2012 Mac Mini issue with USB 3.0

[Kenji]

My Mac Mini late 2012 has been going strong since I bought it in 2012. I have multiple active external USB 3 hubs, and use several bluetooth input devices simultaneously: Mighty Mouse A1197, Magic Trackpad 1, Logitech Easy Switch BT keyboard. I also use a Logitech M570 trackball which is proprietary wireless 2.4 GHz via Unifying USB receiver.  

 

I have had no issues with communication any of them. Mouse/ball/pad all move cursor smoothly.

 

You don't mention what USB 3 hub you have.  My first troubleshooting step would be to try a different one. Or are you talking about the Mac Mini's internal hub? 

 

Why do you mention a 5 ft range? Are you using your wireless keyboard and mouse across the room from your Mini?  If so I would suspect BT radios being the problem, not USB 3. 

 

If you do want to use wireless keyboard and mouse at a distance from Mini, you could also try Logitech Unifying wireless peripherals. I just walked my M570 25 feet away, and the cursor still moves smoothly.

 

What wireless keyboard and mouse are you using? I used to use the old Apple wireless keyboard, the so-called crumb-catcher (with the clear bottom.)  That keyboard had lots of communication problems. It was almost impossible to pair at any distance, the Mini late 2012 usually couldn't find it no matter where it was. 

[Kenji]

BTW my Mac Mini late 2012 is a different sub-model than Panelhead's. 

 

Macmini6,2 Intel Core i7 2.3 GHz.

[Kenji]

On 6/19/2018 at 4:43 AM, mjb said:

I have a 2012 mini, and sitting a spinning external hard drive on it will kill bluetooth peripherals. I was going to suggest using an external USB bluetooth dongle...

MJB, did you try putting the hard drive under the Mini?

 

(I'm assuming you have a hard drive with the same footprint as the Mini?)