2018 mini: 16GB RAM makes a difference over 8GB.

[revmacian]

No offence, but I can’t anything you say seriously if you are content with the performance of that machine.

I bought it 3 years ago and it was the worst, most sluggish, awful computer I’ve ever used.

It went back to the Apple store the following week, where an employee told me “everyone who buys that model returns it”.

No offense taken. I do, however, feel it is best to avoid gross generalization (first line of your comment). You wouldn’t believe me if I told you “the sky is blue on a clear day” simply because my computer works fine for my use case? Also, that Apple store employee was wrong.. I didn’t return mine. Can you see how exaggeration can be a bad thing?

 

[jerwin]

How much does Apple charge to upgrade the RAM after purchase? Can one save money by having them install 3rd party RAM?

 

[gavroche]

These other posts are satisfied at 4 or 8 GB being adequate for their usage pattern.

Your on point 16GB is a minimum to be adequate over the lifespan of this device.

I’m running 32 GB for moment and definitely will go to 64 GB when it prices at $300.

'Have a Mini i7 on the way, and already have 64gb ram (Samsung) here ready to put in. It is interesting reading these posts 10 months later... as ram prices have come down a lot. Got my 64gb for about 260. Reading the comments from people saying 8gb is fine... to me it seems like saying a HDD versus SSD is fine. Yes, it works ok... and many people wouldn't care for the speed difference. But who, after having a SSD drive, would ever want to go back!

 

[- rob -]

'Have a Mini i7 on the way, and already have 64gb ram (Samsung) here ready to put in. It is interesting reading these posts 10 months later... as ram prices have come down a lot. Got my 64gb for about 260. Reading the comments from people saying 8gb is fine... to me it seems like saying a HDD versus SSD is fine. Yes, it works ok... and many people wouldn't care for the speed difference. But who, after having a SSD drive, would ever want to go back!

I was also surprised at how much ram prices have come down. I did the upgrade on a brand new i7 a week ago—wondering if an update might be announced at any moment.

I threw 32 instead of 64 thinking it would be overkill. But also cause the system was sort of an impulse buy while my 2018 air was in repair.

I’m super happy w the i7 mini, paired w the blackmagic it is a sweet setup that also works w my now-repaired mba.

Please run and post geekbench 5 results after your 64 is in. My recents for 32 are posted itt.

 

[gavroche]

I was also surprised at how much ram prices have come down. I did the upgrade on a brand new i7 a week ago—wondering if an update might be announced at any moment.

I threw 32 instead of 64 thinking it would be overkill. But also cause the system was sort of an impulse buy while my 2018 air was in repair.

I’m super happy w the i7 mini, paired w the blackmagic it is a sweet setup that also works w my now-repaired mba.

Please run and post geekbench 5 results after your 64 is in. My recents for 32 are posted itt.

Hot dang.... had everything ready to go. I thought. Mini came this afternoon. So just found out that TR6 is not the same as T6. So I can't open the mini to put the ram in today. Boooooooo.

 

[weaztek]

Yep, T6 security screws.

 

[gavroche]

Yep, T6 security screws.

Thank goodness for amazon Prime Sunday deliveries. Got the ram in. Was pretty easy following ifixit tutorial. Only hard part was fending off a 4yr old and twin two year olds while doing the upgrade.
I recognize that 64 isnt necessary for my use case... but with ram prices so low currently, and making the swap anyway, figured I'd futureproof it so I dont need more a few years down the road...

 

[- rob -]

Thank goodness for amazon Prime Sunday deliveries. Got the ram in. Was pretty easy following ifixit tutorial. Only hard part was fending off a 4yr old and twin two year olds while doing the upgrade.
I recognize that 64 isnt necessary for my use case... but with ram prices so low currently, and making the swap anyway, figured I'd futureproof it so I dont need more a few years down the road...

Did u benchmark it? Curious about numbers.

 

[gavroche]

Did u benchmark it? Curious about numbers.

Not yet. Saw that Geekbench 5 was $9.99, trying to convince myself its worth it

 

[- rob -]

Not yet. Saw that Geekbench 5 was $9.99, trying to convince myself its worth it

You can run it for free, it just auto-uploads the results. You pay to keep them private, I believe.

 

[m0nkeyb0y]

Where did you buy the RAM from? I'm seeing $370 for 64Gb at OWC, for example.

 

[gavroche]

You can run it for free, it just auto-uploads the results. You pay to keep them private, I believe.

Ok, I'll be home in a couple hours and check it out.

And the ram I got through Amazon... it's Samsung ram.... $118 per 32gb stick...

Samsung 32GB DDR4 2666MHz RAM Memory Module for Laptop Computers (260 Pin SODIMM, 1.2V) M471A4G43MB1

Samsung 32GB DDR4 2666MHZ PC4-21300 SODIMM M471A4G43MB1-CTD

www.amazon.com

[automerge]1573010137[/automerge]

Where did you buy the RAM from? I'm seeing $370 for 64Gb at OWC, for example.

 

[gavroche]

You can run it for free, it just auto-uploads the results. You pay to keep them private, I believe.

So I ran it three times... each with a different result. Quite a bit of variance... and think you had a higher score on your 32GB test.

 

[ipos]

getting the 2018 base model,

should i upgrade to 16GB RAM or the ssd? mainly using for surfing net, watch video and bit a MS office

 

[weaztek]

getting the 2018 base model,

should i upgrade to 16GB RAM or the ssd? mainly using for surfing net, watch video and bit a MS office

If I were purchasing my i5 Mini again, I'd get a 512GB ssd and the minimum RAM. I'd immediate put in 2x 16GB myself or at a local computer store.

 

[- rob -]

So I ran it three times... each with a different result. Quite a bit of variance... and think you had a higher score on your 32GB test.

Ah. Did you run it on a clean system?

 

[gavroche]

Ah. Did you run it on a clean system?

I was thinking about this today... I had a few applications running, including photos... had been transferring from the old machine to the new. I suppose I'll do a reboot and run the benchmark again with nothing running...

 

[playaproved]

getting the 2018 base model,

should i upgrade to 16GB RAM or the ssd? mainly using for surfing net, watch video and bit a MS office

Get the fastest CPU and the biggest SSD you feel comfortable spending the money on. Those components aren’t upgradeable, whereas the RAM is.

 

[Timothy Leo Crowley]

Well, I went to medical school. You need to ask.

hahahaha. You actually should have read his reply.

 

[Susurs]

Has anyone tried Corsair Mac Memory CL18 which seem to be listed as compatible with Mac Mini 2018? A bit doubtful regarding the CL...

CORSAIR Mac Memory 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR4 2666MHz C18 Memory Kit

CORSAIR Mac Memory helps increase your system’s performance and your productivity, guaranteed for compatibility and optimal performance in your Mac system.

www.corsair.com

 

[tagumcity]

We have a 2014 Mac mini with a SSD & 8gb ram and runs well for media consumption. My 2018 Mac mini i7 has 64gb ram and I like it. 16gb of ram seems about the best fit for most users.