The 2014 mini is actually quite the upgrade over the 2012 in many ways...

[redheeler]

Yes, it produced a menu. I could pick 50hz or 60hz at 1080p. At 2560x1440, it's locked to 60hz. Still, pretty happy to get 1440p at 60hz. Again, this is ONLY on the non-4K adapter. On the 4K adapter my results are far, far worse, but I can't tell you why.

So I'll stick with 1440p @60hz for now. Bit of a bummer the 4K Fit just doesn't work properly with 2014 minis.

So what you're saying is you couldn't pick 60 Hz from the menu with the Fit 4K attached?

I can't get 2560x1440 at 60 Hz on mine either, still stuck at 15 Hz. Might as well keep running mine in 1680x945 HiDPI at 15 Hz, looks great on the Retina iMac.

----------

I'm considering ordering a Mac mini for headless use. Has anyone had luck running 1024x768 HiDPI at a normal refresh rate? The screen shots above show 17hz.

Thinking of trying to run it at native resolution on my retina iPad.

I find the lag to be much worse over WiFi than Thunderbolt Bridge, so I would suggest running it at a lower resolution anyway. Or just use a physical display, keyboard, and mouse.

 

[WilliamG]

So what you're saying is you couldn't pick 60 Hz from the menu with the Fit 4K attached?

I can't get 2560x1440 at 60 Hz on mine either, still stuck at 15 Hz. Might as well keep running mine in 1680x945 HiDPI at 15 Hz, looks great on the Retina iMac..

Correct to the first question. I can't even get 60hz at 1920x1080 with the 4K fit. Can only get lower resolutions at 60hz. I can get 2560x1440 at 60hz no problem with the original non-4K fit on a 2014 mini (which it can do).

To update, I re-connected my 2012 Mac mini (2.5Ghz), and with the Fit 4K adapter I can't get 1920x1080 at 60hz, either. Only 53hz. So I think something is broken with my Fit 4K, I guess.

 

[oneMadRssn]

There is another benefit.

It prevents people from opening it up to replace RAM themselves. Every time people try to replace something themselves, there's a chance that they might break something else in the process.

I'd still rather have a risk of a dead Mac Mini some small percent of the time, than a dead Mac Mini 100% of the time, when RAM dies.

 

[WilliamG]

I'd still rather have a risk of a dead Mac Mini some small percent of the time, than a dead Mac Mini 100% of the time, when RAM dies.

How often does RAM die, though? I've not read of integrated memory dying, though of course it's possible. I'd say the chances are slim, either way.

 

[oneMadRssn]

How often does RAM die, though? I've not read of integrated memory dying, though of course it's possible. I'd say the chances are slim, either way.

Whether or not it's integrated doesn't matter. RAM is RAM. It doesn't so much die as eventually some sectors go bad. Sometimes, though rarely, it happens sooner than later. It might cause the computer to crash when it tries to access that sector. It's probably not going to happen in the first 3 years, so the AppleCare warranty isn't helpful.

However, a quick read through this forum and you will see Mac Minis from 2012, 2011, and earlier still in use. I'm sure those owners appreciate knowing that if their RAM goes bad, the computer isn't totally toast. However, if the RAM on this years model goes bad in 2018, there's nothing that can be done.

 

[WilliamG]

Whether or not it's integrated doesn't matter. RAM is RAM. It doesn't so much die as eventually some sectors go bad. Sometimes, though rarely, it happens sooner than later. It might cause the computer to crash when it tries to access that sector. It's probably not going to happen in the first 3 years, so the AppleCare warranty isn't helpful.

However, a quick read through this forum and you will see Mac Minis from 2012, 2011, and earlier still in use. I'm sure those owners appreciate knowing that if their RAM goes bad, the computer isn't totally toast. However, if the RAM on this years model goes bad in 2018, there's nothing that can be done.

I just think there's no precedent for it, is what I'm saying. It's very, very unlikely. But yes, I do agree that it would be better if we could upgrade/replace the RAM. That said, I'm certainly not going to lose sleep over it.

 

[tibas92013]

S


The only positives are for Apple in that it pushes people to buy AppleCare, it lowers second hand desirability thus resulting in more sales of new stock.

Why does Applecare have different prices depending on the Apple Computer Hardware, i.e.; $99 Plus Tax for Mac Mini BUT $249 plus Tax for the MacBook Air and Pro?

Apple always advertise their products "the-best-of-the-best", so, should't Applecare be the same price for MOST of their "beautiful" machines??

 

[oneMadRssn]

Why does Applecare have different prices depending on the Apple Computer Hardware, i.e.; $99 Plus Tax for Mac Mini BUT $249 plus Tax for the MacBook Air and Pro?

Apple always advertise they produce "the-best-of-the-best", so, should't Applecare be the same price for MOST of their "beautiful" machines??

I'm not sure why I was quoted in this question, as it doesn't have to do with my earlier point, but sure, I'll bite.

AppleCare is basically an insurance policy, and is probably priced as such. The Mac Mini is has less components than Macbook Air or Pro; at least no screen and no monitor, which are probably some of the costlier components to replace in a Macbook Air or Pro. Also, due to the fact that Macbook Airs and Pros are designed to be used on the go and are portable, it is likely that the probability of defect requiring repair is higher. I'm not saying accidents or misuse, which are not covered by AppleCare, but regular bumps in a backpack might bring out a manufacturing defect that would otherwise go unnoticed in a static desktop computer. All of this means Apple's calculated payout on the AppleCare insurance is higher with a Macbook Air or Pro, so they charge more.

It's the same reason the car insurance price on a BMW is higher than on a Honda Civic. The BMW costs more, has more components, and is more likely to break.

 

[newellj]

Why does Applecare have different prices depending on the Apple Computer Hardware, i.e.; $99 Plus Tax for Mac Mini BUT $249 plus Tax for the MacBook Air and Pro?

Apple always advertise their products "the-best-of-the-best", so, should't Applecare be the same price for MOST of their "beautiful" machines??

Think about the difference in cost for potential replacement parts for a Mini compared to, say, a 15" rMBP. It probably isn't explicitly ad valorem, but it comes out about the same in any case.

 

[mjoshi123]

Yep, I couldn't believe it either. I just switched from a 2.5Ghz 2012 to the 2.6Ghz 2014.



4.) 4K over HDMI. Since I remote desktop a lot to my mini from my 5K iMac, it's really nice to get a higher resolution remote desktop window (using a Fit HDMI adapter - ~$25).



PS No matter what people may think of the 2014, it's a AAA experience in terms of build quality. I took mine completely apart to upgrade the hard drive to SSD etc, and boy - it's just beautifully put together. It felt like unwrapping a present to open it up.

What is this Fit HDMI adapter ? I've currently 2 monitor solution on my Mac mini 2012 with 27" QHD monitor plugged thru display port whereas regular 1080p plugged thru HDMI. By using Fit HDMI adapter can I use QHD monitor using HDMI port and how it actually works ? Both my monitors are currently connected to my Mac mini.

 

[WilliamG]

What is this Fit HDMI adapter ? I've currently 2 monitor solution on my Mac mini 2012 with 27" QHD monitor plugged thru display port whereas regular 1080p plugged thru HDMI. By using Fit HDMI adapter can I use QHD monitor using HDMI port and how it actually works ? Both my monitors are currently connected to my Mac mini.

The Fit HDMI adapter is just for remote-desktop use. If you have nothing connected to a Mac mini, the OS disables most of the GPU instructions, so the remote-desktop interface is very, very laggy, doesn't refresh correctly etc. The HDMI adapter just tricks the OS into thinking a monitor is connected, so remote-desktop use is smooth.

The adapter is therefore just for running the mini (or other devices that do the same thing - such as the Intel NUC) headless (as far as I'm aware).

 

[DougTheImpaler]

Does the hard drive version of the Mini still have the port and necessary hardware for a PCI-e drive? The 256GB ones are so cheap on eBay, and with the current $50 off sale at Best Buy + the 10% off 1 item coupon you get in the "change of address" packet from the post office makes the $699 model something like $585+tax. That's quite a steal. And it has 8GB, which would be plenty for my desired use for it.

 

[WilliamG]

Does the hard drive version of the Mini still have the port and necessary hardware for a PCI-e drive? The 256GB ones are so cheap on eBay, and with the current $50 off sale at Best Buy + the 10% off 1 item coupon you get in the "change of address" packet from the post office makes the $699 model something like $585+tax. That's quite a steal. And it has 8GB, which would be plenty for my desired use for it.

There's the port on the logic board, but no cable/connector on the hard drive bracket where the PCIe drive will reside.

Also, it's not $50 off on sale at Best Buy. It's $20 off, before any other coupons you may have.

 

[DougTheImpaler]

Dang. Previously it was $650 (mentioned here) but now I see it's up. Still, that's not terrible - the 10% coupon knocks a couple bucks off and it's more like $615 before tax.

Wonder what kind of cables are needed...guess I'll have to watch OWC for their kit.

 

[paulrbeers]

Dang. Previously it was $650 (mentioned here) but now I see it's up. Still, that's not terrible - the 10% coupon knocks a couple bucks off and it's more like $615 before tax.

Wonder what kind of cables are needed...guess I'll have to watch OWC for their kit.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1807145/

 

[cynics]

There is another benefit.



It prevents people from opening it up to replace RAM themselves. Every time people try to replace something themselves, there's a chance that they might break something else in the process.

The protectionist angle. Everyone must be punished because there could potentially be a dummy out there to break something.

How is this a benefit and who is it a benefit too?

Soon we will see people praising car manufacturers when they weld the hoods closed or use a proprietary dealer key to open it (certain manufacturers already use special bits for the oil drain bolts).

 

[WilliamG]

The protectionist angle. Everyone must be punished because there could potentially be a dummy out there to break something.

How is this a benefit and who is it a benefit too?

Soon we will see people praising car manufacturers when they weld the hoods closed or use a proprietary dealer key to open it (certain manufacturers already use special bits for the oil drain bolts).

Yes, agreed. I hardly thing making it harder to get in there and non-replaceable RAM is better for the consumer in any way.

 

[Count Blah]

Yes, it is.

For the record, I'm a cryptography software engineer and have replaced my fair share of parts in servers.

Rather, it's just that there's too many people who don't know what they're doing. So to stop them from damaging, Apple sealed it down.

If people are as stupid as you say, then they wouldn't know to upgrade the RAM anyway.

It's just a way to screw over consumer choice, and make more $$$.