This C|Net article claims that replacing the mini RAM requires a trip to an Apple service center.

[SnarkyBear]

In the third paragraph it states "But like most Apple products, it's not really end-user upgradable, requiring a trip to a service center. This undercuts one of the perks, namely being able to buy less expensive memory elsewhere"

https://www.cnet.com/reviews/apple-mac-mini-2018-preview/

 

[archer75]

Because that's what apple says. Apple doesn't want users upgrading the ram as it requires removing the fan at a minimum. I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[now i see it]

Same wordage for the original 2005-2009 Mac mini. Apple never recommended users opening up that thing either (but many did).

 

[jrlcopy]

#ConspiracyAlert, umm yeah, it's weird ALL the reviews are saying very similar things... It's as if they were written by apple or told which points to highlight.

 

[redheeler]

Same wordage for the original 2005-2009 Mac mini. Apple never recommended users opening up that thing either (but many did).

I've upgraded that style of Mac mini. It's intimidating at first, but easy once you have a putty knife to pry the case apart.

The 2018 looks like a whole-afternoon project just to upgrade the RAM. By far the hardest compared to all the prior Mac minis (2014 aside).

 

[Boyd01]

Same wordage for the original 2005-2009 Mac mini. Apple never recommended users opening up that thing either (but many did).

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT205041

Apple says it's not recommended for users to install their own memory in the 2006 through 2009 Mini, and they point out that memory isn't upgradeable in the 2014 Mini. But they include step by step upgrade instructions for the 2010 through 2012 Mini.

I guess we will find out for sure about this in the coming days. If/when I get a new Mini, I will want to max out everything but the SSD. That is going to be expensive enough that I'd be reluctant to void the warranty with my own installation (if Apple says that's the case).

 

[archer75]

I've upgraded that style of Mac mini. It's intimidating at first, but easy once you have a putty knife to pry the case apart.

The 2018 looks like a whole-afternoon project just to upgrade the RAM. By far the hardest compared to all the prior Mac minis (2014 aside).

Looks like a 10 minute project to me. Remove base, remove fan, pop off cage, swap ram. Reassemble.

 

[redheeler]

#ConspiracyAlert, umm yeah, it's weird ALL the reviews are saying very similar things... It's as if they were written by apple or told which points to highlight.

It's always a good idea to question the bias of reviews posted before the official launch of a tech product. They are usually given free review units, and want to retain that privilege in the future, meaning they aren't going to question it like an actual customer who paid money for the product.

 

[F-Train]

#ConspiracyAlert, umm yeah, it's weird ALL the reviews are saying very similar things... It's as if they were written by apple or told which points to highlight.

#ConspiracyAlert Several people are saying that 2 + 2 = 4.

 

[Zackmd1]

Looks like a 10 minute project to me. Remove base, remove fan, pop off cage, swap ram. Reassemble.

Well the question would be how difficult it is to remove that cage. Apple could have been difficult (more so then putting the ram under a cage in the first place) and have the screws/mounting for the cage only accessible by removing the entire logic board. I guess we will have to wait for the ifixit teardown to know for sure since none of these reviewers seem to want to deviate from Apples script. Another question I have is whether or not Apple was even more cheap by providing 2 4Gb modules instead of a single 8Gb module in the base model.

 

[rpmurray]

All depends on how much glue Apple used.

 

[redheeler]

Looks like a 10 minute project to me. Remove base, remove fan, pop off cage, swap ram. Reassemble.

As posted in another thread:

https://twitter.com/brianstucki/status/1059971734441476096?s=21

Looks like the entire logic board needs removing

So not a 10 minute project, as I expected.
[doublepost=1541553449][/doublepost]Difficulty looks comparable to adding a second internal drive to a 2012 Mac mini, aside from having to remove the CPU cooler and re-paste the CPU as an extra step. But for every generation prior to the 2014, RAM upgrades are much easier.

 

[archer75]

As posted in another thread:

So not a 10 minute project, as I expected.
[doublepost=1541553449][/doublepost]Difficulty looks comparable to adding a second internal drive to a 2012 Mac mini, aside from having to remove the CPU cooler and re-paste the CPU as an extra step. But for every generation prior to the 2014, RAM upgrades are much easier.

I don't know who that guy is, and he didn't post a link to the documents to verify, but even so, 20 minutes instead of 10. Not a big deal.

 

[StellarVixen]

Now, all that is left is to wait for iFixit tear down.

If it is really this complicated, I am out. You guys seem so confident to take out the entire logic board to swap RAM.

For me, that is a huge task, and there is possibility that I will screw something up. I like to tinker with software, but when it comes to hardware, I am pretty dumb.


Such a shame.

 

[redheeler]

I don't know who that guy is, and he didn't post a link to the documents to verify, but even so, 20 minutes instead of 10. Not a big deal.

20 minutes for someone who is completing this project for the first time? Not a chance. This is a 1 hour project at the low end, and 2-3 at the high end.

 

[archer75]

Now, all that is left is to wait for iFixit tear down.

If it is really this complicated, I am out. You guys seem so confident to take out the entire logic board to swap RAM.

For me, that is a huge task, and there is possibility that I will screw something up. I like to tinker with software, but when it comes to hardware, I am pretty dumb.


Such a shame.

It will be fine. Especially with a video to follow. I completely disassembled a 27" imac and put it back together. Go slow, take pictures so you know how things were. A mini will be cake next to that.

 

[Zackmd1]

Yep not surprising one bit... Yes socketed but user upgradable? Not really....

 

[archer75]

20 minutes for someone who is completing this project for the first time? Not a chance. This is a 1 hour project at the low end, and 2-3 at the high end.

With a video to follow or step by step guide? Easy. 1 hour absolute max. Though I very much dout it will take that long. I took an imac apart and had it back together in an hour. I could build a complete PC from scratch in under 2.

 

[Zackmd1]

It will be fine. Especially with a video to follow. I completely disassembled a 27" imac and put it back together. Go slow, take pictures so you know how things were. A mini will be cake next to that.

For mechanically inclined people it is not a big deal I agree, but for someone that is not mechanically inclined it would be a large undertaking. My question, does upgrading the ram void your warranty considering the complexity of the procedure?

 

[StellarVixen]

For mechanically inclined people it is not a big deal I agree, but for someone that is not mechanically inclined it would be a large undertaking. My question, does upgrading the ram void your warranty considering the complexity of the procedure?

Probably not, but if you damage the machine in the process, your warranty is gone.

Oh, and if you need to take it to Apple for repair under warranty, you have to put original RAM in. Apple refuses to work on Mac that doesn’t have original components.

 

[D.T.]

3 hours? Holy heck, I could fabricate my own SODIMMs in that amount of time

 

[StellarVixen]

3 hours? Holy heck, I could fabricate my own SODIMMs in that amount of time

Damn, you need to start your own semiconductor factory! Now!

 

[F-Train]

I could build a complete PC from scratch in under 2 [hours].

How long did it take you the first time. A day? Two days?

 

[archer75]

How long did it take you the first time. A day? Two days?

Well that was 15 years ago. But only an afternoon.

 

[oldtime]

Whether it’s easier than some are suggesting or not, the fact that Apple showed the internals during the Keynote without the cages in place — making it seem that the ram was easily accessible and likely upgrade-friendly — was a slimy move by them. Absolutely shameful.