Mac Mini

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caldazar

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#35811 15-Jun-2009 17:07

Hey,

I'm looking at buying a new Mac Mini.

Just wondering whether I should go for 2GB RAM or 4GB?

I won't be playing games, just doing a bit of programming/development on it.

Does the current version run well with just 2GB RAM?

bender

220 posts

Master Geek

#225418 15-Jun-2009 23:12

2GB works fine, but to be honest I've always found I need 4GB as 2GB runs but with only a few hundred megs free. If you do programming in any kind of IDE, it'll suck up the remaining RAM and you'll wish it had 4GB.

It's only another $100 odd to upgrade anyway

MikeB4

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#225456 16-Jun-2009 07:02

When buying a new PC get as much Ram as you can afford. Its cheaper then .Upgrading later usually means expensive discard.

jonathan18

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#225467 16-Jun-2009 08:18

KiwiNZ: When buying a new PC get as much Ram as you can afford. Its cheaper then .Upgrading later usually means expensive discard.

Then again, what do Apple charge for the additional RAM at purchase time? Typically, it is at ridiculously inflated prices, whereas you can often get RAM guaranteed to work with a Mac at a reasonable price elsewhere. I purchased 2GB for $40 from http://toshcomputers.co.nz/ - others have purchased it far cheaper on TradeMe.

I think the bigger issue than cost to think about is that, if you do the RAM upgrade yourself, it's not the easiest computer to do this on. My Mac Mini was second-hand, so I wasn't too worried if I got a few scratches on the underside when attempting to get the case open (which did happen), but those with new computers may not be willing to take this risk (unless the new Mini is easier to open than the previous gens?).

MikeB4

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#225470 16-Jun-2009 08:26

Good point , I have never really priced it. My Imac and Macbook both came with 2gb of ram and have worked great with it.

I was considering adding more for Snow Leopard but will wait and see

stevenz

2802 posts

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#225480 16-Jun-2009 08:53

Do NOT pay Apple prices for RAM. Their pricing seems to be about 2 years behind the times. You can buy 2x 4GB modules for under $150, versus the $350 that Apple effectively charge just for an extra 2GB. From experience they use fairly middle of the road Hynix (Hyundai) and similar modules, so it's nothing very flash. Upgrading it isn't too difficult as long as you're vaguely competant.

Snow Leopard should require _less_ RAM than Leopard does, not more.

I'd also recommend buying a 2nd-hand Mac Mini, as the prices for the new ones are ridiculous.

caldazar

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#225553 16-Jun-2009 11:40

Thanks for the responses.

Yeah I was really just checking in case 2GB was going to be uncomfortable to use but sounds like it will be ok to get started.

I'll just get the 2GB version for now and upgrade my ram later (most likely a week or two after I get the machine ;-) ) on by myself. I have a PPC mac mini and did the ram upgrade to 1GB without an issue before, so should be ok to do it again.

caldazar

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#225555 16-Jun-2009 11:43

I think it costs $220 for Apple to upgrade the ram to 4GB, so I can probably buy the ram myself for half that.

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jonathan18

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#225560 16-Jun-2009 11:59

caldazar: I think it costs $220 for Apple to upgrade the ram to 4GB, so I can probably buy the ram myself for half that.

Does Apple supply the Mini with 1 x 2GB or 2 x 1GB? Hopefully the former, but even if it's the latter, can always sell the RAM to partly recoup the cost...

caldazar

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#225600 16-Jun-2009 14:09

Unfortunately, I believe they supply 2x1GB, so I will have to sell the 1GB modules.

dawnraid

100 posts

Master Geek
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#225626 16-Jun-2009 16:08

Good luck with that, the old ram out of my macbook (2 X 1gb Sticks) I found was virtually worthless on TM.

nakedmolerat

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#234554 13-Jul-2009 09:38

dawnraid: Good luck with that, the old ram out of my macbook (2 X 1gb Sticks) I found was virtually worthless on TM.

agreed, i still have few 1gb sticks. last time i sold it for $1

btw, i love that ms-dos logo :D good ol time... i digress

dawnraid

100 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#234579 13-Jul-2009 10:14

nakedmolerat:
dawnraid: Good luck with that, the old ram out of my macbook (2 X 1gb Sticks) I found was virtually worthless on TM.

agreed, i still have few 1gb sticks. last time i sold it for $1

btw, i love that ms-dos logo :D good ol time... i digress

cheers

JordantheNerd

62 posts

Master Geek

#240248 29-Jul-2009 18:30

I would say 2gb is more than enough, and you can always upgrade later (if you do upgrade, don't buy your ram from Apple, as it is way too expensive).

wazzageek

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#242407 4-Aug-2009 15:27

Caldazar - I've not been following this thread for a while, what development are you doing? I've got a Black macbook with 2GB of RAM, running Eclipse ... I'd definitely prefer to be running with 4 GB of RAM.