

I already suggested that you get a USB external SSD, such as a Samsung T5 (there are others too). It is very easy.

1. Re-format the drive for MacOS using Disk Utility. Assuming that you just want to move your current system (Sierra) to the new SSD, select it, press Erase and choose Mac OS Extended (journaled) format.

2. Now use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your old internal disk to the new SSD

3. In System preferences, go to Startup Disk and select the new SSD.

4. Restart

Now, if you would rather install an internal SSD, there are a variety of ways to do that, but OWC has various options for the 2014 Mini here and an installation video. You could follow the same steps to clone your existing system to it.

OWC SSD Flash Storage Upgrade for Mac mini 2014

Upgrade your 2014 Mac mini flash storage up to 2.0TB with speeds up to 92x faster than the original drive. Kit includes all tools for DIY installation.

eshop.macsales.com

However... you haven't told us anything about your 2014 Mini. What kind of disk does it currently have? If it's a "fusion drive", that would complicate things.

 

[novanut]

I already suggested that you get a USB external SSD, such as a Samsung T5 (there are others too). It is very easy.

1. Re-format the drive for MacOS using Disk Utility. Assuming that you just want to move your current system (Sierra) to the new SSD, select it, press Erase and choose Mac OS Extended (journaled) format.

2. Now use Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your old internal disk to the new SSD

3. In System preferences, go to Startup Disk and select the new SSD.

4. Restart

Now, if you would rather install an internal SSD, there are a variety of ways to do that, but OWC has various options for the 2014 Mini here and an installation video. You could follow the same steps to clone your existing system to it.

OWC SSD Flash Storage Upgrade for Mac mini 2014

Upgrade your 2014 Mac mini flash storage up to 2.0TB with speeds up to 92x faster than the original drive. Kit includes all tools for DIY installation.

eshop.macsales.com

However... you haven't told us anything about your 2014 Mini. What kind of disk does it currently have? If it's a "fusion drive", that would complicate things.

Thanks. I will look that up on OWC.

I would rather go with changing out the internal drive. Attached are the stats:

 

[Boyd01]

Well, that's what I was concerned over, you have a "fusion drive". This is actually a 1tb hard disk plus a 128gb SSD that work together as though they were a single disk. That will complicate installing an internal SSD because the 128gb SSD is already in the SSD location that is shown in that install video.

Not sure what the best approach would be to replace that, it would be more complicated. I still think an external SSD is a better solution, that is really easy to do.

 

[novanut]

Well, that's what I was concerned over, you have a "fusion drive". This is actually a 1tb hard disk plus a 128gb SSD that work together as though they were a single disk. That will complicate installing an internal SSD because the 128gb SSD is already in the SSD location that is shown in that install video.

Not sure what the best approach would be to replace that, it would be more complicated. I still think an external SSD is a better solution, that is really easy to do.

Just looked at OWC. Did not find the install video but I'm sure it's above my pay grade.

Do you think they, OWC, would do the install if I sent it to them? There is no computer shops near hear that I would trust.

 

[Boyd01]

Sorry - my bad! I forgot to paste the link to the page that has all the different options and the video. Here it is.

OWC SSD Flash Storage Upgrade for Mac mini 2014

Upgrade your 2014 Mac mini flash storage up to 2.0TB with speeds up to 92x faster than the original drive. Kit includes all tools for DIY installation.

eshop.macsales.com

Apparently they do have an installation service, there's some info under the "More" menu on their website. No experience with it, sorry.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP:

I don't know what your budget limitations are.
(as Clint Eastwood said, "a man's got to know his limitations")

But you are "pushing against the limits" of the 2014 Mini.
It's time to upgrade.
I would suggest either of these:

Choice 1:
An Apple-refurbished 2018 Mac Mini.
Get either a 512gb or a 1tb internal drive (these ALL have SSDs inside).
For RAM, I'd suggest 16gb.

Choice 2 (better):
A new or Apple-refurbished Mac Studio. Refurbished saves you $200.
The "base configuration" may be all you'll need -- 32gb RAM and 512 SSD.
Or... "bump up" the SSD to 1tb.

AND THEN...
Find suitable software to use...

 

[Boyd01]

Personally, I would not spend any money to upgrade that 2014 Mini. I have the next model up (2014 2.8ghz i5/8gb) and use it for a server, it is fine for that but I wouldn't want to use it as a general purpose Mac. That is why I suggested just getting an external SSD such as a Samsung T5 or T7 (the T7 would be faster on a newer Mac, but not on a 2014 Mini). I see that Best Buy has refurbished 1tb T7's for about $80 and new ones for $110. You may find better deals if you shop around.

Anyway, this is a quick and inexpensive way to find out how much better your existing Mac would run from a SSD without paying somebody to do "brain surgery" on it. The OP has been pretty clear that he wants to continue using his old Adobe software which (evidently) requires MacOS Sierra. That cannot be done on a 2018 Mini or Mac Studio.

So, while I don't think it's a good idea (especially because Sierra is so old and no longer gets security updates), if the OP really wants to remain on Sierra then at least he can "cut his losses" and spend minimal time and money upgrading.

 

[novanut]

Personally, I would not spend any money to upgrade that 2014 Mini. I have the next model up (2014 2.8ghz i5/8gb) and use it for a server, it is fine for that but I wouldn't want to use it as a general purpose Mac. That is why I suggested just getting an external SSD such as a Samsung T5 or T7 (the T7 would be faster on a newer Mac, but not on a 2014 Mini). I see that Best Buy has refurbished 1tb T7's for about $80 and new ones for $110. You may find better deals if you shop around.

Anyway, this is a quick and inexpensive way to find out how much better your existing Mac would run from a SSD without paying somebody to do "brain surgery" on it. The OP has been pretty clear that he wants to continue using his old Adobe software which (evidently) requires MacOS Sierra. That cannot be done on a 2018 Mini or Mac Studio.

So, while I don't think it's a good idea (especially because Sierra is so old and no longer gets security updates), if the OP really wants to remain on Sierra then at least he can "cut his losses" and spend minimal time and money upgrading.

Thank you for pointing me it the direction of an external drive. After everyone's input this seems to be the most sensible. I will look for one and report back on my results.