MacMall and Mac Mini questions

[deepakvrao]

Hi guys,

Thinking of buying a Mini from MacMall.

Is the Mac mini RAM user upgradable? Does it have a vacant slot, so I can just add a 2gb stick if I want?

MacMall is charging 125 dollars for the extra 2gb. Should I just go with that? Or should I buy RAM elsewhere?

I live in India, and am asking a friend to get it from the US. Couple of questions:

1. Is the warranty on a Mini worldwide?
2. If he buys the 599 one at an Apple store, I guess he will have to pay tax on that?
3. MacMall is without tax right?

Thanks guys for the help.

 

[Confuzzzed]

Is the Mac mini RAM user upgradable? Does it have a vacant slot, so I can just add a 2gb stick if I want?

You bet! It's designed to be user upgradable! But I think you have a misconception which needs correcting. Both slots are occupied and if I were you I would upgrade to at least 8GB RAM. 4GB stick are not that expensive. I did mine in less than 60 seconds! It doesn't have a vacant slot getting the existing stick out and replacing it with 4GB stick is very easy. Twist open the bottom lid and you have the RAM sticks exposed. Plenty of demos on youtube if you do a search

1. Is the warranty on a Mini worldwide?
2. If he buys the 599 one at an Apple store, I guess he will have to pay tax on that?
3. MacMall is without tax right?

1. Yes
2. The advantage of buying at an apple store in your circumstances would be if you were buying under the educational scheme, which allows you to buy apple care for dirt cheap. Not only do you get extended warranty but you also get 3 year software support
3. I don't see how this is right. MacMall will charge your friend whatever tax jurisdiction he's domiciled at. If he lives in NYC, he pays NY tax. If he lives in California he pays California tax (which is seemingly less than NYC but still not zero). IMHO. But then again I am not based in the US so you may want to check this

 

[deepakvrao]

^^Thanks.

I'm stupid. Re checked the local price, and I see that the Mini is much cheaper than I had thought [locally, in India]. I'll get it for 650 dollars, and 600 dollars if I use the students discount.

Might as well get it locally. Will look at the RAM later I guess.

It's for my Dad. Just mail, surfing and bit of office. Maybe 2gb would be OK for now.