Vote - Mac Mini vs. Bluetooth

[m9740]

Hi I am looking to upgrading my IMac late 2009 to something more powerful for music production.

Basically Vote Yes if you had any problems or No if your experience has been smooth as silk!

I have been pretty close to buying a 2018(2020) Mac Mini, but the various threads on BT makes me doubt my direction. So I figured I would make survey here, so please vote if you have no issues (I mean no issues like not having to do any workarounds, just plug and play and smile) OR if you have had any BT related problems. Please comment if you have had some other problems or if you have had a smooth as silk experience

 

[MevetS]

I didn't vote because I think you need another option, "Had problems but they have been resolved".

When Initially set up my Mini I did have issues. I do not have issues now.

I did have Bluetooth issues, but as noted in this post I no longer have them. Alas, I do not know exactly what I did to 'fix' things. But I did not do any workarounds.

For issues with the eGPU and displays I did need to do a workaround. You can read about it here and here.

Long story short, I replaced my MacPro 2010 with a Mac Mini 2018 and am very glad I did.

Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[frou]

I experienced Bluetooth dropouts and it seemed correlated with having certain devices connected to the Mini's USB-A port(s).

Since I haven't used the Bluetooth keyboard for months, I'm not sure it whether the issue fixed itself in the meantime or not.

 

[Alexis Noel]

I only had issues with my mini when it was under my Satechi Aluminum Monitor Stand and the extra aluminum hindered my Bluetooth connectivity.

When u got my current job, I switched my setup to include having my work laptop under the stand in clamshell mode and moved the mini where it had no obstructions and Bluetooth works perfectly.

 

[etn]

I bought my Mini in November 2018. Didn't have any issue until last month when I started using USB peripherals and wifi at the same time. The workarounds described in the various threads worked for me - more specifically, re-shuffle USB connections and switch off wifi !

I voted yes to the question as my ride has not been bump free, but everything works well now. Don't let BT issues scare you, the Mini is a fantastic machine, particularly now as the storage has become cheaper.
[automerge]1590919512[/automerge]

I only had issues with my mini when it was under my Satechi Aluminum Monitor Stand and the extra aluminum hindered my Bluetooth connectivity.

I have a Satechi USB-C hub for Mac Mini and I have been at times under the impression that it increases the BT issues.
- Wifi ON + hub connected: some issues
- Wifi ON + hub disconnected but in place: less issues than above
- Wifi OFF + hub connected: everything OK for me.

Hope this helps.

 

[lowendlinux]

I bought my Mini in November 2018. Didn't have any issue until last month when I started using USB peripherals and wifi at the same time. The workarounds described in the various threads worked for me - more specifically, re-shuffle USB connections and switch off wifi !

I voted yes to the question as my ride has not been bump free, but everything works well now. Don't let BT issues scare you, the Mini is a fantastic machine, particularly now as the storage has become cheaper.
[automerge]1590919512[/automerge]

I have a Satechi USB-C hub for Mac Mini and I have been at times under the impression that it increases the BT issues.
- Wifi ON + hub connected: some issues
- Wifi ON + hub disconnected but in place: less issues than above
- Wifi OFF + hub connected: everything OK for me.

Hope this helps.

I have the Satechi hub and have not had problem with Bluetooth whether the WiFi is on or not

 

[DoubleFlyaway]

Yes, but very minor and only with regard to Trackpad 2. I'm trying not having anything plugged into the USB-A ports and so far so good.

 

[MevetS]

I have the Satechi hub and have not had problem with Bluetooth whether the WiFi is on or not

I have the Satechi base hub and as noted above, no longer have any Bluetooth issues. And every port on my Mini is in use (and then some). And Wifi is on. Curious that this issue, which is real as I did experience it, is somewhat 'random' in that it is not obvious what causes it nor how to fix it.

I do software testing for a living and the worst bugs are those that are not 'repeatable'. I put repeatable in scare quotes because in the end they are repeatable, it is just not obvious what the steps to reproduce are.