To Bluetooth or not...

[darkanddivine]

Just a question for those who are Mini owners. I have heard many conflicting stories with the Bluetooth on the Mini, ranging from it being an absolute none issue to it being a crippling problem.

If you could start over again, would go with wired accessories for your Mini, or would you prefer Bluetooth accessories and see how it works out?

 

[appltech]

Depends on what you have near your hand.

And would cables annoy you?

Having an older 2014 mini (was a nice bargain) with bluetooth touch and mouse and didn't face any problems.

Maybe those stories were about specific hardware, that could be. If it isn't a mouse or keyboard then a quick google might be helpful.

Briefly – in most cases shouldn't be any problems from Mac side

 

[Pakaku]

USB is just way more reliable in any case, I'd rather not be locked out if my bluetooth wasn't cooperating. Bluetooth would be more useful if you're picking up the keyboard and taking it a longer distance (maybe like for a home theatre setup) or if you're using it with something like an iPad. But I still think having a usb keyboard for backup is ideal

 

[darkanddivine]

I think I’d prefer Bluetooth as the idea is to have the Mini somewhat hidden to allow work machines to be swapped in and out of the desk with a large monitor as a centrepiece. The other factor is music production where getting gear on the table is good. Wired connections aren’t the end of the world but it is easier without as the music stuff comes with plenty of cables.

In terms of specific issues, I’ve heard of it being mentioned generally on this forum and in lots of reviews. The comments can range from things like a jittery mouse to speakers/headphones losing connection intermittently, all the way through to the person feeling that the Bluetooth is unusable and returning it. And I guess the tricky thing is there’s no real way of knowing without actually going ahead and buying. I could possibly test the Bluetooth with my wireless mouse and headphones before jumping in and buying the other accessories, so that’s an potential route I could take.

 

[pshufd]

I did have problems with Bluetooth early on and just went with a Logitech Dongle Mouse hooked up to a USB extender. My desk setup has the mini fairly far from my mouse and it's behind two monitors. I had no problems with Bluetooth and 27 inch iMacs. I also think that there were some Monterey issues besides potential hardware issues.

I always use a wired mechanical keyboard so that's not an issue. What would be ideal is a wired mechanical keyboard with a port for a Logitach Unified receiver but my mechanical keyboards don't have that.

 

[Rkuda]

I exclusively use Bluetooth devices and no problem on the m1max MacBook Pro.
HHKB BT, Bluetooth gaming mouse, AirPods Max.

My personal experience is also that Logitech devices do not play nice with Apple and Bluetooth so I would use their proprietary wireless thing instead if you have their stuff.

 

[MBAir2010]

Mac mini 2012 I7:
Catalina everything works fine and plays music-movie through my JBL Bluetooth GO speaker perfectly.
Monterey OCLP does not like my JBL Bluetooth GO speaker anymore, and crackles.
but Monterey somehow knows, and lowers the volume by itself!
cool, eh?

 

[4wheelcycle]

I have a Mac mini M2 w/ a new Magic Keyboard Touch ID and a Magic Trackpad I have had for several years. They both work fine, including the Touch ID, on Bluetooth w/Ventura.

 

[Fishrrman]

I don't use bluetooth on my Mini(s).
Wired is better.

 

[fisherking]

no issues with bluetooth here (satechi keyboard, apple mouse, cme xkey BT (music) keyboard. love having minimum of cables to deal with...)

 

[meson]

When bluetooth works, it's amazing. When it doesn't, it's a pain. I use an Apple Magic Keyboard (current generation, no TouchID), Magic Trackpad and AirPods. My M1 mini has been in service for a little over a month and has only recently shown bluetooth problems. The mini sits immediately to the left of my monitor stand on top of my desk and the rear left corner of the mini where the bluetooth antenna is located is no more than 3 to 4 feet from my Bluetooth accessories.

This week, I'll be going back to wired headphones for my remote lectures. I've been using my mini with Continuity Camera and AirPods this semester. When teaching, I log in with my MBP muted as a secondary machine to keep an eye on the chat log in Teams and as a backup in case something goes wrong with my primary machine. Occasionally, my AirPods will appear to be working well in Teams on my end and my audio drops out completely for my students (all of them, not just one or two), yet the audio and transcription in the Teams recording is intact. One day a week or so ago my keyboard and trackpad began dropping out at random while my AirPods worked great during the lecture. I grabbed my lightning cables and plugged the keyboard and trackpad in and all was well.

Issues seem more likely to arise when other bluetooth enabled devices are on and active nearby, as well as when I have an external drive plugged in via USB.

 

[Cham2000]

Is it possible that using both the Apple keyboard and the Apple mouse on Bluetooth may interfere with each other?

While the new Mac minis are using protocol BT 5.3, do the Apple Magic Mouse and the TouchID keyboard use BT 5.3 too, or just 5.0?

 

[SousVide]

I haven't had any issues with Apple Magic Keyboard and Magic Mouse working with Mac Minis over the past 12 years. My current Mac Mini M2 Pro works extremely well with my Apple Magic Keyboard (numeric keypad with Touch ID) and Apple Magic Mouse (2nd gen) despite the fact that Mini supports BT 5.3 and keyboard + mouse support "only" BT 5.0. Zero issues. Recommend not worrying about this at all.

BTW, I enjoy using Apple keyboard and mouse very much. Wouldn't switch to Logitech or any third party product ever.