New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable

[dighn]

I'm the only one who don't really care about that soldered RAM?
I mean I'm an IT guy and I don't see myself rushing to buy more RAM in a year or two.
You guys are forgetting it's not like every year or so people add more memory to their computer.
For personal use it's more than okay to use 4Gb of RAM and for people like me 8Gb should be enough.

well with user replaceable RAM, you can buy more RAM only when you need it. with soldered RAM, you have to buy it NOW if you suspect you might need it later, and you have to buy it at apple's greatly inflated prices. it just costs the consumer more money. obviously though apple isn't in the business of saving you money, so it makes sense for them.

 

[sero]

As a home server it seems nearly perfect, really efficient. The lowest spec model should be more than enough for that purpose, and if OSX was too sluggish there are plenty of linux distros that would run plenty fast on those specs.

 

[Urban Joe]

Moves like this really make me wonder what Apple is up to? Is the Mac slated to be nothing more than a disposable developer tool?
I don't like the whole black box computing paradigm anyway.
I miss the old days...that incidentally produced Steve Jobs...of being able to tinker with things .... and learn a lot in the process.
It's a lot harder and much more expensive now days.
At some level I see a whole incremental push to totally eliminate computing autonomy in favor of centrally controlled hardware and systems.

 

[cfedu]

Then if you don't want the Mac Mini to die, then "buy" it. It's that simple. That's Apple logic for you.

The mini is dead, it is now the Mac turd!!! More $ for less computer!! No thanks, I'm going to make a hackintosh and use a free copy of Mac os X. At least os x is easy to pirate. Thank you apple for that

 

[blairh]

So I've read most of the comments in this thread and want to add some thoughts.

First off, I was anxiously awaiting this update. I bought my current Mini years ago and while I'm somehow getting by it definitely shows its age.

I even made a point to arrange my work schedule so I could watch the keynote live. Something I never do.

What we got regarding the Mini is wildly disappointing. The only good thing to say is that it got updated. No update was a worst case scenario.

But the details show the real problems. SSD is still too expensive an option IMO.

Soldered RAM is a huge deal IMO. This one blows my mind. 4 GB may seem like enough in 2014 but it's the one thing in a computer that is crucial for many things, including OS updates. When I bought my Mini I made a huge mistake in skimping on the RAM and it made me get stuck at using Snow Leopard.

Imagine you buy the new base model Mini. $500. Not bad at all. Well down the road you can't potentially update your OS because it requires 8 GB of RAM. Or maybe you Mini has gotten sluggish down the road and you are told that upping the RAM will help a great deal. No big deal, I'll twist the bottom of my Mini and manually update the RAM. Oh, no, no I won't.

I'm also reading comments saying that Apple is purposefully making the Mini 'worse' because they want to phase it out. That's nonsense. There will always be a market for a headless Mac and Apple knows it.

Schiller's lack of enthusiasm when discussing the new Mini reflects my feelings about this update. It makes a 2014 model a no purchase for me. Now I'm seriously contemplating a base model 2012. Unbelievable.

 

[djgamble]

Is this a joke post?

What exactly were you doing on the iMacs to burn them out? Or were you buying used ones? I just think it's interesting bc my 2009 iMac 2.66C2D is still running strong according to the person that I sold it to. My wife's late 2009 3.06 C2D is also running perfectly after almost 4 years with zero issues, and a few of my friends on MR and elsewhere have no problems with their iMacs or other newer Apple devices.

I have a new iMac now that is also awesome and has been running very well since I bought it and doing just fine with 10.9 and should do just as well with 10.10.

Why not buy a refurbished Mac Pro and avoid Apple's steep price?

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I view it as making a machine with fewer parts that need to be removed and lack the need for an upgrade. If you do in fact decide to go the PC route, then feel fee to dump your Apple stuff on my doorstep!

My thoughts exactly (although I'm guessing his post was a joke). iMac or $5000 PC...

The iMac should be find... my original Core Duo iMac is still running (I gave it to mum and she uses it). Saying iMacs have always had issues is a joke. They've been really popular and reliable for more than a decade now.

Sure, I'd take the $5000 PC if offered it over an iMac because it's twice the price of the iMac so would probably be the better computer inside. Even if I max out the iMac (using Apple's prices) it doesn't come to 5 grand, so that's a stupid comparison. All-in-one PCs exist that can't be upgraded...etc. THAT is the iMac's target market. Like it or not, most people aren't technically minded and don't crack open their computers and upgrade even simple things like RAM and HDs. A lot of people like integrated units!

All that said, if you gave me the 5 grand, I'd probably buy a Mac Pro rather than maxing out my iMac.

 

[Fairchild]

Soldered RAM means one thing to me:

Bad RAM = Bad Logic Board

Apple doesn't want us to enjoy our computers for any longer than 3 years.

 

[dor.pnhs]

The Apple upgrade configs aren't grotesquely expensive for the purchaser, although it's a pretty obscene markup when you consider that Apple get to 'keep' the base memory.

If Apple guarantee to replace defective soldered memory at cost price for the lifetime of the computer, regardless of the computer's warranty, then I'd be more happy to buy into the soldered model.

Seriously?
You realize the common reason for replacing RAM is upgrading, right?

well with user replaceable RAM, you can buy more RAM only when you need it. with soldered RAM, you have to buy it NOW if you suspect you might need it later, and you have to buy it at apple's greatly inflated prices. it just costs the consumer more money. obviously though apple isn't in the business of saving you money, so it makes sense for them.

You won't need more RAM, unless you're planning to edit videos and then you'll need a whole new machine ,not only RAM

 

[AppleSOS]

Honestly, the only significant downside I see to this update is the loss of a real "mid level" i7 machine. Part of that is the change to only one i7 processor (which is, I believe, the same 3 GHz i7 that I have in my rMBP), but a large reason for this is the way the CTO is set up doesn't let you configure one. On the other hand, you have the relatively cheap additions of extra ram and processing power and a very much improved iGPU at the new entry level i7 for only $200 more than the previous. So, overall, it only hurts a very limited consumer base: the ones who need i7 processing power above all else at a mid-level price, or the ones that desperately need a quad-core CPU, despite the likelihood that this dual-core i7 will outperform the previous model's quad-core. On a side note, the $1200 Mini with i7, 8gb RAM, and either a 1tb fusion drive or 256gb PCIe Flash is an incredible deal that will vastly outperform the previous high end model.

 

[Tech198]

Here we go...

The start of getting to be smaller in size... When i see the words "soldered RAM" in the same sentence, i jump to the conclusion, Apple's going the way of everything being "disposable"


Thank goodness Apple confirms to EPA standards and all, since in this day and age, we sure need it.

My theory is, "more thin, disposable products", Apple adds another check box to their EPA checklist .. :O.

Apple not allowing the consumer any longer to upgrade Ram..... Next will be the Mac Pro...

Maybe the solution is by the end of 2014-2015, all pf their products will be disposable

I'm think the future look bleek

 

[Renzatic]

I've happily upgrade my Apples since the late '80s myself but those of us willing to do so are few compared to the general buyer who just wants it to be ready to go out of the box. Just like people will pay for the V6 engine option in their car over the 4-cylinder rather than adding various aftermarket parts to make the same power for less on their own.

I like that you brought up the car analogy, because what you're saying is basically like claiming that the average driver doesn't know or even care about timing belts and spark plugs, and that's why you totally and completely endorse BMW welding the hoods shut on their cars.

 

[rGiskard]

I'm the only one who don't really care about that soldered RAM?
I mean I'm an IT guy and I don't see myself rushing to buy more RAM in a year or two.
You guys are forgetting it's not like every year or so people add more memory to their computer.
For personal use it's more than okay to use 4Gb of RAM and for people like me 8Gb should be enough.

The lack of quad-core is just disappointing.
It will possible to run on a dual-core multiple VMs, coding and mess with graphic a little but it will be more fast and efficient on quad-core processor.

Totally agree on soldered RAM regarding low end Macs.

I think the reason it bothers people so much is that Apple offers nothing between the low-end Mini and the insane-end Pro for those who wish to use separate displays. As a result of this hole in the desktop lineup, Mac users are forced to upgrade the Mini for a role for which it isn't designed. The situation is exacerbated by having iMacs with only two display sizes.

What Apple need is a Mac that can fulfill both low end and midrange needs. Such a Mac demands desktop components, so it will be slightly larger, but so would Apple's margins since the components are cheaper. Maybe Apple are afraid nobody would buy their precious all in ones if given a choice.

 

[Dramosith]

i think negative about 2014 mac mini is:

1.dual core processor
2. cannot Ram upgradable(only by apple can upgradable but very expensive)..

it is very useless.

i might buy mac mini 2012 and upgrade until 12 gb ram and SSD HDD. and make hackintosh for new build pc. (for quality video and good wifi and whatever what you need.)

Sorry my English is not prefect enough.

 

[mherz]

base model 2012 or 2014?

Question:
If you would have a choice between the Mac Mini basel model 2012 and the basel model of 2014, both for the same price, which one would you choose?

Can anyone confirm that the 2012 model, in real life situation, doing some CAD, Photoshop and Indesign (No games, no video editing), is faster than the 2014 model?

any thoughts?
thanks

 

[fa8362]

despite the likelihood that this dual-core i7 will outperform the previous model's quad-core. On a side note, the $1200 Mini with i7, 8gb RAM, and either a 1tb fusion drive or 256gb PCIe Flash is an incredible deal that will vastly outperform the previous high end model.

None of that is likely true. The chip benchmarks already show that the quad core i7s run circles around the dual core i7s with software that takes advantage of 4 cores...software that the people who want a quad core option ARE running. The minor video differences aren't likely to change that.

 

[Renzatic]

I think the reason it bothers people so much is that Apple offers nothing between the low-end Mini and the insane-end Pro for those who wish to use separate displays.

I've always thought Apple never offered a solution there because that big gap between the low end Mini and the high end Pro is where Windows PCs have traditionally dominated, both on price and user base. For the longest time, the Macs were mainly offered as an alternative to that scene.

 

[Fairchild]

After 30 Years of the Macintosh, things have come full circle.

1984 Macintosh with 128k of soldered RAM
2014 Mac Mini with soldered RAM

Let's celebrate!!

I honestly thought there would be two new Macs, disregarding the new iMac:

1. A super small apple TV sized mac mini with Intel Core-M

2. A larger Mac (bigger than the Mac Mini but smaller than Mac Pro) with quads and dedicated graphics, like a headless iMac.

 

[potatis]

any pic of the bottom and the new "tamper proof" screws?

 

[jamesryanbell]

None of that is likely true. The chip benchmarks already show that the quad core i7s run circles around the dual core i7s with software that takes advantage of 4 cores...software that the people who want a quad core option ARE running. The minor video differences aren't likely to change that.

I was about to post the same thing.

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any pic of the bottom and the new "tamper proof" screws?

They don't show it anywhere on the website. I guess we need to wait for iFixIt

 

[rGiskard]

I said it in 2012 and it is more valid today: in 2014 apple should not sell any computer without at least fussion drive, 5400rpm is killing every machine - fussion drive should be default... if anyone buys base mini as his first mac, it may be his last as well

I can understand base models not having Fusion drives, but by now they should all be SSD. Spinners should be used only in Fusion drives, NEVER as the boot volume.

For base models even a 64GB SSD would be fine. The buyers who get the base model don't generally need much storage, especially with Apple's push towards near-line storage via iCloud, and external HDDs are relatively cheap.

 

[fa8362]

After 30 Years of the Macintosh, things have come full circle.

1984 Macintosh with 128k of soldered RAM
2014 Mac Mini with soldered RAM

Let's celebrate!!

I honestly thought there would be two new Macs, disregarding the new iMac:

1. A super small apple TV sized mac mini with Intel Core-M

2. A larger Mac (bigger than the Mac Mini but smaller than Mac Pro) with quads and dedicated graphics, like a headless iMac.

That might have happened if Apple really cared about computers, but Apple is now a pad, pod, tune, headphone, and watch company.

 

[cfedu]

Soldered RAM means one thing to me:

Bad RAM = Bad Logic Board

Apple doesn't want us to enjoy our computers for any longer than 3 years.

Or bad logic board and put the old ram in a new computer and save 300$ on ram.

I could maybe stomach the soldered in ram if the base was 8gb and 100$ to upgrade to 16gb. But with the combination of ram, pcie, and slower cpu's there is no way to spin this into a positive. Its a turd through and through. Only the most hard core fan could support this!!

 

[Ploki]

So Mac Mini was designed to use minimum amount of energy while being a somewhat decent computer? Fine, mission accomplished. But do customers really care about that when they buy AC powered computers?

Well, according to this forum, costumers hate more sizes of iPad, they absolutely hate large phones (that took a 1/3rd of a bite out of Samsung sales) and they also hate stupid retina non-upgradable laptops...

Everybody of course categorically ignores two TB(2) ports instead of one which offer considerable expandability (that of course nobody that is willing to spend money on, because they need the most expandable laptop. Wait, that doesn't make sense.)

My i7 quad is totally silent from my desk chair...unless it's doing something that the 2014 would likely take much longer to do...and the 2014 won't be silent doing that either.

Less electricity? So it uses 11 watts instead of 13? Big deal.

Were there any benchmarks for the CPU yet? No. So why don't we hold on with judgement until we see them.

An average customer (the one Apple caters) doesn't give a **** about upgradeable RAM. Fact. Nobody cares about 100 people complaining if 100000 will buy the damn thing..

All in all, according to this forum, apple is a s good as dead!

Still, the $$$ numbers tell a different tale.

Are they neglecting their professionals? Depends. Most video professionals didn't give FCPX a chance, even though they don't make hollywood productions (like most forum-goers here) and FCPX more than fits their need (and is faster than premiere at mundane day-to-day tasks).

Logic Pro X? I own both Cubase and Pro Tools and I think logic X is brilliant.

Pro computers? My retina macbook is as powerful as my Mac Pro 8 core was. Except I can whip it out anywhere and mix in logic for 3 hours on battery.

People here just complain.

 

[BJonson]

Upgradeable ram is a must. I have lots of computers and I swap ram between them. That is the beauty of it. I am not forking up the cash up front for ram I might need in the future. Thats utter BS.

 

[allanfries]

Solution to this, is to order it maxed out in the ram dept. Yeah it costs but if you really want the rest of the new update specs in this form factor, you have no choice. Kinda blows but...