Preparing For Late 2018 Mac Mini Purchase

[honestone33]

I currently have a late 2012 Mac Mini, with a 2.3 GHz Core i7 processor. It has a 256 gig Samsung 840 Pro SSD that I installed myself, and 8 gig of Ram (also installed by myself). Via a Rocketfish RF-AP307 MiniDisplay Port to VGA Adapter:

Rocketfish - Best Buy

Shop online for Rocketfish, including a Rocketfish TV Mount, Rocketfish Cable and more at Best Buy.

www.rocketfishproducts.com

I have a Sony SDM-HS93 19" Monitor connected to that adapter. The monitor is actually about 15 years old, and still works great! (The monitor just seems to keep going and going). I have the resolution set to 1280 X 960.

In any event, the machine works real well, and I am currently using the latest version of Mojave, OS 10.14.6. Catalina (OS 10.15.x) can be installed on it, and I will do that once both SuperDuper! and TechTool Pro have Catalina-compatible updates/versions. That will most likely be either next month, or January.

Unfortunately, Catalina will (most likely) be the last Mac OS that can be used on it, so I am looking to purchase a late 2018 Mac Mini, with a 256 gig SSD, and 8 gig of Ram. The "stock" model comes with a 3.0 GHz Core i5 processor, but can be upgraded (for another $200) to a 3.2 GHz Core i7 processor. I have 2 questions that I need help with regarding the 2018 machine:

1. Is there much of a speed difference between the Core i5 and Core i7 processors? And is it noticeable?

2. My current Mac Mini has a Thunderbolt port, and that is where the adapter is plugged into. The 2018 model has 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports. Can I use my current Rocketfish adapter with one of those Thunderbolt 3 ports, or will I need to purchase another adapter? If a new one is needed, it looks like this one will work:

Belkin USB C to VGA Adapter - Apple

Apple Store Search Results

www.apple.com

That adapter specifically mentions the 2018 Mac Mini as a supported machine.

 

[honestone33]

Am hoping to get some help with this.

 

[sublunar]

The i7 is probably not worth the extra cash - you don't mention the workload that you have but I'm guessing it's not mission critical CPU intensive stuff that would use the extra threads that an i7 would offer. The i5-8400 is definitely going to beat a mobile i7 from 2012 even with fewer threads (6 vs 8)

Although the Belkin would work it seems a bit pricey for an adapter - especially from Apple - I would daresay a new monitor should be of interest rather than an uplift to i7 from i5.

 

[honestone33]

The i7 is probably not worth the extra cash - you don't mention the workload that you have but I'm guessing it's not mission critical CPU intensive stuff that would use the extra threads that an i7 would offer. The i5-8400 is definitely going to beat a mobile i7 from 2012 even with fewer threads (6 vs 8)

Although the Belkin would work it seems a bit pricey for an adapter - especially from Apple - I would daresay a new monitor should be of interest rather than an uplift to i7 from i5.

Thanks for your input.

Yeah, I suspect that newer i5 processor will do me just fine (most of my computer tasks include 1) checking and responding to EMails, 2) using my browser (now Brave) for visiting quite a few sites, 3) using Quicken to keep my finances up to date, 4) using VLC to watch movies/TV series, 5) using iTunes to listen to some music, and 6) other activities. I also occasionally use LibreOffice for some documents.

As for the adapter, can I assume my current one will not work, due to the different Thunderbolt ports?

And for the monitor, I am actually quite pleased with my Sony model. It is so, so reliable, the color is fine, and it just works. If and when it gives out, then I'll purchase a new monitor.

 

[MacUser2525]

As for the adapter, can I assume my current one will not work, due to the different Thunderbolt ports?

No, the are also called USB-C ports the U being universal, they are supposed to be backward compatible. Now this being the computer industry where the word standard can mean different things to companies and they play loose and fast with the specifications it may have a problem. But the theory is they work with the newer ports, same as the older style plug, the A I think they call it, the USB3 drives will work in the older USB2 never tried in a 1 if my memory serves me but they work in a two.

 

[honestone33]

No, the are also called USB-C ports the U being universal, they are supposed to be backward compatible. Now this being the computer industry where the word standard can mean different things to companies and they play loose and fast with the specifications it may have a problem. But the theory is they work with the newer ports, same as the older style plug, the A I think they call it, the USB3 drives will work in the older USB2 never tried in a 1 if my memory serves me but they work in a two.

So, not 100% guarantee it will work, correct?

 

[opeter]

So, not 100% guarantee it will work, correct?

What type of head does your cable have?

 

[Fishrrman]

Seriously, it's time for a new display.

You need a bigger, faster (in terms of response time) display MORE THAN you need a new Mac, in my opinion.

Get a 27" panel. If you're older consider a 32" 1440p (QHD) display. Just the right pixel size for "older eyes".

Having said that, if you want to continue to use VGA on the display end, you'll need a "USB-c [mini end] to VGA [display end]" cable/adapter. The Belkin one looks good enough.

Don't worry about Catalina -- for many folks, it's still "a mess".
I'll bet a lot of software you have right now is going to break with Catalina, in any case.

 

[MacUser2525]

So, not 100% guarantee it will work, correct?

Never is, I have been using these things for going on four decades now and it is never guaranteed that the suppose to work together will in the computer industry.
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Get a 27" panel. If you're older consider a 32" 1440p (QHD) display. Just the right pixel size for "older eyes".

Crazy unless you set the fonts to huge, I can barely stand the 1080p I have and I have the fonts I can larger as it is. The damn unchangeable system fonts drives me nuts at this resolution. Always having to strain to see them.

 

[honestone33]

What type of head does your cable have?

Neither. It's "close" to the Thunderbolt 3 one, but not the same. So, I'll have to go with something like the Belkin one.