Is RAM upgradeable in the Mac Mini?

[Boil]

They said it was so-dimm. He also said they listened to users and heard them and made the memory upgradable. It is on the Mac mini page, scroll down. It’s where they talk about opening it up and upgrading it yourself.

Read the text, it says nothing about end-user upgradability...

It clearly says 'configure', meaning to configure the SG mini with the amount of RAM you want when you order it...

As others have stated, we will need to wait until iFixit does a teardown for more info on actual -end-user RAM swapping, and if the T2 security chip requires use of the Apple Diagnostic Tool to 'reset' the system after the upgrade for proper functionality...

I would be comfortable tearing down a mini for upgrades, it is the possible requirement to use the Apple Diagnostic Tool afterwards that would worry me, as I do not have that bit of software on hand...

 

[Jim L]

It looks like OWC thinks it is user-upgradeable since they already have it listed on their website:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-mini/2018

 

[Dr. Stealth]

I already bought the new Mini and picked up 32GB of Crucial RAM from Amazon for $281.00.

The Mini will be here on the 7th and the RAM will be in 10 minutes later.

 

[goldbuffalo]

If I just get 16gb I’d just let apple do it, not much savings for the hassle.

 

[degille]

If the ram ends up being user replaceable, would any "2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory" be sufficient or do i need to look for something more specific?

 

[esome]

Post deleted.

 

[brentsg]

Having seen the prices they get for RAM, I will bet one million dollars that it is NOT upgreadable. $600 for 24GB of Ram????????? Freaking insane!

Side note* The CPU is also upgradeable! Yes, all you have to do is get under there with a really super tiny soldering iron and undo 10000 solder points. The put in new CPU and solder 10000 points and done! LOL!

This is one of the worst posts in the whole thread, and it's not a very good thread. Equating plugging 2 SO-DIMMs into slots with soldering.. hyperbole at it's worst.

 

[Cape Dave]

This is one of the worst posts in the whole thread, and it's not a very good thread. Equating plugging 2 SO-DIMMs into slots with soldering.. hyperbole at it's worst.

Actually, you missed my point. I was using the assumption of the RAM being soldered in (and therefore NOT upgradeable by any normal standard). So, if that was being marketed by Apple as somehow being upgrade-able, then by logic then a soldered in CPU was also upgrade-able. I threw the part about 10,000 solders in there for a little excitement. It was basically a joke, but with serious overtones because Apple is totally capable of using the word "upgradeable" to mean WHEN YOU BUY IT YOU CAN CHOOSE THE AMOUNT OF RAM AT THAT TIME.

You got one thing right though. It is not a very good thread, my excellent joke withstanding. And I see, as it progresses, the thread is getting better

 

[nutmac]

It looks like OWC thinks it is user-upgradeable since they already have it listed on their website:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-mini/2018

• 16GB: $170 from OWC, $200 from Apple (+$30)
• 32GB: $330 from OWC, $600 from Apple (+$270)
• 64GB: $1080 from OWC, $1400 from Apple (+$320)

 

[EightyTwenty]

Presumably they knew how narrow the gap was going to be and used a socket that doesn’t require normal amounts of insertion headroom

LOL

 

[SkiHound2]

If I just get 16gb I’d just let apple do it, not much savings for the hassle.

Yep, the savings for 16gb isn't dramatic But when you go to 32 the difference is really meaningful. It's that stuff that really irritates me about Apple. The entry level price isn't that bad, but the entry level specs aren't really sufficient (128gb SSD and 8gb ram) and then they charge a fortune for upgrading the specs. I THINK 16 is enough for me. But I tend to keep computers quite a while and I wonder if it will be in a few years? I'm still not convinced the ram is user upgradeable without violating the Apple warranty. I'm very interested to see how this is finally determined. If it's user upgradeable I'll probably buy a mini. If not, I kind of don't think I will. I'd want to buy it with 32gb and the premium is just too dear.

 

[nutmac]

I THINK 16 is enough for me. But I tend to keep computers quite a while and I wonder if it will be in a few years? I'm still not convinced the ram is user upgradeable without violating the Apple warranty. I'm very interested to see how this is finally determined. If it's user upgradeable I'll probably buy a mini. If not, I kind of don't think I will. I'd want to buy it with 32gb and the premium is just too dear.

Right, the whole point of upgradable RAM is that 8 GB maybe enough for now. But it lets you upgrade later as your needs grow and/or price of RAM drops.

If I can upgrade the RAM at the Apple Store post purchase, at the same price as built-to-order, that would be minimally acceptable.

Does anyone know post purchase RAM upgrade price for iMac Pro?

 

[krause734]

If it's not user upgradeable, I'm waiting for the next Mac Mini! How long could it be?

 

[jameschho]

Side note* The CPU is also upgradeable! Yes, all you have to do is get under there with a really super tiny soldering iron and undo 10000 solder points. The put in new CPU and solder 10000 points and done! LOL!

Actually, the CPUs are BGA mounted so IF one would actually replace the CPU that would be done with hot air rework or a reflow oven... Just sayin.

 

[bumfluff]

If it's not user upgradeable, I'm waiting for the next Mac Mini! How long could it be?

Almost certainly not very long

 

[Apple2GS]

• 16GB: $170 from OWC, $200 from Apple (+$30)

The $200 is for another 8GB. If you buy the 16GB from non-Apple, you get to keep the 8GB from Apple. You can sell it or have it as a backup.

 

[Cape Dave]

Actually, the CPUs are BGA mounted so IF one would actually replace the CPU that would be done with hot air rework or a reflow oven... Just sayin.

Copy that. I was always wondering how it was really done. Super high tech, for sure.

 

[waloshin]

• 16GB: $170 from OWC, $200 from Apple (+$30)
• 32GB: $330 from OWC, $600 from Apple (+$270)
• 64GB: $1080 from OWC, $1400 from Apple (+$320)

OWC would know it is upgradeable otherwise they would get a bunch of negative reviews from people buying it and finding out it does not work...

 

[Chancha]

I wonder if the Mini using 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMMs are interchangeable with the iMac 5K 2017 2400MHz. It would be much easier to manage if I can combine them all in a pool and re-distribute them.

 

[FrankySavvy]

If I get a 8GB new Mac mini is it two 4GB Ram or 1 8GB and the other slot is free?

 

[Fishrrman]

nutmac posted in #87 above:
"16GB: $170 from OWC, $200 from Apple (+$30)"

For only $30, I'd just buy it from Apple pre-configured that way.
No muss, no fuss.
That's worth $30 to me.
[doublepost=1541170113][/doublepost]FrankSavvy asked:
"If I get a 8GB new Mac mini is it two 4GB Ram or 1 8GB and the other slot is free?"

It's almost certainly going to come 4x4 (both slots filled).
That's the way they've always done it.

 

[slashlos]

I think the single DIMM config question from apple is a valid one; why hobble a customer's config by using both slots in a config when one will do?

Stressing single DIMM configurations paves the way for future, less costly upgrades re: memory. Storage however ... ?

 

[kensic]

think they are giving us 2 sticks for each config?

8gb option will get 2x4gb
16gb option will get 2x8gb?

what would kinda suck if they do ......im hoping they give 1x8gb for base option...therefore i just have to just buy 1x8gb to make it 16gb.

 

[ElectronGuru]

I wonder if the Mini using 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMMs are interchangeable with the iMac 5K 2017 2400MHz.

I’m no ram expert but I recall an article saying faster ram can be installed and would run at the slower speed. Slower ram should be avoided.

 

[FrankySavvy]

So I pulled the trigger on a 6 core Mac mini with 8GB Ram. Big question is, if I buy 1 x 16gb stick instead of 2 x 8gb, can I mix the 4gb in the Mac with the 16gb to get 20gb of RAM?