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Why Silicon Mini always have issues?
- Thread starter hajime
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Cham2000
macrumors 6502
I'm installing the OS update right now. I didn't experienced the lost clicks yet, but it's not a systematic issue.
turbineseaplane
macrumors Penryn
I bought a new M2 Mac mini (base model) yesterday. It came with 13.2.1 pre-installed. Like the first one I got, it has audio issue. In addition, when I clicked on the items in the top menu bar, noting showed up. Tried two mice already. I had to force shut down the machine and turned it on. Furthermore, a 10GbE adapter worked fine yesterday but not the entire day today. Anybody else has the latter two issues?
Is it time to give up on the M2 Mini series? Either I don't seem to have luck with them or they have design faults.
Is it time to give up on the M2 Mini series? Either I don't seem to have luck with them or they have design faults.
LeeW
macrumors 601
My M1 Mac Mini was flawless, and so far the M2 Pro MM is the same. Lots of issues on intel versions in the past though.
fisherking
Suspended
fisherking
Suspended
No sound every two seconds + messing up dual monitor settings by itself + other issues.
I gave up and returned it. They suggested me to wait for a few months hoping that those issues would be fixed or just try another model.
I gave up and returned it. They suggested me to wait for a few months hoping that those issues would be fixed or just try another model.
fisherking
Suspended
the sound issue is not common, so not sure how a later model will fix something that's not universally broken. anyway, sorry you've had bad luck with this...
The price is good but at least for me, I don't have good luck with the Mini series.
The last one I tried also had the problem that when I clicked on the menu bar, there was no respond. Tried two mice already. I had to press the power button to force it to shut down. Used countless Mac, never had this problem before.
Tired the 4th Mini. It also has wifi issue. It indicated that it was connected but web pages didn't load and timed out while PC next to it worked. Moreover, it could not connect to Trackpad 2 via bluetooth sometimes. Moreover, like the other two, it had audio issue. Perhaps I should stay away from it.
ikir
macrumors 68020
I selle, use, deploy hundred of minis, never had one single issue. Maybe it is your router, wi-fi settings or something else, but not the mini.
Which models are you talking about?
I am not happy to invest on expensive, non-upgradable Silicon Mac that cannot even remember display settings. However, all the Minis that I have tried have some sorts of issues. Either audio, wifi, bluetooth or a combination.
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Since your experience is atypical it points to something other than hardware problems. The issues need to be worked one at a time. Starting with WiFi:
1. Configuration of the mini you purchased
1a. What do you have connected to it?
2. How is WiFi configured?
a. Which network are you using - 2.5, 5 or .... GHz ?
b. Do you have a lot of networks your vicinity?
c. What router are you using?
d. Do you have separate SSIDs for each frequency or a combined frequency SSID?
e. What Channel are you using?
You can use a program such as WiFi explorer to help debug WiFi issues.
colinsky
macrumors regular
I tried the base Mini m2 Pro and sent it back: the memory pressure was in the yellow all the time, just like my m1 Mini. And the 512 gb SSD speed was the same as the m1's 512gb speed.
So I sent it back and waited until the 32gb/1tb model hit the refurb page and pulled the trigger. I've been using it for three days now and this thing is the real deal.
So I sent it back and waited until the 32gb/1tb model hit the refurb page and pulled the trigger. I've been using it for three days now and this thing is the real deal.
I don't have a Mini with me anymore.
1. I have tried M2 base model, M2 base model + 10GbE upgrade, M2 Pro 16-1TB + 10GbE upgrade.
2. Not sure what you mean. Just auto connect like other devices at home.
a. I think my ISP set to auto by default. As I recall it was connected to 5GHz
b. I am in a building but none of the other devices I have had Wifi issue.
c. An unwell-known DSL modem from ISP.
d. No
e. I think it was connected to 5GHz automatically.
Again, none of the other devices have issues. Only the Mini. Several threads in macrumors and Apple Community provided some solutions. Except for changing to slower network, I followed the rest of the solutions but didn't work. One of the selling points for the Mini M2/M2 Pro which I paid for is faster WiFi. I am not going to keep it if it only works on slower network.
A Wifi Router often can be configured to group all frequencies under one SID, i.e. 2.5, 5 and 6 Ghz bands are all accessed using one SID "my sid" vs separate SIDS for each frequency, My2.5, My5, My6 - 3 separate SIDS. The latter format helps isolate problems since you know what frequency you are connecting to.
Channel is different than frequency. Each frequency has channels which can be used. If there is a lot of conflict with channels (i.e., lots of people using the same frequency/channel combination) then there can be problems.
Thanks. I just checked. Currently I have six devices connected to WiFi so with the Mini, seven devices. They are all automatically connected at 5.0GHz. Four at the same channel. Doesn't seem to be "a lot".
As I recall, the Mini was grouped together so 5.0GHz. If this is considered to be a lot of conflict, why it is always the Mini that has the problem? Why not other devices?
Also the bluetooth. The trackpad 2 had problem to be detected and even it was detected, sometimes it could not be connected. I have no problem connecting it to an iPad or PC. Why the Mini again?
I think I read somewhere that if the Mini is placed vertically, one of the problems is solved.
I am not sure if I should continue to try the Mini or just go for other product lines to be announced next week. For my current use, I don’t need a M2 Max so Studio may be overkilled.
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I would echo this. When my old iMac's display started discoloring and showing severe image retention, I got a terrible service rep at Apple who was trying to get me to wipe my machine and treating this all as suspicious, and acting like this was some mysterious software problem -- when it was clearly a known hardware issue. I just closed that ticket, tried again and got a reasonable person who directed me to an approved service provider where the display was replaced under AppleCare.
Juicy Box
macrumors 604
This sounds like when the HDD of the 1TB Fusion Drive on my Late 2012 iMac was starting to fail, the phone support would set up an appointment with the Apple Store, just to have be take it there and them wipe my drive.
The problem kept coming back, same symptoms, just would progressively came sooner and sooner after each trip to the Apple Store and them wiping the drive.
Classic symptom of bad sectors, but the Apple Store "Geniuses" didn't want to hear any of it. They just would wipe the drive, run their HW diagnostic which would show the drive as working, and send me on my way.
The drive totally failed 12 days before my warranty ended, and their diagnostic tool finally showed the HDD as failing, and they replaced it.
In retrospect, I wished I would have just replaced it myself, as it would have saved me money in fuel and tolls for many trips to the Apple Store.
Juicy Box
macrumors 604
There has been Wifi and BT issues on Mac Minis since the first Intel Mac Mini was released. The first Intel Mac Mini was the only Apple device that I have ever returned in the 30 years of using Apple devices, all due to the BT problems.
As for why, I suspect that it has to due with the short antennas, and the aluminum cases. They are not the only Macs with aluminum cases, but they are the smallest one, where everything is cramped into a small space.
I wonder if one with a Mac Mini Wifi issue would physically turn the back side of the MM towards the router, maybe this would help. It shouldn't have to be done, but it might be worth a try.
Another solution would be to use external Wifi and BT adapters. This would save the OP a lot of headaches and money.