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@djdarren@piefed.social

Post #2729576

2026-03-17 17:59 UTC

The RAM *is* upgradable on the 2018 mini, though the storage isn't. The ability to upgrade the RAM is a big part of why those ones have kept their value. I actually use a 2014 mini as my general purpose home server. The interesting thing about that model is that they were offered with a Fusion drive: so basically, some have a small SSD for installing the OS on, with a larger spinning HDD for everything else. If you do pick one up and it doesn't have the adapter for an M.2 drive, you can buy them on eBay for less than £10. So mine now has a 250GB M.2 SSD and a 1TB SATA SSD. When I installed Debian, I put /root on the M.2 and /home on the SATA, which works perfectly. The OS can have as much space as it needs without eating into the space my stuff needs. And I have an external 1Tb HDD connected too. But yeah, as mentioned elsewhere, the wifi can be a pain on those Macs. Personally, I didn't bother with it as it's hooked up with Gigabit ethernet anyway. edit to add: Mine is an 8GB model and I honestly haven't found myself wishing it had more (for what I use mine, that is). Mine runs Jellyfin, Navidrome, Mealie (a recipes app), pihole, and Booklore, and doesn't give me any trouble.

Replies (2)

  • @datendefekt@feddit.org 2026-03-17 20:24

    Recently read of some [controversy](/psa_think_hard_before_you_deploy_booklore) around Booklore. Looks like the main dev is ignoring PRs and just vibe coding everything himself, planning a subscription model, and the quality is slipping.

    Open ##2729579

  • Thanks for your answer! I only realized now that since it’s gonna be near my router, an Ethernet cable can do the job in case RPM Fusion and installling the Broadcom drivers isn’t enough. Just put an offer on an auction site for a MacMini with 16Gb of Ram, an i7 and a 265gb SSD. We’ll see if I get it for less than 100.-🤞

    Open ##2729580