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mr.steevo

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 21, 2004
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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
 
It is an 8 year old machine.. not sure how much longer you expected it to be officially supported with new operating system releases. The only upgradable part of the Intel Mac minis were the RAM, which I do agree is a big change to now be a part of the SoC but it does improve the performance of it quite a bit, but not only limiting it to 16 GB and that it must be done at time of purchase is a disappointment.
 
I think you did okay. I wouldn't sweat the No B S part. It checks in home with 🍎 every time you do something.

Some use older mini as home media file server. I spent $5,000 on SE/30 in '89 when 1MB RAM was $300. Mine was early model with socketed cpu and ROM. For $1,000 I was later able to upgrade cpu from 16 to 50Mhz. It was able to take 8 x 4MB too, for $1,600 later... I tried to get 10 yrs skipping the 68040 series and Beige G3 ear to go with Blue G3. Then G4 MDD ($1,300 refurb). A Mac Pro 1,1 in 2006 lasted 10 years which was nice but spent $$ on upgrades each year along the way - CPU GPUs RAM disk drives and SCSI equipment.

Bought a Macbook 2015 ref'd and got $240 on trade-in just now to pay for mini i5/16/512 which is more powerful and faster than prior systems and should last.

Nothing is forever... not cars, not flip phones, not even TVs and definitely not computers. But there are good Windows 10 choices too, but don't hold your breath there either.

A lot of people are now using ipad and don't rely on computers the same as use to.

The M1 and A14 SoC are something. Imagine in early NASA missions had that much to work with back at dawn of spaceflight.
 
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I still use OS 10.12 "Low Sierra" on my 2012 Mini.
Even though it's now been replaced by a 2018 Mini, and it sits "over on the back table", it still boots and runs fine.

I stepped away from "you just have-to-have the latest and greatest version of the OS" a LONG time ago.

This doesn't mean I won't try a copy on a spare drive to see how it looks and how it runs.
But... for my "main OS" (the one I boot and run with every day), I "stay back" with older versions that are stable and work for me.

If it's "the OS that drives you" (rather than the Mac on which it runs), get an m1 Mini.
Otherwise, keep using Mojave or Catalina until the old Mini won't run any more...
 
I still use OS 10.12 "Low Sierra" on my 2012 Mini.
Even though it's now been replaced by a 2018 Mini, and it sits "over on the back table", it still boots and runs fine.

I stepped away from "you just have-to-have the latest and greatest version of the OS" a LONG time ago.
I'm a bit preoccupied with running the latest OS just because of the security patches. I guess it's a very slim chance that an old machine would get targeted over the web, but it's still a chance nevertheless.

My dad runs an ancient Android that he's really proud of because it was only $25. It makes me cringe to think about the security holes in that.
 
Well in principle you still can do that, but unofficially. I’m running high Sierra on my 2008 iMac that was supported until Capitan. But I see your point, I’m that kind of person that does not change the Mac too often, I’m more in the approach of buying top end and then use it for years. Not sure how this M1 will age with 16G of RAM. For today needs are ok, but not sure in about 4y for now. I think that we will have a M2 with 32G with the big iMac release and then it should be added as an option for the mini. I will wait for that, as I wanted for music production and with the architecture change, all software and plugins need to be updated.
 
I get the feeling my post was misinterpreted.

I'm not upset that my Mac is suddenly no longer supported. Meh. I'll buy a new one when the spirit moves me.

I was pointing out that Future Proofing a Mac is unnecessary because Apple ended support for the most badass and lame ass 2012 Mac Mini at the exact same moment.
 
I get the feeling my post was misinterpreted.

I'm not upset that my Mac is suddenly no longer supported. Meh. I'll buy a new one when the spirit moves me.

I was pointing out that Future Proofing a Mac is unnecessary because Apple ended support for the most badass and lame ass 2012 Mac Mini at the exact same moment.
I get what you are saying and I agree

IMO, not worth paying a premium for the extra .1GHZ deluding yourself that it's further proofing when, like you said, all support drops off at the same time
 
As other have already written: your machine is 8 years old. Apple normally supports computers for about 5 to 7 years...

Anyway, you can always install Windows, Linux, Open/FreeBSD etc. on that computer.

Or, you can wait for dosdude, if he will manage once again, to make a hack to run the newest macOS on these 2012/2013 computers.

(go to My Software section)

By the way:
iMac 2013 series is also not supported anymore, and these have more powerfull components, than the 2012 Mac mini (even if you have on of these Ivy Bridge 4-core CPUs).
 
I get the feeling my post was misinterpreted.

I'm not upset that my Mac is suddenly no longer supported. Meh. I'll buy a new one when the spirit moves me.

I was pointing out that Future Proofing a Mac is unnecessary because Apple ended support for the most badass and lame ass 2012 Mac Mini at the exact same moment.
I mean, its an 8 year old machine. Part of "future proofing", at least in my eye, is not only picking out hardware that will last the test of time, but taking software and security upgrades into your own hands as well at some point.

I'm still using my 2009 MacBook pro as a media centre, and yes, ive spent money on upgrading the ram, adding int wo SSDs and (you guessed it), once apple's official end of life was reached, just taking OS updates into my own hands. the hardware is still rock solid, and I don't resent going with apple rather than an equivalent windows oem.

Companies will not keep supporting legacy hardware indefinitely. that is exactly why we have such amazing communities of contributors like dosdude and the hackintosh community to breathe new life into old "legacy" machines.
 
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