The Inside Wire: Mac mini RAM upgrade

Posted by Jeff Graber Feb 7, 2005 at 12:16am

As an Apple Service Provider even I was surprised to hear Apple insist users take their Mac minis to a shop for memory upgrades. For years, users have been doing their own memory upgrades, and Apple has been promoting “self-service” actively for the past few years. So what gives?

Then it occurred to me: either Apple doesn’t trust the skills of an average user with a “modified” putty knife, or Apple is pushing for its own RAM upgrades on this low margin Mac through the build-to-order process. If you know it already, Apple’s RAM is priced beyond reason.

If you have a putty knife with a 1.5-inch flexible blade, just sand down with 150 grit paper on one side for about two minutes until the edge is slightly beveled. Then with you “modified” putty knife in hand:

° Place the computer on a clean, flat surface.

° Turn the compute over so the ports are facing you and the bottom of the computer (gray color) is facing up.

° Hold the putty knife with the beveled edge facing the bottom housing. Insert the tool into the gap where the metal housing and the bottom assembly come together on the left side of the computer. Be careful not to scratch or dent the top or bottom housing when inserting the tool.

° Gently release the internal latches by prying the tool away from the computer. Note: You will hear little popping sounds as the latches release and the bottom moves away from the top housing, creating a gap at the top of the I/O panel.

° Repeat the procedure on the right side of the unit.

° Push the I/O panel upward until the top housing is removed. The popping sounds will continue as you push the I/O panel; this is normal.

° Set the top housing aside.

° Locate the RAM in the slot.

° Remove the Bluetooth antenna and the kapton (dark yellow) tape. Important: Take care handling the Bluetooth antenna as a bent or warped antenna will affect Bluetooth connectivity. Set the antenna to the side.

° To release the memory from its slot, push down on the two side latches. Then pull the memory module out of the slot. Caution: Be careful that the latch on the left doesn’t damage the EMI clip near the I/O port.

° Replace the memory module by lining up the notch on the module with the notch on the slot. Press firmly on the memory module until it clicks into place. Use your thumb and index finger to push the module into the slot. The clips will secure the memory in place.

° Replace the Bluetooth antenna and kapton tape. Again, take care handling the Bluetooth antenna as a bent or warped antenna will affect Bluetooth connectivity.

° Replace the top housing by aligning the rear I/O panel with the top housing. Make sure all the white latches son the sides of the unit are aligned as shown.

° Squeeze the unit together firmly as shown.

° If the computer doesn’t go together, check the EMI tab alignment and try again. Check that the metal tabs aren’t bent. Work your hands around the unit, squeezing the top and bottom until they snap together and there are no gaps.

Voiding the warranty

Your one-year Apple warranty will be voided if you break any part of the Mac mini while performing this ugrade, so take it slow and steady. By Apple repair standards, this is a simple procedure, and if you’re not comfortable doing this, take the mini to a service provider. If you decide to upgrade the RAM yourself, remember to practice ESD safety procedures.

Jeff Graber is CEO of the Mac Support Store, a Mac consulting-support company. Since 1996, he’s led the company to consult and support over 17,000 Macintosh computers for business clients. Graber’s “Inside Wire” column will appear each Monday.

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