The Mac Mini series of desktop Apple devices started with the G4 Mac Mini in 2005. The first Intel processor (Polycarbonate shell) versions appeared in 2006, with a 32-bit “Yonah” Core Solo processor. They are usually very good install targets for OpenBSD.
Intel Macs are generally Okayish to install OpenBSD on.
Compared to the “Late 2012” Mac mini models, the “Late 2014” line very much represents a “one step forward, one step back” kind of progress.
The “Late 2014” models have more advanced processors and much faster graphics, as well as Thunderbolt 2 capability, improved HDMI support, faster Wi-Fi, and a lower introductory price. However, they also are much slower than the “Late 2012” line in multicore tasks overall, no longer have Firewire support, no longer have RAM that can be upgraded, and no longer support two 2.5“ storage drives, either.
… and also,
Compared to the “Late 2012” Mac mini models, the “Late 2014” Mac mini models are between 1% and 9% faster in single core tasks but between 5% and 43% slower in multicore tasks:
Our conclusion: possibly get a 2012 Mac Mini over a 2014 one.
* A1283 Macmini 3,1 (Penryn)