Mac mini (Late 2014): Refurbished, Specs & Repairs
A small, quiet Mac with useful ports and room for an SSD
The Mac mini (Late 2014) is a compact aluminium desktop that connects to your own display, keyboard and mouse. It has two Thunderbolt 2 ports, four USB 3 ports, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet and an SD card slot, and it sits happily under a monitor or on a shelf.
It suits browsing, email, office work, media playback and light home server duties, but it is now an older machine. It no longer runs the latest versions of macOS, and many examples still have a slow hard drive that benefits from being replaced with an SSD.
Every refurbished Mac mini (Late 2014) we sell is checked by our technicians and comes with a 12-month warranty. Browse our refurbished Mac mini range, or book a repair if you already own one.
About This Model
The Mac mini (Late 2014) was released in October 2014 and stayed on sale until October 2018, making it one of the longest-running Mac models. Its small size, low power use and quiet running make it a popular choice for a family computer, a shop or reception machine, or a media centre under the television.
Complete Mac Solutions supplies refurbished Apple Macs in Bristol for home users, students and businesses. We also offer Mac repairs and can help you compare the cost of upgrading an older Mac mini with a suitable replacement.
Which Mac mini does this cover?
This guide covers the Mac mini (Late 2014), model number A1347, with the model identifier Macmini7,1. The same A1347 model number appears on earlier Mac mini models from 2010 to 2012, so the case and the number underneath are not enough on their own to tell them apart.
Choose About This Mac from the Apple menu to check the full model name. Apple sold three versions: a 1.4GHz model with Intel HD Graphics 5000, and 2.6GHz and 2.8GHz models with Intel Iris Graphics. Unlike the 2012 Mac mini, there is no quad-core option for this model.
Specifications at a glance
| Processor options | 1.4GHz, 2.6GHz or 2.8GHz dual-core Intel Core i5; optional 3.0GHz dual-core Core i7 |
|---|---|
| Memory | 4GB, 8GB or 16GB 1600MHz LPDDR3, fitted to the logic board |
| Original storage options | 500GB or 1TB hard drive, 1TB or 2TB Fusion Drive, or 256GB, 512GB or 1TB SSD |
| Graphics | Intel HD Graphics 5000 (1.4GHz) or Intel Iris Graphics (2.6GHz and 2.8GHz) |
| Connections | Two Thunderbolt 2 ports, four USB 3 ports, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, SDXC card slot, audio in and headphone socket |
| Wireless | 802.11ac Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0 |
| Power | Built-in 85W power supply |
| Size and weight | 3.6cm high, 19.7cm wide and deep; approximately 1.2kg |
Ask us to confirm the exact configuration of any refurbished machine available. Storage may have been replaced or upgraded from the original factory specification.
What is it useful for?
Our recommendation is to assess this model for documents, email, browsing, video streaming and compatible older applications. It also makes a sensible dedicated machine for a till, a reception desk, a media library or simple file sharing on a home network.
It is not suited to demanding creative work. The dual-core processors and integrated graphics are modest by current standards, and many recent applications need a newer macOS release.
Condition and storage type make a big difference. A Late 2014 Mac mini with an SSD feels far quicker in everyday use than the same machine with its original hard drive.
A Mac for Bristol students
Bristol students who already have a monitor can use a Mac mini as an affordable desktop for essays, research and streaming in shared accommodation. Its small size makes it easy to move between term-time and home.
Check university requirements before choosing an older Mac, including examination software and specialist course applications. If you need a machine for several years of study, compare it with a newer Apple silicon Mac mini or a laptop such as the MacBook Air M1 (2020).
Macs for businesses
Complete Mac Solutions supplies Macs for businesses as well as individuals. Tell us which applications, peripherals and working arrangements your team uses so we can help you choose a suitable machine.
A Late 2014 Mac mini can work well as a dedicated machine for a single compatible task, such as running a display, a label printer or an older application. Check application support and your organisation’s security requirements before using it as a main staff computer.
macOS compatibility
Apple lists macOS Monterey as the newest officially compatible operating system for this model. That is an important buying limitation: current applications may require a newer macOS release, and Monterey no longer receives security updates.
Check the developer’s requirements for your essential applications before purchasing. Tell us what you need to run so we can help you compare suitable alternatives.
Memory and SSD upgrades
The memory is soldered to the logic board and cannot be upgraded. This was a change from earlier Mac mini models, so it is important to buy a machine with enough memory for your needs. We generally recommend 8GB as a minimum for everyday use.
Storage is the most worthwhile upgrade. The original hard drive or Fusion Drive can be replaced with an SSD, and the logic board also has a slot for an Apple-type PCIe SSD. The right choice depends on the configuration of the individual machine.
An SSD can transform how quickly it starts up and opens applications, but it will not extend official macOS support. Ask us about the exact machine before deciding whether an upgrade is worthwhile.
Known concern: slow hard drives
Many Late 2014 Mac minis were supplied with a 5400-rpm hard drive. After years of use these drives often become very slow or start to fail, which shows as a spinning wheel, long startup times or freezing.
A slow machine is not always a faulty one, but a failing drive needs attention before data is lost. If you rely on files stored on an older Mac mini, back them up first and ask about data recovery if the drive has already failed.
Other repair symptoms to check
Startup and power problems
Failure to start, random shutdowns or a machine that powers on without a picture can have several causes, including the internal power supply. Tell us what happens when you press the power button and whether the status light comes on.
Heat and fan noise
A fan that runs loudly most of the time can point to dust build-up or a heavy background task. Ask about cleaning if yours has become noisy or slow.
Ports, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Test the USB, Thunderbolt, HDMI and Ethernet ports you plan to use, and check that Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connect reliably. Visible symptoms need assessment before quoting a repair.
Complete Mac Solutions can discuss Mac mini repairs in Bristol and help you weigh the likely cost against the condition, usefulness and replacement value of the machine.
Buying a refurbished Mac mini (Late 2014)
Confirm the processor, memory, storage type and capacity, and installed version of macOS. Because the memory cannot be upgraded, check that it suits your needs before you buy. Most importantly, check that your essential software supports its operating system.
Complete Mac Solutions carries a large stock of refurbished Macs and has an extensive supplier network to help source suitable configurations. Many of our Macs come fully boxed, with all accessories and in fantastic condition. Packaging, accessories and condition vary between machines, so ask us to confirm what comes with the one you choose.
Explore our Apple Macs for sale or speak to us about a desktop for home, study or business. If you already own this model, we can help you consider whether repair, an SSD upgrade or replacement offers the best value.
References and further reading
Compare the Mac mini (Late 2014) with similar models
If you want a built-in display, the iMac 21.5-inch (2015) offers similar everyday performance in an all-in-one design. For current macOS support and much faster performance, an Apple silicon Mac mini is a far bigger step forward.
Buy or repair a Mac mini (Late 2014)
Looking for a small, affordable Mac for everyday tasks? Ask about our current Mac mini stock, or let us diagnose and quote for a repair or SSD upgrade on the one you already own.
Image credit
Photo: Eurekamelon. Wikimedia Commons source · CC BY-SA 3.0. Resized and compressed to WebP. Design reference: Same design (2012).
