Mac mini mid2011 obsolescence

[Midgetinabikini]

2014 is a nice machine I truly don't understand why people hate it so much.

Back to the topic. My 2009 MM ran for 6 years before I sold it for newer model, it kept running for at least another year with his new owner if I recall right, it had ElCap on it. My last iMac was also from 2009, and ran for 5 years until he died. My next *Mac (I hope for new MM, still!) will serve me as workstation for 3 years before turning into HTPC until end of life.
These machines last long, often more then they should.

 

[jpietrzak8]

2014 is a nice machine I truly don't understand why people hate it so much.

The 2014 doesn't have the CPU speed of the 2012, nor the memory slots. And is harder to add/replace internal drives. And, at this point, has three-year-old tech.

I fully understand why people hate the 2014 so much.

These machines last long, often more then they should.

Indeed! I managed to keep using my 2007 Mini for a decade, although I did upgrade the RAM to support more recent applications. I'm still using my 2010 Mini, although I've upgraded the RAM on it, and am getting ready to swap out one of its internal HDs.

One key to the longevity of a computer is the ease with which failing components can be replaced / upgraded. Modern Apple devices are lacking this ability, so you should expect a lower lifespan; parts that go bad will require the replacement of the entire device, not just the part.

 

[vasim]

This is good. But, what means "it dies"? It stands on the top of the desk and only dust disturbs it.

I own a very old linux machine (desktop the old tower) stand on the floor for 12 years.

It stands still also...

 

[MrUNIMOG]

So I think that macOS 10.13 will be the last (or not?) upgrade to this.

Vintage/obsolete status only marks the end of hardware service by Apple and authorized service providers. Doesn't have anything to do with OS support.

Sierra supports Mac minis back from 2010, so I'm positive 10.13 won't drop the 2011 model, perhaps not even the 2010 one.

 

[macgeek18]

My 2011 is still running great. Just put a SSD in it last night.

 

[dogslobber]

Hi.

I am writing to ask, what is the estimated date of the Mac mini mid2011 obsolescence? Will it be at vintage stage some time?

As long as it runs the latest version of OS X then does it really matter? I think the 2011 Mini will make it to 10.14 or 10.15.
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2014 is a nice machine I truly don't understand why people hate it so much.

Because they neutered it with an upgraded 1.4ghz processor and soldered memory, but also tried to bolt it closed so we couldn't sneak a naughty SSD in there without paying Apple protection money.

 

[Osty]

This is good. But, what means "it dies"? It stands on the top of the desk and only dust disturbs it.

I own a very old linux machine (desktop the old tower) stand on the floor for 12 years.

It stands still also...

If anything will kill the 2011 model (the one with the AMD GPU) its heat. Happened to me last year. Apple stopped using lead in their solder and the tin-based stuff degrades when the system gets too hot.

 

[saulinpa]

One thing I found was that the 2014 is much quieter than my 2011 was at high CPU loads. So that makes it better for a home theater application.

Remember that it is the applications that matter. I have a friend using a G5 and iBook G4 and is fairly content.

 

[vasim]

As long as it runs the latest version of OS X then does it really matter? I think the 2011 Mini will make it to 10.14 or 10.15.
[doublepost=1493334033][/doublepost]

Because they neutered it with an upgraded 1.4ghz processor and soldered memory, but also tried to bolt it closed so we couldn't sneak a naughty SSD in there without paying Apple protection money.

No it doesn't really matter. I have the one with the intel 3000 GPU (512 MB RAM) and I haven't face problems at all.

It runs as good as my macbook air 2016 (this one with the 8GB ram). Some people said that it will stop upgrade because of the no-metal support.

Apple knows.

 

[pdafan]

My Mac mini 2011 is running happily with eGPU GTX970, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD.

 

[vasim]

My Mac mini 2011 is running happily with eGPU GTX970, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD.

Internal HDD?

 

[Boyd01]

It runs as good as my macbook air 2016

Actually there's no such thing as a 2016 MacBook Air. The newest model is early 2015.

 

[vasim]

Actually there's no such thing as a 2016 MacBook Air. The newest model is early 2015.

I know, officially not, but the upgraded the older model with 8GB ram , and they named it 2016. (I think not officially)

 

[vasim]

So, at this point my Mid 2001 will be updated to High Sierra (and APFS and more) without (!!!) metal support

Good work apple. They keep my machine alive for 2 years more.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

So, at this point my Mid 2001 will be updated to High Sierra (and APFS and more) without (!!!) metal support

Good work apple. They keep my machine alive for 2 years more.

That was to be expected actually.
Even the Mid 2010 model is still supported, which is more of a (little) surprise.

I'd expect your 2011 mini to even get 10.14 next year as well.

 

[MysticCow]

So, at this point my Mid 2001 will be updated to High Sierra (and APFS and more) without (!!!) metal support

Good work apple. They keep my machine alive for 2 years more.

But the new Mac mini is almost certainly coming...

 

[MrUNIMOG]

But the new Mac mini is almost certainly coming...

Who knows. They only confirmed that the Mac mini "remains a product in [their] lineup", not that they were going to update it.
Perhaps it will get a price drop (or minor spec bump like the MacBook Air recently) at some point and then continue to sell for some more years, and that's it...

Would be nice though if there really was a new one in the pipeline. The current one has such a huge footprint, it's not exactly "mini" compared to the older design. With recent advancements in power efficiency, thermal design and flash storage they could very well fit a capable machine in a much more compact form factor.

 

[vasim]

That was to be expected actually.
Even the Mid 2010 model is still supported, which is more of a (little) surprise.

I'd expect your 2011 mini to even get 10.14 next year as well.

That's great news. I love this Mini, don't ask me why, and I am using it more than my MacBook Air 2016.

If this happens this will give breath to this for at least 3 years more..

 

[Partron22]

I stopped updating my 2011 mini at Yosemite (10.10.5), not because I had to, but because the newer OS's offered nothing I really felt the need for. I've found that running out to the ragged edge of compatibility OS-wise sometimes comes with a downside on the stability front.

 

[MrUNIMOG]

12

I stopped updating my 2011 mini at Yosemite (10.10.5), not because I had to, but because the newer OS's offered nothing I really felt the need for. I've found that running out to the ragged edge of compatibility OS-wise sometimes comes with a downside on the stability front.

Well, this fall you should consider upgrading to El Capitan at least, as Yosemite presumably won't be receiving any more security patches after then.

But why not just try High Sierra? You can always go back. You could even install it on a separate partition or external drive just to test it while still retaining Yosemite on your main drive or partition.

 

[Osty]

I'm running sierra on my 2011 Mac mini (living out its days as a server). While I agree that new features (continuity/handoff/metal) aren't supported, I keep it updated for security and bug fixes.

 

[adam9c1]

I thought they would pull all "core2" machines from 10.13 but I was wrong.

Now I do find my 2010 MBP c2d struggles with Chrome graphics wise when few tabs are open.