2012 Mac Mini Quad vs 2014 Dual

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Such a confusing question for a newbie like me (and others).
I'm going to be using Parallels to run windows. Windows apps will include quickbooks, light excel, word, powerpoint, and some add-on programs for uploading data to the web. On the MAC side it will be web, excel, word, calendar, 2do, xmind, mendelay database, light video and audio editing, no gaming. I tend to keep alot of windows open and multitask. My MBP 2.3GHz I-5 with 4GB memory is constantly in 'waiting', even after doing a full workup at the apple store.

So I'm wary of spending bucks to get a new machine that is showing me that iritating 'wait' spinner thing all the time.

My ignorant impression is that a 2014 Dual Core I-7 with 16GB memory and a fusion drive will do fine.

But I wonder, with parallels and lots of multitasking, will I be better off with a 2012 with a Quad-Core? (and of course, a 2012 wouldn't have a fusion drive so it might be slower? Would I need to upgrade to 16GB ram too?)

If a 2012 Quad is better, any suggestions about where to get one?

Any informed advice out there?

thanks

 

[Altis]

May I ask whether or not you have an SSD in your MBP?

I find that tends to cure speed problems more than anything else.

Is the waiting occurring when you're doing CPU-intensive stuff, or just navigating around the OS/apps?

 

[Rodster]

If a 2012 Quad is better, any suggestions about where to get one?

Any informed advice out there?

thanks

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/897212-REG/Apple_md388ll_a_Mac_mini_Desktop_Computer.html

 

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for Altis about slow mbp

Thanks for your thoughts.
I don't have a SSD it's a standard HD.
the slowdown is not for CPU intensive stuff. Just navigating around various low-intensity applications.
thoughts?

 

[magbarn]

Save your money and throw in a 512gb SSD (yes, they're now very affordable - get Micron/Samsung) and upgrade your ram to 16gb. Your upgraded macbook pro will come close and in many cases exceed the 2014 mini. Since you don't game or use OpenCL apps, the Iris GPU isn't much of an improvement for you either. Your MBP will be more 'future-proof' than the drek that Apple is putting out right now. If you absolutely need quad core (the quad core mini is a bit faster than dual when doing video/photo editing) then a 2012 will be be quicker than a 2014 providing both are equipped comparably. Me, I've decided to try to track down a 2012 quad core and I'm planning on ordering 16gb of ram, 512gb SSD, and 2 TB 2.5" HDD. That will give me a quad cpu and way more internal storage (IMHO a 512gb SSD + 2 TB HDD is superior to a fusion drive setup) than anything Apple is offering right now short of a $3000 mac pro.

 

[Altis]

Thanks for your thoughts.
I don't have a SSD it's a standard HD.
the slowdown is not for CPU intensive stuff. Just navigating around various low-intensity applications.
thoughts?

I'm with magbarn on this. Get a decent SSD, toss it in there, fresh install of the OS... and you should be good to go!

I've gotten two now, an ADATA and Crucial M500... $80-$130 (240 GB). Even older machines boot, load apps, and navigate OS and such very quickly now. I can't say enough good things about them. It will make it feel like a brand new machine.

You could probably do a memory upgrade on that too, if I'm not mistaken... but I'd reserve that until after the SSD. What year is your MBP?

----------

(Edit doesn't seem to work for me right now)

You can also bring the SSD to a new machine if/when you end up replacing it.

 

[1122ads]

upgrading a MBP and choosing the right Mini

The MBP is 2011, so I'll need to figure out if I can put in a SSDD and increase the RAM to 8GB. That's a great solution for the MBP, which I take with me on the road and use at home. Thank you.

The fact is, that I need a computer at work with a larger monitor. (I suppose I could shlep the MBP and plug it into a monitor). But there is value to having a separate machine there, as others use it.

So, getting back to the question of a 2012 mini with I-7 quad vs 2014 mini with I-7 duo....

It looks like I can get a 2012 mini I-7 Quad for $700.
I can put in add a 250GB SSD to the 1TB 5400rpm for $140: Samsung Electronics 840 EVO-Series 250GB 2.5-Inch SATA III Single Unit Version Internal Solid State Drive MZ-7TE250BW
And I can put in 16GB RAM certified for mac mini for $206: 16GB 2X8GB RAM Memory for Apple Mac mini Mac Mini 2.3GHz Quad-Core Intel Core i7 - Late 2012 Black Diamond Memory Module DDR3 SO-DIMM 204pin PC3-12800 1600MHz Upgrade

Or I can put in 'crucial' components for a price that makes me suspicious:
This item: Crucial M500 480GB mSATA Internal Solid State Drive CT480M500SSD3 $219.29
Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V … $136.57

That would bring me out ahead in terms of cost, when compared to the 2014 mac mini. And please tell me if I'm wrong, that for my needs, it's going to be easily powerful enough....

My questions are: can I indeed put a SECOND hard drive with a 250GB SSD in the 201 mac mini, and thus I get even better performance than the 2014 1TB fusion drive?

Do I need to be concerned about getting RAM or SSD that is guaranteed or certified for Mac Mini? Or is it a pretty straightforward thing?

Any idea if my applecare warrantee is voided by changing RAM or adding a SSD?

Thanks!

 

[1122ads]

Magbarn Thanks for your suggestion

From what you are saying, it's no big deal to add an SSDD to a 2012 mini that already has a 1TB 5400rpm disc. I looked and indeed its only about $220 for a 500GB SSD. Is there a kit or some other way to do this for a meathead like me, or is it something I should pay someone to do. I'm reasonably skilled with tools and following instructions, but don't want to spend hours and hours doing it.
suggestions?

 

[scottsjack]

Or I can put in 'crucial' components for a price that makes me suspicious:
This item: Crucial M500 480GB mSATA Internal Solid State Drive CT480M500SSD3 $219.29
Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MHz (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V … $136.57

I've been running Crucial 960GB M500s and 16GB of Crucial RAM in my 2012 MBP since November and in my 2012 mini 2.3 since January. Performance has been excellent and flawless. Since then the M500 has replaced by the M100 (or something like that). Micron seems like it would be a good company to trust for quality memory and Intel compatibility.