Want to upgrade the RAM in your mac Mini? You can definitely save a few bucks by buying a stripped down Mac Mini and upgrading the RAM yourself (You can purchase DDR2 SDRAM for the Mac Mini from the Apple Store ). But before you can install that extra RAM, you'll need to take a walk down to your local hardware store and grab a couple putty knives. Thanks to the Mac Mini, the putty knife is now becoming part of the standard set of essential computer hardware tools.

Traditionally, Apple computers have easily come apart with a few screws and levers. In fact, some Apple machines, like the PowerMac G5, almost come apart entirely without tools. However, brute force, patience and a putty knife are required to crack open the Mac Mini.

Many people speculate that Apple made opening the Mac Mini difficult on purpose. Apple would prefer that you let an authorized Apple service provider handle all hardware upgrades and part replacements with their consumer level products. While we're on the subject, please keep in mind that if you ruin your computer while trying to open it, Apple will not replace it for you. Also, don't come complaining to us. Any damage you inflict on your computer is your fault, not ours.

Proceed at your own risk and before you begin, you might want to consider backing up all important files. Better safe than sorry.

Requirements:

• putty knives ($0.86 plastic putty knives are recommended if you hate scratches)
• fingernails
• standard size regular head screwdriver
• small philips head screwdriver (magnetic if possible)
• RAM
• shot glass or cereal bowl
• static wrist guard
• Mac Mini

Opening Up the Mac Mini and installing RAM

Print out this tutorial so you can refer to it later if needed.

1. Find a flat, clean, sturdy and dry surface that you can use for your Mac Mini's "operating table". Your kitchen table will probably work nicely. Some bad work-surface examples include: a diving board, the ball pit at Chucky Cheese, and a sauna. You should also try to reduce the chance of static shock in your surroundings by not standing on carpet, not wearing a cell phone, putting on a static wrist guard and repeatedly grounding yourself.
   
   
   
2. If your computer is on, then shut it down. Unplug every cable that's connected to your Mac Mini and carry it over to your operating table. Then flip the Mac Mini upside down.
   
   
   
3. Use your fingernails to slightly pry apart the top case of the Mac Mini. Using a metal putty knife will almost guarantee a few scratches that can be avoided simply by using your fingernails. If you have a friend helping, have them try to insert either a putty knife or flat-headed screwdriver into the gap created by the fingernails(s). It's a very tight fit and will require some elbow grease and finessing. You can also try using rulers if your plastic putty knife isn't thick enough.
   
   Be careful not to dig the putty knife in too deep or you will tear up some of the gray foam on the inside of the case. Opening the Mac Mini is not an easy task. Turn back now if you don't feel comfortable.
   
   
   
4. Once you have the putty knife inserted into the side, use it to carefully pry the top case apart from the rest of the Mac Mini. You may have to push back until the putty knife starts to bend.
   
   Don't be alarmed if your Mac Mini starts to snap, crackle and pop like a bowl of Rice Crispies. This is the sound of the plastic clips and metal rim coming loose. Also be aware that minor scratches in and around your Mac Mini will be pretty difficult to avoid [see image]. But a plastic putty knife will dramatically decrease the amount of scratches your Mac Mini will suffer during this procedure. A plastic putty knife is only about ¢0.80 from Amazon.com or your local hardware store.
   
   Once you have loosened the top cover, carefully slide it off.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Congratulations 1st generation Mac Mini owners. If you have a Mac Mini with a PowerPC chip you can skip this step because your RAM slot is unobstructed. However, Mac Mini Intel owners will have to remove the AirPort card antenna, upper chassis and a tiny cable before getting access to the RAM slots.
   
   
• REMOVING THE 4 CORNER SCREWS
  To remove the upper chassis, which holds the hard drive and the CD/DVD drive, you will need to take out 4 corner screws (3 small screws and one big one) surrounding a black plastic chassis. We suggest a magnetic screwdriver. Getting the 4 screws in and out is very difficult without it.
  
  

  IMPORTANT: At first glance you'll notice what is essentially three "levels" of screws. The first or top level holds the metal lid on top of the hard drive... leave these alone! The second or middle level holds the hard drive to the black chassis... leave these alone as well. The third or bottom level of screws are what need to be removed. These are the corner screws.

  
  Three of the screws are easily removed. It's the 4th screw that's a pain in the ass. To access to 4th screw, you will have to pop out the airport antenna. Directly under the antenna are two black clips that hold it in place. Gently squeeze these two black clips inward. The antenna is on a spring and should pop upward after the clips are released (don't be alarmed by the spring, it's not going to fly off). Once the antenna is detached, just lay it out of the way and take out the 4th screw.
  
  Also, several users have emailed us about a piece of yellow transparent tape attaching a wire to the chassis right below the airport antenna. We haven't seen this piece of tape yet in person, but obviously it has to be removed.
  
  Grab that souvenir shot glass you got at South Padre Island or a cereal bowl to hold the tiny screws after you remove them from the Mac Mini. These tiny black screws are a major pain in the ass to find if they happen to fall on the floor. We dropped one of the screws and had to use a magnetic sewing wand to find it again. Click on the images below for a bigger view.




Once you have all 4 screws sitting safely in a shot glass or cereal bowl, take a close look at them. You should have 3 small screws and one bigger one. The big screw goes in the front right corner of the Mac Mini. This tidbit will come in handy later when you are putting the computer back together.

A: RAM slots - hidden from view B: infrared receiver - at the end of the optical-drive slot C: Bluetooth antenna D: AirPort antenna E: Bluetooth card - beneath and behind the AirPort antenna




• UNPLUG THE TINY CABLE
  The next step is to unplug the tiny cable next to the battery. Your Mac Mini has what looks like a giant watch battery inside. To the right of this battery is a tiny black cable plugged into the main board of the Mac Mini. Gently pull upwards on the cable and it will pop out of it's socket. If it doesn't pop out, try to gently lift or pry it up from the plastic connector using a a small flat head screwdriver. Don't pull the wire too hard or it will rip out and you'll be screwed. Finding someone to replace and install this part will be very pricey. When putting the Mac Mini back together, don't forget to reattach this tiny plug. It's a bit of a no brainer but I bet someone out there will forget!
  
  
  
  
  
• BRACING THE UPPER CHASSIS
  After you've removed the 4 screws and the tiny cable next to the battery, the chassis can be removed. Gently lift the chassis straight up - pay close attention to the wires and the daughter board. This sounds more ominous than it actually is, just be careful. Flip the upper chassis over, it should still be connected by a few wires in the back. At this point you can either ask a friend to gently hold the upper chassis in place while you insert the RAM or you can rest it on a book or box.
  
  
  
  
  
6. Sticking the RAM into place is the easy part. But before you touch anything inside the computer, make sure you are static free. Touch the metal cover on the inside of the Mac Mini top cover.
   
   
   
   If you are replacing RAM, grab the tiny metal hinges, spread them apart and gently pull out the RAM chip(s). Insert your new RAM at an angle and push it down until it snaps into place.
   
   
   
7. Before you put the Mac Mini back together, you should power it on and test out your new RAM. The last thing you want to do is put the cover back on, find out that the RAM wasn't seated properly, and then have to take it apart again. Remember several internal components of your computer will be exposed while the top cover is removed. Please be extra cautious.
   
   Carefully plug in all the cables and turn it on while holding down the following keys: P, R, Option, Apple. You should hear the Macintosh startup chime. Don't let go until you hear the chime ring 3 times. This is called "zapping" the PRAM. It's a good idea to do this whenever putting new hardware inside your computer. If you forget the zap the PRAM, you computer will probably boot up and present you with a folder icon and question mark warning.
   
   You can also reset the PRAM buy pressing down a little black button inside the Mac Mini. It looks similar to the Airport Antenna and is in the opposite corner after the lid is removed. I usually call it a doorbell and people know what I'm talking about. If you can't find it, just use the startup key combination listed above.
   
   
   
   Now select the "About This Mac" option from the Apple menu. The About screen should indicate the presence of your newly added RAM. You can click on the "More Info" button to see the status of each chip. If everything looks good, Shutdown the computer, unplug all the cables and go to the next step. If you ran into some problems, try some of these RAM troubleshooting tips.
   
   
   
   
   
8. If the RAM is good and everything checks out, then you can put the Mac Mini back together . Shutdown the computer, unplug everything and bring it back over to the operating table.
   
   
   • Return the 4 corner screws back into place. Remember the big screw goes in the front right corner of the Mac Mini.
     
     
   • Snap the Airport antenna back into its two plastic clips
     
     
   • Don't forget to reattach the tiny plug.
     
     
   • As far as the top cover goes, I've heard people say this next step is either very easy or really hard. We just carefully lined up the cover and gently pushed it back into place all in one motion. Easy. However, I can see how putting the cover back on so the metal prongs line up is pretty tricky. If you put the cover on only to find a gap or two showing around the edge of the Mini, then you will have to pry it open and try again. It's a tight fit and will require some patience.
     
     
     
9. That's it. Plug it in and turn it on. If you've successfully completed this tutorial, congratulations! Not only have you upgraded the RAM in your Mac Mini, but you've also probably perfected your putty knife skills!
   
   Go buy yourself a drink... and feel free to buy us one too. You can drop a PayPal dollar in our MethodShop.com Beer Fund here.

USER COMMENTS:

"Mahalo! You saved me a bunch of time and self-doubt with this write up. I would have started drinking *before* finishing if you hadn't warned about Snap, Crackle and Pop." ~ta

"hi, just a quick thanks for you page on opening up and replacing the RAM in the Mac Mini. No, it wasn't easy (mostly because it's so nerve-wracking), but I did it thanks to your instructions. one helpful hint, I found that my fingernails and plastic putty knives weren't nearly as effective as my metal paint guide, which made opening up the mini not as hard as I thought it would be." ~Jeff

This item is available for purchase from Amazon.com The Mac Mini is quite small for a desktop computer: 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) wide, 6.5 inches (16.5 cm) deep, and 2 inches (5.1 cm) tall. It weighs 2.9 pounds (1.31 kg), though it should be noted that the included power brick is over half the size of the system itself.. For more information, check out: http://www.apple.com Rating: Requirements: see above Manufacturer: Apple