Then take a look at some install videos. I suggest looking at both for the 2012 because Apple changed some things in some models.
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The "I just ordered / bought / got my new/refurb Mac mini" threads, merged
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Then take a look at some install videos. I suggest looking at both for the 2012 because Apple changed some things in some models.
Well, I decided to replace my 2009 mini that I've used as a media server for about four years with the top range (no CTO) 2014 model. I sold my 2009 for $275 so that was a nice offset to the cost of the 2014. The only thing that worries me a bit is the fusion drive since I've never used one before, but it's basically on/sleeping all the time serving up media to my Apple TV or other computers, so hopefully it won't be issue. The PCIe SSD is blazing fast, much more so than my 2012 15" rMBP. For every day use at work I have a 2012 mini upgraded with an SSD and 8GB of RAM which I have really liked, and the 2014 is also working great so far. Hope I can get four years out of it as well.
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Just recently bought the 2.6 GHz Mac mini (Late 2014) to replace my MacBook Air. I most often used my MacBook Air connected to my external monitor, and I want to have a dual monitor set up so I knew a Mac mini was the way to go. I made the mistake of purchasing the base 1.4 GHz model initially. The speed difference between the base model and the middle 2.6 GHz option is seriously noticeable - I'm quite surprised Apple are selling such a slow base model! An SSD in the MacBook Air clearly makes a huge difference paired with the soldered 4 GB RAM. If you do anything more than light multitasking and are considering a Mac mini, don't bother with the base model and its attractive price point, it's just way too slow.
Would be nice if Apple had gone all SSD with the new Mac mini models, or at least provided a Fusion Drive with all of the models. A good computer nonetheless!
Would be nice if Apple had gone all SSD with the new Mac mini models, or at least provided a Fusion Drive with all of the models. A good computer nonetheless!
Just received shipping notification for a 2012 2.3 i7 refurb, purchased yesterday. This will be replacing an old, but venerable 2008 Mac Pro.
Once it arrives I'll be upgrading the memory to 16GB and adding an SSD (once I figure out whether it needs an upper or lower bay hdd cable).
Oh, and if it has Yosemite on it, it will be wiped for Mavericks.
Once it arrives I'll be upgrading the memory to 16GB and adding an SSD (once I figure out whether it needs an upper or lower bay hdd cable).
Oh, and if it has Yosemite on it, it will be wiped for Mavericks.
Got my 2.3 i7 refurb last night. I'm surprised I actually got a hold of one...I almost gave up. Should be here sometime next week. 
I see in other threads that you've done SSD upgrades on these before. What brand/models do you recommend?
When was the last time you guys saw a Mini refurb (of any model) pop up in the Apple online store? I know they'll be sparse with the lackluster update but I was just curious if anyone has been able to snag one lately. I've been checking a few times a day.
Wed 11/19: 11:46AM
Tues 11/18: 8:30PM (ordered 1 i7 2.6)
Mon: 11/17: 8:25PM
Sun: 11/16: 3:19AM (ordered 2 i5, 2 i7 2.3)
2 days ago. You should use refurb.me to get notified when they are back in stock.
Thanks for the info - looking to do the same migration as you, from a "venerable" Mac Pro 2008 to a Mac Mini Quad I7 2.3 GHz...
Thanks for the tip. I appreciate it. That will save me some clicks of the refresh button. lol.
My 2008 Mac Pro was / is pretty venerable as well. Dual quad core 2.8, 14 gigs of memory, and still rockin' the original Geforce 8800GT, Samsung 840 pro boot drive, and three 1TB WD Black drives in RAID-0. Puts out a decent amount of heat.
I've got 16GB memory on the way for the mini. Once I copy everything from the Pro to my NAS, I'll be moving the SSD over to the mini. The Mac Pro will be missed. But for my needs, the mini is a no-brainer.
I miss my 2010 MP 3.2 quad but I still like my minis better. I pulled the M500 SSD that was the MP's boot drive and popped it into the mini. It worked like a charm. A couple of passwords had to be changed as well as the computer name. Other than that it was good to go.
New Mini 6,2 i7 2.3gHz upgraded to 8gb RAM and 512gb Crucial MX100 SSD with original HGST 1tb HDD in iFixit dual drive kit.
I was thinking about that, but there is sooooo much crap on that SSD left over from Snow Leopard -> Mountain Lion -> Mavericks that I'm just going to start fresh. So many apps I don't even use anymore. Since I just realized I have a Samsung 840 EVO and not a Pro, I need to run that Performance Restoration / firmware upgrade anyway. Once that's done (in progress) I'll copy the original Mac Mini boot drive over to the SSD, and install whatever apps I still use. I have a backup of the Mac Pro boot disk on a regular HDD so I can take my time with it.
I'm either going to move the entire Home folder over to the 1TB (as I had in the Mac Pro), or just make aliases for Videos, Music, and Pictures. I don't know. Haven't decided yet...... I read there was a way to properly move Music and Movies onto a Synology NAS so that it looks like a regular drive and not a network drive. I need to look into that some more, because my NAS doesn't get nearly enough use.....
Mac mini number 2 for me, just popped into town and bought the 2014 base level mac mini. This will be used as my main computer in my office, will be running lightroom, photoshop and iTunes, looking forward to getting it all going
Top stock spec 2014 mini. 
Its the main mothership for iOS devices and daily usage.
After an upgrade gone bad on a 2011 mini and the fan header breaking off the MB. It had been sitting on top of a laptop cooler for the last 3 years so I had no desire to break into this one.
If I want to "tinker" with some hardware it would be with this https://pcpartpicker.com/b/VrsYcf#img=1 or an i3/ 780 Classified competitive folding rig. http://folding.stanford.edu http://www.overclock.net/f/55/overclock-net-folding-home-team
http://tc.folding.net/#category.php?class1=nVidia&class2=
Its the main mothership for iOS devices and daily usage.After an upgrade gone bad on a 2011 mini and the fan header breaking off the MB. It had been sitting on top of a laptop cooler for the last 3 years so I had no desire to break into this one.
If I want to "tinker" with some hardware it would be with this https://pcpartpicker.com/b/VrsYcf#img=1 or an i3/ 780 Classified competitive folding rig. http://folding.stanford.edu http://www.overclock.net/f/55/overclock-net-folding-home-team
http://tc.folding.net/#category.php?class1=nVidia&class2=
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Available again in Refurb Store
Scored a I7 2.3 w/osx server (2 1tb drives), felt that was the better deal than fusion drive (i have my own ssd), or apples overpriced 256gb ssd. There are several others but they have already started to disappear.
Scored a I7 2.3 w/osx server (2 1tb drives), felt that was the better deal than fusion drive (i have my own ssd), or apples overpriced 256gb ssd. There are several others but they have already started to disappear.
Just picked up a refurb 6,1. Thank goodness for the notification app, as refurb mini's are not in the store very long at all. And I knew I did not want the newest model when I found out it was not upgradeable. I got it for my wife for Christmas to replace her older Imac. First order of business will be to upgrade the RAM to at least 8 GB of RAM.
I love the Refurb store!
I love the Refurb store!
What notification app did you use? I had one at one time (was a mac app, not an IOS app), but can't recall what it was. Not that I need it now, but I frequently case the refurb site when I'm in the market for a specific item.
Thanks!
I purchased a 2.3 i7 from the Canadian Refurb Store on Tuesday at Noon...its out on the truck for delivery right now. Came from California...quite quick!
The two that I'm aware of are Refurb.me (iOS app with iOS notification, SMS and email notification), and refurb-tracker, which only has email notification:
https://www.refurb.me/
https://refurb-tracker.com/en/
But I find refurb-tracker is faster in sending out notifications (sometimes about 5-10 minutes earlier). And with these Mac Minis that makes a huge difference on whether or not you get your hands on one.