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Well I can tell you it wont last. Apple is working a software and hardware based T2 solution that will just about brick the device if you open it up and change anything like on the newer laptops.
 
I have seriously considered this. But I've yet to see anyone build a Hackintosh (or PC config for that matter) with FOUR Thunderbolt 3 ports, that also work 100% reliably (including hot swap).

It can't be done. I don't think its even possible to buy a motherboard for a PC tower with 4 thunderbolt 3 ports anyway. All the same, when you have a tower PC with all the space to add things to the motherboard why do you need thunderbolt 3? I doubt many people need it when they can throw whatever GPU, storage, or display onto their pc or hackintosh without thunderbolt 3. It is super convenient in a system that cant be upgraded internally.
 
Probably because Apple got famous for an easy, plug and play, seamless experience, and hackintosh is the polar opposite of that.
Uuuh not the case for the current state of the cMP. Nowadays installing parts in the Classic Mac Pro and making them work approaches more the hackintosh experience rather than the Apple experience... With less support than in the hackintosh community...
 
don't understand why anyone would annoy themselves with this when they can build a hackintsosh for a fraction of the price with way better specs. I like apple but with the way they're going with non-friendly upgrades on components that are supposed to be easily upgradeable so they charge up the A for extra RAM is something im not going to support anymore.

I'd love to put together a Hackintosh. Is it very difficult? Would I still be able to get software updates?
 
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That's because you're on the higher model, which comes with 256GB by default. The entry only has 128GB and the upgrade is more expensive.

As for performance, it's right in line with the 970 evo:

https://marco.org/2018/11/06/mac-mini-2018-review

R,W:
Mac mini: 2.6,2.7GB/s
970 Evo: 3.5,2.5GB/s

I've watched/read that whole review. I'm still struggling to find where those numbers came from.
 
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don't understand why anyone would annoy themselves with this when they can build a hackintsosh for a fraction of the price with way better specs. I like apple but with the way they're going with non-friendly upgrades on components that are supposed to be easily upgradeable so they charge up the A for extra RAM is something im not going to support anymore.
I've built hackintoshes for years. I want something more compatible, reliable and I don't have to worry about something breaking with each update. So I pay for that.

If you can build a hackintosh you can EASILY upgrade the ram in the mini.
 
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Easy piecy. No reason why anyone a little tech savvy cannot do this themselves. And as for warranty, there is NO way Apple could refuse to cover anything but physical damage done whilst doing this, and the generic RAM of course.

And as for the SSD, it is big enough to hold the OS and applications, and data should be stored on an external T3 SSD, or a NAS anyway...
 
No, its listening to people complaining.

If you were correct just think of all the skus there would be for hardware and software combined even ignoring the ram slots (assuming the motherboard is the same between the two versions available on the Apple site)
3 CPU X 5 SSD X 2 network = 30 SKU ( +- logic pro, +- final cut pro) = 120 SKU

So by your logic it would be better to have SSD, Memory, CPU, GPU etc available as sockets so that only one motherboard needs to be produced - AMEN to that.

You misunderstood. I'm not talking about final configuration retail skus. I'm talking about parts skus for arguably the most expensive unitized subcomponent of the Mac Mini: the logic board. The SSD is PCIe, thus not soldered. Software (logic pro, final cup pro) are also not permanently attached to the logic board. You're right about the ethernet - I forgot about that. We'll have to wait for the teardown; I wonder if that is also a modular add-on card of some kind.

So in the parts bins at the assembly plant and at every Apple repair/refurbishment plant, they'll need to stock 6 logic board skus; 3 cpu options x 2 ethernet options.

For a popular Mac with a lot of sales, like the Macbook Air, stocking a dozen different logic board configurations isn't so bad. Even odd configurations (like highest CPU, minimum SSD, and minimum RAM) are probably ordered often enough that nothing would sit for very long. But the Mac Mini isn't exactly a sales leader, and probably won't be after the initial uptick due to launching this new model. Having too many logic board skus means some will sit around; it's inefficient.
 
Easy piecy. No reason why anyone a little tech savvy cannot do this themselves. And as for warranty, there is NO way Apple could refuse to cover anything but physical damage done whilst doing this, and the generic RAM of course.

And as for the SSD, it is big enough to hold the OS and applications, and data should be stored on an external T3 SSD, or a NAS anyway...
Does everybody see the elephant in the room? :)
The real question is: How much cheaper can you find the RAM modules than Apple sells them to you? Has anybody found cheaper modules than these:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/2666DDR4S64P/Reviews
 
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Way to go of twisting stories of my original post just so you feel good and Apple do no wrong. That story might be true but that's only one part of many cases and some are targeted individual and it is scary. Knowing that Apple knows what he bought online then they go after that person using their influence is a scary thought. Obviously if they are targeting certain smugglers buying bulk and sell them off to the public that's a different story.

There is absolutely nothing I saw that twisted the story.

The absolute fact is that the story of having parts blocked by Apple was in fact because they were found to be 100% counterfeit. That is Apple protecting their IP. Nothing more.

Argue all you like but you're choosing to ignore facts to paint Apple in a negative light when the true fact is that they blocked counterfeit goods, which they have every right to do and should be expected to do.
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I remember Apple buying 100 "Original Apple" chargers from Amazon, and _not one_ was an original Apple charger, and all but 20 were dangerous.

Amazon is so full of counterfeit goods these days it's sad. If you want to be sure it's the real thing, you have to buy direct from the manufacturer.

Sadly, it makes sense but few take the moment to think about it. How in the world can a seller on Amazon sell an "Apple original" for 1/2 the price Apple charges? If someone was offering to sell you a $80,000 brand new BMW for just $30,000, wouldn't you think something was up? How can one sell something for significantly less than they purchased it for?

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Too many are too hopeful for a deal though and end up paying the price.
 
Should we at all be worried that there is blue paint on all these screws? After all, even if one was to upgrade the RAM and put back in the original RAM before a warranty repair, Apple would theoretically still know that we disassembled this thing.
 
Nah it’s probably to simplify parts sku management.

If the RAM was soldered, there would be 12 different logic board skus to keep in stock (3 cpu options x 4 ram options). That’s unwieldy for a product that likely isn’t going to have a huge sales volume.

By making the RAM seperate from the logic board, the number of logic board skus is reduced to just 3 - much more manageable.

But there are still 4 storage options... Why not make that separate too?
 
Easy enough but not worth it. Unbelievable that the ssd isn't user upgradeable. At this price point it kind of doesn't make sense.. to me anyway
 
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Well I can tell you it wont last. Apple is working a software and hardware based T2 solution that will just about brick the device if you open it up and change anything like on the newer laptops.

The T600 will actively seek out and destroy people who modify their hardware.

The T800 will travel back in time to eliminate people who modify their hardware before they are born.
 
It can't be done. I don't think its even possible to buy a motherboard for a PC tower with 4 thunderbolt 3 ports anyway. All the same, when you have a tower PC with all the space to add things to the motherboard why do you need thunderbolt 3? I doubt many people need it when they can throw whatever GPU, storage, or display onto their pc or hackintosh without thunderbolt 3. It is super convenient in a system that cant be upgraded internally.

I didn't think there was a motherboard that supports 4 Thunderbolt 3 ports. You get 1 at most (via a PCI adaptor) as it has to be installed in a specific PCI slot, and then only if the motherboard supports it via the necessary Thunderbolt bridge.

Admittedly, PCI slots give you a lot of internal expansion - but my audio Interface connects (externally) by Thunderbolt, so a PCI slot won't do. Any additional Thunderbolt 3 ports gives me more flexibility, in terms of running a Thunderbolt hub or running a second display, in my recording room, where I may wish to plug other things in. So for me, Thunderbolt 3 is far more flexible than internal PCI expansion.

People who really want (or need) PCI slots should hold out for the forthcoming Mac Pro (or maybe not... I'm not holding my breath!)
 
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I'd love to put together a Hackintosh. Is it very difficult? Would I still be able to get software updates?

You can do it if you can build a 100 piece puzzle. It isnt difficult but it does take time and patience to get everything working right. There are great online communities on reddit and some other websites that can help you a lot! You can get software updates but they arent usually as straightforward as going to the app store and updating. If you want to do it you will want an AMD graphics card as Mojave does not play nice with NVidia cards and possibly never will. Check out the website www.hackintosher.com to learn more. Thats the site I have used the most and my hackintosh is stable (although I cant upgrade to mojave because of my nvidia gpu).
 
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