data transferipadmac-miniusb
I am transferring a lot of data to a large number of iPads from a Mac Mini, over USB. I am finding that the late 2014 Mac Mini is significantly faster at completing the transfer than the Mid 2011 model.
If it's relevant – I'm connecting to iPad 2s.
I think I can rule out any CPU / Ram differences.
Have Apple added more USB controllers to the new Mac minis?
My understanding is that the old models had 2 controllers, is it possible that the 2014 model has 4?
Short answer: no.
The i7 in the new 2011 Server model doesn't support anything less than pretty much the original OS.
Sorry dude. I wanted to do the exact same thing.
It seems that those after 2009 (which reverted to 4 USB ports instead of 5), only have 2 buses. The 2009 models are likely the only models with 3 USB buses.
If you get one of the newer ones with Thunderbolt, it's possible to connect to a Thunderbolt Display which would add a third hub. I don't know of any devices off-hand that will give you just another USB hub via Thunderbolt, but if they're not out there already, they're bound to show up.
Best Answer
The 2011 Mac Mini only have USB2 ports. Since 2012, the Mac Minis have USB3 ports.
That probably the reason.
Also, there is only one physical USB controller the Mac Minis ref1,ref2, that never changed (note: On the 2014 Mac mini, it's integrated in the processor ref,ref)