When it comes sentence to get a new Mac , you have three options : Trade in your old Mac , trade it , or control onto it . mack tend to maintain a proficient amount of value but some Macs are more in need than others . MacBooks are relatively raging sellers , but on the other hand , there seems to be a glut of used Mac mini for sales event . With cheap Macs like the Mac mini , it ’s credibly not deserving the rough-and-tumble of selling it and Apple is n’t going to give you very much for a trade - in .
So , why not keep that old Mac mini ? There are many sensitive uses for it , even if it ’s past its prime . If you have an quondam Mac mini that has been replaced by a New model , here are a few ideas on how you could put it to salutary manipulation .
As an emergency Mac
Apple devices are very reliable , but material happens – a Mac can lessen off a desk and we ’ve all heard about someone who spilled a beverage onto a computer . So , while your primary Mac is at the shop recovering from that mishap , an old Mac miniskirt can be a Deliverer and be of religious service .
If you useTime automobile for data backups , you could even useMigration Assistantto promptly bring the permutation twist up to engagement .
Currently best price: Mac Mini M2
For old software
There are illustration where a user relies on computer software that is no longer useable or is no longer support by the developer . Perhaps you ’re in a situation where a custom - made app will never be upgraded . Or maybe you have software that wo n’t work with Apple’semulatorthat allows M - serial Macs to run software produce for Intel processors .
you’re able to use that honest-to-god Mac miniskirt for these example . Keep old variant of software and discontinue apps on it so you’re able to open those old filing cabinet and archive . Be sure to flex off motorcar updates on it so you do n’t accidentally instal a new variant of the app – the update often replace the older apps .
As a test machine
If you have a setup with a sight of gimmick connected – printers , audio interface , cameras , scanners , etc – a macOS update can sometimes ( but not usually ) cause problems . specially if the gadget is quondam and the manufacturer is n’t update the drivers anymore .
you may write yourself a lot of trouble if you set up the honest-to-god Mac miniskirt as a reckoner for checking package update compatibility . When an update happens , you may install it on the Mac miniskirt and then quiz your twist compatibility . This fashion , you’re able to make out problems without affecting your work flow on your primary Mac . you may also do this with the apps on the Mac ; deploy the updated variant on the Mac mini and see if it works with your files without any hinderance .
One affair to keep in psyche is that the Mac miniskirt may stop being compatible with the recent interlingual rendition of macOS . A Mac can usually start the latest major reading of macOS for 5 to 7 twelvemonth until Apple cuts it off . ( A major version is a whole - power point revision . For example , macOS 13 to 14 . )
EyeTV U6 TV receiver for Mac.
As a digital video recorder
The Mac mini is a great equipment to record idiot box program on a scheduled basis . TheGeniatech EyeTV U6can be plugged into a USB - A embrasure to obtain an aerial TV sign and the bundledEyeTV 3software furnish a channel usher and can do transcription functions . However , the most recent interlingual rendition of macOS that the EyeTV3 software is compatible with is macOS 10.14 Mojave , so your Mac mini needs to draw this older macOS . You may be able to find other apps that can aid you use your honest-to-god Mac mini as a goggle box .
EyeTV U6 TV pass receiver for Mac .
As a remote Mac
Maybe you care the idea of your older Mac miniskirt as a second computer but you do n’t wish the mind of determine up another display , keyboard , and creep for it . That takes up a mountain of desk space . However , you may utilise your setup on your primary Mac to remotely assure the Mac mini .
You do need to link a display , and input signal devices to the Mac miniskirt to set this up , and the Mac mini needs to be on your web . Once the setup is done , you may disconnect the video display and stimulant devices . Here ’s what you do on the Mac mini ( these steps are with macOS 13 Monterey . They should be alike on other versions of macOS )
To get at the Mac miniskirt remotely from your primary Mac , go to the Finder and clickGo > web . sink in on your Mac miniskirt and then snap theScreen Sharebutton . You ’ll need to enter the user history name and password for the Mac mini , but once that ’s done , you ’ll see the Mac miniskirt ’s screen .
EyeTV U6 TV receiver for Mac.
Also , you may expend a third - party remote admission app such asTeamViewer , LogMeInandAnyDesk , which declare oneself access via the internet . If you want to control the electronic computer from a PC , you’re able to use the Mac version ofMicrosoft Remote Desktop .
As a work-only Mac
Depending on your manipulation case , it might be a salutary mind to have a Mac consecrate to body of work and another for personal usance . If you work for a party , hopefully they provide a work estimator to use . But if they do n’t and your employer wants to set up software program that you need to utilise or program management apps , a freestanding Mac dedicated to work makes even more sense . If you have your own byplay , a separate work Mac can prevent your professional data from mingle with your personal information .
As a DVD/Blu-ray player
Do you still have an old videodisk solicitation but no longer have a functioning videodisc role player ? An sometime Mac mini is also a full answer . Mac mini released before 2010 have a build - in driving , and if you have a model without a drive , an external USB one can be bought at an low-priced price . Connect the Mac to your telecasting via HDMI , and the sound and audio recording will then come through the television . A shiner is take for performance .
Do n’t worry about the fact that there ’s no longer a DVD thespian app that comes with the Mac . As soon as you slip in a DVD , the app open mechanically .
To act as Blu - ray discs , you need to get a Blu - ray drive . Also , the Mac does n’t have software to meet Blu - ray platter , so you need third - party software package . Unfortunately , a band of Blu - ray apps have had less than stellar reexamination on the web , and a lot of them are sure-enough and not update . Look for a visitation or demo so you could try the app first before expend your money . A couple of Blu - ray apps includeMacgo Blu - ray Player for MacandAiseesoft Mac Blu - ray Player .
Software such as Plex also offers more and more streaming functions
Currently best price: Mac Mini M2 Pro
Use the old Mac mini as a media center
Even though this idea has gone out of fashion in the years of Netflix and Apple TV+ , using the Mac miniskirt as a medium center can be very useful . The miniskirt would be dedicated to playing videos , exposure , and music files and is connected to the TV via HDMI . Instead of using a mouse and keyboard , you may control this Mac using a mouse or a special outback control or an app on your iPhone .
package such as Plex also offer more and more cyclosis functions
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In the Content Chacing System Setting in macOS Sonoma, users can adjust the size of the cache.
Another glide path is to use an app such asKodiorPlex , which are optimized for remote controller surgical procedure . This solution is interesting if you require to manage large quantities of television or audio files .
As a caching server
subject matter caching is an interesting function for a Mac Mini server . For software system updates and iCloud synchronization , each of your devices has to download the required data individually from the internet , even if it is always the same system update or software update . All these downloads can be managed via a single computer on the net – a hive up server . Using such a motorcar would save bandwidth . This subprogram is of form particularly interesting for school and company with a poor internet connection , but can also be useful for family with a large identification number of Macs and iOS machine .
To activate the function go into System Preferences / preferences and do a hunt for “ Content Caching . ” Flip the permutation to turn it on .
In the Content Chacing System Setting in macOS Sonoma , substance abuser can align the size of the memory cache .
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As a Time Machine/backup server
If the Mac miniskirt has sufficient storage outer space , you may also change it into a Time Machine Server . accompaniment of one or more Macs are then no longer made to a USB - plug in store culture medium , but to this computer via the connection . We have a separate article with details onhow to set up networked Time Machine backup .
As a virtual Windows machine
An old Mac miniskirt with an Intel central processor can be used as a Windows computer . Apple offers a very easy - to - use solution for installation on pre-2018 Mac minis with Boot Camp , which allows you to reboot into Windows or macOS at inauguration . you’re able to only establish Windows 10 , not the current Windows 11 . you may still practice Windows 10 until October 2025 , when updates will be subject to a charge . With the M - Series Mac miniskirt , however , you must use virtual machine software to run Windows .
Get the particular on how to install Windows on Mac hardware .
As a Linux machine
The simplest manner to black market Linux on an old Mac mini is through virtualization computer software . With a small more effort , you could instal Linux like a shot on the old Mac mini , substitute macOS altogether . memorise how to set up Linux on an old Mac . From the 2018 framework onwards , however , you must remember to appropriate booting from external media . This “ Secure Boot ” tribute function can only be deactivated via a exceptional avail organization .
As a file server
In a small companionship or your home net , an old Mac miniskirt can carry through the role of a data file server for divided up information . If you have stuff you want to partake in with others in your business or home , you may put the file on the server for easy access .
To work on filing cabinet sharing , go to System Preferences / configurations and explore for “ File Sharing . ” Turn it on , and then you could cluck on the “ i ” icon for more alternative . you’re able to make shared leaflet when the partake in files are stored , and set exploiter license . you may even set users to get full entree to the Mac mini drive if you wish .
System is too old?
Many erstwhile Mac miniskirt are no longer officially compatible with macOS Sonoma If your Mac miniskirt is using an quondam version of macOS , keep in psyche that it could be a surety danger at some breaker point because Apple will no longer provide protection update after a atomic number 76 has been supercede . macOS 10.15 Catalina and macOS 12 Monterey should still bid relatively good compatibility with new Macs , include internet purpose and iCloud . Here is a partial lean of older Mac minis and the latest translation of macOS they support
you may also install a newer system on these devices using the extra toolOpenCore Legacy Patcher . This require creating a special initiation spiritualist that also supports older manakin . Sonoma should still work with satisfactory performance , peculiarly on the Mac Mini 2012 and 2014 simulation .
Donate that old Mac mini
There is of row one last alternative to recycling : you may donate it . That still makes more sensation than impart it standing around uselessly . Every major city probably has a recycling center , and there ’s probable a community of interests syllabus near you that could use that previous Mac mini . It can be pout to good utilisation alternatively of guide for the scrap heap .
This article originally appear onMacweltand was translate byRoman Loyola .
This article in the beginning appeared on our baby publicationMacweltand was translated and focalize from German .
