*opens new Mini*
*sees portal leading to the dark abyss where the dark ones dwell*
*reorders with factory 32GB RAM*
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Is RAM upgradeable in the Mac Mini?
- Thread starter bumfluff
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*opens new Mini*
*sees portal leading to the dark abyss where the dark ones dwell*
*reorders with factory 32GB RAM*
The author, David Gewirtz, lives close enough to Manhattan that I suppose he could always drop by Louis Rossmanns's shop
Gewirtz would get a story and Rossmann would get a YouTube video.
Hey, just might happen.
P.S. Given Gewirtz's background, he's well placed to say just how difficult it is, or isn't.
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I haven't seen this mentioned but seems like a no-brainer.
If the new Mini is still using the same TR6 Security Torx screws (Tamper Resistant) to hold the antenna plate on that means Apple doesn't want anyone but an Apple Service Tech opening up the new Mini.
I'd be willing to bet they still are.
If they really wanted it to be "User Upgradable" it would have an easy open flap over the RAM.
But, I have the TR6 driver in my desk drawer and I'll be opening it up on the 7th to install my 32GB ram upgrade kit regardless.
EDIT: Just checked online and I see Sears is already selling the TR6 driver for 2014-2018 Mini.
If the new Mini is still using the same TR6 Security Torx screws (Tamper Resistant) to hold the antenna plate on that means Apple doesn't want anyone but an Apple Service Tech opening up the new Mini.
I'd be willing to bet they still are.
If they really wanted it to be "User Upgradable" it would have an easy open flap over the RAM.
But, I have the TR6 driver in my desk drawer and I'll be opening it up on the 7th to install my 32GB ram upgrade kit regardless.
EDIT: Just checked online and I see Sears is already selling the TR6 driver for 2014-2018 Mini.
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Based on your experience, what drivers do you think will be necessary apart from the Torx?
For the RAM upgrade that's probably the only tool you'd need. But, I'll know for sure on the 7th.
Amazon has the driver for $5.00. TR6-Driver
Interesting they say it's for 2014 & 2016 models. There was never a 2016 Mac Mini. So take with a grain of salt.
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I have a T6, but not for Security Screws. I'll have to look into it, but at this point more out of curiosity. I'm probably going with 16GB installed by Apple. For me, the cost difference isn't worth the hassle. I'd have a different view if I felt strongly about 32GB, but over the course of the day I've concluded that I don't need it.
I may be paying a visit to Apple 5th Avenue tomorrow at midnight
Regardless, I'll be following your posts/adventure.
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Again, if I were Apple and I were launching a new product I would line up documentation to provide to my “first level of support” as soon as the product was announced, knowing I’m going to get questions, because anything other than that is a bad experience. Wouldn’t you? And this is the company with arguably the most care and focus in the world on user experience.
And - again - those “first level of support” folk aren’t saying “we don’t know yet” or “we haven’t been briefed yet” or “we don’t have documentation yet”, they are saying “we do know, and it’s not user accessible”. So I think it’s more likely that they are right than wrong.
The Apple TV thing is different. You can’t expect a first level support person to know the answer to something so obscure that it turns out to be a product bug, but you can expect them to have access to some information about products that were just launched.
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So, again, do you know that for a fact or is that just your opinion? I expect the latter, but you state it as though you know it for a fact. In my opinion, however, Apple probably do give even their first level support staff some degree of product briefing so they can be an effective support organization and provide their customers with a good experience. First-touch resolution is a major proxy for customer satisfaction, so Apple are going to want to make sure their first level support staff are able to handle the vast majority of questions that are raised. If first level support staff have nothing more than what is public than how can they be of much use?
Translation: It’s not a fact, it’s an assumption, but you want to present it as fact. Got it.
I fully expect that when I visit Apple's 5th Avenue store tomorrow night, or any of the NY stores doing the day Wednesday, I'm going to be told that it takes the right tools and isn't dead simple. In the U.S., most people don't own any kind of Torx driver, and have only the vaguest idea, if any, of what a Torx screw is. And your average New Yorker is not in the business of messing with electronics
If I was set on 32GB, I'd go for it, but 16GB will do it, and preinstalled by Apple works for me. I'm not going to go chasing the $30-$50 difference, depending on vendor, nor try to sell 8GB of RAM on Craigslist or e-Bay or wherever. OWC/MacSales is offering the grand sum of $30 for those 8GB, presumably less whatever it costs in postage to send it to them. And, of course, some people are saying that they will keep the 8GB in case there is a warranty issue, which is probably sensible.
That said, I'd take a different view if I felt that I really needed 32GB.
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No, this is bad advice, it WILL NOT cover you:
(ii) The Plan does not apply to damage caused by (a) a product that is not the Covered Equipment, (b) abuse, misuse, or reckless, willful or intentional conduct, (c) flood, fire, earthquake or other similar external causes, (d) operating the Covered Equipment outside the permitted or intended uses described by the manufacturer, or (e) service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”).
Let us know when that happens. In the meantime, it is how I've explained it.
Based on where the RAM modules are in the various images apple used, they might require you to pull the logic board out of the mini. They're kinda lodged in underneath the housing on the left, and those don't look like they can be tilted up like in other user-replacable machines, while still under the housing. It's not a difficult task per se in the 2012 or 2014 models, but it did require a security T6 (on the 2014) and the removal of a couple of fans, modules, etc. User replaceable, yes, but not necessarily something everyone would want to do (like replacing the hard drive on a previous mini)
I agree, because it looks like they are using generally the same design for the case as the 2014 model, seeing as the opened bottom of the 2014 model and this slide from the 2018 announcement look identical as far as the case goes.
They obviously didn't keep the old code, it's A1993, confirmed.
A1932 for the new macbook air.
Question about how MacOS uses ram. Does MacOS use more ram the more you have? For example, my Mac Mini 2012 has 16gb of ram and it idles around 35% usage. I ordered a 2018 Mini i5 with 8gb of ram and have full intentions of upgrading it to 16gb if it can be done without voiding the warranty but I am just curious.
The 2012 and 2014 Minis are nothing alike, so it is not helpful to lump them together. The 2012 RAM replacement was a 1/10 difficulty. Literally anyone could do it. Replacing the HDD was maybe a 3/10, where most people familiar with installing PC hardware could do it.
RAM replacement was not possible on the 2014 Mini and HDD replacement required the disassembly and reassembly of the ENTIRE MACHINE. It was not a simple task in any way, shape or form.
I myself have done 2nd drive adding to my two Mini 2012, getting into the 2nd drive is close to 2014's "total disassembly". Judging from the images of the new mini during keynote, getting to the SO-DIMM slots probably require 1) pulling out the fan chamber; 2) sliding out the mobo (probably leaving the power supply behind); 3) slots are probably already accessible with the mobo pulled half way since they are somewhat on the corner of the square mobo. I would say this this similar work to the 2012 1st HDD replacement, a 3/10 on your scale.
Good news from the Appleinsider review:
So we’re good to go - doesnt seem like a major hassle.
Upgradability
As we previously alluded to, the RAM chips are slotted in rather than soldered in —and this is fantastic. That means a user can actually open up the bottom and upgrade the RAM themselves.
2018 Mac mini
It's a fairly simple procedure, but not as easy as some of the previous minis from 2012 and earlier, necessitating a spudger, and a set of security Torx drivers. We'll be going into the upgrade process at a later date.
Should you opt to upgrade the RAM yourself, you won't void your warranty, but if you happen to somehow damage the machine in the process, you will be out of luck.
You should also keep the original RAM handy because Apple straight won't service the mini without that original pair of chips. Luckily, since they are relatively easy to swap, it isn't a big deal to pop them back in when taking into the Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider —and frankly, during the troubleshooting process, you probably should have done this anyway.
So we’re good to go - doesnt seem like a major hassle.
We have to wait for the iFixit teardown and AI’s more info, but I would tend to favour AI’s analysis over Macworld. They don’t claim its a walk in the park, but their info on warranty consequences seems rather focused and accurate to me.
It has to be said, however, that we have a gamut of opinions - Snell calls getting to the Dimms a ‘nasty surgery’! We need a teardown to really see what’s going on, or people trying to upgrade today or tomorrow.
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