How user-serviceable are the new minis?
Matt
drive, battery or whatever, but I understand Apple has gone downhill in
this area in recent years. I was thinking of a Mini for an upgrade and
wanted to get a sense of how servicable is it. You know, RAM, drives,
etc... I know it's very compact, which is one reason I want it. Thanks,
--
Matt
David Empson
> I have an old iMac G5 which is quite easy to crack open and swap the hard
> drive, battery or whatever, but I understand Apple has gone downhill in
> this area in recent years. I was thinking of a Mini for an upgrade and
> wanted to get a sense of how servicable is it. You know, RAM, drives,
> etc...
The Mini is not designed to allow end user access to any internal
components for servicing. Even replacing the RAM officially requires
taking it to an Apple service provider.
I've done it myself on some older (PowerPC) Minis, and it appears that
the Intel models are similar.
See http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Browse/Mac_mini for a tear-down guide.
The hard part is getting the outer case open, which requires levering it
open with a putty knife or similar.
Once you are inside, getting access to most parts requires some
dismantling and unscrewing, and there are fragile bits to get out of the
way, such as the Airport and Bluetooth antennas.
--
David Empson
dem...@actrix.gen.nz
Matt
> Matt <matt...@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote:
>
>> I have an old iMac G5 which is quite easy to crack open and swap the hard
>> drive, battery or whatever, but I understand Apple has gone downhill in
>> this area in recent years. I was thinking of a Mini for an upgrade and
>> wanted to get a sense of how servicable is it. You know, RAM, drives,
>> etc...
>
> The Mini is not designed to allow end user access to any internal
> components for servicing. Even replacing the RAM officially requires
> taking it to an Apple service provider.
Yikes, thanks for the tip. I guess that could be expected considering
how compact it is -- but they always have an excuse, don't they. ;-)
--
Matt
William R. Walsh
> I was thinking of a Mini for an upgrade and wanted to get a sense of
> how servicable is it. You know, RAM, drives, etc... I know it's very
> compact, which is one reason I want it.
I disagree with the other poster. I've had all of the Mac mini variants
apart, from the PowerPC to the latest nVidia 9400 based units. (Haven't seen
the "server mini" yet, but I suspect that I will.)
The RAM and hard drive are pretty well standard components, both the same as
what would be used in a laptop of similar vintage. The optical drive is most
likely somewhat special to the system. I don't know if it might be used in a
Macintosh notebook computer, as I try not to work on them. (All halfway
modern Macintosh notebook computers are a real pain to work on. Maybe you
knew that.)
None of the Mac mini systems are particularly hard or dangerous to take
apart IF you have a good set of tools with which to do the work. You will
need precision screwdrivers and some way to safely remove a few thin
multi-wire connectors. (Careful use of a needle-nose pliers works for
those.) The machine comes apart in layers. After popping the top cover off,
you start with the antennas (and they're not all that fragile), move to the
plastic "surround" that goes over the logic board (held by multiple screws),
disconnect a few wires and then you can lift up the plastic housing. This
reveals the RAM and hard disk (which is up in the plastic housing, and
fairly easy to remove). The optical drive mounts in a similar fashion above
the hard disk.
If you do buy one and plan to take it apart for upgrades, don't skimp on the
tools. Not being sure of your approximate location means that my suggestions
may not be valid for your area. I wish I could recommend the Sears Craftsman
brand of precision screwdrivers, because they're made in the US and have a
lifetime warranty. But they are poorly made compared to their cheaper (and
made in Taiwan) Companion brand that they also sell. After having several of
the Craftsman drivers snap in two (due to thin, weak plastic) under gentle
use, I stopped returning them under warranty and simply bought the
cheaper-but-better set.
William
Matt
<newsg...@idontwantjunqueemail.walshcomptech.com> wrote:
>> I was thinking of a Mini for an upgrade and wanted to get a sense of
>> how servicable is it. You know, RAM, drives, etc... I know it's very
>> compact, which is one reason I want it.
>
> I disagree with the other poster. I've had all of the Mac mini variants
> apart, from the PowerPC to the latest nVidia 9400 based units. (Haven't seen
> the "server mini" yet, but I suspect that I will.)
Thanks for your thoughts; I've been an iMac user, but I've tired of the
all-in-one design, and the new Minis are looking more appealing to me
now.
> The RAM and hard drive are pretty well standard components, both the same as
> what would be used in a laptop of similar vintage. The optical drive is most
> likely somewhat special to the system. I don't know if it might be used in a
> Macintosh notebook computer, as I try not to work on them. (All halfway
> modern Macintosh notebook computers are a real pain to work on. Maybe you
> knew that.)
Since you have worked on minis, I thought I might ask you: would a 7200
rpm hard disk dissipate too much heat for the mini or is that a viable
upgrade?
Comparing their $600 and $800 minis for sale now, I'm guessing one could
upgrade the memory and hard drive for maybe a little more than half the
$200 difference, so the question is whether a few extra megahertz in the
2.53 GHz processor are worth about $100.
> None of the Mac mini systems are particularly hard or dangerous to take
> apart IF you have a good set of tools with which to do the work. You will
> need precision screwdrivers and some way to safely remove a few thin
> multi-wire connectors. (Careful use of a needle-nose pliers works for
> those.) The machine comes apart in layers. After popping the top cover off,
> you start with the antennas (and they're not all that fragile), move to the
> plastic "surround" that goes over the logic board (held by multiple screws),
> disconnect a few wires and then you can lift up the plastic housing. This
> reveals the RAM and hard disk (which is up in the plastic housing, and
> fairly easy to remove). The optical drive mounts in a similar fashion above
> the hard disk.
Sounds kind of fun actually. But I assume this voids the warranty? I
don't get Apple Care, so I could just see how it runs for a year and
upgrade as necessary after the factory warranty runs out.
> If you do buy one and plan to take it apart for upgrades, don't skimp on the
> tools. Not being sure of your approximate location means that my suggestions
> may not be valid for your area. I wish I could recommend the Sears Craftsman
> brand of precision screwdrivers, because they're made in the US and have a
> lifetime warranty. But they are poorly made compared to their cheaper (and
> made in Taiwan) Companion brand that they also sell. After having several of
> the Craftsman drivers snap in two (due to thin, weak plastic) under gentle
> use, I stopped returning them under warranty and simply bought the
> cheaper-but-better set.
Sears is very convenient to me, though I have heard they have gone
downhill in recent years. Didn't know the Companion tools are better.
I could upgrade my tools and get a mini all in the same trip, actually.
:-)
--
Matt
Lloyd Parsons
Matt <matt...@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote:
> Since you have worked on minis, I thought I might ask you: would a 7200
> rpm hard disk dissipate too much heat for the mini or is that a viable
> upgrade?
>
> Comparing their $600 and $800 minis for sale now, I'm guessing one could
> upgrade the memory and hard drive for maybe a little more than half the
> $200 difference, so the question is whether a few extra megahertz in the
> 2.53 GHz processor are worth about $100.
I've worked on them also, and I don't want to again. Opening it is no
big deal, but those are small and tight parts in there.
I think if I were buying a mini today, I'd get the $600, let Apple take
the RAM to 4Gb for another $100 and then use this for my faster, bigger
HD needs :
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack/
Nice clean install, and then set the boot to the faster drive and you
are done.
Lloyd
Michael Dines
> I think if I were buying a mini today, I'd get the $600, let Apple take
> the RAM to 4Gb for another $100 and then use this for my faster, bigger
> HD needs :
>
> http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ministack/
>
> Nice clean install, and then set the boot to the faster drive and you
> are done.
>
When I first got a mac mini I got an Iomega Minimax to run the os from.
The nice thing about it (only 320GB but enough) is that there's three
firewire and 3+1 usb ports, and a switch which will tell it to prefer
Firewire when using it as an external boot disk. So I can use the disk
as both a firewire and a usb hub simultaneously. Without this switch
apparently it will give precedence to usb for booting - I don't know if
the ministack works the same way.
A word of warning though, I bought another Iomega Minimax (500GB) and
that didn't have the switch on the back. So, if you're tempted by the
Iomega I'd advise going to the store where you're buying it from and
checking first.
William R. Walsh
> Thanks for your thoughts; I've been an iMac user, but I've tired of the
> all-in-one design, and the new Minis are looking more appealing to me
> now.
I love the Mac mini, because it so good at so many things. I've used them as
the basis for conventional desktop computers, digital signage "drivers" and
workgroup servers. I can't think of anything else in the Apple Macintosh
product line that is so flexible.
> Since you have worked on minis, I thought I might ask you: would a 7200
> rpm hard disk dissipate too much heat for the mini or is that a viable
> upgrade?
I think it could be a viable upgrade--if you really demand that kind of
performance. A large capacity 5400 RPM drive would benefit from the high
data density on its platters, and it's not inconceivable that a good one
could rival the performance of the 7200 RPM drive.
In laptop applications, the 7200 RPM drives almost never get special
cooling. The Mac mini has a fan that could at least move some air around in
there. (How much it moves past the hard drive is an unknown. I haven't tried
to investigate this and the fan is really there to cool the CPU and
northbridge parts.)
> Comparing their $600 and $800 minis for sale now, I'm guessing one could
> upgrade the memory and hard drive for maybe a little more than half the
> $200 difference, so the question is whether a few extra megahertz in the
> 2.53 GHz processor are worth about $100.
Spend the extra money on disk or RAM. You won't notice "a few extra
megahertz". Shop around on RAM, you may be able to buy it cheaper. Other
World Computing (http://eshop.macsales.com/) RAM has *always* worked well
for me and they are competitive. I say that as nothing more than a satisfied
customer.
> Sounds kind of fun actually.
A walk in the park compared to something like a PowerBook, iBook, Macbook or
Macbook Pro...or almost any iPod.
> But I assume this voids the warranty?
If you break something in there, yes. I've heard it on pretty good authority
that Apple doesn't mind if people open their mini, although they don't
explicitly approve of it either. The risk is pretty low of damaging
anything. These systems are not that hard to work on.
> I don't get Apple Care, so I could just see how it runs for a year and
> upgrade as necessary after the factory warranty runs out.
For what it is, the mini appears to be very reliable. The oldest mini I have
(a PowerPC system based on the 1.25GHz processor) has run flawlessly since I
bought it in 2005. I finally replaced the hard disk, but only because it was
getting old and its 4200 RPM spindle speed gave uninspiring performance when
pushed. A newer Intel system lost its optical drive once under warranty, but
the replacement has proven reliable. Other than that, nothing much to speak
of has happened.
> Sears is very convenient to me, though I have heard they have gone
> downhill in recent years. Didn't know the Companion tools are better.
> I could upgrade my tools and get a mini all in the same trip, actually.
> :-)
Heh. Well, if that was the excuse you were looking for... :-)
For the most part, I'd recommend the Craftsman tools as long as you're not
buying precision screwdrivers. The Companion screwdrivers of which I speak
have a blue plastic body with a yellow top. The Craftsman ones have a fat
body at the top, and it slims down as it nears the tip. The Craftsman ones
also have a colored cap that looks "swelled over" at the top. It's the
slimmed down plastic leading to the tip (and surrounded by a rubber grip)
that is the weak point. The metal screwdriver shaft just twists right out of
the plastic when forced. It just isn't sturdy enough.
Some of the precision Craftsman screwdrivers are OK. There are some that
have conventional handles molded around a longer metal shaft. They look like
smaller versions of regular screwdrivers with the plastic molded handle at
the top only. Their small Torx drivers are made like this, and have proven
to be sturdy in my work. They have clear handles with a colored, tapered end
that goes down to the about the middle of the shaft.
They are now rather out-of-date, but you might like to read my Mac mini
reviews:
http://greyghost.mooo.com/mmreview/
William
Jolly Roger
Matt <matt...@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote:
> would a 7200
> rpm hard disk dissipate too much heat for the mini or is that a viable
> upgrade?
It'll be fine. I have have used a 7200 RPM drive in one of my Mac minis
for years without issue.
--
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JR
Jolly Roger
Matt <matt...@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote:
> Comparing their $600 and $800 minis for sale now, I'm guessing one could
> upgrade the memory and hard drive for maybe a little more than half the
> $200 difference, so the question is whether a few extra megahertz in the
> 2.53 GHz processor are worth about $100.
Exactly! I do this for any new Mac I buy I buy the lowest configuration
of RAM and HD, and upgrade those myself. I save money doing this.
Jolly Roger
dem...@actrix.gen.nz (David Empson) wrote:
Having done this more times than I care to count, I can tell you even
those fragile bits are pretty durable. The tools I usually have for this
are:
* a thin-but-strong metal putty knife
* a small Phillips screw driver
* a small regular screw driver
* a small pair of needle nose pliers
* a magnetic screw wand (to handle small screws)
Barry OGrady
with the supercharged 1600 should be fun.
=-=-=
Barry
http://members.iinet.net.au/~barry.og
Mr. Uh Clem
hard drive upgrades on all manner of Apple products, including Minis.
http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/
--
Clem
"If you push something hard enough, it will fall over."
- Fudd's first law of opposition