Running Logic on an older Apple Mac Mini?

[original flipper]

Hi

I know little to nothing about 'Apple computers', but do miss using Logic - I have recently seen some pretty cheap 'refurbished/SH' models of this type of spec:

Apple Mac Mini Core i7 1TB HDD 8GB RAM Quad Core OS Catalina
Apple Mac mini Core i5 2.6GHZ 16GB RAM SSD 1TB
Apple Mac Mini A1347 (2010) – MC270B/A (looks like quite an old model)

My questions:

# Are the above spec's powerful enough to run say 2/4 audio tracks & 12/18 VST's?
# Would I need to upgrade the o/s, is it possible to upgrade the o/s and would it cost me?
# Are particular older models not suitable for updating to use current version of Logic?

Notes:

# I do not use much in the way of streamed sample content.
# I would be using Logic exclusively and no other unnecessary software

Many thanks

[vstdls]

While the hardware will most likely perform at, or above your ask, I feel like you might have a hard time getting a version of Logic for a now unsupported version of MacOS.

Apple won't let you install newer OSes on "vintage" equipment, and Logic might need a newer OS.

[original flipper]

Hi

thank you for the info, looks like a bunch of headaches to buy an older Apple computer then...

[vstdls]

Hi

thank you for the info, looks like a bunch of headaches to buy an older Apple computer then...

If you know anybody that works at a school and/or education, you might have luck with a dumpster-dive to try it out for $0.

But yes, Apple spends a lot of corporate resources to ensure you're ever-replacing.

[jancivil]

Apple won't let you install newer OSes on "vintage" equipment, and Logic might need a newer OS.

In fact EG: Monterey will run on an early 2008 MBP, though nothing earlier. Not sure how the corporation would stop that installation.
I ran newish OSes on ~decade-old hardware for a few yrs.

[revvy]

Using your own old Apple HW is great for me. My iMac was 7 years old and still flying before I traded it in for a portable machine that I suddenly needed.

Didn’t have the latest OS and therefore latest Logic due to an ancient interface I wanted to continue to use, but that didn’t bother me at all. Trade offs.

All of my Macs have lasted me for years. Apple (bastards) have never forced me to buy a new machine.

Granted, buying an older Mac might lead to some headaches but I’ve never been interested in doing that.

[paradiddle]

I have a macbook early 2015 with Monterey and the latest logic runs on it. 3.1 ghz dual core i7 16 gig ram. Runs pretty good for the time.

Honestly, I'd forget about intel stuff and go with the m1 instead if ya can.

[vstdls]

Apple won't let you install newer OSes on "vintage" equipment, and Logic might need a newer OS.

In fact EG: Monterey will run on an early 2008 MBP, though nothing earlier. Not sure how the corporation would stop that installation.
I ran newish OSes on ~decade-old hardware for a few yrs.

No I get it, but what I'm advising against is that there's no assurance it will be just fine 2-3yrs out if OP elects to go with the older hardware in MacOS environment, wants to upgrade, or hits (if not already) the EOL wall. So the "smart" move would be to pony up for the M1 at a minimum, but OP seems to be budget conscious in that regard.

The flat answer is: What OP wants to do will be a hassle due to Apple's retirement and app compatibility structure. My 10yr old iMac is humming along just fine, but it won't take the newest editions of anything other than for arbitrary decisions regarding OS support from the manufacturer. It's just how it is, but my opinion is that ponying up for an M1+ just for Logic is perhaps a little mis-guided, when the original equipment listed in question seems budget conscious.

[original flipper]

Hi

It's just how it is, but my opinion is that ponying up for an M1+ just for Logic is perhaps a little mis-guided, when the original equipment listed in question seems budget conscious.

I appreciate the advice and may one day just let loose of 2K and go for a well loaded up Mini - I have a pretty hi spec PC (or two...) and was possibly getting a melancholic flashback to Logic 5.5 on the PC....

[kidslow]

No I get it, but what I'm advising against is that there's no assurance it will be just fine 2-3yrs out if OP elects to go with the older hardware in MacOS environment, wants to upgrade, or hits (if not already) the EOL wall.

Barring a hardware failure, which would be quite low incidence in a mini, why would the OP hit any wall? Once all the software is installed, it should continue to work. Where people get in trouble is when they upgrade either the OS or the DAW or the plugins. An upgrade will never be mandatory for any of those, and existing installed software won't just stop working. There is no reason why, given the stated requirements, even an older Intel system couldn't continue to be in service for another 10 years.

[jancivil]

I only ever upgraded for a real reason. EG., a Kontakt library or three needing a newer Kontakt version requiring the higher version OS #. I hit a sort of wall authorizing Kore 2 in 2020, about three yrs since I had mo’less abandoned using it.

the goal here was Logic on a specific hardware. A secondhand Logic older version is not unattainable…
unsure how the goal expanded to all possible futures.

[vstdls]

No I get it, but what I'm advising against is that there's no assurance it will be just fine 2-3yrs out if OP elects to go with the older hardware in MacOS environment, wants to upgrade, or hits (if not already) the EOL wall.

Barring a hardware failure, which would be quite low incidence in a mini, why would the OP hit any wall? Once all the software is installed, it should continue to work. Where people get in trouble is when they upgrade either the OS or the DAW or the plugins. An upgrade will never be mandatory for any of those, and existing installed software won't just stop working. There is no reason why, given the stated requirements, even an older Intel system couldn't continue to be in service for another 10 years.

Exactly. To me, that sounds like the makings for a hassle, which was OPs original question. Not if it would work or not.

[kidslow]

Pick your poison. I don't see any more hassle with what I described than with getting on the update treadmill.

[jamcat]

I have a late 2012 Mac mini. It doesn’t run anything past Catalina, and that is painfully sluggish. It hasn’t run decently since El Capitan. Windows is even worse on it. So now I just run Linux on it, which is super snappy. It’s good as a media server.

[Bombadil]

I would advise against, but for a different reason. I had a 2011 i7 mini, and it wouldn't even play iTunes without the fan kicking in. I couldn't listen to music at low volumes, and recording guitar or vocals was completely out of the question. Thing got quite hot.
YMMV.