Before you begin

1. Best Ram For Mac Mini
2. Ram For Mac Mini Late 2013 Ram
3. Ram For Mac Mini Late 2012
4. Ram For Mac Mini Late 2014
5. Add Ram Mac Mini
6. Mac Mini Late 2013 Ram Upgrade

To minimize the possibility of damage to the computer components due to static discharge, it's important to wear an antistatic wrist strap while you work with your computer's memory.

Unfortunately, the 'Late 2014' Mac mini models have soldered RAM that cannot be upgraded after the initial system purchase. By default, these models have 4 GB or 8 GB of 1600 MHz 'Low Power' LPDDR3. Mac Systems Apple Mac mini The Mac mini was introduced as the least expensive system ever shipped by Apple, packing modest performance in extremely compact and elegantly simple cases. The Mac mini can be divided into four basic groups - PowerPC, Intel Polycarbonate, Intel Aluminium, and Apple Silicon Aluminum.

Choose your model

Mac mini models have different memory (RAM) installation requirements. Choose your Mac mini model for more information. If you need help determining which Mac mini you have, find out how to identify Mac mini models.

2020
Mac mini (M1, 2020)

2018
Mac mini (2018)

1. Upgrade RAM on a Mac Mini. We’ll focus on Mac Minis from 2010 to 2012 here, since the 2014 models don’t have upgradeable RAM and the 2018 models are difficult to modify. Turn off your Mac Mini and disconnect all cords and cables. Turn the computer upside down and unlock the bottom case by rotating it counterclockwise.
2. Silicon Power DDR3L 16GB (2 x 8GB) RAM 1600MHz (PC3 12800) SODIMM Memory Compatible with Early/Mid/Late 2011, Mid/Late 2012, Early/Late 2013, Late 2014, Mid 2015 MacBook.

2014
Mac mini (Late 2014)

2012
Mac mini (Late 2012)

2011
Mac mini (Mid 2011)

2010
Mac mini (Mid 2010)

2009
Mac mini (Late 2009)
Mac mini (Early 2009)

2007
Mac mini (Mid 2007)

2006
Mac mini (Late 2006)
Mac mini (Early 2006)

2005
Mac mini (Original)

2020

Mac mini (M1, 2020) has memory that is integrated into the AppleM1chip and can't be upgraded. You can configure the memory in your Mac mini when you purchase it.

2018

Mac mini (2018) does not have user-installable RAM. You can configure the memory in your Mac mini (2018) when you purchase it. To upgrade the memory in your Mac mini (2018), go to an Apple Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

RAM availability varies by country and region.

2014

Mac mini (Late 2014) has memory that is integrated into the main logic board and can't be upgraded.

2012, 2011, 2010

To remove and install memory in your Mac mini (Late 2012), Mac mini (Mid 2011), or Mac mini (Mid 2010), use the following steps.

Best Ram For Mac Mini

Remove the bottom cover

Ram For Mac Mini Late 2013 Ram

1. Turn off your Mac mini. From the Apple menu (), choose Shut Down.
2. Disconnect the power cord and all other cables from your Mac mini.
3. Lay your Mac mini upside down on a soft cloth or towel, and then rotate the bottom cover counterclockwise to the unlocked position.
   
4. Press on the cover to pop up the opposite side, and then remove the cover.
   

Remove the original memory modules

1. Gently spread the clips at the ends of the top memory module just enough to let the free edge pop up.
   
2. Pull the module out of the slot.
   
3. Repeat to remove the second, bottom module.

Install the new memory

1. Carefully press the notched edge of the new memory module into the bottom slot while keeping the opposite edge slightly raised.
   
2. Press down on the raised edge until the clips snap into place.
   
3. Repeat to install the top memory module.

Replace the bottom cover

Ram For Mac Mini Late 2012

Don't connect the power cord or turn on your Mac mini until you replace the bottom cover. Never operate your Mac mini without the cover in place.

1. Replace the bottom cover using the alignment dots to place it in the unlocked position.
   
2. Rotate the cover clockwise to lock it in place.
   
3. Reconnect the power cord and any other cables you disconnected.

After you install the memory, confirm that your Mac mini sees the new memory.

2009 and earlier

To remove or install memory in the following Mac mini models, go to an Apple Authorized Service Provider.

Confirm that your Mac sees the new memory

To check that the computer recognizes the new memory:

1. Start up your computer.
2. When you see your desktop, choose Apple menu , then choose About This Mac.
3. Confirm that the memory listed matches the memory you installed.

If the reported memory size isn't correct or if your Mac mini repeatedly plays three tones, it may be having trouble recognizing a memory module. If this happens, shut down your Mac mini, verify the module specifications against the requirements for your Mac mini model, and then repeat the memory installation instructions to make sure that the modules are installed correctly. If you still have issues, remove the memory and consult the support information that came with the memory, or contact the vendor who provided the memory.

'Tapered Edge' Aluminum iMac Q&A

Revision Published November 12, 2015

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What are all the differences between the 'Late 2013' Aluminum iMac models and the 'Late 2012' models that they replaced?

Please note that the 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' iMac models have been discontinued. However, this Q&A is up-to-date and can be quite helpful to anyone buying or selling one of these systems on the used market.

With even a detailed external inspection of the Aluminum iMac models, it is practically impossible to visually differentiate between the 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' lines.

However, this does not mean that there are not important differences between the 'Late 2012' models -- the iMac 'Core i5' 2.7 21.5-Inch, 'Core i5' 2.9 21.5-Inch, 'Core i7' 3.1 21.5-Inch, 'Core i5' 2.9 27-Inch, 'Core i5' 3.2 27-Inch, and 'Core i7' 3.4 27-Inch -- and the 'Late 2013' models that replaced them -- the iMac 'Core i5' 2.7 21.5-Inch, 'Core i5' 2.9 21.5-Inch, 'Core i7' 3.1 21.5-Inch, iMac 'Core i5' 3.2 27-Inch, 'Core i5' 3.4 27-Inch and 'Core i7' 3.5 27-Inch.

In fact, there are important technical differences, it is just that they are internal. Because the external appearance is so similar, identification differences are particularly critical, too. Consequently, a detailed comparison between the lines can be quite useful.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (21.5' & 27' Late 2013 iMac, Left & Right, Respectively)

External Differences (or Lack Thereof)

For all practical purposes, the 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' iMac lines use the same case. Both use the same all aluminum design that sharply tapers to a 5 mm edge at the sides of the display.

Both lines use the exact same 'anti-reflective' 8-bit 16:9 LED-backlit TFT Active Matrix LCDs with IPS (In-Plane Switching) technology and 178 degree horizontal and vertical viewing angles. Both also have the same glass cover that is fully laminated to the LCD itself. This lamination means that reflections are reduced, but it also means that the display and the glass only can be replaced as a single piece, which is more complicated and costly to replace than systems that have a separate display and external glass cover.

Both lines additionally have an integrated 720p 'FaceTime HD' webcam embedded in the upper display bezel, speakers integrated at the bottom edge of the display, and dual integrated microphones. Neither has an integrated optical drive, although an external one may be added at additional cost (site sponsor Adorama has the official external Apple SuperDrive for US$79 and Other World Computing has a variety of third-party external optical drive options).

Neither the 'Late 2012' nor the 'Late 2013' lines -- regardless of display size -- are VESA compliant, but all could be configured with a wall mount option instead of the aluminum stand at the time of purchase for an additional US$40. If one of these iMac models was configured for wall mounting, it did not ship with the traditional stand, and it cannot subsequently be reconfigured for desk use.

By default, both lines shipped with a notebook size aluminum wireless keyboard without a numeric keypad and the choice of either the wireless 'Magic Mouse' (which has the entire top as 'a seamless multi-touch surface' that allows one to 'navigate using intuitive finger gestures') or the 'Magic Trackpad' (which provides multi-touch input like on a recent Apple notebook), but for the 'Late 2013' line Apple also offered the option of a traditional wired Apple mouse.

Connectivity Differences

There is one important connectivity difference between the 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' iMac lines.

All of these systems have an SDXC-capable SD card slot, four USB 3.0 ports, two Thunderbolt ports -- which support Mini DisplayPort output for two external displays up to 30' (2560x1600) as well as 'Target Display Mode' via Thunderbolt -- one Gigabit Ethernet port (10/100/1000Base-T), one 'headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)' that also supports the Apple iPhone headset with microphone, and support for Bluetooth 4.0.

However, the 'Late 2013' iMac systems also support 802.11ac Wi-Fi, whereas the 'Late 2012' iMac systems only support slower 'MIMO' 450 Mbit/sec 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi.

Identification Differences

The 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' iMac lines share Model Numbers. Specifically, the 21.5-Inch systems share model number A1418 and the 27-Inch systems share model number A1419.

The model numbers are not precise enough to uniquely identify specific models. Consequently, other identifiers are better for more precision. Just as the site has for other models for many years, EveryMac.com has meticulously hand documented all of these details for your convenience.

Externally, the EMC Number is best as it is less likely to be shared by future models using the same case type. The 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch 'Late 2012' iMac models are EMC number 2544 and 2546, respectively. For the 'Late 2013' line, the Iris-equipped iMac 'Core i5' 2.7 21.5-Inch is EMC number 2638 and the iMac 'Core i5' 2.9 21.5-Inch and 'Core i7' 3.1 21.5-Inch models with dedicated graphics are EMC number 2742. All 27-Inch 'Late 2013' iMac models share EMC number 2639.

In software, the 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch 'Late 2012' models are model identifier iMac13,1 and iMac13,2, respectively, whereas the 'Late 2013' 21.5-Inch iMac models are Model IdentifieriMac14,1 and iMac14,3 (again, for the model with Iris graphics and the higher-end models with dedicated graphics, respectively), and the 27-Inch models are iMac14,2.

Finally, EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- additionally can uniquely identify each one of the 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' iMac models by their serial numbers.

Internal Differences

Internally, the 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' iMac lines have significant processor, graphics processor, architecture, and upgrade-related differences.

In fact, just about the only internal attribute that the two lines share is that they both use 204-pin 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3 SDRAM SO-DIMMs. In both lines, the 21.5-Inch models have two RAM slots and support 16 GB of RAM whereas the 27-Inch models have four RAM slots and support 32 GB of RAM.

Officially, Apple does not intend for one to upgrade the RAM in the 21.5-Inch models after initial purchase at all -- and doing so effectively requires disassembly -- but it is possible. The 27-Inch models, by contrast, have a 'pop off' door on the back that makes upgrading the RAM quick and easy.

Both lines have Quad Core processors, but the 'Late 2012' models use '3rd Gen' Intel processors and the 'Ivy Bridge' architecture whereas the 'Late 2013' models use faster '4th Gen' Intel processors and the 'Haswell' architecture. Among other performance-related improvements, the 'Haswell' architecture uses a directly attached 'On Package Interface' (OPI) instead of the earlier and slower 'Direct Media Interface' (DMI) to connect between the processor and chipset. Graphics processors are different between the lines, also, with the 'Late 2013' line generally providing faster graphics performance.

In terms of internal upgrades other than the RAM, as first discovered courtesy of teardowns from iFixitandothers, there are some disappointments with both lines.

For storage upgrades, if the 21.5-Inch 'Late 2012' iMac models were not configured with an SSD or a 'Fusion Drive' at the time of purchase, there is no way to add a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD later as the needed connector is not present. However, the 27-Inch 'Late 2012' and all 'Late 2013' iMac models do have this connector on the motherboard even without a pre-installed SSD, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based 'blade' SSD after the purchase of the system.

Both lines have a connector for a 6 Gb/s Serial ATA (Revision 3.0) hard drive or SSD, as well, but it is a pain to upgrade the storage in any of these systems regardless.

For processor upgrades, the situation is partially reversed and the processors in the 'Late 2012' models -- regardless of display size -- as well as the 27-Inch 'Late 2013' models are mounted on processor sockets, which makes processor upgrades feasible. The 21.5-Inch 'Late 2013' models, on the other hand, have the processor soldered and cannot be upgraded at all.

Comparison Charts

The major differences between the 21.5-Inch and 27-Inch 'Late 2012' and 'Late 2013' Aluminum iMac models are summarized below. Please refer to the specs page for the model of interest for complete details.

21.5-Inch 'Late 2012' & 'Late 2013' iMac Differences

* The MD094LL/A configuration of the 'Late 2012' system additionally could be equipped with a 3.1 GHz Quad Core 'Core i7' processor (I7-3770S) for an extra US$200. EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.

Ram For Mac Mini Late 2014

** The ME087LL/A configuration of the 'Late 2013' system additionally can be equipped with a 3.1 GHz Quad Core 'Core i7' processor (I7-4770S) for an extra US$200. EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.

27-Inch 'Late 2012' & 'Late 2013' iMac Differences

* The MD096LL/A configuration of the 'Late 2012' system additionally could be configured with a 3.4 GHz Quad Core 'Core i7' processor (I7-3770) for an extra US$200. EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.

** The ME089LL/A configuration of the 'Late 2013' system additionally can be configured with a 3.5 GHz Quad Core 'Core i7' processor (I7-4771) for an extra US$200. EveryMac.com also has documented this custom configuration as its own model.

Comparison Summary

Ultimately, the 'Late 2013' iMac models are a modest update compared to the 'Late 2012' iMac models replaced, but the improved performance, faster Wi-Fi, the option of faster storage (and the improved storage upgrade possibilities) are likely to be welcomed by most users.

However, for those interested in saving a bit of money, the 'Late 2012' iMac models remain well worth consideration, particularly given discount prices on the used market.

New & Used iMac Purchase Options

There are no shortage of places to purchase a used 'Late 2012' or 'Late 2013' iMac. However, purchasing from a quality vendor with extensive experience in the Mac market -- and after sales support -- is the best option and will save you money and time, too.

In the US, site sponsor Adorama sells new Aluminum iMac models with free shipping for all. Site sponsor Evertek sells used Aluminum iMac models at bargain prices to individuals and ships bulk orders at wholesale prices worldwide. Finally, if you need to sell an iMac, A+ BBB-rated Cash for Your Mac will buy your older iMac with an instant quote and prompt payment.

In the UK, site sponsor Hoxton Macs sells used iMac models with a one-year warranty and free next day delivery throughout the UK. Delivery across Europe also is available starting at just £9.99 for two-day delivery to France and Germany.

In Australia, site sponsor Mac City likewise has a variety of used Aluminum iMac models sold at low prices and available with a free warranty and fast shipping across Australia.

Please also see EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Comparison feature to dynamically compare any iMac model to any other Mac.

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