When it comes time to get a brand new Mac, you’ve got three choices: Commerce in your outdated Mac, promote it, or maintain onto it. Macs have a tendency to take care of a superb quantity of worth however some Macs are extra in demand than others. MacBooks are comparatively sizzling sellers, however then again, there appears to be a glut of used Mac minis on the market. With cheap Macs just like the Mac mini, it’s in all probability not definitely worth the problem of promoting it and Apple isn’t going to present you very a lot for a trade-in.
So, why not maintain that outdated Mac mini? There are various wise makes use of for it, even when it’s previous its prime. When you have an outdated Mac mini that has been changed by a more moderen mannequin, listed below are a number of concepts on how one can put it to good use.
As an emergency Mac
Apple gadgets are very dependable, however stuff occurs–a Mac can fall off a desk and we’ve all heard about somebody who spilled a beverage onto a pc. So, whereas your main Mac is on the store recovering from that mishap, an outdated Mac mini is usually a savior and be of service.
For those who use Time Machine for knowledge backups, you possibly can even use Migration Assistant to rapidly convey the alternative system updated.
At the moment finest value: Mac Mini M2
For outdated software program
There are cases the place a person depends on software program that’s not out there or is not supported by the developer. Maybe you’re in a state of affairs the place a custom-made app won’t ever be upgraded. Or possibly you’ve got software program that received’t work with Apple’s emulator that permits M-series Macs to run software program developed for Intel processors.
You should utilize that outdated Mac mini for these cases. Maintain older variations of software program and discontinued apps on it so you possibly can open these outdated recordsdata and archives. You should definitely flip off auto updates on it so that you don’t unintentionally set up a brand new model of the app–the updates usually exchange the older apps.
As a check machine
When you have a setup with quite a lot of gadgets related–printers, audio interfaces, cameras, scanners, and so forth–a macOS replace can generally (however not normally) trigger issues. Particularly if the system is older and the producer isn’t updating the drivers anymore.
It can save you your self quite a lot of hassle should you arrange the outdated Mac mini as a pc for checking software program replace compatibility. When an replace occurs, you possibly can set up it on the Mac mini after which check your system compatibility. This manner, you possibly can spot issues with out affecting your workflow in your fundamental Mac. You may as well do that with the apps on the Mac; set up the up to date model on the Mac mini and see if it really works along with your recordsdata with none hitches.
One factor to remember is that the Mac mini could cease being appropriate with the newest model of macOS. A Mac can normally run the newest main model of macOS for five to 7 years till Apple cuts it off. (A significant model is a whole-point revision. For instance, macOS 13 to 14.)
As a digital video recorder
The Mac mini is a good system to document TV packages on a scheduled foundation. The Geniatech EyeTV U6 could be plugged right into a USB-A port to obtain an aerial TV sign and the bundled EyeTV 3 software program offers a channel information and may carry out recording features. Nonetheless, the latest model of macOS that the EyeTV3 software program is appropriate with is macOS 10.14 Mojave, so your Mac mini must run this older macOS. You might be able to discover different apps that may assist you use your outdated Mac mini as a TV.
As a distant Mac
Possibly you want the concept of your older Mac mini as a second laptop however you don’t like the concept of organising one other show, keyboard, and mouse for it. That takes up quite a lot of desk area. Nonetheless, you need to use your setup in your main Mac to remotely management the Mac mini.
You do want to attach a show, and enter gadgets to the Mac mini to set this up, and the Mac mini must be in your community. As soon as the setup is finished, you possibly can disconnect the show and enter gadgets. Right here’s what you do on the Mac mini (these steps are with macOS 13 Monterey. They need to be comparable on different variations of macOS)
- Open System Preferences/Settings.
- Within the Search field, kind “Display screen Sharing” and press Return.
- Click on Display screen Sharing within the search outcomes to open the setting.
- Flip the swap on for Display screen Sharing. Yow will discover additional settings should you click on the “i” icon; you possibly can set a password, restrict which customers can have entry, and extra.
- You might have to enter your person password to verify the settings.
- Shut the window.
To entry the Mac mini remotely out of your main Mac, go to the Finder and click on Go > Community. Click on in your Mac mini after which click on the Display screen Share button. You’ll must enter the person account title and password for the Mac mini, however as soon as that’s completed, you’ll see the Mac mini’s display.
Additionally, you need to use a third-party distant entry app equivalent to TeamViewer, LogMeIn and AnyDesk, which provide entry through the web. If you wish to management the pc from a PC, you need to use the Mac model of Microsoft Distant Desktop.
As a work-only Mac
Relying in your use case, it may be a good suggestion to have a Mac devoted to work and one other for private use. For those who work for an organization, hopefully they supply a piece laptop to make use of. But when they don’t and your employer needs to put in software program that you have to use or platform administration apps, a separate Mac devoted to work makes much more sense. When you have your personal enterprise, a separate work Mac can stop your skilled knowledge from mingling along with your private knowledge.
As a DVD/Blu-ray participant
Do you continue to have an outdated DVD assortment however not have a functioning DVD participant? An outdated Mac mini can also be a superb answer. Mac minis launched earlier than 2010 have a built-in drive, and when you have a mannequin with no drive, an exterior USB one could be purchased at an reasonably priced value. Join the Mac to your TV through HDMI, and the sound and audio will then come by means of the TV. A mouse is required for operation.
Don’t fear about the truth that there’s not a DVD participant app that comes with the Mac. As quickly as you insert a DVD, the app opens robotically.
To play Blu-ray discs, you have to get a Blu-ray drive. Additionally, the Mac doesn’t have software program to play Blu-ray discs, so that you want third-party software program. Sadly, quite a lot of Blu-ray apps have had lower than stellar opinions on the net, and quite a lot of them are outdated and never up to date. Search for a trial or demo so you possibly can attempt the app first earlier than spending your cash. A few Blu-ray apps embody Macgo Blu-ray Participant for Mac and Aiseesoft Mac Blu-ray Participant.
At the moment finest value: Mac Mini M2 Professional
Though this concept has gone out of trend within the age of Netflix and Apple TV+, utilizing the Mac mini as a media middle could be very helpful. The mini could be devoted to enjoying movies, images, and music recordsdata and is related to the TV through HDMI. As a substitute of utilizing a mouse and keyboard, you possibly can management this Mac utilizing a mouse or a particular distant management or an app in your iPhone.
Software program equivalent to Plex additionally gives increasingly more streaming features
Software program equivalent to Plex additionally gives increasingly more streaming features
IDG
Software program equivalent to Plex additionally gives increasingly more streaming features
IDG
IDG
One other strategy is to make use of an app equivalent to Kodi or Plex, that are optimized for distant management operation. This answer is fascinating if you wish to handle massive portions of video or audio recordsdata.
As a caching server
Content material caching is an fascinating operate for a Mac Mini server. For software program updates and iCloud synchronization, every of your gadgets has to obtain the required knowledge individually from the community, even whether it is at all times the identical system replace or software program replace. All these downloads could be managed through a single laptop on the community–a caching server. Utilizing such a machine would save bandwidth. This operate is after all significantly fascinating for colleges and corporations with a poor web connection, however will also be helpful for households with numerous Macs and iOS gadgets.
To activate the operate go into System Preferences/Settings and do a seek for “Content material Caching.” Flip the swap to show it on.
Within the Content material Chacing System Setting in macOS Sonoma, customers can alter the scale of the cache.
Within the Content material Chacing System Setting in macOS Sonoma, customers can alter the scale of the cache.
Foundry
Within the Content material Chacing System Setting in macOS Sonoma, customers can alter the scale of the cache.
Foundry
Foundry
As a Time Machine/backup server
If the Mac mini has ample cupboard space, it’s also possible to convert it right into a Time Machine Server. Backups of a number of Macs are then not made to a USB-connected storage medium, however to this laptop through the community. Now we have a separate article with particulars on find out how to arrange networked Time Machine backups.
As a digital Home windows machine
An outdated Mac mini with an Intel processor can be utilized as a Home windows laptop. Apple gives a really easy-to-use answer for set up on pre-2018 Mac minis with Boot Camp, which lets you boot into Home windows or macOS at startup. You’ll be able to solely set up Home windows 10, not the present Home windows 11. You’ll be able to nonetheless use Home windows 10 till October 2025, when updates will likely be topic to a cost. With the M-Collection Mac mini, nonetheless, you need to use digital machine software program to run Home windows.
Get the main points on find out how to set up Home windows on Mac {hardware}.
As a Linux machine
The best option to run Linux on an outdated Mac mini is thru virtualization software program. With somewhat extra effort, you possibly can set up Linux instantly on the outdated Mac mini, changing macOS altogether. Discover ways to set up Linux on an outdated Mac. From the 2018 mannequin onwards, nonetheless, you need to keep in mind to permit booting from exterior media. This “Safe Boot” safety operate can solely be deactivated through a particular assist system.
As a file server
In a small firm or your private home community, an outdated Mac mini can fulfill the function of a file server for shared knowledge. When you have stuff you wish to share with others in your enterprise or residence, you possibly can put the recordsdata on the server for simple entry.
To activate file sharing, go to System Preferences/Settings and seek for “File Sharing.” Flip it on, after which you possibly can click on on the “i” icon for extra choices. You’ll be able to create shared folders when the shared recordsdata are saved, and set person permissions. You’ll be able to even set customers to get full entry to the Mac mini drive if you want.
System is just too outdated?
Many aged Mac minis are not formally appropriate with macOS Sonoma In case your Mac mini is utilizing an older model of macOS, take into account that it may very well be a safety danger in some unspecified time in the future as a result of Apple will not present safety updates after a OS has been changed. macOS 10.15 Catalina and macOS 12 Monterey ought to nonetheless supply comparatively good compatibility with newer Macs, together with community features and iCloud. Here’s a partial checklist of older Mac minis and the newest model of macOS they assist
- 2011 Mac mini: macOS 10.13.6 Excessive Sierra
- 2012 Mac mini: macOS 10.15.7 Catalina
- 2014 Mac mini: macOS 12 Monterey
- 2018 Mac mini: macOS 14 Sonoma
You may as well set up a more moderen system on these gadgets utilizing the particular device OpenCore Legacy Patcher. This entails making a particular set up medium that additionally helps older fashions. Sonoma ought to nonetheless work with acceptable efficiency, particularly on the Mac Mini 2012 and 2014 fashions.
Donate that outdated Mac mini
There may be after all one final different to recycling: you possibly can donate it. That also makes extra sense than leaving it standing round uselessly. Each main metropolis in all probability has a recycling middle, and there’s doubtless a neighborhood program close to you that would use that outdated Mac mini. It may be pout to good use as a substitute of heading for the scrap heap.
This text initially appeared on Macwelt and was translated by Roman Loyola.
This text initially appeared on our sister publication Macwelt and was translated and localized from German.