I really couldn’t wait on this… this news is just too juicy to bottle up for the whole weekend.
While we’re not completely finished with our compatibility testing, early signs are pointing to 8GB of memory supported in not only the new October 2009 Mac mini models, but prior generation mini models as well. We believe we found the “secret ingredient” that makes exceeding Apple’s recommended 4GB maximum in these machines possible.
Previous testing revealed prior generations of the Mac mini were able to boot with 8GB of memory, but sadly either did not utilize the extra memory installed or – even worse – made the entire machine slower when accessing more than 4GB of memory at a time. In Late August, Apple released Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.2 and this allowed these generations to boot without kernel panic. However, we still found that most systems slowed to a crawl when exceeding 4GB of memory in the system.
So far, here’s what we recently found though: our OWC 8GB Upgrade Kit works in the latest Mac mini 2.26 and 2.53 machines and are consistently and completely utilized by the machines. We then tested these same modules on the prior generation Mac mini (early 2009)… and found them to work consistently as well! All units tested were running Snow Leopard.
We do have more testing to do using the same memory modules with prior Mac mini generation models running OS X 10.5. We also need to do performance tests to make sure that the additional memory actually gives a solid performance boost when more than 4GB is installed. But at this point, we’re feeling pretty confident that our “secret ingredient”…namely the quality of OWC brand memory… delivers the reliability you desire.
Be sure to check back Monday as we’re hoping to complete our testing at that time and be able to confirm that we will support over 4GB of memory in the Mac mini, or if my excitement got the better of me.
Friday, 23. October 2009
This would be sweet!! :-)
Friday, 23. October 2009
I’ve just looked at your new offering for memory upgrades for the iMac (October 2009 models) and I am surprised that the only configuration you offer for 8 GB is 2 x 4GB and not 4 x 2GB which would be cheaper I think. The new iMacs have 4 memory slots, why not use them all for a cheaper upgrade?
Saturday, 24. October 2009
Hi Sylvain and thanks for stopping by!
The way to get 8GB total is with our 4GB Kit (2 x 2GB) http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S4GP/
you add that to the factory 4GB (2 x 2GB) in the two open slots and viola…8GB! and at only $87.99
and I should note that I’m referring to the iMac here…don’t want to confuse anyone as question and reply is in a Mac mini upgrade post….
Saturday, 24. October 2009
Are you saying more than 2GB in the 1.66 CD as well?
That would be fantastic.
I was just about to upgrade the hd, but now I will wait to hear what you guys have to say. No need to open the mini twice.
Crossing my fingers
Monday, 26. October 2009
The model identifier of the machines we’re testing is macmini3,1. The macmini2,1 and macmini1,1 have hardware limitations that keep their maximum installed RAM at 3.0GB and 2.0GB respectively.