Mac mini 2012 on Sierra?

[frank4]

I updated my base 2011 (8GB) to Sierra last night and it runs fine, was worried it might get slowed down but surprisingly it feels a little faster to respond. Also it freed up over 15GB of HD space. So a 2012 should handle Sierra no problem since all 2012s are faster than my 2011.

After installing Sierra I just let it sit there and optimize things for a hour or so, then did similar with Time Machine.

 

[tibas92013]

Not sure who you are quoting there. But to me, a clean install involves erasing the disk and installing the standard version of the operating system, making your computer behave like a new one the next time you start it up.

I assume that regular install means that you will leave all your existing files in place and let the software installer just replace the necessary files to upgrade. In years past, people suggested the clean install to minimize problems with leftovers from old software. In my experience, that is no longer necessary (unless you're trying to address some specific issue).

I did the regular install of Sierra on my MacBook Air because to continue using some expensive legacy software.

On my Mac Mini I did a clean Sierra install to an external SSD because I am migrating to new software and want to keep it "lean and mean". However, I left Mountain Lion on the internal SSD to I can boot into it when needed.



If you want to continue using old software, the regular install makes it much easier, however I've also had pretty good luck using Migration Assistant in the past. If you try start from scratch and run the original installers from old software however, then you may have some problems.

Thanx for for excellent explanation; the other day I did what I call a "regular Install" on my MM(Late 2012)2.5GHz,16GB Ram, 500GB HD. I did not erase my HD and just opened "APP Store" Icon and pressed the upgrade button for "OS Sierra". I have very few third-party "Apps" on my HD so there was not much to lose. I did insure that the the few third-party "Apps" were compatible with "OS Sierra" before doing the upgrade from "OS El Capitan". AS of today everything is A-OK with this MM.

Next week I plan on updating to "OS Sierra" on my MM(Late 2014)2.8GHz,8GB Ram, 256SSD which is still on "OS Yosemite".

 

[JamesPDX]

Re: Regular install– What would be great is an Unleaded install option (i.e., old school Apple OS 7-9 installer style) preventing space-wasting and resource-wasting bloatware from the get-go.

 

[EdwardC]

I have a 2.5 i5 as well with 16 gigs of RAM and it runs extremely well. I also have a iMac 2013 model i5 2.9 with a 750 video card and I think the Mini is for all practical purposes just about as fast for every day office computing. YMMV....Ed

 

[tibas92013]

Yesterday I updated my other Refurbished MM(Late 2014) 2.8 GHz, 8GB Ram, 256 SSD from OS "Yosemite" to OS "Sierra" which took around four(4) hours but everything went A-OK.