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What are you still using an Intel Mac for?
- Thread starter Yebubbleman
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I have three macs that I frequently use:
- M1 Mac Mini 16GB/256GB
- Early 2005 PowerBook G4 2GB/160GB IDE SSD
- Late 2005 PowerMac G5 2.0 GHZ Dual Core PCIe 16GB/2x 1TB SSD
The M1 I use for anything that's internet related or otherwise requires up-to-date software. However, I prefer using older versions of macOS and software like Logic Pro, Final Cut Studio 2, Scrivener 2, Aperture, Bento, iWork '09. Now I have the modern equivalents on the M1 Mac Mini, but I prefer how the older versions work. I don't have to worry about software updates changing and breaking things on my various workflows. I also have Tiger installed on my PowerMac so I can still use Mac OS 9 applications in classic. I have also toyed around with the idea of installing MorphOS on either the PowerMac or the PowerBook and that is something you can't do on the Apple Silicon Macs or intel Macs.
Eventually I will upgrade my laptop to one of the 14" pro models as they resemble the modern successor to the old PowerBooks.
Though I've used intel macs, I never liked the idea of having an intel processor in my mac as I have been an Apple II/Mac user since the early 1990s.
I still have a 2017 27” 5k iMac that has largely been commandeered by my dad. He’s semi-retired, and so spends more time at home, and the iMac is still good for what he does (web browsing and watching youtube). The screen is still gorgeous, and there really isn’t any clear upgrade path for it. So until it falls apart, I don’t really see any reason to get rid of it. 
Not much use in summer. It works well as space heater in winter.
The Synology NAS doesn't work with cables in the same way the Drobo does. It wouldn't be attached directly to your Mac. The NAS would be hooked up to your router via Ethernet and you'd connect to it wirelessly or via Ethernet. I mean ... you CAN hook your Mac up to the Synology via Ethernet, but you would need to configure it that way. The Synology is very easy to use once it's set up, but with 70 terabytes, it could take like a week or so for it to index all of your data. You won't get fast transfer speeds until it finally finishes that process. The Drobo is a much simpler solution, but the Synology will monitor your drives the same way Drobo does and will notify you when one of the drives needs to be replaced and it can be swapped out the same way.
This almost describes me except I’ve been fully retired 19 yrs and mine wasn’t commandeered but purchased as my first iMac. It’s quiet and the screen is beautiful. My only regret is I can’t keep the screen if I upgrade. So I’ll hang on until it isn’t practical. By then I may not even be capable of using it any longer.I still have a 2017 27” 5k iMac that has largely been commandeered by my dad. He’s semi-retired, and so spends more time at home, and the iMac is still good for what he does (web browsing and watching youtube). The screen is still gorgeous, and there really isn’t any clear upgrade path for it. So until it falls apart, I don’t really see any reason to get rid of it.
bollman posted a video for rebuilding it to a monitor. It is good, and give you an idea how it can be done.
However, there are steps that need special attention, which is not mentioned in the video. And you have options to choose from, regarding driver boards you can use.
I rebuilt a late 2015 iMac 27"
If you wish to look into building a DIY 5k Display from you iMac at some point in the future.
I would suggest starting here
There are many posts, and it can be overwhelming at first
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You could look at Apple's refurb store, although the discounts on Intel machines there don't seem very compelling anymore. But they have the same warranty as a new Mac. I saved about $500 on my top-spec 2018 Mini there in 2020 however it was still a current model at the time. Doesn't look like they've dropped the prices since then, so I'd pass (although there might be some deals on Apple Silicon machines).
There's also macsales (also known as OWC) which has a fair variety of used Intel Mini's (maybe other models?). They don't have the same warranty as an Apple refurb, but most of them have a limited 90 day warranty. I got my 2012 quad Mini there back in 2016, it looked like it was new and has been perfect ever since. You can get a used 2014 Mini for as low as $65 from them. Your mileage may vary, of course.
I'm sure the best deals will be from private sellers, but there's more risk to buying that way.
There's also macsales (also known as OWC) which has a fair variety of used Intel Mini's (maybe other models?). They don't have the same warranty as an Apple refurb, but most of them have a limited 90 day warranty. I got my 2012 quad Mini there back in 2016, it looked like it was new and has been perfect ever since. You can get a used 2014 Mini for as low as $65 from them. Your mileage may vary, of course.
I'm sure the best deals will be from private sellers, but there's more risk to buying that way.
Never realized the 2018's could do that!
That was a positive change coming from the 2014's ... although 2014 you could put an NVMe upgrade into, which you couldn't on the 2018s
Thx for sharing!
You can upgrade RAM yourself in the 2018 Mini, but Apple does not consider it user-upgradeable and could void the warranty if you open it. Don't know that I've heard any reports of them doing that though. But (apparently) it's not easy to do and there were threads here about upgrades gone wrong, have also have seen a couple where user-upgraded RAM started having errors after a period of years. Since I planned to keep mine for a long time, I got 64gb of original Apple RAM and have not regretted it.
But it's definitely a plus that you can upgrade yourself if you're comfortable with the risk. An authorized Apple service center can also upgrade RAM on the 2018 Mini without affecting the warranty.
This is very different from the 2012 Mini, which was designed with user-upgradeable RAM. Apple even has upgrade instructions on their website.
support.apple.com
But it's definitely a plus that you can upgrade yourself if you're comfortable with the risk. An authorized Apple service center can also upgrade RAM on the 2018 Mini without affecting the warranty.
This is very different from the 2012 Mini, which was designed with user-upgradeable RAM. Apple even has upgrade instructions on their website.
Upgrade or install memory in your Mac mini - Apple Support
Learn how to remove or install memory into your Mac mini computer.
This, along with the quad core CPU option, made the 2012 one of the most compelling minis for a long time.You can upgrade RAM yourself in the 2018 Mini, but Apple does not consider it user-upgradeable and could void the warranty if you open it. Don't know that I've heard any reports of them doing that though. But (apparently) it's not easy to do and there were threads here about upgrades gone wrong, have also have seen a couple where user-upgraded RAM started having errors after a period of years. Since I planned to keep mine for a long time, I got 64gb of original Apple RAM and have not regretted it.
But it's definitely a plus that you can upgrade yourself if you're comfortable with the risk. An authorized Apple service center can also upgrade RAM on the 2018 Mini without affecting the warranty.
This is very different from the 2012 Mini, which was designed with user-upgradeable RAM. Apple even has upgrade instructions on their website.
Upgrade or install memory in your Mac mini - Apple Support
Learn how to remove or install memory into your Mac mini computer.
Thanks Regulus67 & bollman. Sometime back I did see that this was possible although the video bollman posted was better than what I previously had seen. I’ve done several battery & display replacements on mobile devices and this looks very doable. Unfortunately, age is a limitation, mostly dexterity & eyesight, and after the last iPad battery replacement I swore I was done with this stuff. Jowever I did save the links, just in case 😉
i scored a OWC 2012 mac mini i5 for $59, a 10 bump to excellent condition several weeks ago,
the computer is perfect with the 12GB ram i have and a 6G 1TB ssd drive from them as well
even running Mt lion, there is not any copy or file moving lag or spinning ball with any tasks.
they OWC have better prices, service and faster shipping than e-bay i have discovered.
The only mac mini 2018's still under warranty are the ones with AppleCare+ bought 2021 or later which I guess is quite few. My 2018 is at least 4 years so there was absolutely no warranty to void.
I hear you, it is no fun getting old
But, this operation is more about ripping out stuff. There is only 2 wires that are important when gutting the thing, and that is those wires to the screen. When that is out and safe, nothing can really go wrong with just ripping the rest out
Well, I would advice to remove and replace the two cables with care.... nothing can really go wrong with just ripping the rest out
I broke one cable, as described on the page I linked earlier.
Here is one very unlucky youtuber who wanted to upgrade an iMac Pro. But broke the connectors, and ended up building a DIY
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Yes, the 2 cables to the screen needs to be unplugged carefully but after that, ripping the guts out, is no problem.
You can still buy 2018 Mini's directly from Apple at the refurb store, they should have the same warranty as new. But of course, if your Mini is out of warranty then you don't have to worry about voiding the warranty.
2018 Mac mini with Intel processor being used as a file server. Powered on continuously for 6 years and still going strong.