Mac mini ram question

[xheathen]

Hey all, Im considering buying a previous gen Mac mini (2.53ghz specifically) and i just wanted to confirm the ram situation. Normally they only support 4 gb right? But I've seen they can use 8 gb. Is that standard with the advent of snow leopard? Or it it kind of a hack?

My idea was to just get one used and then spend $100 on 4 more gb.

 

[advres]

Hey all, Im considering buying a previous gen Mac mini (2.53ghz specifically) and i just wanted to confirm the ram situation. Normally they only support 4 gb right? But I've seen they can use 8 gb. Is that standard with the advent of snow leopard? Or it it kind of a hack?

My idea was to just get one used and then spend $100 on 4 more gb.

Not sure what that comes with stock but it only has two slots so you need to install 2 4GB sticks. http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S8GP/

 

[spinnerlys]

It has nothing to do with Snow Leopard, as even Tiger (10.4) and Leopard (10.5) can support more than 4GB RAM, I've worked with PowerMacs with Mac OS X 10.4.11 and 8GB RAM before.
It has to do with a hardware implemented limit, mostly done by Apple/Intel and the chipsets.

The 2010 Mac mini supports 8GB RAM. Link.
The early and late 2009 Mac mini officially supports 4GB RAM, unofficially 8GB RAM. Link early 2009 model, link late 2009 model.

 

[RedReplicant]

Hey all, Im considering buying a previous gen Mac mini (2.53ghz specifically) and i just wanted to confirm the ram situation. Normally they only support 4 gb right? But I've seen they can use 8 gb. Is that standard with the advent of snow leopard? Or it it kind of a hack?

My idea was to just get one used and then spend $100 on 4 more gb.

The 2009+ Minis (Macmini3,1 is the code on them) support up to 8gb; keep in mind that you're going to need to buy two sticks of 4gb each which is ~$200.


edit: Beaten

 

[xheathen]

Ok gotcha thanks guys. As just a follow up question, would you in general think going with the server edition and buying an external DVD drive would be a better buy than the standard mini?

 

[Baby Mac]

"Unofficial support" means that someone stuck 8GB in the slots and all 8GB could be seen by the unit. Do a little research on your intended model to see if it can go to 8GB or just ask macsales.com. They'd love to sell you some RAM.

 

[aaaaaaron]

Ok gotcha thanks guys. As just a follow up question, would you in general think going with the server edition and buying an external DVD drive would be a better buy than the standard mini?

i am also curious if this is a good solution. would the 2010 mac mini server be a good buy as a regular computer or would it be better to upgrade the processor on the standard mini and go with that?

and on another note, how difficult is it to upgrade the hdd in either the new mini or mini server?

thanks

 

[dolphin842]

and on another note, how difficult is it to upgrade the hdd in either the new mini or mini server?

If you check out the guides on the iFixit website, you'll see it's not exactly a walk in the park... partial removal of the logic board and all that. It's harder to get to than even the previous-gen Mini. With the server version, one of the drives is a little easier to get to.

 

[aaaaaaron]

If you check out the guides on the iFixit website, you'll see it's not exactly a walk in the park... partial removal of the logic board and all that. It's harder to get to than even the previous-gen Mini. With the server version, one of the drives is a little easier to get to.

that does seem hard, haha. would you recommend this procedure over using the mini server as a daily computer?

 

[dolphin842]

that does seem hard, haha. would you recommend this procedure over using the mini server as a daily computer?

If you have any qualms about installing something yourself and have an independent Apple servicer nearby, you can call them up and ask how much it would be to install a different drive. I got a quote of $50 to put an SSD in an old iMac, but I'm not sure if they'd be willing to work on a new, in-warranty Mac.

As for using the base model over the server, it'd be best to ask someone who has a server model. I don't know how or if the server OS is different enough to make it more difficult to use as a normal computer.