Mac Mini - part two

[ivanwi11iams]

Well, after last weeks episode with the Mac Mini, I did return it. However, I loved the speed of the unit, and, well the overall use and feel of the unit. The MAIN, issue was the MX Master and Bluetooth connection.
Today, I purchased a Mac Mini again. This time, I made sure to purchase a wired keyboard and mouse (merely for the setup portion; and to keep in case I ever need it).

The setup process was excellent, smooth and went without a hitch. Even more so using the wired keyboard and mouse.
Post the setup, I have just connected my Logitech Keys keyboard and MX Master mouse (first gen) to the Mac Mini. The mouse is not as fluid as the wired mouse was. And, hard to say if it is the Bluetooth or simply since my MX Master is much older.
Regardless, thus far, I am rather pleased. On Monday I will use it for a full days work, to see how it all goes.

PS: Another reason I tried again with the Mac Mini was, millions of people that purchased this unit, can't all be having issues, right? Rhetorical of course...

 

[ivanwi11iams]

USB drive now connected for Time Machine backups. The first backup is running as we speak. Let's see how the mouse (connected via Bluetooth) acts, once the backup is finished...

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Time Machine drive connected to the Mac Mini. Thus far, all seems well.
Just picked up an MX Master 3 (had an original for ages). Again, thus far, doing well.

Now to connect my Logitech camera (USB). This will be interesting...

 

[robotica]

Why don’t you connect the Mx master via the Logitech dongle rather than Bluetooth?

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Why don’t you connect the Mx master via the Logitech dongle rather than Bluetooth?

Ah, yes, there is a method to the madness. I have two computers, Windows 10, and this Mac Mini.
The Windows 10 machine has the dongle for the Logitech Keys keyboard and MX Master 3 mouse. Thus, the Mac Mini is all connected via Bluetooth.

I will add, on this attempt with the Mac Mini, thus far it is 'working' much better. I do wonder if it is partly to do with location. This time, the Mac Mini is it sitting very openly on my desk, versus on the shelf I had the first one on.

Regardless, interesting...

 

[ivanwi11iams]

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"I have two computers, Windows 10, and this Mac Mini.
The Windows 10 machine has the dongle for the Logitech Keys keyboard and MX Master 3 mouse. Thus, the Mac Mini is all connected via Bluetooth."

I believe the Logitech "unifying receivers" are available as separate items to purchase, are they not?

I'd pick one up on ebay, etc.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

OP wrote:
"I have two computers, Windows 10, and this Mac Mini.
The Windows 10 machine has the dongle for the Logitech Keys keyboard and MX Master 3 mouse. Thus, the Mac Mini is all connected via Bluetooth."

I believe the Logitech "unifying receivers" are available as separate items to purchase, are they not?

I'd pick one up on ebay, etc.

Sounds like you are suggesting to have a dongle in the Windows PC and on the Mac.
But, from my understanding, the dongle can house 6 connections. Alas, the respective mouse or keyboard can only connect to ONE unifying receiver. Merely my understanding.

I have another receiver here. During the week, I might try it. Need to use the Mac Mini as is for work tomorrow, to make sure everything (apps and daily work flow), works...

 

[ivanwi11iams]

Well, woke up this morning, to the Mac Mini having restarted. Google Chrome was in the 'restore' state.
Honestly, I am simply not happy with this. Here I was hoping the USB C connection for my Time Machine drive would have solved the issue.

I have since disconnected the Time Machine drive, and will let the machine run for a while, with no drive connected.

Let's see how it acts. At this rate, it might be on its way back to the shop...

 

[MacCheetah3]

I realize you're reasonably frustrated, though I'm curious...

Did the computer unexpectedly reboot or did just Chrome crash?
If the computer restarted, typically, there should have been a message similar to this after the restart:

Also...

How does USB interfering with BT relate to unexpected restarts?
Or was this just another problem you were having with the previous mini as well?

 

[mdwsta4]

I had connectivity issues every other day or so with the M1 Mini and MX Keys/MX3 mouse. Even when they were connected, there was a noticable lag (with the mouse) making the computer frustrating to use. The latest update seemed to have fixed these problems as I've only experienced one keyboard disconnect and no lag with the mouse.

 

[ivanwi11iams]

I realize you're reasonably frustrated, though I'm curious...

Did the computer unexpectedly reboot or did just Chrome crash?
If the computer restarted, typically, there should have been a message similar to this after the restart:

Also...

How does USB interfering with BT relate to unexpected restarts?
Or was this just another problem you were having with the previous mini as well?

Thanks for the post, even more so for being conscious of the frustration.

I believe I may have forgot to mention this part. For part two of my setup all was working great, UNTIL Saturday.
While the unit was on, and I was watching a YouTube video, via Google Chrome (with Mail, iMessage and Whatapp open), the unit restarted, and a message popped up, "SOCD report detected: (AP watchdog expired)". I could not believe it. I was given the option to submit to Apple, so I did.

After Googling the error, I came across a post on Reddit and on Apple Communities.

Reddit:

https://www.reddit.com/r/macmini/comments/kw6vr3

Apple:

SOCD report detected: (AP watchdog expire… - Apple Community

discussions.apple.com

Upon further research, the issue seems to be related to external drives connected via USB A. At the time of the error, I had a Samsung SSD, connected via an enclosure for my Time Machine backups. As a test, I switched the connection to a USB C connection, thinking I have a solution. Woke up this morning, and again, the unit had restarted. I checked via Terminal (uptime). I was and am, disappointed.

Since this morning, I simply removed the external drive, and honestly have been using my Windows 10 desktop for work today (as I usual do. The Mac Mini was/is going to be a replacement. But...).

Been busy working for the majority of the day, so, I will check the Terminal (uptime) later this evening. Again, thanks for your post.

 

[MacCheetah3]

Ah. Well, I know it’s not of help, but from what I’ve been seeing on the forums, a lot of problems seem like Big Sur bugs. No doubt a couple are M1 chip specific. However, I wonder how many who purchased recent Intel-based Macs and running Big Sur aren’t running into new problems.

Ultimately, I’m glad I have been forced to wait on this OS upgrade (until I buy s new Mac).