(Solved) 2014 MacMini or 2020 MacMini M1

[fdw777]

I have the late 2014 MM with 16GB/RAM 512 SSD and just ordered Apple refurbished 2020 MM M1 base. Now Im second guessing my decision. Now that I think about it it seem just like a waist of good money. The only issue I have with the 2014 MM is that it's stuck with Monterey OS (no hacks for me). 9 year old computer (2014 MM) sounds so old!

 

[BeatCrazy]

I have a 2014 Mac mini, currently serving Plex/media duties. I also had a M1 Mac mini, before I upgraded to the Mac Studio.

The M1 is much faster, more stable and will probably get another 6+ years of OS support. I've been debating getting rid of my 2014, but since it's just for media duties, it's hard to justify the price. If it was my daily driver, for sure.

 

[russell_314]

I have the late 2014 MM with 16GB/RAM 512 SSD and just ordered Apple refurbished 2020 MM M1 base. Now Im second guessing my decision. Now that I think about it it seem just like a waist of good money. The only issue I have with the 2014 MM is that it's stuck with Monterey OS (no hacks for me). 9 year old computer (2014 MM) sounds so old!

Why would it be a waste of money? The questions you have to ask yourself are.

Are you happy with your current system? Would you like it to be faster?

The Apple Silicon Mac mini is going to blow the doors off of your 2014 model but maybe you don’t need or want that. That’s something you have to decide for yourself.

 

[Scarrus]

I have the late 2014 MM with 16GB/RAM 512 SSD and just ordered Apple refurbished 2020 MM M1 base. Now Im second guessing my decision. Now that I think about it it seem just like a waist of good money. The only issue I have with the 2014 MM is that it's stuck with Monterey OS (no hacks for me). 9 year old computer (2014 MM) sounds so old!

You could return your M1 and wait for the M3 at least if not the M4 so you could at least get 16Gb of Ram again.

Depending on how long you keep your system you could go with an M3 or M4 with 32Gb of Ram and 1Tb SSD and keep it for another 8+ years, maybe even more…

 

[EugW]

I have an 8 GB 2014 Mac mini Core i5 with 512 GB SSD, and 16 GB 2020 M1 with 1 TB SSD.

For light usage the 2014 Mac mini is totally fine, but the M1 is noticeably faster. However, for light usage, it's diminishing returns. Just how much more speed do you need to run Pages for 2 page letters for example? So, it really depends on what you do with it.

Also, what monitor are you using with it? The Apple Silicon Macs have no native support for your Apple 23" Cinema HD Display for example. It will work, but there are some annoying usage differences, including loss of monitor brightness control from the keyboard unless you install a third party application.

 

[fdw777]

You could return your M1 and wait for the M3 at least if not the M4 so you could at least get 16Gb of Ram again.

Depending on how long you keep your system you could go with an M3 or M4 with 32Gb of Ram and 1Tb SSD and keep it for another 8+ years, maybe even more…

Thank you for taking the time to express your wisdom, however it really wasn't helpful at all.

 

[i486dx2-66]

Thank you for taking the time to express your wisdom, however it really wasn't helpful at all.

You literally said your 2014 MM was fine and didn't know if you needed a new one.

How is someone suggesting you wait for the the next iteration "not helpful at all"?
Did you pose an open question, but only really want confirmation that the M1 was the correct choice?
🤷‍♂️

 

[fdw777]

Solved. Thanks for all you input.😀

 

[Scarrus]

Thank you for taking the time to express your wisdom, however it really wasn't helpful at all.

Then why are you asking in a public forum? 🤔

 

[xraydoc]

Solved. Thanks for all you input.😀

And your solution was...?