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#369584 - 19/10/2017 01:00 Aging Mac Mini user
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
My mother has an old Mac Mini. It's a nice computer that's just right for her. But the computer is getting sooo slow, and I'm not sure what to do now. She would like to just get another Mini, but I don't want to get her a three year old computer at this point. I don't know which model of Intel processor is in the latest Mac Mini, but it's several iterations old at this point.

So what should I do? Macrumors has a definite "don't buy" on the Mini because it's been an insanely long time since the last release, but there's no word on whether they'll even have a new model coming down the road.

My mom has a perfectly good 24" monitor, so either she goes a step down with a 21.5" screen or she spends a huge amount for a 27" retina model. Even at the price of a refurb 27" model, she'd be better off buying the least expensive Mac Mini now and upgrading to whatever model they release later (if ever).

So what to do? I really can't bring myself to recommend three year old technology...
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Matt

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#369585 - 19/10/2017 02:20 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
matthew_k
pooh-bah

Registered: 12/02/2002
Posts: 2298
Loc: Berkeley, California
I got my mom one of the last non-retina 27" iMacs. They're great machines, and the 27" size is a great upgrade. Not sure if they still pop up refurbished, but should be easy enough to find used.

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#369586 - 19/10/2017 03:06 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
K447
old hand

Registered: 29/05/2002
Posts: 797
Loc: near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: Dignan
My mother has an old Mac Mini. It's a nice computer that's just right for her. But the computer is getting sooo slow, and I'm not sure what to do now. She would like to just get another Mini ...

My mom has a perfectly good 24" monitor...
If the current unit has a spinning hard drive, consider upgrading it to SSD storage. And while you are in there, upgrade the RAM.

The price of SSD upgrades have greatly moderated over time.

Those two changes may provide enough improvement to make it pleasant to use again.

It would be helpful to know which era/model of Mac Mini she has. And what CPU and memory is currently installed.

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#369587 - 19/10/2017 03:15 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: matthew_k]
tanstaafl.
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/07/1999
Posts: 5539
Loc: Ajijic, Mexico
Originally Posted By: matthew_k
But the computer is getting sooo slow, and I'm not sure what to do now.
Surely it's not getting slow because the hardware is wearing out, is it?

At the very least wouldn't a "nuke and re-pave" with the latest OS the hardware supports restore it to whatever performance levels it had when it was new?

tanstaafl.
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#369589 - 19/10/2017 04:00 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: tanstaafl.]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3582
Loc: Columbus, OH
Originally Posted By: tanstaafl.

At the very least wouldn't a "nuke and re-pave" with the latest OS the hardware supports restore it to whatever performance levels it had when it was new?


MacOS doesn't generally need the occasional nuke and re-pave like Windows does (or did in the days before I switched) as a form of regular maintenance. Usually the slowness is caused by OS upgrades that demand more powerful hardware to run well, but are more or less necessary for security and software compatibility reasons.
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~ John

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#369590 - 19/10/2017 07:01 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: K447]
andy
carpal tunnel

Registered: 10/06/1999
Posts: 5914
Loc: Wivenhoe, Essex, UK
I agree, stick an SSD in, max out the RAM and it will feel like a whole new machine.
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#369592 - 19/10/2017 13:00 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: JBjorgen]
K447
old hand

Registered: 29/05/2002
Posts: 797
Loc: near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: JBjorgen
Originally Posted By: tanstaafl.

At the very least wouldn't a "nuke and re-pave" with the latest OS the hardware supports restore it to whatever performance levels it had when it was new?


MacOS doesn't generally need the occasional nuke and re-pave like Windows does (or did in the days before I switched) as a form of regular maintenance. Usually the slowness is caused by OS upgrades that demand more powerful hardware to run well, but are more or less necessary for security and software compatibility reasons.
A review of what software is installed on the Mac Mini may also be worthwhile. Perhaps there are unnecessary things running in the background.

There is some potential for malware to be resident.

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#369596 - 19/10/2017 23:52 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
gbeer
carpal tunnel

Registered: 17/12/2000
Posts: 2665
Loc: Manteca, California
My 09 MacBook definitely benifited from an ssd and ram upgrade a few years ago. But it's hit it's EOL. Newer OS versions won't run on it.

I suspect it's replacement will be one of the up to date iMacs.
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Glenn

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#369600 - 20/10/2017 02:02 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: gbeer]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3582
Loc: Columbus, OH
Originally Posted By: gbeer
My 09 MacBook definitely benifited from an ssd and ram upgrade a few years ago. But it's hit it's EOL. Newer OS versions won't run on it.

I suspect it's replacement will be one of the up to date iMacs.


I fear my Mid 10 MBP is headed for the same fate. At this point though, I've replaced the logic board, drive, battery, power connector board, display glass, and the optical drive. I've got a new keyboard on the way. Belize and children were really harsh on that machine, but it's still kickin' away. Although the case looks like I tied it to my bumper and dragged it down the street for a while.
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~ John

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#369603 - 20/10/2017 04:36 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
Thanks, everyone. An SSD is a great idea. I think I added RAM about three months after she bought it. 4GB came with it and that was terrible. I'll have to check if it takes more than 8.

Apparently it's running a little better now after one last restart, so maybe something was running in the background. Not sure.

Anyway, an SSD upgrade is the perfect thing to get this thing limping along until Apple decides what (if anything) they want to do with the Mac Mini...
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Matt

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#369607 - 20/10/2017 07:23 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
BartDG
carpal tunnel

Registered: 20/05/2001
Posts: 2616
Loc: Bruges, Belgium
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Riocar 80gig S/N : 010101580 red
Riocar 80gig (010102106) - backup

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#369613 - 20/10/2017 16:01 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: BartDG]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
Originally Posted By: BartDG

Yeah I read that. "creative and interesting uses" doesn't sound like they're supporting the Mini very much. And it's been three years since the last one came out. I'd think there would be more news by now.

We'll see.
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Matt

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#369621 - 20/10/2017 23:31 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
gbeer
carpal tunnel

Registered: 17/12/2000
Posts: 2665
Loc: Manteca, California
[quote=DignanApparently it's running a little better now after one last restart, so maybe something was running in the background.. [/quote]

There is a way to have a mac show all the boot messages. That can show if there are excessive timeouts taking place. Providing a clue about what is messed up.

http://www.idownloadblog.com/2015/08/17/how-to-boot-your-mac-in-verbose-mode/
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Glenn

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#369628 - 21/10/2017 13:55 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3582
Loc: Columbus, OH
Tim Cook confirms the Mac mini isn't dead

EDIT: sorry...I didn't realize that's a repost of the above story.
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~ John

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#369629 - 21/10/2017 18:59 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
Thanks Glenn, I'll look into it. It seems that her computer works fine for about half and hour, and then beach-balls almost constantly until a restart.

I looked into an SSD upgrade and I'll be honest...it's pretty daunting. I'm not sure if I'm comfortable handling all those tiny connectors...
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Matt

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#369630 - 21/10/2017 21:07 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
Phoenix42
veteran

Registered: 21/03/2002
Posts: 1424
Loc: MA but Irish born
Could the beach balls be cause by a failing hard drive or the CPU throttling due to over heating? I looked at the ifixit guide to replacing the HDD on the 2012, not dreadful, but not easy, granted I've replaced a few phone batteries. Those little connectors are more robust then you think.

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#369631 - 21/10/2017 22:03 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
JBjorgen
carpal tunnel

Registered: 19/01/2002
Posts: 3582
Loc: Columbus, OH
I've done it Matt. It's not as bad as it looks once you get in there and get comfortable, it's like any other computer. Just take your time and use the excellent walk-throughs on iFixit. The only advice is to take note of how all wires are routed during disassembly and route them exactly the same way before reassembly so that they don't get pinched and/or broken. Also, make sure you have the right screwdrivers, torx bits, etc. It can be an exercise in frustration trying to use flat head screwdrivers to remove the torx screws (although possible).

It's really no more difficult than any laptop, except the parts aren't always as accessible without a little work. Also the connectors simply lift off and on, so there's nothing really to worry about there.

YouTube video.
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~ John

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#369632 - 21/10/2017 23:31 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
K447
old hand

Registered: 29/05/2002
Posts: 797
Loc: near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: Dignan
... computer works fine for about half and hour, and then beach-balls almost constantly until a restart...

...
After restart, does it then work for another 30 minutes?

Wondering if the fan air flow is clogged or not spinning...


Edited by K447 (21/10/2017 23:32)

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#369636 - 23/10/2017 17:15 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
Dignan
carpal tunnel

Registered: 08/03/2000
Posts: 12318
Loc: Sterling, VA
I'll try blasting it with some canned air first and see if that fixes things.

Thanks for the encouragement, folks. I might attempt a replacement.

John, that video was pretty good, but judging by another one I watched she skipped the removal of at least three connectors smile I think I found an iFixIt video though.
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Matt

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#369637 - 23/10/2017 20:11 Re: Aging Mac Mini user [Re: Dignan]
K447
old hand

Registered: 29/05/2002
Posts: 797
Loc: near Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Originally Posted By: Dignan
I'll try blasting it with some canned air first and see if that fixes things.

Thanks for the encouragement, folks. I might attempt a replacement.

John, that video was pretty good, but judging by another one I watched she skipped the removal of at least three connectors smile I think I found an iFixIt video though.
It has been a long time since I was last inside a Mac Mini, but I seem to recall the fan and heat sink arrangement were such that a proper cleaning required modest disassembly. Depending on the model/generation, it may be rather straightforward to open it up and blast the dust directly off the various parts.
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Former owner of two RioCar Mark2a with lots of extra stuff

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