I know... I know... everyone here says how easy it is. But after reading all the posts about buyers being confused as to what brand, type, model etc.. and posting about high failure rates. I'm seriously considering letting apple do the install. Anyone else go this route?
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anybody letting Apple do the RAM install?
- Thread starter flatfoot99
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I've never had a problem with Crucial memory in my Macs over the years. I highly recommend that brand..
Crucial and OWC have product selectors on their sites that guarantee compatibility with your system provided you accurately selected your system. Crucial RAM seems cheaper than OWC right now which is making a lot of people go that route including myself.
I looked at the checker. Surprisingly it recommends a different model if you bump the quad-core up from 2.3 to 2.6.
I have a early 2011 MBP and a mid-2011 imac. Both came with 4gb ram. I bought a Crucial 8gb upgrade kit from micro center, which is 2 4gb DIMM's. I pulled out the ram from the MBP and put the Crucial ram into it, to give that machine 8gb ram. Then I took the two 2gb DIMM's from the MBP and put THOSE into the two empty slots of the imac to bring it up also to 8gb! So I upgraded TWO machines to 8gb and it only cost $50!
So buy your own ram and do it yourself, definitely!
So buy your own ram and do it yourself, definitely!
I've been looking around for 8Gb sticks and some Kingston ones cost €42 and some Samsung ones €85. Both 1600Mhz, 8GB sticks... no more info available so... why these differences?
Btw, pretty f-cked up Apple charging €300 for 16GB of RAM when I can get two 8GB sticks for €80...
Btw, pretty f-cked up Apple charging €300 for 16GB of RAM when I can get two 8GB sticks for €80...
Newegg is offering 15% off laptop RAM right now but it ends today. Just ordered 16GB for my new mini for $65 with free 2-day shipping using ShopRunner.
Make sure you get 1600MHz as much of it is the older 1033Mhz. Just because it's 204-pin doesn't mean it's the right stuff.
Make sure you get 1600MHz as much of it is the older 1033Mhz. Just because it's 204-pin doesn't mean it's the right stuff.
Honestly, it is the easiest upgrade of all time. I'm completely cack-handed at manual labour of any kind but I've upgraded my 09 MBP from 2gb>4gb>8gb over the years. Mini is even easier as you don't have to unscrew anything, just loosen the base.
Buy your own RAM, Apple are having a laugh with the prices they quote from RAM upgrades on these machines.
Buy your own RAM, Apple are having a laugh with the prices they quote from RAM upgrades on these machines.
sorry guys... I know I'm an idiot but I paid apple for the ram. I wasn't uncomfortable opening it up and putting it in, just cautious about the numerous choices and just wanted peace of mind. Did the 16gb for $300, so I'm essentially out roughly $200. Not a computer guy, and this is my first Mac.
Thanks for all the valuable info anyways.
Thanks for all the valuable info anyways.
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For anyone who is unsure of doing this yourself, just see this video. It's the same on the 2012 mini. Super easy. 
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2011_mem/
As for choosing the right memory, I like Crucial's site because you just put in your exact computer model and it only shows compatible memory. On some other sites, you have to worry about getting the right speed, timing, etc. Their prices were competitive enough (not the cheapest but definitely cheaper than OWC) when I ordered the other day.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2011_mem/
As for choosing the right memory, I like Crucial's site because you just put in your exact computer model and it only shows compatible memory. On some other sites, you have to worry about getting the right speed, timing, etc. Their prices were competitive enough (not the cheapest but definitely cheaper than OWC) when I ordered the other day.
16GB is $82 at Crucial and $115 at OWC. I stick with those suppliers...
$300 for 16GB installed by Apple???
Swapping RAM in the Mini is about as difficult as changing a lightbulb. Upgrading the RAM in a 13" MBP is a little more difficult: ten tiny screws and then you have the entire innards of the MBP exposed. But even that isn't very hard; just be careful so you don't strip a screw...
$300 for 16GB installed by Apple???
Swapping RAM in the Mini is about as difficult as changing a lightbulb. Upgrading the RAM in a 13" MBP is a little more difficult: ten tiny screws and then you have the entire innards of the MBP exposed. But even that isn't very hard; just be careful so you don't strip a screw...
Me, too. Watch some videos on Youtube if it really makes you nervous. If you can have one handy while you're doing the installation, even better. I think this current style mini is the third or fourth Mac I've upgraded the RAM on and I've never had an issue. You just have to use more force than you expect to.
Really, really not worth the extra money to Apple for something so simple.
$200 extra? That's half an iPad. Or some lovely Harman Kardon Soundsticks and $30 change!
Madness, I tell you, madness.
Madness, I tell you, madness.
Well, you got some great tips in here about what and where to order that would have saved you $200 or so. If you really didn't feel comfortable with rotating the bottom cover of your mini about half an inch to remove it, then pulling four latches apart (two per chip) to take out the old memory, then reverse the process, then you made the right call
it wasn't the installing part I was concerned about. I was worried about the non apple ram.
geez... sorry I mentioned anything!
By the way, apple charges $400 for 16gb of ram by itself so I'm getting a deal.
geez... sorry I mentioned anything!
By the way, apple charges $400 for 16gb of ram by itself so I'm getting a deal.