New 2014 Mac Mini Has Soldered RAM, Not User Replaceable

[subsonix]

The way I see it the new entry level model is not comparable to the previous one, but it's also $100 cheaper, it's a basic machine, and I doubt it's intended to be anything but that.

The best balance is probably in the mid level model, you'll then get 8GB included which should be enough for most people. The added cost of going to 16GB is not that outrageous going from 8GB. 16GB of Crucial 1600 so-dimms costs $144 at Newegg.

 

[Naaaaak]

"This kind of innovation can only come from Apple."

 

[billystlyes]

I like how you "Mac Pro Snobs" come down hard on the Mac mini when the MacBook Pro with Retina is in the same boat. The Mac mini is still a great computer. So just shut the F up.

 

[Lancer]

I agree but I've always thought of the mini as the base model, the one you get if you have a screen so don't need an iMac. I know some are pissed you can't add your own RAM but really in the end just pay the difference and get the Apple stuff. At least if a warranty claim is needed its one less think Apple can complain about.

Almost 2 years ago I had to choose Mini or iMac, I got a late 2012 27" iMac and could not be happier. Yes it cost a lot more than the Mini but the screen is fantastic and with 32Gb of RAM (I installed) it still feels like new. Now saving so I can afford a 5k iMac when I need to replace this one.

Unless you get a custom built PC most big name makers are going away from the traditional towers and to all in one designs like the iMac so the days of any tower, even the Mac Mini are numbered.

 

[Digital Skunk]

I like how you "Mac Pro Snobs" come down hard on the Mac mini when the MacBook Pro with Retina is in the same boat. The Mac mini is still a great computer. So just shut the F up.

The rMBP is at least super thin and made to be portable. The MacMini doesn't necessarily need to be either and this recent update didn't make it any thinner or smaller. So while the previous model had user replaceable RAM this model didn't change the design externally but took away a major advantage in purchasing a desktop - serviceable parts.

 

[Renzatic]

And the only people complaining about computer parts are the nerds. lol. These people are the WORST.

You know the people who generally complain about hardware specs are usually the ones who need that hardware to make that next great thing. John Lasseter? Nerd. Edmund Catmull? Mega Nerd. Bill Gates? Mega Super Nerd. Jony Ives? Yeah, let's face it, he's a nerd. Steve Jobs? He worked on videogames at Atari, and was evangelizing computers alongside Nerd Supreme Steve Wozniak. He was pretty much a nerd, too.

So yeah, look down down your nose at these people while you primp and preen yourself with the latest trendy new toys, but always remember one thing: they're making stuff, and pushing boundaries. You're not.

 

[Digital Skunk]

Unless you get a custom built PC most big name makers are going away from the traditional towers and to all in one designs like the iMac so the days of any tower, even the Mac Mini are numbered.

There will still be a need for a headless computer system. It's just that the average user who will get five or more years out of a system won't want anything but the all in one.

The option to stick a tiny system in a corner or underneath something or in a rack will always be needed.

I think most users looking at the mini will just have to upgrade more frequently.

 

[mozumder]

You know the people who generally complain about hardware specs are usually the ones who need that hardware to make that next great thing. John Lasseter? Nerd. Edmund Catmull? Mega Nerd. Bill Gates? Mega Super Nerd. Jony Ives? Yeah, let's face it, he's a nerd. Steve Jobs? He worked on videogames at Atari, and was evangelizing computers alongside Nerd Supreme Steve Wozniak. He was pretty much a nerd, too.

So yeah, look down down your nose at these people while you primp and preen yourself with the latest trendy new toys, but always remember one thing: they're making stuff, and pushing boundaries. You're not.

lol. nerd.

 

[Ramchi]

You know the people who generally complain about hardware specs are usually the ones who need that hardware to make that next great thing. John Lasseter? Nerd. Edmund Catmull? Mega Nerd. Bill Gates? Mega Super Nerd. Jony Ives? Yeah, let's face it, he's a nerd. Steve Jobs? He worked on videogames at Atari, and was evangelizing computers alongside Nerd Supreme Steve Wozniak. He was pretty much a nerd, too.

So yeah, look down down your nose at these people while you primp and preen yourself with the latest trendy new toys, but always remember one thing: they're making stuff, and pushing boundaries. You're not.

Apple competitors would steal this sentence to sell millions of their products, if Apple itself ever start calling their customers as dumb!

 

[Renzatic]

lol. nerd.

Considering the list of nerds I gave, that's the greatest complement anyone here could give me. Thank you.

 

[fermat-au]

This thread has 1000 posts, not too common on Macrumors. Apple may not think that soldered RAM in the Mac mini is problem, but Macrumors members certainly do.

 

[Renzatic]

Apple competitors would steal this sentence to sell millions of their products, if Apple itself ever start calling their customers as dumb!

Yup. Never insult the people who buy your stuff.

A lot of people here should remember that the greatest majority of Mac owners are generally tech savvy people. This is only going to become more of a fact when you consider that the much vaunted average user is migrating more and more away from traditional PCs to tablets and smartphones.

But so long as Apple supports them, Macs will always have their niche. And you know what that niche will be? NERDS!

 

[KPOM]

I agree. Why would anyone complain about a fancy new machine that's worse than the 2 year old machine it replaces?

Except it isn't. The dual core models have better processors and better GPUs than the previous models. They offer a cheaper model with a slower processor but better GPU. Granted, they narrowed the range, but someone considering a dual core before is getting a better model now.

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This thread has 1000 posts, not too common on Macrumors. Apple may not think that soldered RAM in the Mac mini is problem, but Macrumors members certainly do.

Certain vocal Macrumors members do. We'll see in the future if Apple reverses course. They have yet to release a new 17" MacBook Pro (another discontinuation that got a lot of activity here).

 

[MarkusL]

The added cost of going to 16GB is not that outrageous going from 8GB. 16GB of Crucial 1600 so-dimms costs $144 at Newegg.

Then subtract $74 which is what 8GB of Crucial 1600 so-dimms costs att Newegg. Remember, we're going from 8 to 16, not 0 to 16. So we find that the $200 upgrade gives us a stunning $70 value.

 

[subsonix]

Then subtract $74 which is what 8GB of Crucial 1600 so-dimms costs att Newegg. Remember, we're going from 8 to 16, not 0 to 16. So we find that the $200 upgrade gives us a stunning $70 value.

How so? In a scenario where your memory is on sockets, you would go from 2 4GB (or 2 2GB) modules to 2 8GB modules. You'll need to get 2 8GB modules and replace them with the previous ones, so it's still a $144 expense on memory.

 

[rdlink]

How so? In a scenario where your memory is on sockets, you would go from 2 4GB (or 2 2GB) modules to 2 8GB modules. You'll need to get 2 8GB modules and replace them with the previous ones, so it's still a $144 expense on memory.

I think the poster's point (and it's a valid one) is that Apple sells you an upgrade from 8 to 16 for $200. But when they put the 16GB in the machine they don't give you the 8GB that came out. They ostensibly charged for the 8GB that was originally part of the base build. So they're in effect charging you $200 for 8GB of RAM.

 

[subsonix]

I think the poster's point (and it's a valid one) is that Apple sells you an upgrade from 8 to 16 for $200. But when they put the 16GB in the machine they don't give you the 8GB that came out. They ostensibly charged for the 8GB that was originally part of the base build. So they're in effect charging you $200 for 8GB of RAM.

But that's always been the case, sockets or not, so it's not a valid point.

 

[mcarling]

Whats the difference between direct soldered ram on a daughter board (SODIMM module) and direct soldered to a mother board both of which are still distance away from the CPU?

If memory modules are good enough for the mac pro and every other computer maker, why should apple do it apart from the Apple memory tax?

Directly soldered DRAM is simpler than using SO-DIMMs. I think everyone can agree on that, right?

Simpler results in higher reliability (though obviously not repairability). Simpler results in lower production costs (which results in lower costs of buying more memory from Apple, though still higher than from 3rd parties). Simpler potentially allows for higher performance (though it will not yet be manifest with DDR4). No one yet knows which of several vying technologies will replace DDR4, but some of them do not allow for the possibility of using DIMMs. Eventually, CPUs will come with DRAM (or its successor) as separate dies on the same chip. As has been previously discussed, directly soldered DRAM allows for a smaller overall size, though I agree with others that it's not very important in the case of the Mac mini and Apple have not reduced the Mac mini's case size from 2012 to 2014. A bigger opportunity to reduce the case size would occur if Apple were to eliminate the HDD option and go SSD-only. I don't expect that to happen anytime soon.

Apple are not a charity. Apple's management have a fiduciary responsibility to the shareholder to maximize profits. It would be illegal for them to do otherwise.

 

[H2SO4]

Then subtract $74 which is what 8GB of Crucial 1600 so-dimms costs att Newegg. Remember, we're going from 8 to 16, not 0 to 16. So we find that the $200 upgrade gives us a stunning $70 value.

With the upgradeable model, in reality you have the added bonus of left over RAM sticks to sell or to use as spares in the event that yours go bad.
The out and out cost might be one figure but the value is different. Apple are charging you $200 to trade yours in!

Funny thing now is that the 2012 refurb base model costs more than the 2014 brand new base model?

 

[OLDCODGER]

If only the new base model ran Snow Leopard, it wouldn't be too bad as a replacement for old h/w.

 

[mcarling]

A lot of people here should remember that the greatest majority of Mac owners are generally tech savvy people.

Apple are selling about 18 million Macs per year. I don't think there are 1 million tech savvy people on this planet. There are probably 18 million people on this planet who think they are tech savvy, but they are not buying an average of one Mac per year. Many people who think they are tech savvy have not yet bought any Macs.

 

[MacHiavelli]

People think Apple are being disloyal to them because they are using soldered RAM which the user can't uparade.

Apple thinks that users are disloyal because in the past they bought Mac Minis and then pulled them apart and gave money to other companies to upgrade RAM, drives, etc. The users didn't spend that money with Apple.

So Apple makes a decision to maximise its profits rather than the profits of Crucial etc.

Users can upgrade RAM at the point of purchase. Their choice.

If users don't want to be loyal to Apple, why should Apple be loyal to users?

And just because RAM was changeable in the past, that doesn't mean that Apple can't embrace the future.

If you don't like what Apple has done, buy something else.

I know hundreds of Apple users. Only one of them has a Mac Mini. On this thread, a thousand posts, but multiple posts by the same users. So there are a few hundred unhappy Mac Mini users. Apple aren't going to worry about such a minority, especially when that minority just wants to take an Apple product and then give money to a third-party supplier to replace the RAM.

You want to live in the past and you want to screw Apple. And you get upset because Apple won't placate you. Good grief, utterly mad.

 

[RedBanana]

1020 posts! People really don't like this do they.

The base price isn't too bad, the more options you add the sillier the price becomes. If you start with the 2.8GHz model the price and specs are ridiculous even for Apple.

Makes the top end Brix look like a bargain.

 

[MarkusL]

How so? In a scenario where your memory is on sockets, you would go from 2 4GB (or 2 2GB) modules to 2 8GB modules. You'll need to get 2 8GB modules and replace them with the previous ones, so it's still a $144 expense on memory.

Would those two 4GB modules I pulled out turn into a pumpkin at midnight after I do the upgrade? Or what am I missing here?

 

[mojolicious]

If you don't like what Apple has done, buy something else.

If only Apple would licence the OS to a proper computer manufacturer I'd be there in a heartbeat.