2018 Mac Mini Problems

For what it is worth, been up and running fine for several weeks now. My setup

2018 Mac mini - 6-core 3.2Ghz i7, 32Gb RAM, 1Tb SSD.

Pair of Dell U2715H (2560x1440) monitors connected via DisplayPort-to-Thunderbolt3 cable. Internal SSD has file vault enabled. External Backup drive is a 4Tb Thunderbolt2 G-drive connected via an Apple adapter to a TB3 port. That drive uses a 3Tb partition for TM and the remainder for a CCC clone - both volumes are FileVault encrypted. Second backup is an un-encrypted CCC clone to a 1Tb bus-powered G-drive (taken out of fire safe and updated every week or so).

Speakers connected through a monitor aux-out port. Logitech solar wireless keyboard and Logitech wireless mouse using the Logitech unified devices dongle in one of the monitor’s always-on USB ports (monitors providing my daisy-chained USB hub.

Connection is WiFi to an ASUS AC5300 router using a unified 2.4/5Ghz single SSID network.

No problems with mini itself, the monitors nor connections, no BT issues (headphones work fine) nor WiFi. This setup is on 24/7 hooked up to an APC 550VA UPS, and Mac OS picks up the UPS in power settings fine over the second monitors always-on USB port.

I’ve been very happy with the new Mac mini from day 1, with no issues once I got the DP-to-TB3 direct cables (using adapters with DP to mini-DP cables was flaky hence the switch to direct cabling). My 2015 MacBook Pro is once again a laptop instead of it being on 24/7 as the effective-Desktop hooked up to everything.

P.S. I set up the mini from a TM backup of the MacBook Pro, which was already running 10.14, but used migration assistant after initial setup and enabling FileVault on the Mac mini first. That was from an old OWC 1TB FireWire800 drive connected to the Mac mini’s usb-c port via Apple adapters to go FireWire800-to-TB2, TB2-toTB3.

Hello, same problem/

Looks crazy to me.

Impossible to wake it up sometimes even if i did reset pram, smu, safemode and other stuffs.

Monitor is flinkering as well sometimes whatever the hdmi cable, whatever the movie software, adaptater usb-c or not.

Never had any problems with any macbook pro with same configurations.

That's insane.

I start thinking that it's coming from my time machine from a previous macbook pro with high sierra.

Tonight, i will try a clean start without nothing on it and check if it's flinkering.

If it does, there is a problem with hardware or mojave.

Clearly, something is not right.

I'm seeing the following issues on my 2018 MacMini running 10.14.2:

1. Can't run diagnostics
2. Can't boot in safe mode
3. When I run Software Update from System Preferences I get an error message: "Unable to check for updates Make sure you are connected to the Internet."

Just bought brand new Mac Mini (Feb 2019) 1TB 32GB, had 10.14.1 installed, ran updater no problem to 10.14.3. Migrated my apps and data from an external SDD backup of my 2013 Macbook Pro running Sierra which remains unchanged so I can easily switch back to the Macbook in case the Mini turns out to be a typical example of Apple's unfortunate lack of quality these days. Using Apple wireless keyboard and trackpads (older versions from a few years ago) and connected to Apple Thunderbolt display.

Definitely getting random freezes when there is no load on machine, for example had it freeze about 20 seconds when I clicked on a different conversation thread in iMessage. At first since the cursor froze while moving it I thought it was losing connectivity with the trackpad 18" away, but there was no "Trackpad Off" popup window like you normally see when the trackpad gets turned off.

Terribly disappointing. I have a "genius bar" appointment this afternoon, if they cannot confirm Apple at least acknowledges the issue it's going back.

Hello Michael,

thanks for you response.

My setup is a bit different.

I have one HDMI direct to my receiver which is connected to the Epson projector (it was working fine with my two MBPro 2011 and 2018).

I have one apple adapter USB-C to hdmi to go to a classic Sony Full HD TV.

I am using a mirror on both even if i am watching either the projector, either the tv.

When i am watching on the Epson projector a movie with VLC or KODI (whatever the sotfware), i am losing signal for 1/2 seconds sometimes. It happens on full screen.

When i am watching on the sony classic full hd tv a movie with the same softwares, i am not losing signals.

When i am watching the movie on both at the same time, i am not losing signals.

I tried to change HDMI cables. No results. (all versions high quality 1.3,1.4,2.0,...)

I did preset pram. No results.

I dit SMS on the mac. No Results.

I did safe mode. No results.

I tried to put the projector with USB-C/HDMI adaptater and the TV on HDMI direct. No results.

I tried change frequency on both screen. No results.

I am using keyboard and trackpad from apple. Bluetooth.

One more information, i did a migration from a time machine of my old macbook pro of 2011 with high sierra on my mac mini 2018. The macbookpro couldnt be on mojave, high sierra at best.

Therefore, i did the migration from mbpro2011 to mac mini 2018 with time machine from high sierra to a mojave system.

I don't know if it could be a problem.

The only thins i didn't try yet are (i ll do it):

• instead of using mirror copy on both screen (even if i am using one at the time), it need to try it in extended mode
• reset all the mac with just the system Mojave, factory settings, and try again to watch video
• create a new admin session and try with this one

I gave a lot of details because i need help and Apple Care Service cannot help me.

They don't understant anything about the issue.

It's sad.

Please, if you have ideas, let me know.

Thanks a lot.

Ohhh!

My iMac 27 late 13, always works and has done so since the plug was put in, sometime in 2013. Didn't make any mistakes of any kind or failed me in any way.

But time is running out of Apple's hardware, or they are updating too slowly, I want a little more graphics power, but only have Thunderbolt ver. 1, so egpu is excluded.

I could buy a Mac Mini and an egpu, but the price is sky high and I can get double power for 2/3 of the price.

So many thanks to Apple for a lovely time. I'm leaving you, for the benefit of the PC world

BTW. Lack of airpods 2, makes me look at something else, so maybe you should drop the expensive phone with something else that has the same quality but cheaper. Then only Apple TV is left, but is not the same when the spirit is gone. The idea is close to action, so maybe Tim should be replaced, with someone who can get the spirit / quality back

I first exchanged my brand new Mac mini 2018 for a replacement, then I returned the replacement. The first machine worked for a day (with OS 14.0), but after upgrade to 14.1 refused to complete re-boot. The second machine came with 14.1; this one never completed re-booting in the first place. Both machines started the booting process, but gave up after 30 seconds. Online support and guy at the Apple Genius bar tried their best, but to no avail.

See details here: Mac mini 2018: no start up (terminates signal to monitor)

Exact same problems

second monitor after standby takes more than 20 second to be recognized

mouse (logitech mx master and mx master2) jumping both in usb wirless and bluetooth

bluetooth often does not recognize devices and need reboot

some freezes randomly with spinner even if cpu is 10% occupied

George, I had the same problem with "Unable to check for updates" on my MacMini 2018 even though I was connected to internet for everything except the App Store. I shut down the machine and then, of course, had 20 minutes of trying to get monitor connected again. I use the HDMI port to an ASUS PA29Q. After I shut down machine again. I finally got monitor to work and had access to App Store to download the update 10.14.3. Right now monitor is connected, but that changes every time machine goes to sleep. I have used 4 different high speed, brand new HDMI cables and tried all 4 HDMI inputs on my monitor. Same problem. I have connected with Thunderbolt 3 as well. Same problem. Sometimes it is just a delay of a minute or so to wake up monitor. I usually have to tap MacMini power button twice (once does nothing) move the mouse, wait a bit. Turn monitor off and on. Plugging and un-plugging do nothing. It is not the monitor. All 4 HDMI ports work with my iPad connected. Royal pain in the rear quarters. I didn't bother to reset anything on MacMini because no one else has had success with that according to others with the same problem on this and other forums. It is a MacMini 2018 issue which is not being addressed by Apple so far. I am very disappointed. I bought the MacMini to replace my lovely Mac Pro 2012 tower which lost its usb ports and I thought the money it would take to fix it would be better spent on a new machine. Mistake. I did not buy the iMac pro because the screen was smaller than my apple cinema 30" one. I could not get it to work with new Mini, so bought the ASUS. Have not bothered to contact Apple Support because they seem to have now knowledge of how to fix this. I really hate to return to windows pcs but may have to leave Apple after 15 years.

SAME PROBLEMS

I have spent more than 3.500$ to buy the mac mini 2018, screen and eGPU and the system seems to have a lot of problems.

I am a Mac user for more than 10 years now and I choose this combination vs a PC (which was half the price) mainly because Mac has always been stable in high performance and without any issues through time. Unfortunately, the new mac mini had raised the expectations but does not deliver. Unlike you Bobbypoz I missed the 14 window return option and fight my way through it.

1. Monitor was not detected when i turned it off. The solution I found was that once it gets connected you must not turn it off but leave it in sleep mode. However, there are still times once in a while that it does not connect. The Screen i am using is: LG HDR 4K Display
2. Performance issues. When I edit through Final Cut pro there were 3 times that the system was overloaded and shut down.
3. The eGPU seems to work fine but still the rendering in FCPX is slow.
4. It is impossible to run Diagnostics. I tried everything, using a USB keyboard but i just cannot connect
5. I used my old iMac's wireless mouse and keyboard but the connection interactions are unbearable (especially to the mouse)
6. Some times using Blender 3D of FCPX the whole systems lags multiple times for a period of time. I need to close the app and open it again.
7. The mac support is gentle and kind but could not solve any of the above issues.
8. Wireless JBL soundbar is always getting disconnected when sound is not played for a couple of minutes.

In general I am very disappointed of my choice. I wasted too much time for doing an extended research so that everything (eGPU XFX Vega 56, the Sonnet breakaway box, lg screen etc.) are compatible with mac mini but the result was disappointing.

I regret being the first to buy the Mac Mini 2018 before waiting to see the real reviews of the people using it.