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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / July 2007Apple store charges?
Does anyone know how much an Apple store charges to install a couple simms in a core-duo mini? I have my own KIngston memory (2 gigs). TIA for any info. > Does anyone know how much an Apple store charges to install a couple > simms in a core-duo mini? I have my own KIngston memory (2 gigs). > > TIA for any info. Do it yourself! Would you call an electrical engineer to replace one of your lightbulbs? Lots of online guides will show how to open up that silly case. Childsplay. In article <replytogroup-E8C815.06575515072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > > Does anyone know how much an Apple store charges to install a couple > > simms in a core-duo mini? I have my own KIngston memory (2 gigs). [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > of your lightbulbs? Lots of online guides will show how to open up > that silly case. Childsplay. A lot of people are not comfortable doing this themselves. However, I would recommend finding a local Mac users group or club. There, you'll find a slew of members who will help at no charge, and you'll usually find a chance to learn a lot about your Mac. jt > > > Does anyone know how much an Apple store charges to install a couple > > > simms in a core-duo mini? I have my own KIngston memory (2 gigs). [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > find a slew of members who will help at no charge, and you'll usually > find a chance to learn a lot about your Mac. Well it really helps to read about it. Once you realize its just about levering some plastic clips, it should calm the nerves. In article <replytogroup-D9367B.07154815072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > Well it really helps to read about it. Once you realize its just > about levering some plastic clips, it should calm the nerves. I've worked on my cars for years, yet despite having the Chilton's on my wife's 91 cavalier, I will not even attempt to do brake work on her car, knowing that on that one, a mistake could become injurious. I am competent on that sort of thing, but I have made mistakes on repairs in the past, and there are certain things I just don't want to take chances on. For the OP, toying with the innards of a Mac could be likewise foreboding, and all the online docs in the world won't convince him that he can do it himself. If he prefers someone who is experienced, that is his choice. But as was posted elsewhere in this thread, I think that person was correct, that the Apple Store will not install RAM bought elsewhere. That alone bolsters my suggestion of the user group scenario. To the OP, good luck in finding someone (paid professional or trusted friend) to help you in this. jt > > Well it really helps to read about it. Once you realize its just > > about levering some plastic clips, it should calm the nerves. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > To the OP, good luck in finding someone (paid professional or trusted > friend) to help you in this. You people are unbelievable. To the original poster: if you want to me a lame moron, pay someone to do it. But that's really a disgrace to the average intelligence and competence of the people here. You people raise timidity to a new, unheard of level. Are you also afraid of changing the batteries in your flashlight? Better pay someone. In article <replytogroup-DB901A.04364416072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > > To the OP, good luck in finding someone (paid professional or trusted > > friend) to help you in this. > > You people are unbelievable. To the original poster: if you want to > me a lame moron, .... Wow. You really are still in high school, aren't you? I thought prior suggestions to that effect here hyperbole but seriously. Trying to goad someone into doing something with which they're clearly not comfortable by name-calling? > pay someone to do it. But that's really a disgrace > to the average intelligence and competence of the people here. The intelligence and competence of the people here don't really help the OP with the mechanical reality of performing the upgrade, though, do they? > You people raise timidity to a new, unheard of level. Or we understand that certain tasks are hard enough for certain people that it might make sense to get someone else to do it for them. > Are you also afraid of changing the batteries in your flashlight? Having done a memory upgrade in a mini (and various other compact machines, Mac and otherwise) there's a few orders of magnitude difference between that and changing the batteries in a flashlight or (your earlier snide comment) a light bulb. Of course noone would "call an electrical engineer to replace one of your lightbulbs" but most sane people would hire an electrician (a different career, mind you) to replace a fuse box with circuit breakers, and that's far closer to the level of involvement here. > And how would they know you opened the case? (Unless you're a total > klutz and broke something of course which is just about impossible if > you follow the numerous online tutorials.) Actually, it's not "just about impossible." Not in the current minis. And some people _are_ total klutzes. You, apparently, would mock them for knowing their own shortcomings and finding the best way to work around them. > > > To the OP, good luck in finding someone (paid professional or trusted > > > friend) to help you in this. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > someone into doing something with which they're clearly not comfortable > by name-calling? I was very tired when I wrote that and a little irritable. It shouldn't have been written so harshly. What I'm really trying to do is encourage people to do something that they initially may feel uncomfortable with, and to assure them its child's play if they can read and follow directions. > > pay someone to do it. But that's really a disgrace > > to the average intelligence and competence of the people here. > > The intelligence and competence of the people here don't really help the > OP with the mechanical reality of performing the upgrade, though, do > they? As long as they can read and are not afflicted with a severe case of Parkinson's, they will have no problems. Paying someone to install ram is akin to paying someone to tie your shoelaces. Well, maybe one step above. Once you open the case you'll wonder what all the fuss is about. > Having done a memory upgrade in a mini (and various other compact > machines, Mac and otherwise) there's a few orders of magnitude [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > replace a fuse box with circuit breakers, and that's far closer to the > level of involvement here. I hardly think so. For one thing you're not dealing with dangerous voltages. For another, its just a few levering moves and it pops off. Another reason I encourage people to read the tutorials is that many people won't upgrade their ram because of Apple's absurd installation costs and thereby ruining the Mini as its stuck with a pitiful amount of ram. Its really quite a livable computer when the ram is decent. So its because of its potential that I encourage people to get busy with the prying tool of their choice. > > And how would they know you opened the case? (Unless you're a total > > klutz and broke something of course which is just about impossible if [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > for knowing their own shortcomings and finding the best way to work > around them. Nope. Just encourage them to read and go slow. When people rush, they make mistakes. But I already said all that. I have a PPC Mini. Are the Intel Minis more difficult to open? I haven't read that and they look similar. But I have no first hand experience there so perhaps one of you can fill us in. In article <replytogroup-B46F31.13252516072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > > > pay someone to do it. But that's really a disgrace > > > to the average intelligence and competence of the people here. [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > step above. Once you open the case you'll wonder what all the fuss is > about. In general, I'd agree. But not all machines are equally built for user serviceability and the current mini is not a machine that someone who's uncomfortable getting into wants to cut their teeth on. It's a bit more than "read and follow the directions." > > Having done a memory upgrade in a mini (and various other compact > > machines, Mac and otherwise) there's a few orders of magnitude [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > I hardly think so. Then you're not paying enough attention. (Ah, look. It says below you have no real world experience with the current ones.) > For one thing you're not dealing with dangerous voltages. That's true. It's not like adding RAM to an SE, for example, where you've got a bare CRT an inch from your hand. But you're still dealing with the real possibility that you can damage the machine to the point where it's more cost effective to replace it than fix what you broke. > For another, its just a few levering moves and it pops off. It's a few levering moves with a tool or two that not everyone has handy and you swear you're going to break something the first time you do it. And that's step one. For the current mini there's more tear-down before you get to the memory slots, including one particular screw that's a bugger to get at and more plastic tabs to be bent. Wires to reroute when you're closing it up. That bugger of a screw to put back. .... > > I have a PPC Mini. > > Are the Intel Minis more difficult to open? I haven't read that and > > they look similar. But I have no first hand experience there so > > perhaps one of you can fill us in. It's not a single vertical slot obstructed by the optional BlueTooth antenna. It's two SO-DIMMs horizontal under the drive chassis. G > > > > pay someone to do it. But that's really a disgrace > > > > to the average intelligence and competence of the people here. [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > It's a few levering moves with a tool or two that not everyone has handy > and you swear you're going to break something the first time you do it. I recommend a levering tool that is almost the width of the Mini. That way you lever all the plastic clips at once. If that seems wrong, please let us know why. It worked for me, but it may not be the best way. > And that's step one. For the current mini there's more tear-down before > you get to the memory slots, including one particular screw that's a > bugger to get at and more plastic tabs to be bent. Wires to reroute when > you're closing it up. That bugger of a screw to put back. .... That's good you mentioned that. So the original PPC models were easier. Fair enough. > > > I have a PPC Mini. > > > Are the Intel Minis more difficult to open? I haven't read that and [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > It's not a single vertical slot obstructed by the optional BlueTooth > antenna. It's two SO-DIMMs horizontal under the drive chassis. OK. In article <replytogroup-87BF14.07202817072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > > > As long as they can read and are not afflicted with a severe case of > > > Parkinson's, they will have no problems. Paying someone to install [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > wrong, please let us know why. It worked for me, but it may not be > the best way. That's the route I went as well. Actually, the first attempt I made was an alternative technique using individual wires from a Cat-5 cable to pop all the clips (both sides) at once. I couldn't bring myself to use the amount of force it seemed to need, though, so I fell back on a 4-inch, sanded-down putty knife. Getting the case off a PPC mini was the worst part of a RAM upgrade, and the most important tools you need are the patience to do it right and the confidence you can. The OP's Intel mini is more involved than that. G > we understand that certain tasks are hard enough for certain people > that it might make sense to get someone else to do it for them. Well, if I knew how to spell hallelujah, I would type it in all caps. The memory is installed, it is great, I'm glad I did it, but it was no walk in the park. Here are a few of the issues I ran into and had to figure out on my own (one without any help at all from the WWW): didn't pay attention to the routing of the AirPort card antenna wire, wound up disconnecting it while trying to route it correctly. Then I didn't know where to hook it back up. Finally figured it out by minutely examining web photos of open minis. (BTW, my mini's Airport card has another antenna connection on it, for a total of 2. Does this mean I have one of the "802.11n" cards in there?) While moving the hard drive/optical drive bracket around to try to route the AirPort wire, the ribbon cable to the sound card came loose from the bracket holding the optical drive. It took hours of foul language to figure out how to reconnect it. There was no help for this on the Web. The old simms popped out easily enough, but I bent one of the arms that holds the bottom RAM simm while installing the new simm. I used a couple of old but sharp cook's knives to open the case. They worked, but I wound up scoring the bottom of the mini slightly, as well as the bottom part of the upper case. Getting the fan regulator plugged back in was a real nightmare until a friend loaned me some medical forceps. None of my screwdrivers is magnetic, so I was unable to replace all the screws holding the drive bracket in place. And finally, it took three or four tries to get the case back on correctly, and I am pretty sure I bent some of the metal latches inside while doing that. So, yeah. Although I am ecstatic with the unbelievably improved performance due to new RAM, I think it would have been worth paying someone else to do it better, more efficiently and in less time. It's not something I relish ever doing again. To any mini owners who don't have their ram maxed out, I now know exactly why people recommend adding memory. It really makes a huge difference. > Do it yourself! Would you call an electrical engineer to replace one > of your lightbulbs? Lots of online guides will show how to open up > that silly case. Childsplay. Well, what constitutes childs play is subjective, of course, but I wouldn't call anything involving a couple of putty knives childs play. More to the point, though, is that you didn't ask whether the mini is still under warranty. That's important because Apple does _NOT_ consider installing RAM in a mini a user task and the warranty is voided the second someone other than an authorized tech opens the case.  Signature<http://designsbymike.info/shop/mac.cgi> Mac and geek T-shirts & gifts <http://designsbymike.info/shop/musings.cgi> Muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.info/shop/prius.cgi> Prius shirts/bumper stickers <http://designsbymike.info/shop/dance.cgi> Ballroom dance shirts & gifts > > Do it yourself! Would you call an electrical engineer to replace one > > of your lightbulbs? Lots of online guides will show how to open up [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > consider installing RAM in a mini a user task and the warranty is voided > the second someone other than an authorized tech opens the case. And how would they know you opened the case? (Unless you're a total klutz and broke something of course which is just about impossible if you follow the numerous online tutorials.) BTW, what percentage of Apple users do you people think opt for an extended warranty beyond the standard one year? In article <replytogroup-10BC55.04341716072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > > > Do it yourself! Would you call an electrical engineer to replace one > > > of your lightbulbs? Lots of online guides will show how to open up [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > BTW, what percentage of Apple users do you people think opt for an > extended warranty beyond the standard one year? I did on an original G-5 iMac 17 inch. Got it all back when the power supply, optical drive and something with the ethernet needed service. Bought it originally because at that time there was some idea that the flat screen monitor wasn't the best. Has not happened. Signature"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis > > That's important because Apple does _NOT_ > > consider installing RAM in a mini a user task and the warranty is voided > > the second someone other than an authorized tech opens the case. > > And how would they know you opened the case? Well, the presence of the third party RAM would in and of itself be evidence, wouldn't it? You would have to take it out before bringing the mini in under warranty. This is _NOT_ the point, though. The point is that people need to be properly informed so they can make an educated decision. Don't take me to task for informing people about the warranty issue, because this is something they absolutely need to know before deciding whether to do it themselves or not. Signature<http://designsbymike.info/shop/mac.cgi> Mac and geek T-shirts & gifts <http://designsbymike.info/shop/musings.cgi> Muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.info/shop/prius.cgi> Prius shirts/bumper stickers <http://designsbymike.info/shop/dance.cgi> Ballroom dance shirts & gifts > > > That's important because Apple does _NOT_ > > > consider installing RAM in a mini a user task and the warranty is voided [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > issue, because this is something they absolutely need to know before > deciding whether to do it themselves or not. Fair enough. One could always just recommend it to people that don't have any warranty left. That encompasses a LOT of people. > Well, what constitutes childs play is subjective, of course, but I > wouldn't call anything involving a couple of putty knives childs play. > More to the point, though, is that you didn't ask whether the mini is > still under warranty. All true in this case. I have quite a lot of experience with older Macs. I have disassembled and reassembled and worked inside at least 7 different models of desktop Macs (all but three of them bought used) since the early nineties and installed RAM in three models of laptops. But I'm older now and less adept. My manual dexterity has been greatly reduced, and my eyesight is shot. My hands are large and hardly nimble anymore (great difficulty just threading a needle, for instance). And my Mini has a month to go on its warranty. But now that I know that I can't get the applestore to do it, I probably will do it myself. BTW, one reason that I wanted Apple to do it is exactly *because* I read the online material on how to do it. (And because I was considering buying Apple's extended warranty, now a moot point). Thanks to all who provided useful info. > > Well, what constitutes childs play is subjective, of course, but I > > wouldn't call anything involving a couple of putty knives childs play. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Thanks to all who provided useful info. Very logical to wait til the warranty is over just in case. Especially as its quite soon. Another option would be to find a stock 256 mb stick of Apple memory and keep it to put in just case you need to take it into Apple for warranty work. That is if the Intel Mini's ever came with that little ram. In article <replytogroup-C8AD0C.08264917072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > Very logical to wait til the warranty is over just in case. > Especially as its quite soon. Another option would be to find a stock > 256 mb stick of Apple memory and keep it to put in just case you need > to take it into Apple for warranty work. That is if the Intel Mini's > ever came with that little ram. Actually less than a month left, so I will probably do it today. The mini came with 512 (2x 256), but that's hardly sufficient considering what I do (tech support for a large company to supplement my retirement income). [BTW, to all you macheads out there: whether or not anyone officially acknowledges it, in my experience there a surprisingly large and growing need for Macintosh-knowledgeable people to provide tech support for computer-related goods and services. Out of over three hundred support people in my department, I am one of only a dozen or so with any Mac experience at all, a fact which leaves customers with Macs going in circles talking with Windows-only technicians-- whose advice often just serves to confuse the issue or sometimes makes matters worse. Also BTW-- any Mac users reading this: quit being so short-tempered with Windows techs who are only trying to help you; it makes them want to give up on Macs totally whereas many are really interested in understanding Macs. One of the functions of my mini is to create clear, illustrated support documents for my co-workers on such elementary tasks as configuring AirPort wireless connectivity or setting up the Mail app; stuff like that. Using neo-office and Grab, I have created some unexpectedly professional-looking, windows-compatible guides that my co-workers have found very useful. Plus, I have had the opportunity to share some great OS X features like Keychain or Spotlight with new Mac users. It's a real perk when a caller says, "I wish I could do xyz," and you can reply, "You can! Your Mac makes it easy!" But I digress.] I have been waiting almost a year to upgrade the RAM on this mini. During that time, I have experienced many idiosyncrasies which I am positive are related to insufficient memory. I'm totally ready to have more RAM, I just worry that I will scratch the case or break a tab or otherwise harm what remains an essentially new computer. Plus, there is that little screw. Luckily, I do have good tools, so maybe I can just get it done bobs-your-uncle. > In article > <replytogroup-C8AD0C.08264917072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, [quoted text clipped - 44 lines] > Luckily, I do have good tools, so maybe I can just get it done > bobs-your-uncle. Just so slow on the tabs. I found a mortar tool that looks like an extra wide putty knife. Try to get something that is almost as wide as the case. That way you'll be bending all the tabs at once. And make sure you write down where everything goes. Some enterprising people just videotape what they're doing. That seems to be effortless and foolproof. Or use a webcam with a narration to guide in in the reassembly. Thankfully, at least on my PPC Mini, most of the screws are the same. That sure helps a lot. Remember to try operating your Mini vertically. Ideally, you'd think it would be best to run it with the fan blowing up but that is only possible if you hardly ever use the optical drive or use an external one. I have mine presently mounted in a milk crates. Sounds crazy but I've mounted a 120 mm fan below the Mini and the external hard drive. Keeps the bottom of the Mini cool and the hard drive cool. My next project is to find some sound absorbing material to wrap around the milk crates (2 below and 2 above where the Mini and hard drive are) so I'll be using a total of 5 or possibly 7. That material will go from the top down to almost the floor allowing cool floor temperature air to ventilate the column. If the noise has to bounce off that sound absorber to get out of the column, it should be largely filtered or absorbed once it gets to the top or bottom. Of course the plastic grillwork will reflect some sound but I should be able to tell if I'm on the right track. I'm trying to put together a hard drive frame that has great ventilation and great sound absorption for using multiple (2 to 4) Raid 0 10,000 rpm (noisy at times!) hard drives. That hard drive whine can really grate on your nerves. But if you want superior hard drive performance, you've got to use multi higher speed drives in Raid 0. Or wait until someone makes an improvement on the Gigabyte iDrive thing. In article <replytogroup-381A8C.12080617072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, > > In article > > <replytogroup-C8AD0C.08264917072007@news.lga.highwinds-media.com>, [quoted text clipped - 46 lines] > > Just so slow Should have been Just GO slow - sorry - my proofreading is lagging. > on the tabs. I found a mortar tool that looks like an > extra wide putty knife. Try to get something that is almost as wide [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > Or wait until someone makes an improvement on the Gigabyte iDrive > thing. > Does anyone know how much an Apple store charges to install a couple > simms in a core-duo mini? I have my own KIngston memory (2 gigs). I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that they won't install third party RAM at all. Signature<http://designsbymike.info/shop/mac.cgi> Mac and geek T-shirts & gifts <http://designsbymike.info/shop/musings.cgi> Muckraking T-shirts <http://designsbymike.info/shop/prius.cgi> Prius shirts/bumper stickers <http://designsbymike.info/shop/dance.cgi> Ballroom dance shirts & gifts > > Does anyone know how much an Apple store charges to install a couple > > simms in a core-duo mini? I have my own KIngston memory (2 gigs). > > I could be wrong, but it's my understanding that they won't install > third party RAM at all. That sounds like a likely bet. Hadn't really thought about it that way, but I guess it makes sense. |
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