Clean install macOS?

[ian87w]

Okay, I have the opportunity of getting a used mac mini (circa 2011-2012, the unibody one without ODD). This would be my first mac ever, so I have several questions in advance.

Whenever I set up/build up a new PC, I always try to do a clean install of Windows. On a PC, this is easy. Even with a completely blank drive, I can simply boot from a bootable USB I created and clean install Windows.

This mac mini will come with an old hard drive. Can I just take that drive out, put in a brand new SSD, and then install macOS? I heard Macs have recovery mode where it can download and clean install the latest supported macOS. Is this doable on a mac with a brand new blank drive? If so, it saves me time from having to create a bootable macOS installer USB (I have to research how to do that next...).

 

[Che Castro]

Yes you can put the Brand new ssd in the Mac and then download the os in recovery mode
the problem with that is it will download the latest os only
if you want an older macOS you need to create a bootable drive installer

 

[ian87w]

Yes you can put the Brand new ssd in the Mac and then download the os in recovery mode
the problem with that is it will download the latest os only
if you want an older macOS you need to create a bootable drive installer

So the Mac recovery mode can operate even with a brand new blank drive? That's pretty cool. Thanks.

 

[Che Castro]

So the Mac recovery mode can operate even with a brand new blank drive? That's pretty cool. Thanks.

Yes as long as you have an internet connection

 

[ian87w]

Yes you can put the Brand new ssd in the Mac and then download the os in recovery mode
the problem with that is it will download the latest os only
if you want an older macOS you need to create a bootable drive installer

Alright, I have the mini in my hand now. While waiting for the RAM and SSD upgrades coming through the mail, I boot it up. It has El Capitan on it.

My question is, I want to install Mojave on it (since it is the last macOS with 32bit support). I don't want Catalina on it. What do you think is the best way to get Mojave on it? Going to the app store seems to be recommending Catalina.

 

[Boyd01]

You haven't really told us which Mini you have, the 2011 and 2012 models had some significant differences. See this for help with identification

All Apple Mac mini Specs (2005-Current): EveryMac.com

Tech specs for all Apple Mac mini from the original to the latest (2005-Current). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, configuration options and more.

everymac.com

Depends on what kind of 32-bit support you want, my own experience is that the older versions of MacOS are more compatible. I have over $5000 of legacy CAD and 3d apps that I rarely use (I'm retired now) but still want to access. I have an external SSD with Mountain Lion (10.8.5) that I can boot my 2012 Mini into when I need these. With each update after that, something else breaks. But normally, I run my 2012 quad Mini on Sierra.

A number of people here have suggested that El Capitan was the best of the 32-bit versions. I have it on a 2014 Mini that I no longer use. My 2018 Mini runs Catalina, but I have a virtual machine with Sierra that I can use for my legacy software.

Anyway, you might just try sticking with El Capitan until you find some compelling reason to upgrade farther.

 

[ian87w]

You haven't really told us which Mini you have, the 2011 and 2012 models had some significant differences. See this for help with identification

All Apple Mac mini Specs (2005-Current): EveryMac.com

Tech specs for all Apple Mac mini from the original to the latest (2005-Current). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, configuration options and more.

everymac.com

Depends on what kind of 32-bit support you want, my own experience is that the older versions of MacOS are more compatible. I have over $5000 of legacy CAD and 3d apps that I rarely use (I'm retired now) but still want to access. I have an external SSD with Mountain Lion (10.5.8) that I can boot my 2012 Mini into when I need these. With each update after that, something else breaks. But normally, I run my 2012 quad Mini on Sierra.

A number of people here have suggested that El Capitan was the best of the 32-bit versions. I have it on a 2014 Mini that I no longer use. My 2018 Mini runs Catalina, but I have a virtual machine with Sierra that I can use for my legacy software.

Anyway, you might just try sticking with El Capitan until you find some compelling reason to upgrade farther.

It's the late 2012 model. Catalina will be the last macos on it.

Will play with El Capitan while waiting for the SSD to arrive. Already feeling the "lag" of spinning drive. Urrgh...

Still, is there a way to download Mojave?

 

[Mr_Brightside_@]

Yes: https://support.apple.com/en-ca/HT210190

 

[ian87w]

You haven't really told us which Mini you have, the 2011 and 2012 models had some significant differences. See this for help with identification

All Apple Mac mini Specs (2005-Current): EveryMac.com

Tech specs for all Apple Mac mini from the original to the latest (2005-Current). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, storage details, configuration options and more.

everymac.com

Depends on what kind of 32-bit support you want, my own experience is that the older versions of MacOS are more compatible. I have over $5000 of legacy CAD and 3d apps that I rarely use (I'm retired now) but still want to access. I have an external SSD with Mountain Lion (10.5.8) that I can boot my 2012 Mini into when I need these. With each update after that, something else breaks. But normally, I run my 2012 quad Mini on Sierra.

A number of people here have suggested that El Capitan was the best of the 32-bit versions. I have it on a 2014 Mini that I no longer use. My 2018 Mini runs Catalina, but I have a virtual machine with Sierra that I can use for my legacy software.

Anyway, you might just try sticking with El Capitan until you find some compelling reason to upgrade farther.

okay I changed my mind. Thanks for your notes.

Looking at various Youtube videos, and Mojave is slower amongst the pre Catalina macOSes.

Might be going with High Sierra then (APFS support vs Sierra).

 

[Boyd01]

High Sierra was the first version to use APFS. I recall reading about quite a few problems with it, not sure if they were ironed out. Personally, I wouldn't want to use it.

 

[ian87w]

High Sierra was the first version to use APFS. I recall reading about quite a few problems with it, not sure if they were ironed out. Personally, I wouldn't want to use it.

What do you think about HFS on SSDs?

 

[Boyd01]

To be technical, we're talking about HFS+ with disk journaling. HFS is a very old system no longer in use. I have used it extensively without problems. 2012 Quad Mini Server running Mountain Lion from the original Apple internal 256gb SSD. Have mostly used it running Sierra from a 1tb Samsung T3 external SSD for about 3 years. This machine has been primarily for audio/video editing with Final Cut Pro and Logic Pro, also used heavily for website development. 2013 MacBook Air with Sierra, that has been my primary computer for general use since I bought it 7 years ago (originally running Mountain Lion). Had a 2011 MacBook Air with Lion before that. Both were rock solid.

My 2014 Mini is a media server that just sits there and streams audio/video to various devices from an external 4tb SSD. That machine is less than a year old, got a good deal on it new when B&H Photo was blowing them out. It shipped with Mojave, so I just left it that way and formatted the external SSD as APFS when I added it recently. No problems there either.