Hey,
I’m currently looking at buying a monitor for my Mac mini ( late 2012 ). And I’m wondering if I should just buy a laptop or maybe an iPad? I’m looking at an Acer for $145. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0148NNKTC/ref=ox_sc_act_image_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
I might spend as much as $500. Might consider used. Suggestions please.
I should add , the ram on the mini is now 8 or 16 gb and I put an SSD in.
I’m currently looking at buying a monitor for my Mac mini ( late 2012 ). And I’m wondering if I should just buy a laptop or maybe an iPad? I’m looking at an Acer for $145. https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0148NNKTC/ref=ox_sc_act_image_4?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
I might spend as much as $500. Might consider used. Suggestions please.
I should add , the ram on the mini is now 8 or 16 gb and I put an SSD in.
My macMini music server is the same. Mine is 8GB/64GB SSD. I kt use the TV as a monitor.
For mainstream use this one is getting a bit dated for day-to-day, but works fine as a music server.
An Acer or an iPad will not run MacOS.
dave
For mainstream use this one is getting a bit dated for day-to-day, but works fine as a music server.
An Acer or an iPad will not run MacOS.
dave
That 2012 Mac Mini is pretty old and cannot be updated to the current OS, so it's probably time to move on.
If you want a powerful computer that is trouble free, the current Mac Mini is still the way to go.
If you just want a browser for the internet, a $200 Chromebook is best. You should be able to sell your old Mac on ebay.
If you want a powerful computer that is trouble free, the current Mac Mini is still the way to go.
If you just want a browser for the internet, a $200 Chromebook is best. You should be able to sell your old Mac on ebay.
True, But the software i use might not like the latest OS.
Is it a dedicated machine or for general purpose?
dave
Is it a dedicated machine or for general purpose?
dave
Mine has only been used as a server. I run jriver and stream pandora. Selling the mini is a good thought. Thanks for the input guys
IF your Mini still works well enough for what you need, then don't change it. If you could use a laptop,
a Chromebook is great for casual use, and I have several. Acer and Dell make excellent ones.
a Chromebook is great for casual use, and I have several. Acer and Dell make excellent ones.
I have a 2012 Mac Mini and 2010 MBP.
The hardware is fine. Try installing Linux Mint in place of macOS. Ubuntu of course also works but the Mint Cinnamon carries less overhead than Gnome in Ubuntu. For an extra boost use an SSD and of course as much RAM as possible. You will be surprised how much performance is left with older Mac's given a Linux boost.
The hardware is fine. Try installing Linux Mint in place of macOS. Ubuntu of course also works but the Mint Cinnamon carries less overhead than Gnome in Ubuntu. For an extra boost use an SSD and of course as much RAM as possible. You will be surprised how much performance is left with older Mac's given a Linux boost.
I appreciate the help, everyone.
I’ll admit a new MacBook is temping and for that matter the M1 powered Mini is also interesting. I hadn’t considered Linux though. Windows and OSX are most familiar. I’ll take a look at Mint. I’d still need a monitor though.
All food for thought,
Thanks
I’ll admit a new MacBook is temping and for that matter the M1 powered Mini is also interesting. I hadn’t considered Linux though. Windows and OSX are most familiar. I’ll take a look at Mint. I’d still need a monitor though.
All food for thought,
Thanks
What was the point of this? If you need a monitor for your Mac Mini, buy one. If you're not doing photo editing, you can get one cheap. If you want to move on to a laptop, or Chromebook, then buy one and you obviously don't need a monitor. For what it's worth, a Chromebook can run Linux, too.
Did your old screen connected to the MIni brake?
Use it as a headless server? Wy have a monitor to a computer that you very seldom interact with!?
If it was your only computer but you are contempt with its current function and performance but need a screen - get a laptop and operate the Mini from it. It's called "Screen Sharing" in Mac speak.
Why post a general computer question in an audio DIY forum?
Good luck!
//
Use it as a headless server? Wy have a monitor to a computer that you very seldom interact with!?
If it was your only computer but you are contempt with its current function and performance but need a screen - get a laptop and operate the Mini from it. It's called "Screen Sharing" in Mac speak.
Why post a general computer question in an audio DIY forum?
Good luck!
//
Because I value the opinions of members more knowledgeable than me. And while my question may not fit this forum to your liking then perhaps saying nothing would be a better choice?
Last edited by a moderator:
I’m streaming Qobuz from my mid-2015 MacBook Pro - sound is excellent. I’ve implemented a number of small incremental tweaks which added together yields a noticeable improvement in the sound. I.e. ethernet via Thunderbolt adapter (CAT 8 shielded cables). I run the native Qobuz application via USB to a Xingcore AF200 USB interface with CRYSTEK clocks; then to Mark Levinson 360S DAC via AES/EBU cable. I use an external linear power supply for the AF200 USB interface. macOS supports turning off screen by pressing Shift - Control - Power keys simultaneously. The 360S DAC supports playing with LED’s turned off. I also kill the LED’s in my Asus RT-AC86U router by pressing a button in the back of the router.