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Older Mac Mini - HTPC

cosmichobo

cosmichobo

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
May 4, 2006
991
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G'day,

For a good few years I've been using my old 2009 MacBookPro5,5 C2D 2.23 GHZ as a HTPC - just hooked up with a HDMI adapter and the 3.5mm audio to my tv, and mostly used for Netflix and Plex (viewing only; server end is handled on my MacPro).

Problem is, it's getting pretty darn sluggish particularly with Netflix, needing to refresh the browser frequently to get it to load pages, lots of thinking time, etc etc, so I was considering upgrading to a (cheap) Mac Mini.

The 2011 model tends to sell for around $200, which is a price I'd be happy to pay, but I am wondering how it would perform compared to what I'm already using. Benchmarks place the MBP5,5 at around 590, and the 2011 Mini at around 600 - so on paper, not a huge diff.

I'm looking at a Mini now - its a Core i5 2.3Ghz machine. I believe the i5 processors were better than the C2D? As such - although the clock speed isn't much different - would it be a reasonable boost over the MBP?

Would the 2014 Mini be a better option? They sell for closer to $400 - $500 from what I've seen, so - not gonna happen for this purpose.

Cheers

cosmic
 
One problem with the 2011 Mini is it only has slow USB 2.0 ports, which is bad if you use external disks. The 2012 Mini has USB 3.0 and the quad-core versions are still pretty decent machines (only support up to Catalina though). RAM is easily upgraded to 16gb.

The 2014 Mini has a faster internal SSD and 802.11ac wifi, but avoid the 1.4ghz/4gb version - that is certainly not worth $400-$500. I have a 2.8ghz/8gb 2014 Mini as an iTunes server with my library on a 4tb external SSD, works very well for that. Got it brand new from B&H Photo in 2019 for $500 when they were blowing them out. RAM cannot be upgraded on the 2014 Mini.
 
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I'm not sure what I'm going to do when we start talking about machines that you can't upgrade anything... Being that most Macs I've owned were purchased 2nd hand and upgraded...

The Mini for this purpose would not be connected to any external drives - all Wireless. I did contemplate a 2010 model to get the DVD, but ultimately I've probably wanted to use a DVD twice in 5-odd years (in the particular location for this HTPC) - so given the poorer speeds, decided not to go that route.

Not too concerned about the internal storage either as it will only be playing remote files. I'd like something quiet, so an SSD would be good. Am comfortable with opening Macs up (sans any glue), so can certainly look at updating RAM/HDD if needed.

Looks like I could probably get a 2012 model for a pretty similar price to the 2011 - didn't realise there was a 2012 model. Might look at them "just in case" needing to add something external...
 
cosmichobo said:
The Mini for this purpose would not be connected to any external drives - all Wireless.
Click to expand...

FWIW, the 2014 Mini would give you much faster wifi than the 2012. An internal SSD is much easier to install on the 2014 also, but no possibility of upgrading RAM. And, like I said, I would avoid the base 1.4ghz/4gb model (although you could probably find a really cheap one).
 
Sometimes i miss my 2012 mac mini, mainly the silver was incredible!
what was great about the min was the interchangeable RAM and SDD which loved Mojave
and sputtered on mavericks-high sierra
i just never used that eventually and got a great deal for that mini in 2019.
so I recommend that, just don't expect the bluetooth to work 100% or even 80%
 
As others have said, BE CAREFUL with the 2014 Minis.
The RAM is soldered in -- NOT upgradeable.
DO NOT get one with 4gb of RAM.
8gb is the minimum.
 
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I'm using a 2011 Mac mini as my music server, wired to my router, and it's fine feeding my HomePods losslessly. I also use it as a Time Machine hub. Haven't tried streaming video though. I replaced the internal spinner with an SSD and all is well.

If you're planning on wiring it copper to your WiFi router, then the 2011 mini's relatively slow WiFi isn't part of the equation.
 
Thanks for the feedback all.

I've gone with a 2012 i5 2.5GHz with 4GB RAM and I think 500GB HDD.

When it arrives, I'll see how it performs before considering upgrading the RAM/HDD. Might well look at a cheap SSD option so it will be quieter, but I believe the Mini's are pretty quiet in general?
 
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cosmichobo said:
Thanks for the feedback all.

I've gone with a 2012 i5 2.5GHz with 4GB RAM and I think 500GB HDD.

When it arrives, I'll see how it performs before considering upgrading the RAM/HDD. Might well look at a cheap SSD option so it will be quieter, but I believe the Mini's are pretty quiet in general?
Click to expand...
great choice!
the Ram is super easy to repair, i used OWC in the USA and finished with 10GB which ran mojave great!
the ssd drive upgrade i balked on but not as tough as an iMac.
enjoy!
 
I have this exact model as an HTPC and it is surprisingly snappy given the age. It’s easily upgraded memory-wise, although upgrading the HDD is a fair bit more involved. Luckily, it has USB 3.0 ports so your best bet is simply to add an external SSD that way.

I have it connected to a 256GB SSD in a USB 3.0 enclosure and have installed 16GB of RAM which just involves taking off the bottom cover by rotating it slightly. You will need 1600Mhz PC3-12800 DDR3 SODIMMs. You’ll definitely need to upgrade the RAM; it’s shared with the video memory which, incidentally, can only support 1080p over HDMI at 60Hz. You can get it to run at 4K at 30Hz via MiniDP to DP but it’s miserable; 2560 x 1440 at 60Hz is perfectly acceptable though.
 
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At the moment, the TV it's going to be hooked up to is only 720p ! So no drama about the full HD output. In the "future", it'll probably end up with a 42" HD, so again - all good.

My concern RE changing to SSD is only for the noise of a spinning HDD / heat it causes resulting in fan noise. In terms of ability to work on computers - Once upon a time I opened my Twentieth Anniversary Mac, so - I may take my time, but I'll get there if I do choose to upgrade the hard drive. Actually - I also replaced the DC card on the MBP a few years ago from memory. That was pretty invasive.

Interesting RE the RAM... I'll look at non Apple stuff - mention Apple and RAM and the price goes way up... $70 for 8GB on eBay...!
 
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I am running the 2011 model with 4 GB RAM, but upgraded to an SSD for the boot drive. It is used as an iTunes and Plex server, and it does a great job at that, serving and converting 1080p movies on the fly, over LAN. No Netflix issues either, when I used it as my main work Mac a year ago.
 
Interesting re the 2011 Mini being a Plex Server. Was thinking a Mini from that era would struggle at that job...

My MacPro5,1 is my daily drive, plus Plex server. In 12-18 months I'm planning on transitioning to a M1 Mini + NAS.

If the 2012 Mini can handle being a Plex server... and it is quiet doing it... I could use it as the Plex server, connected to the NAS for the media files... though I'm guessing Wifi may be an issue. I do have a couple POE boxes at the moment for my XBox, so may be able to add another POE for the 2012 Mini...

Mmm...
 
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cosmichobo said:
My concern RE changing to SSD is only for the noise of a spinning HDD / heat it causes resulting in fan noise. In terms of ability to work on computers - Once upon a time I opened my Twentieth Anniversary Mac, so - I may take my time, but I'll get there if I do choose to upgrade the hard drive. Actually - I also replaced the DC card on the MBP a few years ago from memory. That was pretty invasive.
Click to expand...
I have a 2012 Mini Server which came with dual drives already installed. I have replaced the two 1TB hard disks with two similarly sized SSD drives. Although it was a bit of a job since one of the disks requires almost total disassembly, I don't recall it being that difficult if one is careful with the fragile cables while disconnecting and reconnecting them. If you have some experience working with computer interiors, you will probably find it doable if you don't get in a hurry. Mine is quiet, cool, and fast with the SSD drives in it.
 
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G'day,

The Mini arrived today - 2012, i5 2.5Ghz with 4GB RAM, in good condition by the looks, seems to have either been cleaned (no dust inside) or not been used much. It had Catalina installed, ready to be set up.

Hooked up with Mini Display to HDMI cable to the TV. Great that I could ditch the Stereo cable, as obviously this machine can handle audio through the Mini Display, unlike the 2009 MBP.

Have only played with it for a short period of time today, but have to say - not as snappy as I'd been expecting, at least in comparison to my 2 other Macs - a base model MacPro5,1 with Sierra and a MacBookAir 2014 running Catalina. Opening apps, scrolling through windows... not very smooth / responsive. Felt like when my wife's been using Facebook on my MacPro - makes Firefox go to 200% of CPU...

I checked whether the RAM was the cause, but it was saying it was only using 3GB... no swaps... Checked Activity Monitor but - I'll have to get the manual; bit different to the format I'm used to...

I'll do some HDD checks in the next few days when I have time... just in case it's on its last legs or something. May also downgrade to Sierra...

Cheers
 
The base 2012 model is still a serviceable computer, but as a few of us here have suggested, the quad-core 2012 Mini's are much better with about twice the geekbench rating IIRC. They are all limited by the H4000 integrated graphics however. The slow 500gb hard drive is terrible on those and it will definitely feel very slow to anyone accustomed to a SSD. :)
 
Oh Gawd... Yes - ok - I've had an SSD in my MacPro for a while, and hadn't even thought about the MBA having one too...

Luckily, when I set my dad up with the M1 iMac he purchased recently, I'm going to salvage the 512GB SSD in his old 2008 iMac. Wasn't really sure what I'd do with it - but it just got a home!

Just ran some tests... the Hitachi drive has done 2200 hours, passes all SMART tests. So - about 1/10th of its life gone. Shame to rip it out, if it wasn't for the benefits of SSD.
 
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