Switching from a Mac mini 2012 to an Intel NUC8i5BEK and Ubuntu.

12 min readSep 10, 2019

I started buying (used) Macs starting with the white iMac 20", I think this was around 2008. I was really attracted to have a silent System with a (at that time) huge display and get rid of all the cables and cords I had at my PC.

Over the years I switched to two different other iMacs (24" and later 27") and finally bought a used dual core i5 Mac mini 2012 in 2014.

My use case

is mostly (sparetime) software development in the python ecosystem. So I am running a lot of browser sessions, some Databases and development tools like VSCode, some shells and stuff like that. I also use Garageband and sometimes make short videos using iMovie. So no gaming in scope and no ambition to use video editing like a “semi pro” … only the absolute basics.

My story with Mac and OSX/MacOS is almost 100% positive.

At 2008 Macs with OSX were a super alternative, taking the best from Linux and Windows. It had a super nice and almost futuristically featured UI as well as the UNIX tools included that you really need when developing software. Linux had the Software but the Desktop feeling and “standard” software had room for improvement. While Windows had all this bloatware onboard and almost none of the tools you needed. (Apache, SSH, MySQL..)

Minis started out cheap and powerful

I was always looking forward to see the next Apple Event to get a look at new cool systems that come into my focus some 2 or 3 years later ;) Systems were always improved, and at least the starting prices were ok.

Of course nobody bought the entry system .. the mid range system was the one to choose …..

And then take the update yourself tour: (e.g. RAM)

I updated my Mac mini 2012 with 16GB and a SATA/SSD, replacing the super slow 5400 HDD drive. This made the machine really super performant and quite. It was affordable and not too hard, since we had sites like iFixit at that time.

But that feeling and excitement dropped bit by bit over the last couple of years … The newly presented Systems got pricier every year. And while getting more expensive the possibilities to upgrade was reduced every year.

But whatever that mini was fast, quite and I had a nice setup for development. (Using a used office monitors bough from ebay for less than 100$)

But I really wanted to make my next update. Not for CPU performance or gaming but I honestly wanted to go for a 4k Monitor. I think that this would be really helpful for my use case and 4k Monitors are quite affordable. Probably you find something around 400 $ from LG, BenQ, Samsung … range from 27" to 32" …

Remark: If you want a monitor that can also charge with more than 65W over USB-c you will end up in the 750$->1000$ range.

So 400$ for a new 4K Monitor was ok for me since I would probably really improve my workplace.

Of course I wanted the Mac Mini 2018 and watched the event …..

To make it short.The mini 2018 is a good improvement. As usual I would have taken the mid range system. So a i5-core, 16GB and 256 or 512 GB SSD .. but then it becomes pricy. I was at around 1.600 $. Plus the monitor this sums up to be at least 2000$ + x. It has the onboard Intel 630 graphics and can run multiple 4K monitors.

I did not want the typical compromise. Like the i3 4-core or the 128 GB SSD option (which is really an option from 8 years ago…) But 2000+$ was too much for me since this is my sparetime. And this time I don’t want to wait 2 or 3 more years to buy a used mini 2018 …

So what are the alternatives to a Mac mini ?

Honestly not so many serious out there .. And probably Apple knows that well ;)

There are some “Mini PC” suspects from HP, Lenovo, Asus … and more. Have a look at these to articles for example:

I looked around at some of these but there were drawbacks..

My goals were:

Same size as the mini or smaller
Multi monitor 4K / 60 Hz support
Same performance or better
End up half the price of a mac mini mid range system

[ And Linux Support (since this is the option for me for development) ]

I looked closer at the Intel NUC series.

I read about the NUCs some two or three years ago … found the idea nice, the package ok and the naming convention a horror … If you google NUCs you’ll end up int comparing the:

NUC8i5INH with the NUC8i5BEK or the NUC8i5BEH

#wft ???? I could imagine i5 but the rest …. Since I had a mini at that time I did not look closer. But Now I gave it a try.

This is the convention:

NUC <series 1letter > <cpu 2> <familly 2letter> <form factor 1letter>

Anyway, I still find it way to complicated and unhandy.

But after some searching I took two NUCs into consideration:

First one was the famous NUC8I7HVK (wat?)also known as the “Hades Canyon”. A gaming ready NUC including a Radeon™ RX Vega M, with much performance in a small package. But it is a barebone that comes easily over 1000$ when > 16GB Ram and a reasonable SSD is added.

The second one is the NUC8i5BEK (dont ask). It has a 4-core i5 CPU with 3,6 GHz. It can run 3 x 4k /60Hz monitors and comes in a super small size. It is also a barebone but even when you add 32 GB RAM and a 512 GB NVMe SSD it will not cost more than 600 $

Let’s compare them with the requirements.

(More points is better. Points and weight are my own opinion)

So I went for the NUC8i5BEK a really super tiny, yet powerful box.

Without further ado I configured 32 GB RAM and a 512 GB Samsung NVMe SSD. So this is a really powerful combination in the end:

i5 / 3,6 GHZ 4-core
32 GB RAM
512 GB NVMe SSD (3,5 GB /Sec)
Intel 655 Graphics
Price < 600 $ on Amazon. (You’ll get that even up to 60 $ cheaper if you look for the best price)

The BEH just differs in offering room for a 2,5" SATA SSD. But when you take into consideration that the NVMe is 10 times faster I think it’s time to forget the old SSDs. So no need for the bigger case.

Choosing the 4k Monitor:

Same story here. I found that I could read endless reviews and recommendations about 4k Monitors for all kinds of aspects. Gamers, Macbook pro users, Video editing, office users and so on.

But if you look for a good compromise and the use case is not gaming I came up with two major differences.

If you want and usb-c connector that can also charge your notebook with more than 65W. (Maybe also with a second port for daisy-chaining monitors.
The 27 vs 32 inch size question.

Loading with USB-c will be mainly relevant if you have or plan to buy a usb-c notebook in the future. (This is an option for me as well, since used macbooks might be a future option in the coming years.) The advantage is that you only need one single cable to connect and charge and will have another port left.

A second usb-c port on the monitor gives you the option to link monitor to monitor which also saves a cable whem connecting a second 4k Monitor. (This is currently irrelevant for me. And if a second 4k Monitor might be an option I can still buy this one with the 2nd USB-c port to chain.

The size turns to go in the 32 inch size. I looked at some 27" and 32" monitors in some electronics shops and quickly found 32" the right size if you want one monitor on the desk. I also cut a cardboard of the monitor size to check how it fits on the desktop beforehand. Felt promising, so..

After looking for some monitors I took the same approach as with the NUC I just went for the BenQ EW3270OU. Again, the reviews were promising. Probably not the best monitor out there. But USB-C connector (no charging though) and a good price / value.

First impression: Wow ! Stunned

I unpacked everything. Starting with the NUC I was really impressed how small this thing really is.

Compare the two SO-DIMMS to the NUC … These are really small…

Just about 11cm x 11 cm and maybe 2,x cm high

Compared to the mac mini: It’s really impressive how small this thing is.

Installing Ubuntu 19.04 took just a few seconds. Everything worked fine. I was really happy on day one.

After two days I wanted to send everything back

But that turned 180 degrees in the next two days …

The NUC was noisy… Not really loud but the fan was constantly on and it was by no means silent.
I connected the old 24" Full HD monitor as a second monitor in portrait bu the NUC did not use it (HDMI to DVI) and Ubuntu did not show a second monitor at all.

The BenQ was ok, but the default setting was not what I like .. it was way too bright for …

I felt like: “everything” needed adjustments ..

The cooling options (I can’t even remember when I entered a BIOS setup last time…) By the way: BIOS UIs look cool these days ;)
Somehow enable the second monitor to be recognized by Ubuntu
The primary monitor settings

… I started and tried but …. it did not really work … bought two other cables .. still no picture on the 2nd monitor. Tweaked the cooling settings and read some forums (e.g. here, and here ..).. but still noisy (IMHO)…

And now, after a week I’m really happy with the setup.

.. but eventually everything worked out fine.

The second monitor was as easy as it could be . I disconnected the USB-c monitor and started with the second monitor only .. and guess what. It showed a picture and Ubuntu recognized it. I could plug in the 4k monitor with USB-c and it was recognized as well. Since then both monitors can be adjusted as you need it with Ubuntu. I setup the second monitor in portrait mode next to the primary. Really handy to read documentation in the browser ..

The cooling / fan noise issue was also easy. The trick is not to increase the temperature when the fan starts but let it start really early (50 degrees C) and let it run at really low speed. This leads to a literally quiet system. I have the NUC at the desk and almost can’t hear anything at all. You have to put your head at the NUC to hear it at normal usage (like in this moment.)
The BenQ is a really nice monitor. The space and resolution is brilliant. sharpness and color are really great..

I use a bluetooth keyboard. The Volume and many special keys work out of the box ..
Sound: I use a creative bluetooth speaker (that sits behind the monitor).

So after a few days I am really happy with the combination. I can really recommend it. Speed is superb, not only compared to the mini 2012. The ssd with 3,5 GB/sec, the 32 GB RAM, quad-core CPU and even the Intel 655 graphics is really fast.

This is a performance monitor shot with desktop full …

So it’s really not challenged by my use case.

Ubuntu is great after a few days.

I never really used Linux as a desktop system but have to say that i find everything I need. Every day a bit more …

Desktop is based on Gnome and great. Theming and config.. everything possible.
Browsing: Firefox and Chrome
Email: Thunderbird. (There is a new version out)
Foto Sync for iphone: shotwell
development: Everything I need is there. Editor is VSCode.
I did not plan to, but even used libre office for literally the first time. Pretty ok for writing a letter. Just the usual thing that the UI differs when you come from Word, Excel at your job … But I had the same thing with pages and numbers on OSX before. And you can use o365 in the browser if you can’t let it go ;)

Initially I had in mind to test Ubuntu and fall back to windows 10 if this experiment fails … but I will not even make a dual install.

Summary / the Pros:

A super small, super fast system
almost totally quiet when 30 cm away (corner of the desk)
You get the whole setup for less than 1000€ (NUC i5 / 4core, 3,6 GHz +512 GB NVMe SSD+32GB+4k/32" Monitor ). That’s much less than the comparable Mac mini alone.
Workplace is great after this update. Way better than the old one before (FullHD, Mac mini)
Everything works (The Sound, BT Speaker, BT Keyboard, Fast Wifi, dual Monitor)…
Default Software coming with Ubuntu is good and additional installation using the Ubuntu Software Center is easy. You can install .deb packages directly (like VSCode) Or you can use the apt package manager on the command line. (For python3, pip3 …)
=> I recommend it !

Some drawbacks

The Mac mini comes out of the box as I (and probably most of us) like it. (Quiet, small, fast .. but pricy) The NUC needs some more initial configuration (like adjusting the cooling function. Enabling the second monitor.
The BenQ is a great monitor. I don’t miss anything here. The lack of USB-c power and chaining was on purpose to save money
Ubuntu is way better and with Gnome even better looking than I though (but we all know: “everything looks better on 4k ;) But OSX is probably even smoother and more well designed.
OSX/Apple’s free Software like Garageband and iMovie is probably unrivaled on Linux and Windows .. so this is a minus.
Of course the full iOS device integration that OSX has is missing by default. I found shotwell to sync fotos. I will keep looking for an iTunes replacement .. (but havent used iTunes a lot on OSX as well.)
The system is not absoutely / totally quiet.

What next.

Watching the apple event today of course ;) Hoping that they will not release the mac mini of my dreams for 499 $ ;)

Do some more testing:

steam and a few games (just to see what is possible)
video editing software (OpenShot looks nice .. article here)
find some software to make certain windows remember their last position (to make them reopen on the portrait monitor)
getting a bit more used to the Ubuntu shortcuts and desktop special things.
look for a good spotlight replacement (read about Cerebo and Albert so far.. but did not go into details there..)

So depending on your use case this might be a good option for you as well.

Comments very appreciated.