It's always best to use matching pairs when installing RAM for best performance. If you don't need this much, simply grab a 16GB kit made up of a pair of 8GB RAM sticks.
#2018 MAC MINI RAM UPGRADE UPGRADE#
Those aren't exactly easy to find.įor just over $200, however, you can get a Crucial 32GB SO-DIMM DDR4 RAM kit that will make a terrific upgrade to any 2018 Mac Mini.
#2018 MAC MINI RAM UPGRADE INSTALL#
The happier news is you can install up to 64GB of RAM in the 2018 Mac Mini, though as you only have two slots available, the only way to achieve this is with a pair of 32GB sticks. Luckily, this guide from iFixit+Replacement/115309) will walk you through every step of the process. The rewards will be worthwhile, but you'll basically be disassembling your Mac Mini in order to do a RAM upgrade. The RAM isn't easily accessible and requires a little know-how and a lot of patience to get at. While the RAM is a standard sized SO-DIMM module and replaceable by anyone who buys a 2018 Mac Mini, it's far from as simple to accomplish, at least compared to what it used to be back in 2012. You could upgrade to 32GB yourself and save about $400 in the process. When buying a new Mac Mini, increasing the RAM to 16GB costs $200, 32GB costs $600, and 64GB an eye-watering $1,400. It has two memory sockets which can be upgraded to 64GBs maximum memory using two 32GB PC4-21300 SODIMMs. NOTE: The 2018 Mac Mini is built with a 6-Core Intel Core i7 Processor and has four Thunderbolt 3 ports and two USB3.0 ports. That's never been close to as cheap as it is to make the same upgrade yourself. Apple Mac Mini 8,1 (2018) MRTR2LL/A CTO Memory Specs.
Apple still charges more for RAMĭespite the move back to DIY, if you want more RAM you're shouldn't be stuck paying what Apple wants to charge you for it. The 2018 Mac Mini arrived as a long-awaited follow up to Apple's tiny desktop computer and it came bearing good news: You could once again take out the RAM and upgrade it yourself. Just unnecessarily cumbersome due to the area on the motherboard where Apple designed the RAM slots. (Overly careful probably.) Its not at all difficult to do. The process to do so took me about 30 minutes as I was extremely careful in performing each task. However, after the late 2012 Mac Mini, Apple changed the internals, so you couldn't do it yourself anymore. I did the same upgrade on my 2018 Mac mini as well: the 32GB RAM upgrade. It used to be a matter of unscrewing the bottom and swapping the RAM sticks, a process that took a matter of minutes. So act fast! And if you do pick one up, let us know how the upgrade process goes in the comments below.Changing out the RAM in the Mac Mini used to be a really simple process. There are only 2 upgrade kits for the 32GB option. iFixit’s website indicates that, at the time of publication, there are only three 16GB upgrade kits remaining. One other thing to be aware of: You may have to act fast if you want one now. If you want to go through with the process, here’s everything that comes in the kit: However, it’s worth noting here that if Apple figures out you opened the case and upgraded the RAM on your own, you’ll have violated the company’s warranty, so keep that in mind. IFixit’s RAM option matches Apple’s own specifications, so you’ll be good there. ( You can find iFixit’s guide to replace the RAM right here.) The 16GB RAM upgrade kit is going for $164.99, or you can fork over $324.99 for the 32GB option - both of which are cheaper than what Apple is asking. After just doing the process once, I’m confident I could install memory in a 2018 Mac mini in less than 20 minutes.
The publication has just published its Memory Maxxer RAM Upgrade Kit for the 2018 Mac mini, which not only comes with the additional RAM, but also the tools to change the hardware out of the box. Upgrading RAM in the 2018 Mac mini isn’t what I would call super-easy, but it’s definitely not difficult, and it is doable if you have the right tools, exercise patience, and are careful. But if you want to save some money, iFixit is here for you. The set-top box starts with 8GB of RAM, but you can upgrade that directly from Apple for either $200 (for the 16GB option) or $600 (for the 32GB option), depending on how much you want to spend and what type of upgrade you’re looking for. The 2018 Mac mini is perfectly capable of getting the RAM under the hood upgraded. If you plan on picking up the brand new Mac mini, which Apple launched earlier this year, and want to upgrade the RAM inside, the fine folks at iFixit have an option for you.