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Enthusiasts Detail RAM Upgrade Process for the 2018 Mac mini
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The process of upgrading RAM is involved but with the right tools (much cheaper than paying Apple's RAM prices) will only take about 5-10 minutes. Replacing the RAM could be much easier but this isn't that bad. I know many would be put off from attempting it but this looks easier than "building" your own computer (I've done that a number of times).
All of the written articles, including the one on iFixit, say that a Pentalobe P5 screwdriver is needed to change out the RAM. People who have done it are saying otherwise. If there's a use for a P5 in the process, it would be nice to know what it is.
Huh? So the T2 is not Apple's own custom chip? And as today, back in the 8 and 16 bit eras different brands DID share CPUs (ATARI, Commodore, Apple used 6502 and the 68000 series). Just their custom chips were exclusive. POKEY, SID, Paula...
If you can reuse the case, why change? besides its quite small already and it is custom sized for rack servers. So if it is good, why change for change's sake?
Uh, yeah.. there are more options for personal computers today than ever before. If you want a small form factor desktop PC, that space has more options than ever before too.
I'll void the warranty on a $500 or maybe even $800 machine to upgrade RAM, but an i7 2018 mini with the TB SSD is $1900 even before I upgrade the RAM.
Yes, because Apple was famous for its repairability and ease of component access under Jobs.
Some of the Power Macs in the 90's had the RAM on the back of the motherboard, requiring full disassembly. So it's nothing new.
Compared to Cook era Macs, Job era Macs were a kit-bashers dream.
It is really unfortunate that this new Mini doesn't use socketed CPU and SSD parts. There was easily space.
T2 is. He was referring to the intel processors. Rumors are Apple will ultimately put their own processors such as the ones they use in the iPad Pro's (A12X) into all their Macs and ditch Intel. I hope this doesn't happen.
Me too. The new models probably won't seize up, but will throttle back very quickly like the iMac Pro. So you'd get a fast processor only for burst, but not for continuous demanding tasks like rendering. I'd stick to the low end Mac Mini or wait for a Mac Pro with better heat management.
And five SSD options...that makes 60 logic boards. Fewer if the SSD choices are limited to some CPU and RAM options of course...as has been the case in the past. Even now you can't get an i5 with a 128GB SSD.
Replacing the RAM in a Mac Mini is orders of magnitude easier than getting a "hackintosh" running and keeping it running.
Still an un-upgradable, poor cooling, soldered in place brick. This is why so many people are building their own hackintoshes when Apple kicks this out as a great achievement. Can't we just get a real case with upgradable components Apple?
There is an additional option for upgrading RAM in the Mac Mini, buy from an Authorized Service/Resell Provider that is willing to use third party RAM, such as Macmall. We have done this in the past numerous times and while slightly (about $10-$20) more expensive than doing it yourself, it is still substantially less than Apple charges and saves a ton of headache.
Gotcha. Yeah if you want macOS you’ll have to pay $$$ to get it.
Apple would not have put a shield in in for that reason since the Mini is officially not user serviceable. And they wouldn't have added it unless it was necessary. I suspect some type of RF interference.
However, I'm curious about the necessity of the rubber pads around the RAM. There's only one moving part susceptible to cause vibrations (the fan). No HDD or optical drives like the old days, when cushioning the RAM was not seen as necessary. It seems a bit overkill just to keep the shield in place.
It's PCIE in terms of how it talks to the processor, but it looks like the chips are soldered on to the board. Apple has never used a standard m.2 slot for SSDs on their computers, even though NVMe is essentially just PCIE SSD storage in a standardized format. It's sad, because what Apple charges for storage upgrades border on usury. A 512GB Samsung Evo 970 Pro, which is likely a smidge faster than what Apple's using goes for under $200 now.
The ONE saving grace is that you can essentially use the built-in drive as a boot drive, then get a Thunderbolt if you need more fast storage, or a SATA SSD enclosure if speed isn't AS MUCH of a concern (e.g. for media streaming). You could always combine all 3 options, too, to mix and match capacity and speed: On-board storage to boot, NVMe/Thunderbolt storage for applications, and SATA/USB-3.0 storage for photos, videos, etc.
So I got my new Mini yesterday, long story short my Apple keyboard and trackpad won't authentic over bluetooth, it can't see either devices, nor can it see my Logitech K380 keyboard. I used Single-user Recovery mode with the following commands "pmset -a restoredefaults, nvram -c" to reset the SMC and PRAM but still not working, can't see my keyboards or trackpad. Now from doing some research it seems the SMC is coupled to the new T2 chip, so I found some instructions on how to erase the information on the T2 but decided not to go that route. I'm curious to see what/if someone has an insight into this issue. Thanks