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You are here: MacNN Forums > News > Mac News > New Mac mini not user-upgradeable, new analysis reveals

New Mac mini not user-upgradeable, new analysis reveals
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NewsPoster
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Oct 17, 2014, 07:19 PM
 
Server farm and hosting provider Macminicolo has posted its preliminary findings on the latest edition of the Mac mini, noting that the RAM in the unit is not user-accessible as was the case in previous models. This does not completely preclude the possibility of it being upgraded, but doing so would void the warranty on the machine. The 5400rpm hard drive included in the 2014 models is upgradeable, but again only through a warranty-voiding procedure.

2014 Mac mini ports
2014 Mac mini ports


The company notes that this is the first time the Mac mini has been priced starting at $499 since its introduction. It also notes the discontinuation of a SSD option or server version with dual drives. In noting the inability of users to access the RAM, it notes that the mid-tier and high-end models both come with a standard 8GB of RAM, and that pre-order RAM upgrade costs have been lowered.

While some see the new models -- particularly the entry-level option -- as something of a downgrade from the best features of previous editions, Macminicolo notes the addition of a second Thunderbolt 2 port (at the loss of the FireWire 800 port). This allows users to to use the second Thunderbolt port as either a replacement FW800 or as a second Ethernet port (or other options) while still retaining Thunderbolt capabilities.

The introduction of Intel HD 5000 graphics on the low-end model and Iris graphics on the higher models is also a near-doubling of speed from the previous graphics options. Apple notes that even the low-end 1.4GHz processor is both a fourth-generation Haswell with significant efficiencies, and can scale to 2.7GHz on demand, making it effectively a desktop version of the MacBook Air.



The company believes the 2012 version of the Mac mini, which has been in production with only minor changes until yesterday, will continue to remain popular. In addition to offering a dual-drive server version (nearly all users of which, the company notes, used the second drive for a cloned backup), the 2012-2013 version included the option of quad-core processors, optional SSD drives, and RAM was easily upgraded through a user-accessible bottom port.

The loss of the FireWire 800 port is no longer seen as significant, since that functionality can be replicated with a Thunderbolt adapter for those who need it. The 2012 version can also run previous editions of OS X, which may be important for some hosting clients, while the 2011 version of the Mac mini came with 7200rpm hard drives as standard.
( Last edited by NewsPoster; Oct 18, 2014 at 04:03 AM. )
     
jdonahoe
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Oct 17, 2014, 07:41 PM
 
"Macminicolo notes the addition of a both a second Thunderbolt 2 port (at the loss of the FireWire 800 port) and a second Gigabit Ethernet port as well. This allows users to have two Ethernet ports without losing what used to be the sole Thunderbolt port."

Were they implying the second Thunderbolt port could be used for the second ethernet port? There doesn't appear to be a second ethernet port on the back of the new Mac Minis, let alone space for one, unless they stacked them.
     
Charles Martin
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Oct 17, 2014, 08:00 PM
 
You're correct. The article was written before the graphics were added, which makes it obvious. Here's what Macminicolo originally wrote, verbatim: "On the previous mini there was one Gigabit ethernet port, and to get a second one you'd have to take the only Thunderbolt port. Now that there are two, you can have a second Gigabit port and a Thunderbolt drive."

What they meant to say was "now that there are two Thunderbolt ports, you can have" etc. The author misinterpreted the wording. We'll fix it, and thanks for catching that.
( Last edited by Charles Martin; Oct 17, 2014 at 08:14 PM. )
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wjlevin
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Oct 17, 2014, 08:11 PM
 
Any comments on Yosemite Server? When will it be released? Do you think that a MacMini Server will be offered once Yosemite Server is available? In other words, perhaps they dropped the server edition because the OS was not yet ready for it. Comments?
     
Charles Martin
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Oct 17, 2014, 08:15 PM
 
You could be on to something there. Yosemite Server is still in beta at present.
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gareth
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Oct 17, 2014, 08:21 PM
 
According to the service manual, the RAM is soldered, so no option of upgrading in the future. SSD only options are available with the high-end mini CTO.
     
cashxx
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Oct 17, 2014, 08:35 PM
 
What version is Yosemite server? Version 4.0? Its up on the store now isn't it?
     
jdonahoe
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Oct 18, 2014, 12:19 AM
 
Yea, it's on there, but still no Mac Mini Server.
     
DiabloConQueso
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Oct 18, 2014, 12:21 PM
 
Ick. Totally not the Mac mini upgrade I was hoping for, but I understand Apple's goal in doing this.

Looks like a refurb 2012 quad-core is the way to go.
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Oct 18, 2014, 01:03 PM
 
I'm not sure exactly why there's two TB ports. There's still only one bus, so speed limits, device max quantities, and the like for the entire chain still apply.
     
cacruden
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Oct 19, 2014, 05:00 PM
 
@EstaNightshift.... can you not use a thunderbolt cable to link two computers together on a highspeed thunderbolt network leaving one for expansion?
     
Mike Wuerthele
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Oct 19, 2014, 05:29 PM
 
You can, but that's an edge case. Gigabit ethernet is generally sufficient.
     
   
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