2014 MacMini (entry level) - one step for a drastic improvement

[GilesM]

Recently I bought an entry level late 2014 Mac Mini (basic processor, 4GB of RAM, 5400 speed HDD) as a replacement for my old iMac.

I expected that even an entry level Mac Mini would perform as well a the older 2007 entry level iMac.

 

I was very much mistaken. Running Yosemite the Mac Mini was awful. It was borderline unusable.

I was on the verge of despair when I realised that the limiting factor was not so much the processor and RAM but the slow HDD.

 

So, I already had my iTunes running from an SSD connected via USB 3, so I bought another SSD and enclosure and migrated the OS Yosemite to this and am using it as a boot disc. My home folder is still on the internal HDD.

 

The difference was amazing. I am astonished. The spinning beach ball is gone, I can now play 1080p .MKV video files and blu-ray direct from disc. Apps start quickly (on bounce on the dock as opposed to 5 or 6 as it was previously).

 

Since iTunes and the OS are both running from off board SSD's the internal disc is hardly used (unless I open a document or library contained on it).

 

If anyone has a similar issue or is considering a Mac mini, consider this as an option.

 

I can run iTunes and play 24 bit 96khz files with no problem (while doing so the processor is 93% unoccupied!).

This turns a virtually unfit for purpose machine in to reasonable proposition.

 

The cost of the 2 SSD's approx. £90.00 including the enclosure.

 

It may be my imagination, but somehow the music (ALAC files) actually sounds better! not sure if I am mistaken about this or if there is a valid reason for it.

 

This post is intended as a tip for anyone facing similar issues with their 2014 Mac Mini.

[avta]

I replaced the HDD om my 2009 Mac Mini with a SSD and noticed a significant improvement in sound. Someone here suggested the difference had to do with data transfer times from the drives the SSD being much quicker.

[keeper]

I'm using a 3tb thunderbolt drive, about 1gb for OS plus a 2gb partition for media, really fast and non of the memory issues that I had with the internal drive, it's been running for months since I first tried it and I,ve never gone back.....

[GilesM]

I'm using a 3tb thunderbolt drive, about 1gb for OS plus a 2gb partition for media, really fast and non of the memory issues that I had with the internal drive, it's been running for months since I first tried it and I,ve never gone back.....

 

 

Yes, it a huge difference. I really do not think Apple should be selling the Mac Mini with the slow 5400 rpm HDD. As far as I am concerned a unmodified 2014 model Mac Mini is unfit for purpose. Shame on you Apple.

As soon as you step up to flash storage or even a fusion drive it is a different proposition.