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Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
I just bought a Mac Mini refurbished with 8GB of Ram. I have been told upgrading isn’t that bad and I think that I can do it.
My question is

1) Will this void the warranty? It seems that this is an upgrade that is allowed by Apple. If it voids the warranty, then I’ll just get 16 GB and then upgrade when out of warranty.
2) If it doesn’t void the warranty, is there any reason to opt for 32 over 64 GB. It looks like it’s about 180 dollars extra for 64 and I’m thinking if I’m going to crack it open, maybe I should Max it out. Am I wrong in this thinking?
Anything else?
 

- rob -

macrumors 65816
Apr 18, 2012
1,030
705
Oakland, CA
I‘be upgraded the ram twice on my 2018 mini.

The first right after I got it, to 32, and again two weeks ago to 64. I used crucial for both.

People will ask about how you use it and say it depends and also most are price sensitive so they don’t worry about it much.

But I can tell you with certainty that macOS uses as much memory as you have available.

It will keep tons of files and application info in raw memory and stuff comes up way faster as a result.

It doesn’t show up as “high” memory pressure necessarily but less memory means more paging or having to wait to load stuff back into memory.


This was after tfull dayof use on my mini:
80DCC48E-EACE-4EAE-9BED-2BE3390216E2.jpeg


I also have a 2018 MBA w max cpu and the max 16gb of ram and it is sad how hindered it is by memory. The machine is just not powerful.

I don’t know about the warranty / Apple Care. If I had a problem due to breaking something during installation I would hope Apple would cover it but would not Expect it.

That said, it really isn’t that hard just set aside an hour to do it so you are not rushed.
 

Kaida

macrumors 6502
May 28, 2016
351
145
Singapore
Just keep the original ram and fix it back when you are sending it for repair. Else they could deny warranty saying that your new rams may have caused the mini the fail.
 

Cookie18

macrumors 6502a
Sep 11, 2014
584
684
France
It technically voids the warranty but if you just put the RAM back it should be fine.

Personally, unless you know what you need the extra RAM for I think 16GB will do fine and it's still a fairly big saving to do it yourself. I use my Mac Mini for work, I'm hard enough on it that I returned the i3 model and switched to the i5 and also that I needed to upgrade the 8GB because it was still slowing down. I haven't had a single hiccup since adding the 16GB.
 

Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
Are you really going to need 64gb of RAM?
What for?

Absolutely not. My current computer was purchased in 2012. I want to make sure this one will last this long. But I realize even this may be overkill. Lol
 

Cookie18

macrumors 6502a
Sep 11, 2014
584
684
France
Absolutely not. My current computer was purchased in 2012. I want to make sure this one will last this long. But I realize even this may be overkill. Lol

Just put 16GB in it an then upgrade it when/if you need to. Chances are you won't need to but the great thing about the Mini is that you will always have that option.
 

Boyd01

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 21, 2012
7,947
4,879
New Jersey Pine Barrens
Apple's warranty is here


I think these are the important parts:

This Warranty does not apply...

(c) to damage caused by use with a third party component or product that does not meet the Apple Product’s specifications

(f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”)

My concern was that if I ever needed service, it would be an "easy out" for Apple to claim the problem was related to the third party RAM or damage that was done installing it. You would certainly want to remove any added RAM before sending the Mini for service, and that involves opening it up two more times (to remove/re-install). I'll bet that Apple could tell you had opened it up even if you did remove your RAM. That being said, we haven't seen many (if any) reports of Apple refusing to service Mini's with user-upgraded RAM. So it depends on how comfortable you are personally.

I also have 64gb and the 2tb SSD, but I had a specific reason for that. I'm running Parallels with virtual machines for Windows (16gb), MacOS Sierra (4gb) and Mountain Lion (4gb). Have not watched too closely, but the most I've seen in use is about 42gb so far. Could have gotten by with 32gb RAM but didn't want to run into a limit in the future.

For the SSD, I wish they had a 4tb SSD. I have a 2tb Samsung t7 and 1tb t3 connected via USB and need to constantly do "garbage collection" to keep the whole 5tb from filling up!
 
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Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
Apple's warranty is here


I think these are the important parts:

This Warranty does not apply...

(c) to damage caused by use with a third party component or product that does not meet the Apple Product’s specifications

(f) to damage caused by service (including upgrades and expansions) performed by anyone who is not a representative of Apple or an Apple Authorized Service Provider (“AASP”)

My concern was that if I ever needed service, it would be an "easy out" for Apple to claim the problem was related to the third party RAM or damage that was done installing it. You would certainly want to remove any added RAM before sending the Mini for service, and that involves opening it up two more times (to remove/re-install). I'll bet that Apple could tell you had opened it up even if you did remove your RAM. That being said, we haven't seen many (if any) reports of Apple refusing to service Mini's with user-upgraded RAM. So it depends on how comfortable you are personally.

I also have 64gb and the 2tb SSD, but I had a specific reason for that. I'm running Parallels with virtual machines for Windows (16gb), MacOS Sierra (4gb) and Mountain Lion (4gb). Have not watched too closely, but the most I've seen in use is about 42gb so far. Could have gotten by with 32gb RAM but didn't want to run into a limit in the future.

For the SSD, I wish they had a 4tb SSD. I have a 2tb Samsung t7 and 1tb t3 connected via USB and need to constantly do "garbage collection" to keep the whole 5tb from filling up!

maybe the compromise is going to an Apple authorized repair facility? It certainly should be cheaper than having Apple upgrade it from the start.
 
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pldelisle

macrumors 68020
May 4, 2020
2,248
1,506
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
maybe the compromise is going to an Apple authorized repair facility? It certainly should be cheaper than having Apple upgrade it from the start.
That's what I would do.

You'll pay a fee for it, but the repair will be logged to the serial number of the unit. It will be tested after installation. Job is guaranteed.
 

D.T.

macrumors G4
Sep 15, 2011
11,050
12,467
Vilano Beach, FL
Are you really going to need 64gb of RAM?
What for?

Playing multiple 4K porn videos loaded into a RAM disk.

Seems like they were stuttering from playback from storage ... umm ... is what I might say if I was talking about myself ... :oops:


:D


My concern was that if I ever needed service, it would be an "easy out" for Apple to claim the problem was related to the third party RAM or damage that was done installing it. You would certainly want to remove any added RAM before sending the Mini for service, and that involves opening it up two more times (to remove/re-install). I'll bet that Apple could tell you had opened it up even if you did remove your RAM. That being said, we haven't seen many (if any) reports of Apple refusing to service Mini's with user-upgraded RAM. So it depends on how comfortable you are personally.

Yeah, the underlined was one of my concerns, wanting to attempt to do everything to get a warranty fix, but everytime you open re/un/install the RAM, that's another chance for something to happen that's clearly your fault (ex: breaking a connector).

Personally, if I went with aftermarket RAM, I'd just leave it, hope for the best.

I wonder how many people who planned/installed aftermarket RAM also bought AC+ ... ?
 

Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
Lol. So I couldn’t decide and some options came up on the refurbished store.
So now I have 3 Minis on the way:
1 refurbished mini i7/16GB/1TB $1439
1 new mini i7/16GB/1TB $1597 (discount)
1 refurbished mini i7/8GB/1TB $1269

The new one is definitely getting returned. I am leaning towards just keeping the refurb with 16 GB and then upgrade when I need more memory. I am becoming increasingly nervous putting this in myself.

The other option I’m toying with is taking the 8GB to micro center and having them put in 32 GB. They charge 30 bucks for the labor and it looks like 180 for the memory. They are Apple authorized repair center so it wouldn’t affect the warranty and anything they break is covered. It’s probably about a 80 bucks total more than buying it and putting it in myself. So all told will be only a few bucks more than 16 GB with slightly more hassle.
 

Cookie18

macrumors 6502a
Sep 11, 2014
584
684
France
Lol. So I couldn’t decide and some options came up on the refurbished store.
So now I have 3 Minis on the way:
1 refurbished mini i7/16GB/1TB $1439
1 new mini i7/16GB/1TB $1597 (discount)
1 refurbished mini i7/8GB/1TB $1269

The new one is definitely getting returned. I am leaning towards just keeping the refurb with 16 GB and then upgrade when I need more memory. I am becoming increasingly nervous putting this in myself.

The other option I’m toying with is taking the 8GB to micro center and having them put in 32 GB. They charge 30 bucks for the labor and it looks like 180 for the memory. They are Apple authorized repair center so it wouldn’t affect the warranty and anything they break is covered. It’s probably about a 80 bucks total more than buying it and putting it in myself. So all told will be only a few bucks more than 16 GB with slightly more hassle.

Since you’re upgrading from a 2012 it really doesn’t seem like you need 32GB. I’m surprised how cheap it is for them to upgrade it but since it is you may as well save yourself the money and pay them to put the 16GB in. I’m guessing you’d be paying $80 or so all in which would make it by far the cheapest option and give you the best Mini for your use case.

If you ever do need 32GB (which I highly doubt) it will be cheaper by then anyway. I bet you’d be able to put it in for another $80-100 and you won’t have lost anything but you likely won’t need it.
 

Boyd01

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 21, 2012
7,947
4,879
New Jersey Pine Barrens
They are Apple authorized repair center so it wouldn’t affect the warranty and anything they break is covered.

If you look at that warranty, the installation is only half of the equation. Apple still might claim that the RAM itself did not match the specs or quality of their own parts. ;) You will probably be fine though.

Buying three Mini's and returning two seems like a lot of trouble!
 

Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
If you look at that warranty, the installation is only half of the equation. Apple still might claim that the RAM itself did not match the specs or quality of their own parts. ;) You will probably be fine though.

Buying three Mini's and returning two seems like a lot of trouble!

it’s a mild pain. I live very close to a store that’s open though.
Doesn’t Apple certified repair imply Apple certified parts?
 

Boyd01

Moderator
Staff member
Feb 21, 2012
7,947
4,879
New Jersey Pine Barrens
Don't know anything about what kind of parts they would use, but you could always ask if they meet Apple's specs, then keep a copy of the e-mail just in case you have a problem later.

Regarding the returns, I am certainly not suggesting that what you did would be a problem! But this is something to keep in mind if you do it frequently...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/buy-and-return-iphones-at-apple-store-repeatedly.2096707/

Yes, as noted a person with high returns will be flagged. They don't want to deal with an individual who costs them more money then they make.
 

Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
Don't know anything about what kind of parts they would use, but you could always ask if they meet Apple's specs, then keep a copy of the e-mail just in case you have a problem later.

Regarding the returns, I am certainly not suggesting that what you did would be a problem! But this is something to keep in mind if you do it frequently...

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/buy-and-return-iphones-at-apple-store-repeatedly.2096707/
They are getting returned unopened. And I only buy a computer once every 5-8 years, lol. The problem was the inconsistent availability in the refurbished store. I waited for a month and no inventory was added. Then the day after I ordered a new one, a slew of inventory was released. It’s really hard to justify paying 15 percent more when I’m still in return period and hadn’t opened the product.
 
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Jro29

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 13, 2017
120
96
Since you’re upgrading from a 2012 it really doesn’t seem like you need 32GB. I’m surprised how cheap it is for them to upgrade it but since it is you may as well save yourself the money and pay them to put the 16GB in. I’m guessing you’d be paying $80 or so all in which would make it by far the cheapest option and give you the best Mini for your use case.

If you ever do need 32GB (which I highly doubt) it will be cheaper by then anyway. I bet you’d be able to put it in for another $80-100 and you won’t have lost anything but you likely won’t need it.
So it’s a lie. Microcenter quoted me a price, but then when I went in they said they had made an error and had to order from Apple (after trying to charge me for their “Apple ram”). So even more expensive that building it on their site.

long story short, I’m sticking with the 16 GB. If I need to upgrade when it’s out of warranty, I will.
 
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Cookie18

macrumors 6502a
Sep 11, 2014
584
684
France
So it’s a lie. Microcenter quoted me a price, but then when I went in they said they had made an error and had to order from Apple (after trying to charge me for their “Apple ram”). So even more expensive that building it on their site.

long story short, I’m sticking with the 16 GB. If I need to upgrade when it’s out of warranty, I will.

Damn, that sucks. It did seem like a very low price but it would have been great if true. I’m sure 16GB will be just fine for a long time!
 

Heat_Fan89

macrumors 68030
Feb 23, 2016
2,906
3,773
Installing RAM in the 2018 mini isn't as easy as a conventional PC but it can be done. I'm 62 yrs old, a former computer field technician with poor eyesight and I installed 32GB of RAM in my 2018 mini. I had to consult the iFixit video and another video from another source and I got thru it with NO problems.

Did I need 32GB? Hell no, but I wasn't going to press my luck a second time if I had to. Apple's OS tend to require more RAM as the versions increase. 8GB might have been plenty for Mountain Lion but it's nowhere enough to efficiently run macOS Mojave and especially Catalina. 16GB of RAM should be the minimum for Catalina.
 

Ocnetgeek

macrumors regular
Sep 1, 2018
185
105
Oak Creek, WI
Same as above. I am mid 50s with not the greatest eyesight and between the videos on YouTube and the ifixit guide I was able to upgrade mine to 32 GB in a little under half an hour
 

IngerMan

macrumors 68020
Feb 21, 2011
2,016
905
Michigan
OWC has a discount on 2018 + Mac Mini ram. I just purchased the set for 32GB. $119.76 and I will send back my Apple 16GB for a additional $40 rebate. You wont find this discount on Amazon.

 
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