Enthusiasts Detail RAM Upgrade Process for the 2018 Mac mini

[lilrush]

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?

Where is the evidence that the Mac mini 2018 is poor cooling?

 

[oneMadRssn]

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.

This hasn't been confirmed, but I've read in this thread that the SSD isn't soldered, but rather it is a removable SSD like on the iMac. I don't know though...

 

[coolfactor]

It's as beautiful inside as it is on the outside.

I think the true upgradability goal for the Mac mini is that you can attach multiple minis together, adding more as you need to upgrade. They demoed that, but didn't explain what's actually needed to accomplish a singular system. Apple used to have Xgrid tech, but what is available today to get grid computing working easily?

 

[pumpkinwhite]

Those folks who are suggesting a hackintosh - I’ve been using a hackintosh for years. Even if you build one with the most compatible hardware, every OS upgrade is a pain. And as your machine gets older you have to put in more and more work to keep it updated. Also, after a few OS releases down the line, it’s quite possible that Apple says that all macs without a T2 chip won’t upgrade to the latest OS. They may not do it immediately but can do it once the last non-T2 mac is old enough. Just like they stop signing latest iOS releases on older iPhones. Then all the ‘upgradability’ of the hackintosh is of no significance ignored you are stuck using an older OS.

 

[Mr Dobey]

Will somebody please provide a link to 2x32GB DDR4-2666 SODIMM RAM. Thank you.

At maximum I'm seeing 2x16GB DDR4-2666 SODIMM:
$286 Crucial 2x16GB
$310 Kingston 2x16GB
$330 Corsair 2x16GB

 

[masnick]

However, going down that route increases costs significantly, because users need to factor in the relatively high price of Apple-supplied RAM as well as the additional labor charge for installing said modules.





"Relatively high price of Apple-supplied RAM" includes installation/labor cost at an Apple store.

 

[Schnooder]

So. Help me not screw this up. I've got a mini 3.2/6 core/i7 on its way. Where is a fair reliable source for the 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM so I can upgrade this thing? Also, though I'm using this for video editing and need a fair amount of horsepower, I'd love to not spend $1K on 64G of ram if it's overkill. Thanks for your thoughts.

Edit: Oh...just saw Mr. Dobey's post to get up to 32G. Maybe the 64G combo isn't out yet?

 

[salt5.13]

So. Help me not screw this up. I've got a mini 3.2/6 core/i7 on its way. Where is a fair reliable source for the 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM so I can upgrade this thing? Also, though I'm using this for video editing and need a fair amount of horsepower, I'd love to not spend $1K on 64G of ram if it's overkill. Thanks for your thoughts.

Edit: Oh...just saw Mr. Dobey's post to get up to 32G. Maybe the 64G combo isn't out yet?

Since you’ll be editing videos on it, have you factored in the egpu cost yet?

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

@Schnooder:
64 GB DDR4 SO-DIMM RAM is pretty new, so it is expensive and isn't available in huge quantities. Upgrade later, if possible. If you use a hexa-core processor together with 32 GB RAM, then this means each core can use over to 5 GB RAM. That's a lot, even for 4K editing and export.

 

[alphaod]

No more Mac mini logic board tool needed that's good.

 

[bunnspecial]

Seeing the soldered SSD makes you appreciate hard drive replacement on the MBP 5,1 and MB 5,1, where you have access to the HDD by just removing the battery door to replace the user-replaceable battery(anyone remember those?).

Earlier MacBooks were almost as easy, since you just removed a metal guard held in place with 3 captive screws around the battery, and the drive "slotted" in once you transferred the mounting screws.

Of course, nothing beats any of the "Cheesegrater" Mac Pros. Admittedly you do need a long screwdriver to remove the heatsinks on any generation to do a CPU upgrade, but anyone has also played with Compact Macs will have a workable driver lying around.

 

[kensic]

can i just add One-16gb and have a total of 20gb? lol cuz i dont really need 32gb.

 

[venom600]

The original mini was also taller & had an external power brick...

I'm not talking about the original Mini. I'm talking about the first mini to use this body that had a Core 2 Duo processor , internal power supply, and came with a superdrive and HD. Using a case designed for a 5.25" optical drive and 2.5" HD to a tiny on board SSD leaves a ton of space I hope they used to improve cooling.

 

[341328]

Its great that your are able to do it yourself! I would do it through Apple if they didn't charge a ridiculous premium for their RAM upgrades...

Yes it is great. But, dam it, Apple are arseholes.

 

[apolloa]

Oh, well, that’s dead easy to do I was worried that removing the fan meant removing the heat sink and thermal paste etc. This is an alright design, easy to service it, and no ungluing involved, just good old fashioned SCREWS!
Need to save up and get one next year now.

 

[venom600]

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.

A hackintosh that you have to source parts for, build and support is not comparable to a real Mac as far as I'm concerned. Most businesses I know won't even upgrade existing computers because they want to eliminate as many points of failure as possible. I'd bet good money that no one, outside of a few enthusiasts, actually bothers with hackintoshes.

 

[dwaltwhit]

I'm the guy that would buy the entry level spec'd mini and then, after a few years, as speed naturally slows and the warranty expires, would tinker around and upgrade the RAM. I think this is Apple's way, perhaps, to allow users to upgrade without advertising that they can. Almost like a wink and nod.

 

[HBX]

A hackintosh that you have to source parts for, build and support is not comparable to a real Mac as far as I'm concerned. Most businesses I know won't even upgrade existing computers because they want to eliminate as many points of failure as possible. I'd bet good money that no one, outside of a few enthusiasts, actually bothers with hackintoshes.

Im sure everyone remembers Psystar... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psystar_Corporation

 

[Spectrum]

The SSD is definitely soldered. DOn't be fooled by misleading pics on iFixit of the 2014 model.

This hasn't been confirmed, but I've read in this thread that the SSD isn't soldered, but rather it is a removable SSD like on the iMac. I don't know though...

 

[Stryder541]

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

FYI - I had no trouble pairing my Rocket keyboard and Apple Trackpad to my 2018 Mini. Since I used Migration Assistant from my 2012 Mini, I did have to delete the old pairings and then pair each device.

 

[gugy]

if I were entertaining this, I would want to know how to upgrade the SSD because the 2tb SSD, Apple is charging $700 (CAD) more then Dell for the 2TB SSD option (1900 vs 1200). Not that I am going to spend $1200 on any SSD, I would just be as happy to plug in a Thunderbolt external raid for SO much cheaper, but its the same story across the entire range of option upgrades for the Mac Mini, just excessive stupid prices vs the same components options competitors are offering. And don't tell me that Apple has some special quality manufactured versions of these parts, they are raiding the same over-seas factories as ever other computer OEM these days.

I don't care if Apple is going to charge a premium for the boxes with their logos on it, that is to be expected these days, but when Apple tries to excessively profit monger off of the same off-the-shelf parts that competitors are putting into their systems, and make it user hostile to upgrade or repair them even years later, I am sorry, Apple doesn't have a right to $700 of free profit off of someone else's component by forcing people to configure a system once only in the shopping cart.

Could not have said it any better. This is what makes me so angry at Apple.

My MacPro 2011 has tons of third part improvements and still running very fast. I understand Apple doesn't want people like myself since they cannot capitalize all the way but man, they need to be more reasonable with they component prices. I am afraid the upcoming Mac Pro will be a beast of a machine but to configure it will be insanely expensive. Tim and his cohorts are madly greed.

 

[x-evil-x]

I would do it myself but I don't want a voided warranty when the t2 chip starts having issues....

Swap original memory back in before you bring it in. Problem solved.

 

[lec0rsaire]

It looks Apple is realizing it's cheaper to replace broken parts during warranty service than it is to replace a whole machine with all its parts soldered.

LPDDR3 had to be soldered. While they could’ve used regular DDR3, it was probably much more cost effective to just go with the same RAM they were putting in everything else.

 

[HBX]

FYI - I had no trouble pairing my Rocket keyboard and Apple Trackpad to my 2018 Mini. Since I used Migration Assistant from my 2012 Mini, I did have to delete the old pairings and then pair each device.

Yea you got lucky, I've tried everything but neither of my Keyboards work nor does my trackpad. Tried safe mode and nothing, it sees everything else but my keyboards and trackpad. Very strange to say the least. I have an private appointment on Saturday with a Apple Engineer.

 

[341328]

why make changing RAM so hard?