i5 mac mini 2012 or 2014?

[raiderz]

Hi I am thinking of joining the mac mini world, bit confused over whether to get the new 2014 i5 1.4GHz 4Gb or the 2012 i5 2.5GHz 4Gb one which is slightly cheaper, I've trawled the internet and asked friends but my friends say get the 2014 version but most of the forums on the net say stick with the 2012 version which is upgradeable and some say better performance than the new 1.4GHz 2014 version.

Apologies if this has been asked before.

 

[pigoo3]

First let me say that (IMO) the 1.4ghz 2014 model is sort of a "dumbed down" model (much slower cpu & lower graphics hardware than the other 2014 models).

If I was considering between the 2012 model and the 1.4ghz 2014 model…I would probably go with the 2012 model. But if I was choosing between the 2012 model and the better 2.6ghz 2014 Mac-Mini (with the Iris graphics)…I might go with the 2014 model.

Remembering that the "better" 2014 2.6ghz Mac-Mini has the Iris graphics, 8gig of ram, and 1 terabyte HD (which is upgradeable). But also remembering that the ram is not upgradeable…but you do get 8gig with the standard config (which is pretty decent)…and there is an option to upgrade to 16gig at time of purchase.

- Nick

 

[raiderz]

I don't really do games or processor intensive tasks, just want a mini to run a plex media server and let me go on the internet, emails usual stuff etc, so thought the 1.4GHz 2014 would do what I wanted, but I don't want to buy one and find out I need to sell it and go buy the 2.6GHz one cos it comes with more memory and I couldn't upgrade myself.

 

[pigoo3]

I don't really do games or processor intensive tasks, just want a mini to run a plex media server and let me go on the internet, emails usual stuff etc...

If you are sure of your needs…and nothing will change in the future. Technically if this is all you need…then you don't need a 2012 or 2014 Mac-Mini. You could probably be fine with something like a used 2009 Mac-Mini.

But if you're going to purchase a new model…and are not 100% sure what the future 3 years will bring…I would go for the 2.6ghz 2014 model.

If you look carefully at what you get with each the 1.4ghz 2014 and the 2.6ghz models:

- 2014 1.4ghz Mac-Mini (4gig ram, 500gig HD, older Intel 5000 graphics) $499.
- 2014 2.6ghz Mac-Mini(8gig ram, 1 terabyte HD, newest Iris graphics) $699.

The 2.6ghz model is the better deal/value. If someone was to upgrade the 1.4ghz (at time of purchase) to be equal to the 2.6ghz model…it would probably cost the same or more…AND you would still have the slower 1.4ghz cpu, and older Intel 5000 graphics.

What I'm saying is:

- If you want to get a brand new model Mac-Mini…get the 2.6ghz model.
- If you can get the 2012 Mac-Mini at a good price…then get it.
- If you want a Mac-Mini that ONLY meets your needs and no more…then get a used 2009 Mac-Mini (lowest price choice).

* Nick