Mac mini RAM upgrade

86gtv · 24 Mar 2014 at 23:33

Just wondering should i get the 16gb off apple or can someone recommend a suitable replacement kit?

Cheers

Somnambulist · 25 Mar 2014 at 09:42

Crucial are usually the go-to. They have a web-based tool on their site so you can pick the correct one.

shiver · 25 Mar 2014 at 12:10

It's a shame DDR3 laptop modules haven't come down in price again.

I bought 16GB for my MBP (modules now in my Mac mini) for ~£55 in late 2012. Now you're looking at £115 for the same stuff!

86gtv · 25 Mar 2014 at 16:05

Perfect I'll have a look, also will any ssd fit e.g. Samsung 1tb evo?

shiver · 25 Mar 2014 at 16:13

It will do yep, it uses standard 2.5" SATA drives.

86gtv · 25 Mar 2014 at 16:33

Even better saves me buying top of range model straight away. Thanks Shiver

shiver · 26 Mar 2014 at 13:58

The RAM is incredibly easy to install, no tools required. However replacing the hard drive does require moving the logic board out slightly. I'd recommend check iFixit for a guide if you're intending to do it yourself.

Somnambulist · 26 Mar 2014 at 14:11

The HDD replacement is fairly easy if you have the right tools (and the iFixit vids to hand) and don't have great sausages fingers.

Sagalout · 26 Mar 2014 at 17:21

Wierdly I got 2 batches of Crucial ram and they both caused crashes. They even had stickers on stating they were for the Mac Mini. Sent them back and replaced with Kingston and been fine ever since. Probably just unlucky!

86gtv · 27 Mar 2014 at 22:08

Just ordered a Samsung 750gb 840 evo and corsair 16gb 1600mhz also picked up a logic board tool that I seen on YouTube. Another question how do I go about installing OS X on new ssd?

OhEsEcks · 27 Mar 2014 at 22:49

86gtv said:
Just ordered a Samsung 750gb 840 evo and corsair 16gb 1600mhz also picked up a logic board tool that I seen on YouTube. Another question how do I go about installing OS X on new ssd?

The easiest way to install OS X is to do a fresh install with a bootable USB from the images that are downloaded via the App Store.

http://liondiskmaker.com

Download Lion / Mountain Lion / Mavericks or whatever and when it launches and prompts you to install, close it. Plug in your USB (needs to be 8GB or more) and then run Lion Disk Maker. Follow the prompts and it'll create the bootable USB. Then restart the machine and boot via USB.

86gtv · 27 Mar 2014 at 23:10

I have a airport time capsule, would this allow me to " restore" my mac back to an earlier date onto the new ssd or am I totally wrong?

OhEsEcks · 27 Mar 2014 at 23:20

86gtv said:
I have a airport time capsule, would this allow me to " restore" my mac back to an earlier date onto the new ssd or am I totally wrong?

As far as I know, you still have to do a clean install and then restore old data when prompted during new install setup using migration assistant. That'll put everything back to the last snapshot that was on your time capsule. But it's better to ask someone that has actually done it (I do fresh installs since all my important data is stored on RAID, iCloud and offsite).

Another option is a bootable snapshot.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-6101

shiver · 28 Mar 2014 at 09:32

Agreed with OhEsEcks, bootable OS X USB drive is the best bet. Handy for clean reinstalls later on.