Product reviewsApple Mac mini (2014), Intel Core i5 4th Gen, 1.4GHz, 4GB RAM 500GB HDD, MGEM2BA, Mac OS X 10.10

Small, but mighty

The Mac Mini (late 2014) Core i5 1.4GHz, 8GB RAM, 500GB HDD, is despite it’s small size, a surprisingly powerful little desktop.

For everyday tasks, the Mac Mini will happily perform with minimal delay.

Fortunately, this was a custom to order version with the additional 8GB RAM, which makes a huge difference, in combination with the Core i5 Turbo Boost to 2.7GHz. Capability makes this a very capable and powerful machine.

For added performance boost, you could replace the internal hard drive, or, thanks to thunderbolt 2 or USB 3 ports, add an SSD without having to take the Mac Mini to pieces.

I’ve added a Crucial MX500 SSD, housed in an Inatec USB 3 UASP enclosure, as an external boot drive and the Mac Mini zooms along with minimal fuss. A significant boost over the internal 5400rpm Hard Drive.

It is a great combination.

If your requirements are less demanding, the internal Hard Drive, will likely be fine.

Power consumption wise, this thing feels like it runs on virtually nothing. It barely even gets warm. This is a very power efficient desktop.

I’m running mine with an Apple Cinema HD 23” Display and the latest generation of Magic KeyBoard, Mouse 2 and TrackPad, which help open up a whole new dimension of interactivity.

I’m absolutely loving the Mac Mini. It’s a surprising little machine, which has so far not disappointedRead full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: nightstar8877

Ok after an upgrade

The basic product is now 7 years old and virtually unusable with Big Sur as it is so slow. However after adding a bootable external SSD it is working well. A cheap way to get a Mac but some knowledge required.
Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: highriser29

A competent small factor desktop

These computers are still sold new by Apple, being very expensive and a bad ideal since the internals are from 2014. If bought used they can be very ok and an inexpensive way to have a Macintosh. For regular users, the hardware is still adequate (except for the 5400 rpm HDD which is terrible).

One downside is that components which could be replaced by a user in previous Mac mini generations come soldered (ram and hard drive). Regarding the hard drive one can use an external SSD as boot volume, thanks to the USB 3.0 interface. Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: marksasmadasafish

Small, elegant, quiet

I had to change the hard drive and put an SSD in because it was extremely slow. I think it’s because the standard hard drive is only a 5400rpm. With the SSD it’s extremely fast.

It also runs the latest version of Nac OS. Physically it’s nice and small and elegant and whisper quiet. Fantastic product Read full review...

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: s_h_a_u_n

Mini mac

Great small product to use as media streamer. Only limitation with this model is ram cannot be upgraded. Apart from that delighted with experience.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: new | Sold by: slylock105

Still rockin after all these years

Purchased this late 2012 Mac Mini to run music production software, namely Native Instruments Maschine.

Maxed to 16gb with a SSD hard drive this imaccan handle all my latest tracks

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: mosiniqbal

Excellent once upgraded

Horrible without an SSD upgrade which is a pain - but once upgraded (only costs around £35) it's quick can take latest version of macOS.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: musicmagpie

An absolute delight

Couldn’t find any problem with using it. An absolute bargain

2014 Mac Mini

The only downside is speed it's a tad on the slow side with the old mech HDD but that can be sorted with an SDD which have dropped in price

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: kdr1995-2008

Not recommended

Apple makes great products and older models are often good value but this particular MC Mini is exceptionally slow and I would not recommend it at all.

Verified purchase:  Yes | Condition: pre-owned | Sold by: kittykat87*