I've got a:
Mid 2011 Mini
2.5 i5
AMD Radeon HD 6630M
Currently running High Sierra 10.13.6
4 GB RAM and the OEM 500 GB HDD
(I have 16 GBs of RAM and a 1 TB SSD that I'll be installing soon.)
https://preview.redd.it/6wg0rybvxz1c1.png?width=900&format=png&auto=webp&s=b9010d3ecca81896cfe1451282bdd63b48fa2586
I'm not a complete noob, but still consider myself a novice in the OS-X ecosystem. Seeking some info and suggestions. I am well versed in computers in general. I'm using this Mini for HomeBridge, Plex, and a hub for 2 pieces of older equipment that are not natively network capable. (Not relevant to this post, but I've also got a 2009 Polycarbonate, a 2014 mini, and a new M2 mini. I'm not using the 2014 since it has just 4 GB RAM).
I would like to update the 2011 to Big Sur or Monterey if possible, maybe newer.
Questions:
What are Metal-GPUs?
I see that there are issues with "non-Metal GPUs" but can't find what IS or ISN'T a non-metal graphics card. I have no desire to add an external graphics card so if that would be required I'm done.
If updating can be done regardless of the GPU, anything I should be looking out for?
If I upgrade an external SSD and there are issues, can I just boot to the current HDD and use it as it is currently?
Right now I'm using the OEM 500 GB HDD. I have booted the Mini from an external drive previously. In case something doesn't work, I plan to copy the current drive to the new SSD with Migration Assistant, and upgrade the SSD until everything is working. Too much going on to have the computer out of service for any extended amount of time.
What's the newest OS-X anyone's put on a 2011 Mini?
I'd love to have HomeKit on this Mini. If it performs well enough to run 12 Monterey or 13 Ventura I would also like to run Docker.
Any suggestions, info or references/links greatly appreciated.
TIA
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