Could I buy this Mac Mini 2014 ... ?

[MikiBroki]

Hi all ! Advanced pre-newby here

I've never used a Mac before and I'm thinking about buying a Mac Mini 2014 in order to learn iOS developing (I'm computer programmer) and having the possibility of upload apps to the Appstore, but have any important questions.

The Macs I can buy (in both cases I would upgrade ram and boot from a ssd through usb3):

* Mac Mini 2014 1.4Ghz 4GB 500GB at 200€
* Mac Mini 2014 2.6Ghz 8GB 1TB at 400€

But the questions I have are:

1) Are really that good prices nowadays?​

2) Mac Mini 2014 is upgradeable to Big Sur so I could install the latest XCODEs, but ... how long could it be getting updates? a couple of years maybe?​

​

3) When I upgrade ssd and ram, will it be very slow to developing with XCODE with its i5 dual core 1.4ghz?​

​

4) In case of stop receiving updates, could I continue using it to develop apps for future versions of iOS with XCODE and if so, for how long more or less?​

​

5) In case you stop receiving updates, could I continue using it at least to upload apps to the AppStore?​

​

6) Do apps written with Xamarin tend to cause problems?​

​

7) I don't have a bad computer: Ryzen 7 2700 16GB RAM... would it be viable for what I want to install MacOS in VMWare? apparently with Catalina it gives problems from what I have read, with what should be some previous version.​

Thanks in advance, and apologies for my bad english !

 

[Fishrrman]

DO NOT BUY the 4gb 2014 Mini !!!

Reason: the RAM is soldered in and you CANNOT UPGRADE IT !!!

The 8gb RAM version is the one to get (of the two choices you posted).

One other thing:
If the drives inside are platter-based hard drives, they are going to be SLOW.

You can fix this by buying an EXTERNAL USB3 SSD, plugging that in, and making it bootable (not hard to do).

AGAIN:
DO NOT BUY the 4gb RAM version, because RAM on the 2014 Mini IS NOT UPGRADEABLE !!!

(all shouting above is intentional)

 

[Boyd01]

Your English is fine!

The 1.4ghz 2014 Mini should be avoided, especially at that price. As already noted, you cannot upgrade RAM on the 2014 Mini. I have one of these and only used it as an iTunes server. It was fine for that (just running iTunes all day) but was useless for everything else, because of the very slow hard drive and 4gb RAM.

The 2.6ghz might be viable, although again, you can't upgrade the RAM. Installing an internal blade SSD is pretty inexpensive and simple on these and will give much better performance than an external USB SSD (~700MB/sec internal SSD vs ~400MB/sec external). I have the next model up from this Mini (2.8ghz/8gb/fusion drive) and used it to replace the 1.4ghz Mini as my media server. However, I got it from a major US retailer for $500 new, with full warranty (about the same price as your 400 euro Mini). So a used Mini with that configuration is no bargain IMO. But I am not familiar with the market outside the US, so maybe prices are different in your location?

Apple's policy on vingtage/obsolete Macs is here. But note that this applies to hardware service. It's possible for Macs to continue getting MacOS updates after Apple stops repairing the hardware.

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

There are also work-arounds for installing MacOS on unsupported older Macs. Just look at our various MacOS forums for threads such as this

macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

This thread will be used to discuss advancements in getting macOS 11.0 Big Sur running on unsupported Macs. --- Compatibility List: --- FAQ: Q: What does unsupported mean for my old Mac? A: Three problems: Apple locks you out from running the stock installer of Big Sur and as...

forums.macrumors.com

Sorry, no experience with xcode or MacOS on VMWare.

 

[MikiBroki]

DO NOT BUY the 4gb 2014 Mini !!!

Reason: the RAM is soldered in and you CANNOT UPGRADE IT !!!

The 8gb RAM version is the one to get (of the two choices you posted).

One other thing:
If the drives inside are platter-based hard drives, they are going to be SLOW.

You can fix this by buying an EXTERNAL USB3 SSD, plugging that in, and making it bootable (not hard to do).

AGAIN:
DO NOT BUY the 4gb RAM version, because RAM on the 2014 Mini IS NOT UPGRADEABLE !!!

(all shouting above is intentional)

Thanks a lot, I did not know that 1,4Ghz model was not ram upgradeable !!

 

[Boyd01]

To be clear, NONE of the 2014 Mini's have upgradeable RAM.

 

[MikiBroki]

Your English is fine!

The 1.4ghz 2014 Mini should be avoided, especially at that price. As already noted, you cannot upgrade RAM on the 2014 Mini. I have one of these and only used it as an iTunes server. It was fine for that (just running iTunes all day) but was useless for everything else, because of the very slow hard drive and 4gb RAM.

The 2.6ghz might be viable, although again, you can't upgrade the RAM. Installing an internal blade SSD is pretty inexpensive and simple on these and will give much better performance than an external USB SSD (~700MB/sec internal SSD vs ~400MB/sec external). I have the next model up from this Mini (2.8ghz/8gb/fusion drive) and used it to replace the 1.4ghz Mini as my media server. However, I got it from a major US retailer for $500 new, with full warranty (about the same price as your 400 euro Mini). So a used Mini with that configuration is no bargain IMO. But I am not familiar with the market outside the US, so maybe prices are different in your location?

Apple's policy on vingtage/obsolete Macs is here. But note that this applies to hardware service. It's possible for Macs to continue getting MacOS updates after Apple stops repairing the hardware.

Obtaining service for your Apple product after an expired warranty - Apple Support

Learn about your options for getting service and parts for Apple devices that are past their warranty period.

support.apple.com

There are also work-arounds for installing MacOS on unsupported older Macs. Just look at our various MacOS forums for threads such as this

macOS 11 Big Sur on Unsupported Macs Thread

This thread will be used to discuss advancements in getting macOS 11.0 Big Sur running on unsupported Macs. --- Compatibility List: --- FAQ: Q: What does unsupported mean for my old Mac? A: Three problems: Apple locks you out from running the stock installer of Big Sur and as...

forums.macrumors.com

Sorry, no experience with xcode or MacOS on VMWare.

Thank so much for your comments @Boyd01 but 2,6Ghz model is RAM upgradeable (I didn't kew that 1,4Ghz model not):

About updating with unofficial way... I do not finish trusting myself for security reasons, but here in Spain a 200€ for 1,4Ghz or 400€ too for 2,6Ghz are a bargain

 

[Boyd01]

No, the RAM is soldered on all of the 2014 Mini's and cannot be upgraded.

Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014) Specs (Late 2014, MGEN2LL/A, Macmini7,1, A1347, 2840): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

 

[iAssimilated]

Thank so much for your comments @Boyd01 but 2,6Ghz model is RAM upgradeable (I didn't kew that 1,4Ghz model not):

About updating with unofficial way... I do not finish trusting myself for security reasons, but here in Spain a 200€ for 1,4Ghz or 400€ too for 2,6Ghz are a bargain

Again, the RAM in all 2014 Mac mini's are not upgradeable. The only time you could add RAM to those models were at time of purchase.

New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable

After going more than two years without an update, Apple's Mac mini was refreshed yesterday, adding Haswell processors, Intel HD 5000/Iris...

www.macrumors.com

 

[brianmowrey]

but here in Spain a 200€ for 1,4Ghz or 400€ too for 2,6Ghz are a bargain

Definitely would be too high in the US. 4GB is not very functional since Mavericks, so the first device is basically a toy / a box of parts. Going a generation earlier and upgrading the RAM would give you a better machine. The second one would be lovely to own for half the price. At the point you are paying 400 for that, spending a couple hundred € more for a Mini that will carry on being supported for longer makes more sense to me.

And if the prices for used Macs are less horrible elsewhere in Europe, sounds like you could take a train trip to buy your Mini and still save money.

 

[MikiBroki]

No, the RAM is soldered on all of the 2014 Mini's and cannot be upgraded.

Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014) Specs (Late 2014, MGEN2LL/A, Macmini7,1, A1347, 2840): EveryMac.com

Technical specifications for the Mac mini "Core i5" 2.6 (Late 2014). Dates sold, processor type, memory info, hard drive details, price and more.

everymac.com

Ouch! you are totally right (I now understand what @Fishrrman meant): the mac mini in the youtube video that I linked was purchased with 16GB, and the other video I have seen was with the 2012 model.

Then, I think it's not a good idead to buy the 2014 with 8GB (even with an ssd) for coding due it's operating system is not (oficially) upgradeable, and buying a used one with 16GB is not worth it because of the same.

You all saved me a lot a money, thank a lot !

 

[Boyd01]

Then, I think it's not a good idead to buy the 2014 with 8GB (even with an ssd) for coding due it's operating system is not (oficially) upgradeable

Actually, the operating system is upgradeable to Big Sur on the 2014 Mini. The 2012 Mini cannot be upgraded beyond Catalina.

macOS Big Sur: Features and Tips, Available Now!

macOS Big Sur is the version of Apple's macOS operating system introduced in 2020 with a redesigned look, new Control Center, Safari updates, and...

www.macrumors.com

Apple is about to release new Macs with their own custom CPU's, so we don't know whether any existing Macs can be upgraded beyond Big Sur.