2018 Mac mini RAM upgrade AppleCare questions

I think the Mini has not had enough coverage to determine if Apple Care is required. I have made updates to my Mac's in the past and as long as you do no damage when performing the task it does not void the warranty. I have a 2012 Mini that has had zero issues all these years so that model is very reliable. I do not believe there are that many mechanical parts in the mini (e.g. Fan, etc.) that has a chance of failure as most are electronics but hard to tell.

Hi, russell_314 !

I find it quite interesting nobody here - except me now, of course - has warned you about running afoul of the T2 chip. There is a non-zero risk you can brick the Mini with no recourse but to take it to an AASP or Apple to get it working again. Uncomfortable, warranty-voiding questions may follow that set of circumstances. I cannot picture how anyone can consider voiding their warranty worth it, when for a pittance they can get Apple or an AASP to do the work correctly.

Seriously - Apple has warned you, and you posted the warning here. I am telling you it isn't worth the risk it do it yourself. Nobody here is going to chip in to buy you a new Mini when something goes wrong, even while kinda-sorta egging you on. They completely missed warning you about the T2. I am the only one here telling you the truth, which is this is a seriously bad idea when compared to the benefit you may reap.

Please let Apple or an AASP do the heavy lifting, so there are no regrets down the line. It is the only way in which your risk drops to zero.

Then again, Buster_From_Oak_Park, may be onto something. There are a number of Internet articles describing Apple's T2 security chip. Specifically, concerning performing DIY upgrades/repairs that can disable the newest Macs. Apple only provides the AST 2 System Configuration suite to their Genius Bar technicians & Apple Authorized Service Providers to verify parts used are Apple-approved. Using third-party parts, in theory, would fail these tests. Apple has only provided a limited amount of information of what specific parts are called out, mentioning only logic boards and touch sensors. So far, RAM hasn't been mentioned and both iFixIt & OWC (possibly others) are providing RAM upgrade kits for the 2018 mini ... so it's buyer beware!

As far as RAM swapping and AppleCare, no one has tested that yet obviously

so who knows. Also, a lot would depend on where you would get it serviced

if need be. Some AASP may be hardline, some may not.

Another consideration, because of how the Mini is designed, since RAM

is the only replaceable item, any other malfunction will require a logic

board replacement, which will cost way more than AppleCare.

I checked with the Apple Store in Santa Barbara, CA, and the total to add a 16GB module is about $360 for the module and $85 for labor, totaling some $445 -- more than $400, oh skeptical one :). This, I, believe is Apple's standard pricing for this upgrade everywhere in the US.

True, you end up with 20GB of RAM (the store tech verified this for me), but you're paying more than twice the price of 3rd parties for the typically ~$130 16GB module, which is true for the 32GB module as well. 

Moreover, according to many legal experts, Apple voiding its warranty after a successful user upgrade is on its face illegal under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act

The biggest risk you have is disassembling the Mini to the extent required

and killing it with a static discharge. And that discharge does not have

to come via your body and you may never notice it until you put it

back together and find out you have a $1000 iBrick.

I do not believe there are that many mechanical parts in the mini (e.g. Fan, etc.) that has a chance of failure as most are electronics but hard to tell.

FYI ... the 2018 Mac mini very definitely has a fan.

Are there?

You are willing to put at risk close to $1,000 there are no cuts or edits in those videos where perhaps the Mini was taken to an AASP or Apple to get it running again? That nothing at all went wrong and was removed from the final video?

By the way - Please tell me where Apple techs are getting $400 to put RAM in a Mini, because I want to work there in the worst possible way. I'll be rich in no time!

Look, it's obvious you want to do this and you aren't willing to listen to reason. That's cool. Go for it, and let us know how it turns out. I am sure watching videos is how Evel Knievel learned his craft. We're here to hold your beer during your run!

Good luck!

Maybe we aren’t warning him because your T2 chip scare is less than it’s made out to be.

I mean no mechanical parts except items like the fan. I phrased it wrong.

I am assuming the $400 is the difference between buying 32 GB RAM from a place such as OWC and buying a Mini with 32 GB RAM already installed.