new 2018 mac mini - customizable?

[wfriedwald]

as I have read, the 2012 mac mini was "customizable" (to a degree) by the user - it was possible for the user to add his (or her) own RAM from a party. However, I have also read that the 2014 mac mini was NOT, it was sealed and impossible to open, you couldn't adjust the hard drive or the RAM or anything.

so my question: do we know if it will be possible to add third-party RAM to the 2018 Mac Mini, like the 2012 model, or is sealed and unopenable (obviously, that's not the correct technical term) like the 2014?

Here's hoping it's more like 2012 (in that regard) than 2014.

does anybody know?

w

 

[macgeek18]

Ram is upgradable.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/is-ram-upgradeable-in-the-mac-mini.2150796/#post-26722821

 

[tedson]

Yes, its possible but Apple recommends that it be done by an Apple Authorized Service Technician. That said, if you're not a complete dumb ass, you will be able to do it yourself but if you break anything doing the upgrade, that's on you. No warranty for your screw up.

 

[wfriedwald]

thank you very much! this is great news, so I can theoretically add a new graphics card (or something) five years from now, when it becomes necessary.

can anyone advise me :
what kind of third-party RAM to get ?
and where to get it?
(to go to 65GB of RAM with Apple costs $1,400 - it's got to be less than that from a third party.)

and then, I will find an Apple-certified technician who would hopefully be willing to install it (for a fee of course).

sounds like a plan, Man!

w

 

[tedson]

No, you can not add a new graphics card to the Mini, it uses integrated graphics, Intel UHD 630, you can add an external eGPU box from third party vendors.

RAM: 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory, 2 slots

you can search the internet for prices when you're ready to add it. you need 2 x 32GB 2666MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory which seems really hard to find right now.

 

[wfriedwald]

oh, I am seeing 2 x 16GB, not true 32GB cards. let me keep looking...

update: oh wait, this seems to be the real deal:

<https://www.serversupply.com/produc...K-MZF0BHOTEklk6M_XecHX6d4I3iluVcaAmuXEALw_wcB>

hopefully they will be in stock if / when I get the new Mini; seems silly to buy 'em now...

thanks again!

w

 

[tedson]

oh, I am seeing 2 x 16GB, not true 32GB cards. let me keep looking...

update: oh wait, this seems to be the real deal:

<https://www.serversupply.com/produc...K-MZF0BHOTEklk6M_XecHX6d4I3iluVcaAmuXEALw_wcB>

hopefully they will be in stock if / when I get the new Mini; seems silly to buy 'em now...

thanks again!

w

I don't think thats the correct memory but double check before you order it.

 

[BobMcBob]

I don't think thats the correct memory but double check before you order it.

I believe you are right. It says RDIMM, and we need SO-DIMM.

 

[Fishrrman]

OP wrote:
"thank you very much! this is great news, so I can theoretically add a new graphics card (or something) five years from now, when it becomes necessary."

Umm... no.
I could be wrong, but I believe the CPU (which includes integrated graphics) is SOLDERED in -- not replaceable.

The ONLY "user-upgradeable" component of the new Mini is the RAM.

If you want to "upgrade" it, you pretty much have to "order those upgrades" when you BUY it...

 

[wdwpsu]

OP wrote:
"thank you very much! this is great news, so I can theoretically add a new graphics card (or something) five years from now, when it becomes necessary."

Umm... no.
I could be wrong, but I believe the CPU (which includes integrated graphics) is SOLDERED in -- not replaceable.

The ONLY "user-upgradeable" component of the new Mini is the RAM.

If you want to "upgrade" it, you pretty much have to "order those upgrades" when you BUY it...

Umm... no.
You can upgrade the video card by adding an eGPU.
You can upgrade the hard drive by buying a T5, which delivers faster speeds than the internal SSD.
You can upgrade the memory by taking it apart.
You can't upgrade the CPU. Last time I tried upgrading a CPU on a Windows box, I had to replace the motherboard anyhow resulting in a Video Card and Power Supply upgrade.

 

[Fishrrman]

wd wrote:
"Umm... no.
You can upgrade the video card by adding an eGPU.
You can upgrade the hard drive by buying a T5, which delivers faster speeds than the internal SSD."

Nothing I posted in #10 above has been proven inaccurate.
The "upgrades" I spoke of were internal (of course)...

 

[Ifti]

Umm... no.
You can upgrade the video card by adding an eGPU.
You can upgrade the hard drive by buying a T5, which delivers faster speeds than the internal SSD.
You can upgrade the memory by taking it apart.
You can't upgrade the CPU. Last time I tried upgrading a CPU on a Windows box, I had to replace the motherboard anyhow resulting in a Video Card and Power Supply upgrade.

This is in the most part correct. I actually think this 'modular' Mac Pro coming in 2019 is going to be along the same kind of lines - but you may be able to slot these extra 'upgrades' inside rather then connect externally. Either way you can trust Apple in assuming they will be proprietary and overpriced either way.

The T5 wouldn't be anywhere near as fast as the internal Mac Mini SSD though. For that you would need something like the X5, which uses TB3 rather then USB-C.