I just saw that the mini was the only mac product that had a "green light" so to speak rating... even the pro has a caution sign.. I need to upgrade from my G5... and a PC is absolutely out of the question... The mac mini seems to be the only one that is getting a steady dose of updates... please don't tell me that the Mac computer is on its way out... I love my macs... outdated or not... still do what I tell them without them asking me questions... I hate when my computer asks me questions.
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- Thread starter maclover76
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They certainly aren't on their way out. The mini is a nice machine, certainly an upgrade over your G5, but it does use integrated graphics. If that doesn't bother you, then jump on it.
Get a 2012 mac mini from a third party. Much better value than the current 2014 ones.
Where are these ratings found? Is this "green light" from Consumer Reports or some similar magazine?
The ratings are found right here on MacRumors:
https://buyersguide.macrumors.com//#Mac
They are a suggestion as to where a device is in its product cycle.
Green means recently updated. It is unlikely to be superseded by something more modern any time soon….. Hence buy with confidence that you'll have the latest for a while to come.
Yellow means mid-cycle. Newer tech is in the offing, but a newer version of the device is still far from imminent…… Hence, buy if the device fits your needs, and you are not bothered about having to have the latest gear.
Red means update needed or on the way. Updated versions of the device sporting the latest tech will be / should be available soon…… Hence, wait a bit if you can, and you will take delivery of a state of the art device……
But be careful what you wish for!
The 2014 Mini is the most recently updated machine in the Mac line-up, but that came about a couple of years after the previous update, late 2012. Anticipated with much excitement, the 2014 Mac Mini proved to underwhelming to many.
The latest Mini comes with more modern connectivity and lower power consumption. However, there has been only a slight increase in performance for the duo core models, and the quad core model was dropped. It now comes with a choice of 4, 8 or 16 GB of RAM, but without the option of installing more RAM after purchase.
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The Mac mini usually is one of the last models to get updates, and that was the case. They went two years before seeing an update.
I think they're a fantastic computer and depending on your needs, it will serve you well. I'm on one right now (2009 model). The rest of the line is waiting for the Broadwell chipset, which won't be released until later this year. The mini will get this I'm sure, but not before the MBP, MBA, and iMacs.
Oh Right, I See Them!
I agree with your warning then. Our OP should be careful with ratings.
Although that product cycle information is valid and fascinating to enthusiasts it can be distracting to shoppers.
I ordered my 2.3 i7 mini in the late summer of 2013. By then the late 2012 mini was considered by many to be stale and due for replacement. My choice was made after disregarding June~July rumors of a possible update. I enjoyed my quad core for more than a year as rumors swirled and people anticipated the pending update to Haswell processors and improved graphics.
When Apple finally released the 2014 the 2012 experienced a surge of popularity. Prices on eBay and Amazon soared for the two-year-old model. The Macrumors forums continue to buzz with reports from users intent on scoring one of the 2012 refurbs. Imagine how long the 2012 Mac mini was rated yellow and then red!
Dont be distracted by reports that a recent model is outdated. The same folks who warn you about so-called outdated models may be crowing about scoring the same machine from the Apple store next week!
Buy what you need.
I agree with your warning then. Our OP should be careful with ratings.
Although that product cycle information is valid and fascinating to enthusiasts it can be distracting to shoppers.
I ordered my 2.3 i7 mini in the late summer of 2013. By then the late 2012 mini was considered by many to be stale and due for replacement. My choice was made after disregarding June~July rumors of a possible update. I enjoyed my quad core for more than a year as rumors swirled and people anticipated the pending update to Haswell processors and improved graphics.
When Apple finally released the 2014 the 2012 experienced a surge of popularity. Prices on eBay and Amazon soared for the two-year-old model. The Macrumors forums continue to buzz with reports from users intent on scoring one of the 2012 refurbs. Imagine how long the 2012 Mac mini was rated yellow and then red!
Dont be distracted by reports that a recent model is outdated. The same folks who warn you about so-called outdated models may be crowing about scoring the same machine from the Apple store next week!
Buy what you need.
The 2014 Mini's are fine if they have a configuration you like. People are going crazy over the 2012 model because the RAM and HDD are user replaceable without voiding warranty. Given the 2012 refurb shows up for $589, it is really the best value as it is a quad-core i7, RAM can be bumped to 16GB on your own and has double the hard drive space as the current base $499 model.
But these things disappear instantly once they show up on the Apple refurb store.
But these things disappear instantly once they show up on the Apple refurb store.
)The Mini is "green" because they're probably not going to update it for 20+ months.
And even if they update it in late 2016, it wouldn't surprise anybody here if it turned into an Apple-TV-sized, ARM-powered HomeKit server that you happen to be able to attach a keyboard, a mouse/trackpad and a display to.
;-)
And even if they update it in late 2016, it wouldn't surprise anybody here if it turned into an Apple-TV-sized, ARM-powered HomeKit server that you happen to be able to attach a keyboard, a mouse/trackpad and a display to.
;-)
The mini is a great computer, even the 2014 model (well, the 1.4GHz only if you get it with a Fusion or SSD). I had a 2009 mini at home for a media server that died a few months ago and I picked up a top specced base (no CTO) 2014 mini. A few weeks ago I was curious if I could use it as my main computer, so I hooked it up to my TBD and realized that it's more than fine for 90% of my use case. In the past few weeks I've only turned on my 2012 15" rMBP for some light music production, gaming, and when I'm on the road. At home now I almost exclusively use the mini. Whether you get a 2012 (I use one all day at work) or 2014, they are great little computers.