Mac Mini RAM Question

[steamboat26]

I have a couple questions about my mac mini and RAM. Would i notice a huge increase if i were to put 2 GB of RAM in it? (i would be going from 1 GB). I have heard that the speed increase from 512 to 1 gig is much better than from 1 gig to 2 gigs. Also, so i don't void the warranty, can i just buy RAM from apple and have the genius bar install it, or do i have to install it myself?

 

[After G]

You won't notice as much, except if you are maxing out your 1GB.

And you can buy your RAM from Apple, but it's really expensive that way. I don't think Apple installs third party RAM that you buy either. But if you bought Applecare, or want peace of mind, do it that way.

 

[twoodcc]

if you can afford it, and you need/want it, i'd say go for it. if i had a mini, i'd put the full 2GB in it

 

[topgunn]

Do you run a lot of non-universal apps or do you spend a lot of time in Parallels? Then 2GB should make an impact. Check your page-outs in the activity monitor. If you have a considerable about (varies depending on how long your machine has been running), then you may need more RAM. Since minis have slower hard drives compared to other desktops, if they are running low on memory, they can get very slow with all of the calls to the hard drive.

 

[steamboat26]

the only non universal app i run is microsoft office (i think thats the only one anyways). I never really max out my RAM, except that i get close when i am running handbrake, iphoto, several firefox pages, itunes, and some other apps.

 

[generik]

You can install the ram yourself without voiding the warranty. Just be sure to swop them back when sending it in for servicing.

 

[roland.g]

I plan on putting 2GB in my Mini. But that's me. You can probably get away with 1GB just fine, but I never skimp on RAM.

 

[steamboat26]

You can install the ram yourself without voiding the warranty. Just be sure to swop them back when sending it in for servicing.

This is true, but i don't trust myself to do it correctly without damaging my mini, even with a guide

 

[gadgetgirl85]

I plan on putting 2GB in my Mini. But that's me. You can probably get away with 1GB just fine, but I never skimp on RAM.

My mini runs fine with 1GB. Definitely better than 512.