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Mac Mini - Is the lower stock config (1GB RAM) enough?

mike1123

mike1123

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 19, 2007
304
103
So, normally, customizing the Mini and getting more RAM would be a no-brainer, but I am getting one for my dad's birthday, and should he not want it, I want to be able to return it. He does the basic stuff: editing a ton of word documents, browsing the net, checking email, and watching embedded news videos in the browser. I'm guessing the 1GB of RAM (which I could personally not live with) will be enough for his needs? I really don't want to get the higher end model at this point, as everything else in the lower spec Mini, including the small hard drive, meets his needs perfectly. Thanks.
 
it should be fine, I bought the lower end model, played with it for about a month using internet browsing, music, mail, ichat, and sometimes word documenting and it never really slowed down much. I later upgraded to 4gb RAM and I realized that I don't even need all of it =P
 
1GB is decent for what you said. I currently have 1GB in my Mac Mini and according to iStat Nano, I am using more than half of my RAM just browsing the web. So just get the base model, and later upgrade the RAM to 4GB in the future as I plan to do.
 
Okay, it sounds like it should be fast enough for what he does. Thanks for the feedback.
 
bored, just showing you the power of the little mini. I have about 30+ windows open, including about 6 internet browsers open, all 3 iwork 09 aps, and ichat, itunes, mail, calender, etc (you get the point) and still have about 1.96GB ram FREE.

jl1boo.png
 
My wife seems fine using hers with the base 1GB in it. However, I have noticed it is a bit laggy switching between apps when using Pages and a browser back and forth. I think I'll upgrade it to 2GB and that should be plenty. However, it is plenty usable at 1GB level for most stuff. I'd just like it to be a little bit snappier.
 
If you're going to be running a fair number of apps (which most new people do before they realize they have to *quit* them), then I would bump it to 2gigs. I used my mini with 1gig for a while, and you could really tell when it hit swap.
 
I used the mini with 1gb for a few months. Honestly it wasn't all that bad. Yes occasionally there would be a short "stutter" or "hitch" when you hit the ram ceiling and the OS had to swap to disk. But overall I was surprised how well OSX handled only 1gb of RAM. I don't think Vista would run half as well if it only had 1gb of RAM on it.
 
LEStudios said:
Dude, just spend the money and get the 4GB DDR3 Upgrade at Apple! :rolleyes:
Click to expand...

Dude what are you talking about?
Roughly 45 minutes (providing you don't misplace a screw) and $67 you can upgrade that ram yourself. Sure, it's not really a use upgradable item but providing you don't break anything you should be just fine.

I upgraded to 4 GB and put in a 250 GB 7200 RPM drive this weekend with a friend. The scariest part was taking the top off.
 
jessica. said:
Dude what are you talking about?
Roughly 45 minutes (providing you don't misplace a screw) and $67 you can upgrade that ram yourself. Sure, it's not really a use upgradable item but providing you don't break anything you should be just fine.

I upgraded to 4 GB and put in a 250 GB 7200 RPM drive this weekend with a friend. The scariest part was taking the top off.
Click to expand...

Some are afraid of cracking open a Mini, I luckily had the perfect Pizza Cutter for mine... :eek: :D

1 Gig on the new ones should be fine and should run better with Snow Leopard, as it is optimized for Intel processors.
 
I upgraded to 2 GB when I bought my mini last year. It cost $100 but was worth it. Just opening up a few programs used up close to 1GB, then you would have to run on virtual memory.

My new iMac has 4 GB and it really flys!
 
I cracked the older mini up and i broke off a piece but it did not affect it's performance.I sent the newest mac mini to owc and had them put 4gb in.I spent a buck 60 but the thing is perfect.It arrived finger print smudge and scratch free.My only worry is that i can't purchase apple care now because i voided warranty.
 
Yeah, I think it's better to get the RAM upgrade when you buy it and keep the warranty intact. It costs less to upgrade right away because they credit you for the old ram they take out. Also, no chance of damaging the machine.
 
1GB is enough for basic stuff. My girlfriend is very happy with her Mini with 1GB of RAM. If it was anything more then web surfing and documents, then I would say 2GB+.
 
nyprospect said:
My only worry is that i can't purchase apple care now because i voided warranty.
Click to expand...

Opening the mini doesn't void the warranty unless you break something. Any non-Apple parts are not covered however.

windywoo said:
And there we have it. Its not a simple procedure.
Click to expand...

Since most seem to feel that 1GB will be adequate, 2GB should be more than enough. If you are not comfortable opening a mini, and many are not, just pay the extra $50 for 2GB upgrade.
 
I'm more than comfortable to open a mini, but its ridiculous compared to any other PC. Just another example of Apple putting style before function.
 
nyprospect said:
I cracked the older mini up and i broke off a piece but it did not affect it's performance.I sent the newest mac mini to owc and had them put 4gb in.I spent a buck 60 but the thing is perfect.It arrived finger print smudge and scratch free.My only worry is that i can't purchase apple care now because i voided warranty.
Click to expand...

The warranty is not voided. Just the new ram is not covered. The only issue I've ever seen is when we send back a user upgraded system for repair sometimes it comes back with stock components (bye bye user's upgrade - shouldn't happen but sometimes it does). If possible have service done locally at an Apple authorized service center and there will be no issue.

Cheers,
 
Like I said, this is a gift to my father, and I'd really rather not open it up. I just picked up the 1GB model today; he won't be doing anything besides word processing, web browsing, and email.
 
mike1123 said:
Like I said, this is a gift to my father, and I'd really rather not open it up. I just picked up the 1GB model today; he won't be doing anything besides word processing, web browsing, and email.
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1GB will not last him long, if he feels he needs more RAM, you can send it in to the OWC for a RAM upgrade.
 
panzer06 said:
The warranty is not voided. Just the new ram is not covered. The only issue I've ever seen is when we send back a user upgraded system for repair sometimes it comes back with stock components (bye bye user's upgrade - shouldn't happen but sometimes it does). If possible have service done locally at an Apple authorized service center and there will be no issue.

Cheers,
Click to expand...

Wow i had no idea .Thanks so much.So i could go ahead and buy apple care? My apologies to the OP for thread jacking.
 
I do photo-editing on lightroom 2 on my mini 1.83... so I upgraded to 3gb. it was pretty easy... taking the top off is the hardest part, but with some common sense and skills is not bad at all.
 
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