Short answer 2012 Mac Mini and Big Sur

[MiamiC70]

Short answer 2012 i7 Quad-Core, 16GB, 1tb SSD Mac Mini and Big Sur can it be done and will it work?
I don't care what "Apple" says i care about reality.
Currently running Catalina latest version flawlessly and if I can run Big Sur will keep if not I guess it's time to upgrade although honestly not much Apple has made in years is very compelling especially at their couture prices.

 

[Boyd01]

See this long thread

macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

This thread will be used to discuss advancements in getting macOS 11.0 Big Sur running on unsupported Macs. --- Compatibility List: --- FAQ: Q: What does unsupported mean for my old Mac? A: Three problems: Apple locks you out from running the stock installer of Big Sur and as...

forums.macrumors.com

Macs officially compatible with macOS Catalina but have been dropped from official support in macOS Big Sur:
- These Macs so far are capable of running Big Sur properly, but WiFi is not yet fully stable

[...]

• 2012 Mac mini
  • Macmini6,x

 

[grandM]

The Mac mini 2012 is ruining apple. I bought it in 2013 or so. Added more ram and last year a SSD.
Runs perfectly.
Must be my cheapest computer ever.

 

[MiamiC70]

See this long thread

macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

This thread will be used to discuss advancements in getting macOS 11.0 Big Sur running on unsupported Macs. --- Compatibility List: --- FAQ: Q: What does unsupported mean for my old Mac? A: Three problems: Apple locks you out from running the stock installer of Big Sur and as...

forums.macrumors.com

Macs officially compatible with macOS Catalina but have been dropped from official support in macOS Big Sur:
- These Macs so far are capable of running Big Sur properly, but WiFi is not yet fully stable

[...]

• 2012 Mac mini
  • Macmini6,x

Not a big deal I’m running a n external dongle to get 5GHz anyway.

 

[Fishrrman]

For a 2012 Mini, you might as well stick with Catalina.
Actually, I've left my own 2012 Mini on 10.12 Low Sierra. It will keep that until it won't run any longer.

 

[mnbn01]

Short answer 2012 i7 Quad-Core, 16GB, 1tb SSD Mac Mini and Big Sur can it be done and will it work?
I don't care what "Apple" says i care about reality.
Currently running Catalina latest version flawlessly and if I can run Big Sur will keep if not I guess it's time to upgrade although honestly not much Apple has made in years is very compelling especially at their couture prices.

How to install Big Sur to Mac Mini Late 2012

With the new release of Big Sur, apple have dropped my “brand new” Mac Mini Late 2012, so that’s how I made it work with the help of…

andv.medium.com

following this instruction manage to boot into Big Sur. but my wifi not working. I see there's kerts for that but yet to try.

 

[4sallypat]

For a 2012 Mini, you might as well stick with Catalina.
Actually, I've left my own 2012 Mini on 10.12 Low Sierra. It will keep that until it won't run any longer.

I had a 2012 i7 Mini Server for 6 years and loved it for it fast execution and almost no lag responses - but the heat was the killer. Had to put it on a small netbook cooling fan to keep it from thermal limiting...

Just sold her for $475 (I paid $1500) from Apple originally...

Paid for most of the $679 M1 which I transferred all data and now runs super cold, snappy fast, and no more fan or heat!

 

[mdgm]

The hacks to run Big Sur are still pretty new. I would stick with Catalina as it'll still get security updates for nearly 2 years. Over time the hacks will mature and it will become clearer how well it runs.

If Big Sur updates are only OTA figuring out how to safely install those updates will be a challenge.

Some would stick with Catalina till software they need to keep up to date is no longer supported on that and only then try the unsupported upgrade to Big Sur.