2014 Mac Mini Teardown Highlights Increased Difficulty For User Upgradability

[xraydoc]

Anyone considering the midrange or top-of-the-line Mac mini should take a careful look at the 21.5" iMac, middle of the line.

You get:
2.7GHz Quad-core Intel Core i5, Turbo Boost up to 3.2GHz
8GB 1600MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2X4GB
1TB Fusion Drive
Intel Iris Pro Graphics

PLUS:
1920 x 1080 Display
Apple Magic Mouse
Apple Wireless Keyboard (English) & User's Guide

for $1,499 !

With the same ports, same WiFi.

The top Mac mini with a similar Dual-core config is $999 with a
Fusion drive too. And you will end up with more desk space, since the
system is tucked behind the iMac display.

The mini makes little sense anymore.
Unless you want a server Mac to go on a shelf with a bunch of other Macs.

I believe Apple is designing around Intel's CPU lines, and Intel isn't providing
processors that Apple can put into the mini at appropriate prices.
There is a reason there is exactly $500 difference between the two
machines.

Except what if I want those specs without the built-in monitor. The iMac is a nice machine -- I have one at home. But what if I don't want the included display? What if I want two identical 24" displays? What if I want to replace/upgrade the display before I upgrade the machine?

For some people, the iMac is a fine solution. But for me, I already have a 27" Apple Thunderbolt display and no room really for a second display (i.e., the iMac itself). In this situation, an $800 headless Mac is the solution I need.

While I'll probably replace my 2011 2.5GHz core i5 Mac mini with a new one, I'm seriously debating picking up a 2012 quad core off eBay instead. Either one will be a nice speed bump compared to what I have presently. Trouble is, I need 16GB since I frequently use a Windows VM along with other Mac apps.

 

[Smeaton1724]

its perfectly logical WHY


you just dont understand WHY.

Chop my comment in to a partial sound bite and add nothing to the discussion, strangest quotation to a comment ever!

 

[Carlanga]

Nopes, but its kinda hard to get my head around folks puffing their chests about a lack of upgradability based solely on whether the RAM is soldered or not

Will cars only stop being seen as user serviceable once the hub caps no longer come off?

If the upgradability of a wee box like the mini was a major concern then the time to complain about the way things were going was well before now.

You are the perfect costumer for this machine then because if you are comparing ram to hubcaps then you have no idea what ram is used for. Btw it's no a decoration piece

 

[Evanrude]

Goodie for you. And how long was it that you replaced the memory? They can get problematic after about a year. A friend of mine and i had the same model iMac, we both installed the same memory from Crucial and both of us had the same issue almost a few weeks apart after a year. We had system crashes and it was both attributed to faulty memory. I had Crucial send me replacement memory, and it didn't freaking work, so they had to send out yet another replacement memory, that worked, but I decided to sell the unit and buy a new computer since the unit was getting old and I usually don't like keeping computers longer than 3 years.

You have a 7 year old MacBookPro? You must like living on the edge. I would have replaced that a LONG time ago just because the newer computers are faster, better graphics, Thunderbolt, USB 3. etc.

When I wanted to upgrade the ram on my iMac, I simply took a few minutes to find what part # that Apple used for the larger ram chips, then found a dealer who carried the same ram, but for a FRACTION of the cost.

I paid roughly $90 to double my ram, when Apple wanted $300 for the same thing. There are always ways to go about it.

As for your comment about how the warranty on the Mac Mini wouldn't be valid due to aftermarket parts, that's not true. Any part that plugs in and doesn't require 'soldering' or any special work, doesn't void your warranty. I checked with Apple.

On my 24" Core-2-Duo 3.06GHZ iMac, I wanted a larger hard drive, and more memory. I swapped out both pieces, and my unit was still covered by Applecare. Even though I had to completely disassemble the iMac in order to get to the hard drive. Apple didn't care.

At one point, I replaced the power supply because at the time, it was quicker and more convenient for me to replace the power supply myself than to make a 2-hour drive to the Apple Store (and be without the computer for 1-2 days) to have it replaced. That unit was *STILL* covered by Applecare afterwards.

----------

While I'll probably replace my 2011 2.5GHz core i5 Mac mini with a new one, I'm seriously debating picking up a 2012 quad core off eBay instead. Either one will be a nice speed bump compared to what I have presently. Trouble is, I need 16GB since I frequently use a Windows VM along with other Mac apps.

I might be confused, but where is the trouble? All of the 2012 Quad Core Mac Mini's support 16GB? And the memory is relatively inexpensive.

 

[Beercules]

I think what everyone is forgetting is apple has never sold there appliances as user upgradable devices. Yes, some allowed you to upgrade memory but other than that apple hasn't been open to this. And thats because Apple doesnt sell computers (PC) Apple sells computer appliances. These devices arent meant to be upgrade but instead replaced at the end of their lifecycle.

NOW the PC world would have to beleive you should be able to upgrade everything and with that you get what most people hate about Windows PC is stability issues. SO if you want a fully customizable PC dont by a mac. If you want a computer appliances that does a specific task and has stability to boot, than by a mac.

As a technican that works on enterpirse class systems all day I would prefer not to go home and troubleshoot my own equipment, I want to turn my iMac on and do what I want, but I guess most people cant give up their controlling personalities.

Now do I think Apple is missing a huge potential market, yes. I personally love customizing my own PC and putting them together but I dont whine when my appliance has solder on ram do I? Also I think Apple decision to move way from selling the mini as a server is bad but maybe they have plans to release a better home server solution, but who knows.

Just my 2 cents.

Beercules

 

[RockSpider]

Please point out where this is rubbish. Besides the car analogy it is a pretty good description of how things work between the platforms.

My parents had a PC laptop and called me every second day for problems, it was hell trying to explain them what needed to be done (settings being all over the place in windows e.g.). I gave my mum a MacBook on her birthday and they never called again (for IT problems).

Not another one, I give my family all my old computers, not that old, and I'm lucky to hear from them once a year, and they are definitely not computer literate. It's funny how you hear all this rubbish from fanboys but never from real computer users.

 

[Neodym]

Cost-optimized revision.

Lack of upgradeability, poorer accessibility and questionable specs are simply (welcomed) side-effects.

 

[Beercules]

Not another one, I give my family all my old computers, not that old, and I'm lucky to hear from them once a year, and they are definitely not computer literate. It's funny how you hear all this rubbish from fanboys but never from real computer users.

Its funny to hear this type of comment from a PC love on a mac website

If you dont see it thats not my problem but with customization comes inherited stability issues. Now if you dont overly use a PC, you wouldnt notice it either way, but if you're a heavy user the difference between issues on PC vs mac are like 5 to 1.

 

[RockSpider]

OK Mr joined September with 186 posts of anti apple bile. Whatever you say.

how much you getting for your 1 sentence 'Negativity' posts? 5 cents a post? Don't spend it all at once.

I get .10c, I own quite a few Apple products, I just don't happen to be an Apple lover, due to the fact that I've had more problems with Apple products than Android and Windows products. Yet all I hear from lovers is how many viruses they got on Android and Windows, I don't hear this from people that actually own these. Same with all these Windows problems, when was the last time you owned a Windows product, when it was 3.1.

You've only got to look on this forum as to how many people have problems with Apple products, yet the Apple lovers deny they ever have a problem. Apple is just another company making profits out of people, not some place to worship.

Anyway by the looks of things there are going to be a lot more people like me on here because of all the missteps Apple is taking.

Oh, and thanks for taking the time to read my posts, I feel flattered, just try to stay away from those nasty Android and Windows products you never know what you might catch.

 

[Fragtard]

I think what everyone is forgetting is apple has never sold there appliances as user upgradable devices. Yes, some allowed you to upgrade memory but other than that apple hasn't been open to this. And thats because Apple doesnt sell computers (PC) Apple sells computer appliances. These devices arent meant to be upgrade but instead replaced at the end of their lifecycle.

NOW the PC world would have to beleive you should be able to upgrade everything and with that you get what most people hate about Windows PC is stability issues. SO if you want a fully customizable PC dont by a mac. If you want a computer appliances that does a specific task and has stability to boot, than by a mac.

As a technican that works on enterpirse class systems all day I would prefer not to go home and troubleshoot my own equipment, I want to turn my iMac on and do what I want, but I guess most people cant give up their controlling personalities.

Now do I think Apple is missing a huge potential market, yes. I personally love customizing my own PC and putting them together but I dont whine when my appliance has solder on ram do I? Also I think Apple decision to move way from selling the mini as a server is bad but maybe they have plans to release a better home server solution, but who knows.

Just my 2 cents.

Beercules

I think the issue partially boils down to this: Apple took away an option (upgradeable RAM, e.g.) from the users. The users who cared about this option feel the loss. People generally dislike that feeling, and so they/we grouse about it. I think most people prefer to have options over not having them. Whether they exercise those options is a different story, but I think they like having them.

Personally, I wanted a Mac Mini as a HTPC, and was waiting on this upgrade before making the purchase. When the upgrade turned out (IMHO) to be crap, I bought a 2012 server version (picked it up 3 hours ago, in fact).

And then I came here to grouse.

 

[UpperQuadrant]

I have wait for way too long... it's over !

Thank you Apple, Hackintosh on the way...

Ph

Hackintosh is an illegal and unsupported use of OS X. Only losers use Mackintosh systems that are basically only interested in illegal use of software and ripping people off. Sorry, but I avoid making friends with Mackintosh users because if they use an OS illegally, then what are they going to try to scam me out of if they are willing to scam their way into using an OS?

If you want to use OS X, then buy a Mac and if you want good customer satisfaction and some peace of mind, get AppleCare and then replace your system every three years or less and sell off the old one and get some money back and have a nice day. What a good idea to do is buy AppleCare and then sell off your system within the first 2 years, get an updated model and you'll retain more of your original purchase price, plus you can transfer the leftover of AppleCare so the second user still has Apple support on both hardware and phone support. It's a win win scenario, plus all you have to do is cough up the difference to have the latest and greatest. That's what some people do, and they don't have to cross their fingers that they are going to have major problems once it passes that 3 or 5 year time frame. That's when things like drives have to be replaced. Even SSD doesn't last forever.

 

[peterdevries]

Not another one, I give my family all my old computers, not that old, and I'm lucky to hear from them once a year, and they are definitely not computer literate. It's funny how you hear all this rubbish from fanboys but never from real computer users.

The fact that you make these kinds of stupid assumptions about me without any investigation or background tells us everything we know about you, along with your user level and join date.

I work for a consultancy company specialised in strategy and decision sciences. I'm a senior consultant in the IT advisory group. Please don't try to tell me what a "real" computer user is.

 

[Beercules]

I think the issue partially boils down to this: Apple took away an option (upgradeable RAM, e.g.) from the users. The users who cared about this option feel the loss. People generally dislike that feeling, and so they/we grouse about it. I think most people prefer to have options over not having them. Whether they exercise those options is a different story, but I think they like having them.

Personally, I wanted a Mac Mini as a HTPC, and was waiting on this upgrade before making the purchase. When the upgrade turned out (IMHO) to be crap, I bought a 2012 server version (picked it up 3 hours ago, in fact).

And then I came here to grouse.

I hear you, BUT what you expect out of Apple and what you get is another thing. I've been waiting to purchase a mac mini since the beginning of this year because I wanted to make an ESX host out it but wanted more thunderbolt port to provide me with more flexiblity to my virtual home lab desgin so I waited for the refresh, now I wish I had purchased one earlier this year.

All I'm getting at is, dont go by an appliance expecting it to be furture proof.

 

[rGiskard]

I think what everyone is forgetting is apple has never sold there appliances as user upgradable devices.

Every Mac in my house is heavily upgraded. Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini. Even the Mini has upgraded RAM and new drives.

Maybe Apple didn't advertise the upgradability, but they are indeed easily upgraded. The 2011 Mini I own is a bit of a chore to access, but even so it has a twist-off plastic panel on the bottom.

I'm very picky about storage and buy only the best SSDs and HDDs, but RAM is another matter. Just go cheap and test the hell out of it. I've never heard of RAM "going bad", it either works or it doesn't. Every bad RAM module I've heard of came from the factory that way - a few from Apple.

I repair/upgrade Macs for friends and neighbors and I've NEVER had one come back for bad RAM or bad drives, because I test them prior to installing.

 

[CFreymarc]

How much is Apple paying you to be their "VOICE"

You'll never find out.

 

[CFreymarc]

Thanks for the word salad, but if you had a point other than intended slights, it escapes me.

To quote Nice Peter who played Steve Jobs in their very productive Epic Rap Battles of History series, "Now excuse me while I turn Heaven a profit."

(See how quoting that didn't add anything to the conversation? Keep it in mind for next time.)

You don't get it.

 

[UpperQuadrant]

Wrong.

Apple warranty and Applecare would remain in effect, though would not cover the RAM or SSD.

Yeah, and if you have a problem and Apple tells you to install the original memory and SSD, HDD. That's the most often problematic areas are RAM, SSD, and HDDs.

If you bought a prebuilt computer with 3rd party stuff, you don't get the original parts to shove back in when you call AppleCare. Apple techs instruct you to put the original RAM, etc. back in the computer if the problem is related to that and there's a big possibility that it's related to the 3rd party components. This is an old story i've argued for the last 20+ years since Apple first selling the MacII with slots and user accessibility.

They can't help you trouble shoot the system with 3rd party crap inside. THINK about what you are saying.

 

[Beercules]

Every Mac in my house is heavily upgraded. Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, and Mac Mini. Even the Mini has upgraded RAM and new drives.

Maybe Apple didn't advertise the upgradability, but they are indeed easily upgraded. The 2011 Mini I own is a bit of a chore to access, but even so it has a twist-off plastic panel on the bottom.

I'm very picky about storage and buy only the best SSDs and HDDs, but RAM is another matter. Just go cheap and test the hell out of it. I've never heard of RAM "going bad", it either works or it doesn't. Every bad RAM module I've heard of came from the factory that way - a few from Apple.

I repair/upgrade Macs for friends and neighbors and I've NEVER had one come back for bad RAM or bad drives, because I test them prior to installing.

I would assume none of your macs we're purchased within the last 2 years?
Apple has been removing the ability for there customers to upgrade their componets and its simple to see why, if I can invest 100$ into a new CPU that will bring new life to my product, thats 499$ im not spending on a new mac mini. Its just smart business tatics.

 

[UpperQuadrant]

When I wanted to upgrade the ram on my iMac, I simply took a few minutes to find what part # that Apple used for the larger ram chips, then found a dealer who carried the same ram, but for a FRACTION of the cost.

I paid roughly $90 to double my ram, when Apple wanted $300 for the same thing. There are always ways to go about it.

As for your comment about how the warranty on the Mac Mini wouldn't be valid due to aftermarket parts, that's not true. Any part that plugs in and doesn't require 'soldering' or any special work, doesn't void your warranty. I checked with Apple.

On my 24" Core-2-Duo 3.06GHZ iMac, I wanted a larger hard drive, and more memory. I swapped out both pieces, and my unit was still covered by Applecare. Even though I had to completely disassemble the iMac in order to get to the hard drive. Apple didn't care.

At one point, I replaced the power supply because at the time, it was quicker and more convenient for me to replace the power supply myself than to make a 2-hour drive to the Apple Store (and be without the computer for 1-2 days) to have it replaced. That unit was *STILL* covered by Applecare afterwards.

----------



I might be confused, but where is the trouble? All of the 2012 Quad Core Mac Mini's support 16GB? And the memory is relatively inexpensive.

If you use non-Apple branded RAM, HDD, etc. and they start troubleshooting your system, and there is non-Apple parts you installed, they tell you to put the Apple branded stuff in so they can further the trouble shooting. I've dealt with this, so while you still have the warranty/Applecare, they can't help you until you put the original stuff back in. Then they can help you.

 

[Fragtard]

All I'm getting at is, dont go by an appliance expecting it to be furture proof.

Yup. Nothing is future-proof. I was just expecting the 2014 "upgrade/refresh" to be an improvement over 2012 tech.

 

[RockSpider]

Its funny to hear this type of comment from a PC love on a mac website

If you dont see it thats not my problem but with customization comes inherited stability issues. Now if you dont overly use a PC, you wouldnt notice it either way, but if you're a heavy user the difference between issues on PC vs mac are like 5 to 1.

That's funny, I'm a heavy user, very heavy user, but I don't see anywhere near that many problems, I've had way more problems with my many iPads than any computer.
Maybe it's because I build my own machines, who knows, but I certainly don't get viruses every other day and crashes hardly ever, except for a couple of rogue updates not long ago, not much different from Apple updates.

 

[Fragtard]

You don't get it.

No, I didn't, and admitted as much. So . . . well spotted, I guess.

Your point?

 

[Naimfan]

Yeah, and if you have a problem and Apple tells you to install the original memory and SSD, HDD. That's the most often problematic areas are RAM, SSD, and HDDs.

If you bought a prebuilt computer with 3rd party stuff, you don't get the original parts to shove back in when you call AppleCare. Apple techs instruct you to put the original RAM, etc. back in the computer if the problem is related to that and there's a big possibility that it's related to the 3rd party components. This is an old story i've argued for the last 20+ years since Apple first selling the MacII with slots and user accessibility.

They can't help you trouble shoot the system with 3rd party crap inside. THINK about what you are saying.

You have no idea what you're talking about. Good day.

 

[RockSpider]

The fact that you make these kinds of stupid assumptions about me without any investigation or background tells us everything we know about you, along with your user level and join date.

I work for a consultancy company specialised in strategy and decision sciences. I'm a senior consultant in the IT advisory group. Please don't try to tell me what a "real" computer user is.

Wow a real consultant, never thought I'd ever have the privilege to actually converse with one, I'll be sure to tell all my friends.

 

[Wild-Bill]

What do you expect for a low end computer that's this small? They are trying to make it as inexpensively as humanly possible.......[snip]

What we don't know is the amount of Support Calls from customers that install 3rd party drives/RAM, and have problems due to faulty components and people simply screwing up the computer because they weren't wearing a wrist strap. [snip]

First, are you being paid by Apple to post here or something? You posted fourteen times in this thread, basically defending Apple on their choice to hobble the Mac Mini. In case you haven't noticed, this is a big deal to a lot of people. And this isn't the only thread. There are at least three other threads for you to "post against the grain".

Second, I have previously built hundreds of PCs, upgraded computers, watercooled some, cold-cathode lighting, you name it. I have never ONCE worn a wrist strap.

This has nothing to do with Apple trying to cut down on support calls for botched memory installations. One need only look at the trend over the last few years in the Mac lineup. And that trend is ----------> "user inaccesbile".

Phil Schiller's body language when talking about the Mini during the keynote speaks volumes. He knew it was going to piss off a lot of customers.