upgrading my mac mini

Hello,

I've been thinking about upgrading my mac, but it
might void the warrinty.

For a complete discussion of whether it will void your warranty or not, read the discussion:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=404761&tstart=0

I'm wondering why offer more
memory or better uppgrades when you can't install it
yourself and the apple store won't do it?

They will install memory that you supply them at the local service center. They've done it for me a couple of times on different machines. I've even had them install my modules (as an upgrade) for free when the machine was in for other servicing.

If that's
the case then the apple company really dons'nt care
about the consumer and all they care about is money.

This particular machine is designed to be an entry-level appliance-type computer. Just plug it in and go. The other models are designed for people who want more out of their system.

don't get me wrong I like the machine but at the time
i bought it i could'nt afford the higher end mac so i
just figured uppgrade as i go. but because of the
siuation i have to buy a brand new mac mini wth all
upgrades.

You can purchase your own memory and pay an Authorized Service Provider to install them for you. Should be around $25 to $40 to install it.

6742, where do you live (pls give at least the country - it could help us find a place where you Mini's RAM could be upgraded) ?

Not all Apple Resellers will add RAM to a Mac, however, an Authorized Service Provider will be happy to do it for you (although it could be expensive).

Applologists need to realize what an absurdity Apple's approach to RAM.

I recently took my new Mac Mini in to get the fan fixed, which, of course, they blamed on 3rd party RAM. Which had been installed and tested by apple certified technicians at Smalldog.com. And which allows me to run 20 applications simultaneously just fine. But of course! It's the 3rd party RAM. (Turns out, it wasn't.) So I asked them what it would be for them to take out the RAM and install their own, just so they'd actually get around to fixing the problem.

Can anyone guess how much it is to get 2 Gigs of RAM for the new Mac Mini, if purchased from an Apple retail store?

First, what is it anywhere else?

Smalldog.com - ~$250 - not the cheapest, but they're a great company, RAM comes with lifetime warranty
Crucial.com - ~$375 - the most thoroughly tested, highest-end

Now, take a wild guess what it is from Apple? Don't forget to add local sales tax.

Is it $400? Nope. Higher.

$500? Keep going!

$600? Yeah, you're getting warmer, but don't forget that tax... That's right, it's...

... OVER SIX HUNDRED and FIFTY BUCKS. $652. But wait, there's more - they wanted another $25 to install it!

Okay, Applologists, please, explain that one. How does this make sense, from anyone's perspective?

Hello ToneRowLabs,

I never said that Apple's prices were reasonable. I have stated in this forum many times that they are not.

I simply pointed out to the original poster, that he could purchase memory anywhere he liked (for whatever price he wanted), and then pay an Apple Authorized Service Provider to install it.

I never suggested he should pay Apple's markup on memory.

Interestingly, not all AASPs charge Apple's price for RAM. I got my own RAM upgrade from an Apple Center in Geneva (Apple Centers seem to be the only AASPs in Switzerland, all the other stores are only Authorized Resellers), and it cost me about 200 Swiss Francs. That makes about $155, however, it was perfectly reasonable when compared to regular RAM prices in Switzerland (which were ranging from 175 to 225 CHF back then - for a PC3200 DIMM, 1 GB) ...

I don't like being called an "Appologist". Not only is this word deprecatory, but it is also rather ugly (not agreeable to watch). Why don't you just use "Apple fanatic" ?

Hello,

Interestingly, not all AASPs charge Apple's price for
RAM. I got my own RAM upgrade from an Apple Center in

Quite true. My local Apple Service Center actually buys their upgrade components from Other World Computing. So, their prices are more in-line with the 3rd-Party market.

Of course, I usually buy my parts directly from Other World Computing myself. But, if I was buying something small, and didn't want to deal with ordering it, the local prices would be reasonably comparable.

I don't like being called an "Appologist". Not only
is this word deprecatory, but it is also rather ugly
(not agreeable to watch). Why don't you just use
"Apple fanatic" ?

Agreed.

If this person has bothered to read my other postings, he would see I am the first person to disagree with Apple on many issues.

Sometimes you'll find that I make a statement that might sound like support for Apple, but it usually isn't if you fully comprehend my meaning.

For example, we are discussing warranty issues in another thread. You might think that some of what I said in that thread sounds like I support Apple. But, if you actually read it, you'll see I am actually just informing the individuals as to what the book says. I openly have stated that I don't personally like what it says, but that's what it does say.

So, before you call me an "Apologist" take some time to read my many, many posts where I publicly state my dislikes about some of the dealings I have had with them.

Does that mean I hate them? No, just that some of my experiences have been bad. Some of their products have been really bad. But, I like many of the machines I have purchased. And, some of my experiences have been good.

So, while you will see supportive comments from me, you will also find comments condemning certain behaviors and issues.

Basically, I just tell it like it is (or how I see it) for the situation or question at-hand.

Hello,

i live in sanbernadino c.a. and theres a comp usa not
to far away and theres a apple store one city away
about 35-45 minutes. so who is the one i should go to?

My personal preference would be the dedicated Apple Store.

CompUSA is primarily focussed on PC's. They are required to provide good Apple Service by their contract. But, their service usually is severely lacking. I can rarely get a sales rep when I am in there for Apple Stuff. And, they have frequently tried to sell me the wrong memory for my Mac's.

I would personally either purchase your own memory, or buy it at an Apple dealer. Then, take it to an Authorized Service Center for installation (if you are wanting someone else to install it).

I actually just wonderd if they (the apple store)
would install a bigger memory chip and i could still
be under warrenty.

Yes, if they install it for you, then your computer's warranty will still be fine. Just keep your receipt as proof that an Authorized Service Provider installed it.

cause i don't have to do it
myself, I don't want to do it myself because I'mnot
an apple tech. also i wanted to upgrade my cd burner
to a super drive and they(the apple store) told me to
get a external burner and they don't put in super
drives. but theres a web site that sells all kinds of
upgrades. should i buy these parts and have apple
store install them?

It depends.

You can usually get the external and the internal drives for a similar price.

The benefit of the external model is that you can take it with you to another system later. And, you can get them at speeds up to 16x and support Dual-Layer, etc.

If the features of both are comparable, and the price is the same, then it comes down to whether you want an Internal drive, and if you mind having an extra device on your desk.

I like the idea of being able to take the drive between 2 different systems. But, it's all a matter of your preferences and needs.

I would personally either purchase your own memory, or buy it at an Apple dealer. Then, take it to an Authorized Service Center for installation (if you are wanting someone else to install it).

If you're going to do that, you'll have to take it somewhere other than an Apple retail store to have it installed. The folks at the Apple store will ONLY install RAM that they sell. Another AASP, like CompUSA, should install any RAM for you.

-Doug

Hello Doug,

installed. The folks at the Apple store will ONLY
install RAM that they sell.

That's not entirely true.

My local Apple Authorized Dealer / Service Center was perfectly happy to install memory that I supplied them.

I already had the module (which I had pulled from another computer). When I took the iMac G5 in for repair, I took the memory module in with me. I asked them if they would mind installing it for me while they had the computer open. They said sure.

The best part? They didn't charge me a single penny for the installation.

They are very happy to install anything you want if you are willing to pay the installation charges.

There may be a select few who refuse to install something they didn't sell you. But, most will be more than happy to install something you supply them.

I guess it depends on whether the store in question also services computers. If they are strictly sales, then that would be more limiting. But, if they service them as well, then they are very likely going to be willing to install parts you supply.

My local Apple Authorized Dealer / Service Center was perfectly happy to install memory that I supplied them.
There may be a select few who refuse to install something they didn't sell you. But, most will be more than happy to install something you supply them.

Yes, an Apple Authorized Service Provider will install any RAM for you, but even though an Apple retail store is an AASP, the Mac Genius at an Apple retail store will only install RAM you buy there.

You recommended to purchase RAM somewhere else and take it to an Apple store to have it installed. They won't do that. 🙂

-Doug

Hello,

Yes, an Apple Authorized Service Provider will
install any RAM for you, but even though an Apple
retail store is an AASP, the Mac Genius at an
Apple retail store will only install RAM you buy
there.

I guess it depends on who you have the misfortune of working with.

My local store is a "Store" which happens to also be an Authorized Service Center.

They have only one tech, and he is willing to do just about any work you ask (ask long as you don't ask him to do it for free).

So, I would suspect that you have probably just had the misfortune of dealing with less accommodating service techs.

My personal preference would be the dedicated Apple Store.

I would personally either purchase your own memory, or buy it at an Apple dealer. Then, take it to an Authorized Service Center for installation (if you are wanting someone else to install it).

No, the Mac Genius at an Apple retail store will NOT install RAM you purchased somewhere else. I'm specifically talking about an Apple, brick and mortar, retail store. They won't install someone else's hardware into your Mac. That's their policy.

-Doug