Thinking of returning my M1 Mac Mini

[SteelBlueTJ]

I’ve had my 16GB/1TB M1 Mac Mini for a week now and it’s annoyed me with one new issue after another. Coming from a late-2013 27” i5 iMac which never gave me one hiccup in 7 years, this is extremely troubling.

1. First it’s the bluetooth issues. I think mine must have the worst Bluetooth issues to the point that Bluetooth on this Mac is almost completely useless. I cannot get my Magic Mouse or magic keyboard to connect after sleeping. I have to restart my Mac mini in order to get them to reconnect. It’s to the point where I’ve given up on Bluetooth and just use a wired mouse and leave the usb cable plugged in on the magic keyboard. I contacted Apple support but they were no help and just said they were aware of the Bluetooth issues and are working on it.

2. Display issues. The inconsistency and incompatibility of certain displays, particularly ultra wide displays is a huge bummer and one of the main reasons I switched from an iMac to a Mini - so I could choose whatever display I want. Also I have 2 displays connected to my mini. Whenever I wake the computer from sleep, the secondary display is always in portrait mode for some strange reason. I cannot seem to correct this issue. I have to go into system preferences and change the display rotation Every Single Time. Ridiculous.

3. Printer incompatibility issues with M1. My older Canon laser jet (no airprint) would not install since the driver was not compatible with M1. Granted this isn’t Apple, but rather Canon, but still annoying. I plan to update my printer soon anyhow with a newer AirPrint model.


With all of this said, Would you return the Mac or wait for software updates that could correct all of these issues? Anyone else going though the same thing with their new M1 Mac and on the fence with keeping vs. returning? After spending the money for this, and waiting 1 month for it to arrive, I feel very short changed and expected better. In many ways, I feel like I downgraded instead of upgraded. Thanks!

 

[f44f23trwes]

Send it back and wait 1.5 years for 27" inch iMac with M2/M1X processor and use your 2013 iMac meanwhile?

 

[ElectronGuru]

1) I had this exact situation with my i5. Ended up being WiFi interference. Disable WiFi and see if that fixes it. If so, give 5.0 WiFi it’s own name and ensure the mini only connects to that.

2) apple is apparently working on a wide screen fix. This is a classic early adopter issue

3) I keep an old OS Mac just for printing to a 20 year old xerox. I just dont like replacing printers every 5 years.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Apple has acknowledged the ultra wide monitor issue and will be releasing an update for that.

The BT issue has been an ongoing issue for the Mac mini. Some users have trouble like you and others not any at all.

 

[Erehy Dobon]

Problems #2 and #3 appear to be software issues. This is one of the downfalls of being an early adopter. I'm guessing these issues will be ironed out in six months.

Some Mac mini owners have complained about Bluetooth issues for years. The current M1 Mac mini is the same industrial design as the Mac mini 2018.

If this is truly a design flaw of the current physical device, nothing will substantially improve it until there is a redesign.

I do not use Bluetooth on my Mac mini 2018 so I have no further comment on this topic.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Yes the BT issue has been ongoing for quite some time. My 2012 has been ultra reliable with no BT issues while my 2018 mini has had a lot of BT problems. I solved the problem by using a generation 1 Apple magic kybd and trackpad. Totally unnecessary when Apple designs both the hardware and software. I've also had display issues with my 4K monitor. I solved that by using the DP connection

Your problems with your M1 mini are solvable. The question becomes do you want to spend money to make the problems go away. I personally regret purchasing the 2018 mini. I have had to spend money on top of the original purchase to make that mini somewhat reliable.

My advice is to wait a couple of yrs to see if those problems are addressed.

 

[SteelBlueTJ]

Thanks. Yea I think I'm sending it back on Monday and will stick with my iMac for now. Just curious, If I ship it back, When does Apple issue the refund on a credit card? Once they receive it or when it gets a shipment scan from UPS? Thanks

 

[Soccerrick10]

Thanks. Yea I think I'm sending it back on Monday and will stick with my iMac for now. Just curious, If I ship it back, When does Apple issue the refund on a credit card? Once they receive it or when it gets a shipment scan from UPS? Thanks

It’s been my experience that they refund it 5 business days after they receive it back.

I would recommend an exchange. I have both a 2018 and a new M1. At first, I was having some weird shutdown issues. But, the latest update appears to be more stable. Ironically, I haven’t had any Bluetooth issues. But, both my keyboard and track pad are Gen 1.

 

[Fishrrman]

"It’s to the point where I’ve given up on Bluetooth and just use a wired mouse and leave the usb cable plugged in on the magic keyboard. I contacted Apple support but they were no help and just said they were aware of the Bluetooth issues and are working on it."

There's your solution.
Run with it.

"I have 2 displays connected to my mini. Whenever I wake the computer from sleep, the secondary display is always in portrait mode for some strange reason. I cannot seem to correct this issue. I have to go into system preferences and change the display rotation Every Single Time. Ridiculous."

Could this be the result of some kind of -internal setting- on the display itself?
I'd try resetting the display to "factory defaults", and start over.

"My older Canon laser jet (no airprint) would not install since the driver was not compatible with M1. Granted this isn’t Apple, but rather Canon, but still annoying. I plan to update my printer soon anyhow with a newer AirPrint model."

I noticed with my experimental copy of Big Sur (connecting to my Brother laser to my intel Mini), that it would offer "airprint", but not an ethernet connection. Strange.
I'm wondering if this is more a "Big Sur problem" than it is an "m1 Mini problem"?

"With all of this said, Would you return the Mac or wait for software updates that could correct all of these issues?"

A Fishrrman prediction:
So long as the Mac Mini remains in its current "form factor" case, there are going to be bluetooth troubles, whether it's an Intel Mini or an m1 Mini.
I predict this is NEVER going to be "fixed" via software, because it's a hardware problem, due to design factors.
Take that prediction for what you paid for it...

"In many ways, I feel like I downgraded instead of upgraded."

There's always the 2020 iMac.
Or... wait for the m(x) iMacs next year.