Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Is RAM upgradeable in the Mac Mini?

  • Like
Reactions: DVD9, whitedragon101, brentsg and 2 others
ncrypt said:
Apple support docs updated:

  • Mac mini (2018)
To upgrade the memory in your Mac mini (2018), go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205041#one
Click to expand...
support link not working

Nevermind, it's working now. It says to have apple do it or take it to an authorized service provider. So how are they going to know if you upgraded the ram that it wasn't done by an apple authorized service provider? I very much doubt they're going to ask for a receipt before doing warranty work. I'm not worried about it.
 
Last edited:
StellarVixen said:
Horrible. This is trolling, pure and simple. To create a socketed RAM, and then forbid to upgrade it yourself is beyond disgraceful.
Click to expand...
Silently adding back socketed RAM without making it user-upgradable is one thing, but to add it back and also mention it in the keynote as a response to consumer complaints without making it user-upgradable is another. The latter almost crosses the line into false advertising.
 
  • Like
Reactions: neander, EightyTwenty, Wild-Bill and 2 others
redheeler said:
Silently adding back socketed RAM without making it user-upgradable is one thing, but to add it back and also mention it in the keynote as a response to consumer complaints without making it user-upgradable is another. The latter almost crosses the line into false advertising.
Click to expand...
I don't recall them saying that in the keynote. Only that it was so-dimm ram. Nothing more about who would be upgrading it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: D.T. and F-Train
archer75 said:
I don't recall them saying that in the keynote. Only that it was so-dimm ram. Nothing more about who would be upgrading it.
Click to expand...

Right, all they said was the RAM wasn't "fixed" in the original purchase configuration, (like a modern MBP), but socketed, allowing for an upgrade path, but not necessarily by the end user.
 
  • Like
Reactions: F-Train
D.T. said:
Right, all they said was the RAM wasn't "fixed" in the original purchase configuration, (like a modern MBP), but socketed, allowing for an upgrade path, but not necessarily by the end user.
Click to expand...

Every country should have third-party technicians able to de-solder/solder anything from/to Macs like this guy:

Meanwhile, I'll get a second-hand quad 2012 and drop 16GB on it (maybe 2x16GB sticks, which I didn't see anyone trying on the web).
 
Last edited:
archer75 said:
I don't recall them saying that in the keynote. Only that it was so-dimm ram. Nothing more about who would be upgrading it.
Click to expand...
"It's also in SO-DIMMs, something we know our Mac mini customers will really appreciate." Yes he didn't say user-upgradable specifically, which is why I said this almost crosses the line into false advertising.

But Apple has never explicitly mentioned socketed RAM unless it's also user-upgradable, so it's very easy to think that's what he was implying.
 
  • Like
Reactions: whitedragon101 and EightyTwenty
What I am wondering, if I have 16 GB of memory in my new Mac mini and I later take it back to Apple to have them upgrade it to 32 GB, would they charge me the upgrade price from 16 to 32 GB and then keep my 16 GB, or do I pay their full price for 32 GB and they still keep my 16 GB??? Plus installation costs I would imagine.
 
OWC memory 64GB (2 x 32GB PC4-21300 DDR4 Kit) runs $1,079.99 and Ships in 20 Days. Apple Education Store 64GB upgrade is $1,260. So those who are purchasing 64GB and qualify for an education discount might want to just get their RAM BTO. I have the tools to install it myself and have no problems with that, but for an $180 difference I'll probably just say "to hell with it" and go BTO. Ships in 2-4 business days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: D.T.
Cool6324 said:
This is a *itch move on Apple's part. They basically baited everyone in this forum. Really disgusting.
Click to expand...

Apple didn't bait anybody, starting with the several people on this forum who saw this coming and had the temerity to say so to a fair number of people who didn't want to hear it.
 
MarkN said:
What I am wondering, if I have 16 GB of memory in my new Mac mini and I later take it back to Apple to have them upgrade it to 32 GB, would they charge me the upgrade price from 16 to 32 GB and then keep my 16 GB, or do I pay their full price for 32 GB and they still keep my 16 GB??? Plus installation costs I would imagine.
Click to expand...

That's a fantastic question.

I have no experience with Apple sourced RAM upgrades after purchase, is it the same as when you're buying? They retain the old RAM? Service cost?
 
F-Train said:
Apple didn't bait anybody, starting with the several people on this forum who saw this coming and had the temerity to say so to a fair number of people who didn't want to hear it.
Click to expand...

Leaving something intentionally vague to boost sales? I'd call that baiting. I ordered a machine that I'll probably need to reorder. This was definitely done on purpose.
 
  • Like
Reactions: EightyTwenty, brentsg and Apple2GS
MarkN said:
What I am wondering, if I have 16 GB of memory in my new Mac mini and I later take it back to Apple to have them upgrade it to 32 GB, would they charge me the upgrade price from 16 to 32 GB and then keep my 16 GB, or do I pay their full price for 32 GB and they still keep my 16 GB??? Plus installation costs I would imagine.
Click to expand...

I raised a related question earlier. See Post 285 and the response at 292.
 
Is the return policy still 14 days? I will be trying this out first, then returning. I don't think I'll be alone, should be lots of refurbushed Mac Minis available soon.
 
F-Train said:
I raised a related question earlier. See Post 285 and the response at 292.
Click to expand...

It is a similar question, but just expanded a bit. I recognise that I will probably have to pay for labor in doing the upgrade. Apples BTO price from going from 8 to 32 is $600. The BTO price from 16 to 32 is $400. If they charge me $400 (plus labor) then I would *kind* of expect to loose my original 16 GB. But if they charge me the full "Apple" price of 32 GB, say $700 (assuming the cost of 8GB is around $100) that would be a harder pill to swallow, and if they keep the 16 GB they replaced, even much more so.
 
  • Like
Reactions: galactic orange and F-Train
Apple2GS said:
Is the return policy still 14 days? I will be trying this out first, then returning. I don't think I'll be alone, should be lots of refurbushed Mac Minis available soon.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think I'll be playing with mine a couple of days before dropping it off at the local Apple store for a refund.

Not a massive deal but having a harder and harder time giving Apple money these days.
 
  • Like
Reactions: DVD9
I admire the fearless who are willing/able to disassemble quite a bit to upgrade the ram. But if Apple designed the mini to prevent the normal person from attempting an upgrade, especially when it used to be so easy, then I wonder what they really think of their customers? I am hoping it is much easier than it appears so far...
 
  • Like
Reactions: DVD9
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back