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mini + 24" Monitor - Am I kidding myself?
- Thread starter milenkod
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I upgraded to 2x1Gb ram myself (my mini's Core 1 Duo max), but let me tell you: even with 16 years experience servicing and upgrading Macs, it was the hardest job yet. Doable, certainly, but way harder than even the Quadra 840/PPC8100. The hard drive would be somewhat easier, but i opted for external firewire.
Google the procedure to see if you got the cajones.
I got 4GB installed (3.3GB addressable) in both of my Intel minis. If you are going to open it up 4GB is not much more than 3GB and you get that 5-10% bump of matched memory pairs.
It is not super easy, but not super hard to change the RAM. The cover on the mini is actually easier to get off than many desktop units (once you figure it out). Definitely watch the video.
OWC can install it for not too much - but then that eats into the savings a mini provides.
Want to talk tough - change the hard drive on a 2G (ATI Graphics) eMac.
It is not super easy, but not super hard to change the RAM. The cover on the mini is actually easier to get off than many desktop units (once you figure it out). Definitely watch the video.
OWC can install it for not too much - but then that eats into the savings a mini provides.
Want to talk tough - change the hard drive on a 2G (ATI Graphics) eMac.
Really? I held off on the same upgrade for my Core Solo mini for quite some time. When I finally decided to do it, I was surprised at how easy it was. Hardest part was separating the case, but as long as you don't mind a couple of minor scratches on the bottom...eh, no biggie.
Really. Beyond the comfort zone of many consumer level users, for sure. It was well within mine, but I was struck at how much in the line of user serviceability was sacrificed to achieve the form factor.
True I suppose. I wouldn't have told my mom to do it. But I still didn't think it was terrible for anyone who can manage a screwdriver.
What!??!?! Will my Macboo 2.0Ghz do that too? I thought I loose dual channel with 4GB...can someone else also confirm this is true for the Mackbook too????
It depends on what age your MacBook is...go to OWC to check it.
I installed 3 GB RAM and a 250 GB HDD in my 1.83 Mini, it was a snap. By having unmatched pairs, you realistically lose only a 5-7% speed increase that you would get with matched pairs.
It sounds like a mini would be perfect for your wife.
I think so too but I want a significant speed/performance bump from her current 1.66Ghz HP laptop when I upgrade her.
I'm still debating whether to give her my Macbook 2.0Ghz and buy her a 24" monitor. However, I would have to 1.) get her a monitor 2.) upgrade the memory to 4GB if possible 3.) buy Leopard and upgrade it and 4.) buy myself something to replace it.
It's cheaper to buy her a 24" iMac then...but I loose the opportunity to upgrade myself to a MB Pro.....decisions, decision...
Sorry for being naive / noob...what's OWC?
She already has a netbook for portability. She really wants a desktop...I really want to upgrade my laptop.The iMac isn't portable though.
Other World Computing, probably the best Mac-specific store on the internet. Their website is http://www.macsales.com/. I have 3 GB of memory on the way from them for my "new" (refurb) mini 1.83 that just arrived yesterday.
I will note that just because they're a Mac shop doesn't mean you have to buy upgrades from them (or similar). The vast, vast majority of hardware upgrades these days are are Mac/PC agnostic (hard drives, memory, usb/firewire, etc). I usually check prices against places like Newegg and order there if it's cheaper.
Thanks for the tip...I actually googled it after i posted (sorry, I should have done that in the first place.) I've been to that site many times before...guess I just never noticed the name.Other World Computing, probably the best Mac-specific store on the internet. Their website is http://www.macsales.com/. I have 3 GB of memory on the way from them for my "new" (refurb) mini 1.83 that just arrived yesterday.
I will note that just because they're a Mac shop doesn't mean you have to buy upgrades from them (or similar). The vast, vast majority of hardware upgrades these days are are Mac/PC agnostic (hard drives, memory, usb/firewire, etc). I usually check prices against places like Newegg and order there if it's cheaper.
Now I'm not sure if I have a Merom or Yonah chip. That's the next thing to figure out.
give her ur macbook, and tell her she can run windows via boot camp. just set it up to boot windows instead of leopard. that eliminates the cost of vmware and ram. even 512MB of ram should run XP Pro. and then buy a refurb 24" monitor for around 300-400. I got a samsung from costco a month or so ago, for $350 + tax. nice and slim monitor with great specs. not gaming specs, but for that price, beats hell. and then for urself, go a refurb. macbook pro, or wait until the refurbs arrive for the October release, usually a month or so after launch date.