Same here with late 2014. SSD brought new life to it. I still had to replace two fans though. But Intel.
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2020 vs. 2023 Mac Mini Buyer's Guide
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I've never missed the speed difference, using an external SSD (it boots in 30 seconds or less). If I don't miss it, then I've only gained the benefit of having a used system that is less "used" than other's, because the internal SSD is only hours old!
Looking to upgrade from a 2014 Mac mini, all my storage is external SSD, was seriously looking at a 12 core Mac Pro 2013 for a little over $200 but Apple stop releasing macOS updates for it and a lot of the comparison videos it’s a real dog compared to the new M1 let alone the M2.
Since I’m on extreme budget I have a little wiggle room to get one of these M2 minis for $499, all my displays are 1080 which is fine for my applications and most of my software would be compatible except for iDVD, Photoshop.
I think I’ll keep my old computer around to run the old programs but 99% of my use is all modern or built-in software.
I got stung before by Apple when I got my G5 tower and it was abandoned and then I purchased the first Mac Pro and again Apple abandoned it quite quickly.
Since this is the second generation of the mini I feel a little more comfortable that it’s gonna be supported for a little bit longer.
I just don’t wanna bite the bullet today and tomorrow they come out with an M3 for $499 but that’s the nature of the beast. I don’t think a new model should be released soon but probably later this year but will have the starting price of $599 again. I could sell for $399 by then and then purchase the new model.
Since all my peripherals are external I sort of future proofed my set up. At least until they drop USB 4 form factor.
Well here goes nothing.
Since I’m on extreme budget I have a little wiggle room to get one of these M2 minis for $499, all my displays are 1080 which is fine for my applications and most of my software would be compatible except for iDVD, Photoshop.
I think I’ll keep my old computer around to run the old programs but 99% of my use is all modern or built-in software.
I got stung before by Apple when I got my G5 tower and it was abandoned and then I purchased the first Mac Pro and again Apple abandoned it quite quickly.
Since this is the second generation of the mini I feel a little more comfortable that it’s gonna be supported for a little bit longer.
I just don’t wanna bite the bullet today and tomorrow they come out with an M3 for $499 but that’s the nature of the beast. I don’t think a new model should be released soon but probably later this year but will have the starting price of $599 again. I could sell for $399 by then and then purchase the new model.
Since all my peripherals are external I sort of future proofed my set up. At least until they drop USB 4 form factor.
Well here goes nothing.
Making me curious - I wonder if should snap up a 2014 Mini just for fun
I have one of the SSD adapters for it that I've never used -- and I have a 1TB NVMe laying around
hmm
For regular stuff, browsing, email, etc those old machines still work fine with an SSD. I have an old Mac mini 2010... I think, that runs a RIP and powers my wide format printer that I have at home. Not the fastest for processing larger pictures for printing, but nothing terrible that has me waiting for hours or anything like that. I think we have hit a peak for regular use in terms of speed. I was using a 5K iMac for work up till a few years ago, it had the 1TB flash drive and still very very usable for graphic use.
I guess you could find one EBay? Big prob with 2014 is RAM and Intel CPU are soldered in. Gotta look for one with like 16 or + RAM–Rendering an hour long vid is painfully slow. SSD (OWC) is way better but still slow. And it’s end of road for Mac OS updates.