Yes, but why would you add $300 to the entry level machine? It's a model that used to cost $599, and for $200 more you get the mid level machine which already has 8GB of RAM, and a faster CPU.
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New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable
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Yes, but why would you add $300 to the entry level machine? It's a model that used to cost $599, and for $200 more you get the mid level machine which already has 8GB of RAM, and a faster CPU.
They failed once before and almost died by doing this kind of crap. I sure hope that won't happen again because i really like Mac OS X and iOS.
Not a blind defender, as I am disappointed with the new mac mini as well. Just pointing out that your ranting was inconsistent. So, cut off your nose, go without a computer. Yeah, right.
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Bingo. The outrage is reminding me of the "Apple is done" rantings when the iTunes app icon changed. We lived. Most people who claim they cannot survive without a quad core probably can.
The thing being that Apple is possibly the only desktop PC maker on the planet that is making money from that product line. It is the consumers' right to demand more for less, but it is also the suppliers' right to go out of business (IBM desktops: not clear that even Lenovo is making money on those now). Apple has the sales and marketing data and from their perspective seems to be doing a good job of keeping the product line profitable.
Contradictory information from Apple store
Apple store in Stockholm, Sweden, says the new mini is upgradable.
Reading this article I quickly cancelled my order of a 2.8 mini with 8 Gb RAM. I was planning at upgrading if needed, when needed (for less money). This afternoon I called the Apple store and asked if they had 16 gb RAM units in-store since I had heard that the RAM was soldered, or if I needed to order from the web. After the woman consulted a fellow "genius" she said that the easiest would probably be for me to order online, but I could also go to the store and buy it and they would install the extra 8 gb as I waited.
I probably should have been more persistant in confirming this, but my first assumption was that she didn't have a clue. Reading more in this forum I am a bit baffled that the article is referring to "a source" and not that the soldered RAM is a fact. The mini is out, surely someone can open it and take a pic. 'Til then I won't make any decisions.
Apple store in Stockholm, Sweden, says the new mini is upgradable.
Reading this article I quickly cancelled my order of a 2.8 mini with 8 Gb RAM. I was planning at upgrading if needed, when needed (for less money). This afternoon I called the Apple store and asked if they had 16 gb RAM units in-store since I had heard that the RAM was soldered, or if I needed to order from the web. After the woman consulted a fellow "genius" she said that the easiest would probably be for me to order online, but I could also go to the store and buy it and they would install the extra 8 gb as I waited.
I probably should have been more persistant in confirming this, but my first assumption was that she didn't have a clue. Reading more in this forum I am a bit baffled that the article is referring to "a source" and not that the soldered RAM is a fact. The mini is out, surely someone can open it and take a pic. 'Til then I won't make any decisions.
I'd be interested to know what percentage of buyers upgrade their own RAM. I'd be willing to bet that it's single-digit percentage.
We have to remember that this is a machine targeted at the general consumer and most consumers are NOT upgrading their own RAM. They order their computers as-is with the options they want and they never upgrade them.
Those of us that upgrade our own represent a very small number of their overall buyers. Apple is making these machines with the general consumer in mind, not us.
We have to remember that this is a machine targeted at the general consumer and most consumers are NOT upgrading their own RAM. They order their computers as-is with the options they want and they never upgrade them.
Those of us that upgrade our own represent a very small number of their overall buyers. Apple is making these machines with the general consumer in mind, not us.
Wtf!
If they had only done this with the base model, I might be OK with it. But they only gave the base model 4GB of RAM. Five or six years ago, I thought 4GB of RAM was a lot. Not anymore. Both of my Macs (MacBook Pro and Mac mini late 2012) have 16GB of RAM installed. For me, that's now the minimum. I'm looking forward to MacBook Pros that come with 32GB installed or more. My guess is that Apple thinks that the Mac mini is only purchased by people who have no interest in upgrading. They're totally wrong. I bought my Mac mini late 2012 in February 2013. I immediately upgraded it to 16GB of RAM, purchased from Crucial because Apple's RAM upgrades are overpriced. Later on, I bought a Mac mini dual drive kit from iFixit, and installed a solid state drive while leaving the original 500GB drive installed. It's a great system. Sure, it doesn't have the processing power of my late 2013 MacBook Pro, but it runs everything I do very well. The Mac mini has been a great system for someone who wanted to pay a lower price for a great computer, and then upgrade it into something better. I love Apple, but I don't understand why they're so offended by customers wanting to upgrade hardware. Some of us like to have a lower price of entry, and then over time, pay more to upgrade the system to fit our changing needs.
If they had only done this with the base model, I might be OK with it. But they only gave the base model 4GB of RAM. Five or six years ago, I thought 4GB of RAM was a lot. Not anymore. Both of my Macs (MacBook Pro and Mac mini late 2012) have 16GB of RAM installed. For me, that's now the minimum. I'm looking forward to MacBook Pros that come with 32GB installed or more. My guess is that Apple thinks that the Mac mini is only purchased by people who have no interest in upgrading. They're totally wrong. I bought my Mac mini late 2012 in February 2013. I immediately upgraded it to 16GB of RAM, purchased from Crucial because Apple's RAM upgrades are overpriced. Later on, I bought a Mac mini dual drive kit from iFixit, and installed a solid state drive while leaving the original 500GB drive installed. It's a great system. Sure, it doesn't have the processing power of my late 2013 MacBook Pro, but it runs everything I do very well. The Mac mini has been a great system for someone who wanted to pay a lower price for a great computer, and then upgrade it into something better. I love Apple, but I don't understand why they're so offended by customers wanting to upgrade hardware. Some of us like to have a lower price of entry, and then over time, pay more to upgrade the system to fit our changing needs.
That's not true at all. I personally know quite a few people who had waited ages for a new Mac Mini and simply decided not to bother with this new model as it doesn't meet their needs.
Apple can do no wrong with the iThings as they are the best in their class but Apple are making a real mess of looking after their real staunch customers who have been buying Apple gear for 10-20 years+.
Macworld UK's 'first look' at the new mini seems to confirm this also: "Apple has told us you will not be able to add more RAM after purchase as you could previously", they say.
It is a shame, the entry price is about the only real positive news for these minis - it is a good thing that there's a mac available new this inexpensively again. It's just a shame they appear to have hobbled its former editions' potential.
It is a shame, the entry price is about the only real positive news for these minis - it is a good thing that there's a mac available new this inexpensively again. It's just a shame they appear to have hobbled its former editions' potential.
So what is the limit in your estimation, when is there no need for more ram any more? It seems absurd to me to suggest that this would just continue to be a pressing need outside of special purpose applications.
I wouldn't be so sure on that. The one I have in comes with a 10year warranty, better timings than the stock version, quality brand name instead of some generic Apple/Hynix No-Name RAM - and that at a price point of 100 instead of 300. And those people who actually "tincker" with their minis are the ones who go for "more power" with "good" components (thinking of professionals and gamers in the first place) while having some decent "computer-hardware-skills"
Are these tidbits of knowledge based on any facts or research you can link to, or just your personal perception of the general consumer?
What is a "general consumer" and if they don't upgrade their RAM to increase the performance of their PC over time, what class of consumer makes up the sector that feeds the huge after-market memory industry?
When I look at laptop memory upgrades on Amazon, it amazes me how many of the reviews are for people with Macbooks. Apparently someone is upgrading their RAM and many are Apple product owners.
I am not disputing your friends' choices at all. But Apple does not seem to care about them anymore. They are a huge corporation now and have enough people rolling over to buy whatever they put out that they no longer need to care if they keep or lose their "enthusiast" customers - the "problem" customer syndrome.
Agreed. Apple doesn't manufacture RAM, so there's no such thing as "Apple" RAM. They're just sticking their name on Crucial (Micron) or another supplier's RAM.
Apple wants you to pick your final configuration at the initial time of purchase so that you may need to upgrade later on? Shocking. They've never done this before....
Yeah, they get family members to do it. I have upgraded 7 macs for family members. I now advice all family members that they can not upgrade after purchasing, and they all think it is stupid and anti-consumer. They are second guessing on whether to stick with Mac or not. And I can't blame them. Currently, I have a user upgradeable iMac, and two user upgradeable MBPs, the newest is the last 15" non-retina one. Last month, I advised my mother to get the 2012 mini with quad core. I was worried, but knew apple would make it difficult/impossible to upgrade the mini with a revamp. But removing the quad is a damn joke.
Apple's approach is very anti-consumer because they are charging more for less now, and making the products disposable. Bad move, and I suspect I am not alone in being tech support for a large extended family of Macs.
Sorry apple, you are blowing it when it comes to your computers.
And the claims of being Greener, when these machines will easily not last as long as user upgradeable ones, means more and more in the landfill that in the past. One step forward, two steps back.
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I fail to see the word "SOLDERED" mentioned anywhere on the source page??? Non user accessible is not the same as soldered...
The previous style of Mac Minis all required a complete removal of the case in order to upgrade the RAM. It was definitely too much for average people to take on, but with the right tool (spackle knife) it was a breeze.
I feel like someone jumped to a conclusion just because perhaps the logic board was slightly redesigned making the RAM door on the bottom no longer available.
The previous style of Mac Minis all required a complete removal of the case in order to upgrade the RAM. It was definitely too much for average people to take on, but with the right tool (spackle knife) it was a breeze.
I feel like someone jumped to a conclusion just because perhaps the logic board was slightly redesigned making the RAM door on the bottom no longer available.
It's just a matter of time before Apple removes all RAM upgrade capabilities from their computers.
The 27" iMac and the Mac Pro are the only ones left. And I'd surmise we'll see those go away in 2 years and only offer soldered RAM.
Great, give the PC wonks something else to hate on.
The 27" iMac and the Mac Pro are the only ones left. And I'd surmise we'll see those go away in 2 years and only offer soldered RAM.
Great, give the PC wonks something else to hate on.