My 2012 i5 base model Mini that I bought from the refurbished store is no longer able to upgrade to the newest operating system**. All those people who were wringing their hands back in 2012 about whether to "future proof my investment" and get the 2.3 i7 or the 2.6 i7 are all in the same boat as I am. And it's filling with water.
I guess my point is that trying to future proof something like a computer, and specifically an Apple, is time wasted. Apple decides your computer's future. I've been preaching this concept over and over and over. Few had listened.
From my perspective this computer is still completely relevant and I expect Apple to continue pushing Security Updates for the next couple of years. Given that it's 8 years old and still works fine is great! Really, the biggest problem with these models were the HDDs and I was so happy when I installed an SSD in it in 2013. But back to future proofing. Buy what you need and realistically expect to do with your computer. But don't sweat the future proofing concept.
Except...
Now that you can't make any upgrades to the M1 Mini, now that it is essentially like a never changing iPhone, everything I just said above is completely obsolete.
Damnit Apple!
**Yes, I know I can hack away and get Big Sur
I guess my point is that trying to future proof something like a computer, and specifically an Apple, is time wasted. Apple decides your computer's future. I've been preaching this concept over and over and over. Few had listened.
From my perspective this computer is still completely relevant and I expect Apple to continue pushing Security Updates for the next couple of years. Given that it's 8 years old and still works fine is great! Really, the biggest problem with these models were the HDDs and I was so happy when I installed an SSD in it in 2013. But back to future proofing. Buy what you need and realistically expect to do with your computer. But don't sweat the future proofing concept.
Except...
Now that you can't make any upgrades to the M1 Mini, now that it is essentially like a never changing iPhone, everything I just said above is completely obsolete.
Damnit Apple!
**Yes, I know I can hack away and get Big Sur