Pimp my Mini!

[koffiejunkie]

I have just performed, what I think is the last possible upgrade to my Mac Mini PPC. Aside from bumping the CPU to a 1.4/1.5 if I ever get my hands on one.

Since I got it, I have replaced the DVD-ROM/CDRW with a proper Made-for-Mac Pioneer Dual Layer DVDRW drive - Pioneer DVD-RW DVR-K05. Got it off eBay, but I see the seller don't have it any more, so no linky.

Then I replaced the pissy little 4200rpm 40gb disc with a 120GB Seagate 5400rpm with 8MB cache. This made a good difference.

Next step, added the Bluetooth/Airport module (mine didn't come with it).

Then, replaced the 512MB dimm with a 1GB. I really wished they had made this model with two notebook dimms instead, so that we could put 2GB in. I have not found any 2GB DDR dimms, apart from ECC registered ones, and I'm not about to spend that kind of money to find out if it works.

Last step - I wasn't really planning this, by the way. I noticed that Seagate had a 7200rpm 8mb cache 100gb IDE notebook disc in its lineup. Ordered it straight away. Tried out SuperDuper while I'm at it - worked like a charm, although slow as a dog. The old-school unix way would have been much quicker. but then SuperDuper did claim to make the disc bootable, and I have no idea how to do that.

Anyway, the difference in responsiveness is really worth it. Some things now open instantly, and stuff that used to take ages to open (Photoshop, for example) now start much quicker. Switching between apps when I have a whole lot open is quicker too.

Anybody know where to find a top-end G4 chip? Are these in the Mini even removable?

 

[koffiejunkie]

Heck, no, much cheaper. And even the new ones don't come with a 7200rpm disc.

Anyways, for your interest, here's a list of the cost:

1x 1GB DDR400 dimm = £31
1x 7200rpm 100GB (ST910021A) = £68
1x Airport/bluetooth card = £39
1x Superdrive = £58

Total = £196

Ok, it's a lot, but much less than even an entry-level Mini. But then, I already had plans for all the components. The interim 120gb drive was destined for my notebook from the day I bought it, the 40gb drive from the Mini is going to my old Compaq notebook (as soon as I can get my hands on a small enough torx to open it. The DVD-ROM/CRDW module went into a slimline enclosure to use with the Compaq (a 12" light-weight model that doesn't have an optical drive, and using the docking station is a real hassle). And who doesn't have use for a 512mb dimm?

Another reason why I did it, despite the cost, is that I know at some point it's going to start to get a little slow, and I wanted to extend it's life as much as possible. I only bought the Mini because I got it real cheap - old stock of the PPC models, I couldn't afford the Intel ones back then.

 

[bwana]

I used to do what you're doing to my PC's over the years, was a PC techie in my previous life. Didn't know u could do all that to the mac mini's, only the macPro.

My pc packed up up in May, and I bought a 24" iMac, one of the many reasons I got got it, is because I was a bit tired of all the tinkering.
Have to do it for family and friends as well, but don't want hassles on my own pc.

All I got left from my pc is 2 HDD's a 120 and 160 gig, got an external casing for them. And I got another 500GB freeagent external drive.

Only thing I can change on my iMac is the ram, will do when warranty expires.

Have a bit of a learning curve with Apple, but, don't miss pc's one bit.

Why not do it now? It wont invalidate your warranty.

You're lucky you have a imac - updating the ram in a mini involves a putty knife.

 

[bwana]

I want to get generic ram

All my mac's are running with generic ram. I'd sooner upgrade now while the machine is still under warranty in case something goes wrong.

 

[bwana]

Havent a clue to tell you the truth - It's whatever was on sale at CompUSA the day I bought it.

 

[icyrus]

Why not do it now? It wont invalidate your warranty.

You're lucky you have a imac - updating the ram in a mini involves a putty knife.

Upgrading the ram of an intel mac mini is a pain in the ass.

 

[bwana]

Upgrading the ram of an intel mac mini is a pain in the ass.

Granted - with the sounds it makes while you're prying it open it isnt for the faint of heart

 

[bwana]

Now I'm really looking forward to trying this.

The iMac should be much easier than the mini.

 

[icyrus]

The iMac should be much easier than the mini.

From what I recall, there is a slot on the back of the iMac with 2 little screws on it. Get those out and you can change the ram. As simple as that.

 

[koffiejunkie]

The sound(s) it makes as you try to get the cover back on afterwards is even scarier...

Icyrus, I used to have a PC too, but after getting my notebook, I haven't used the PC for much other than encoding DVDs and google earth (had a big screen). I've since sold it before I moved.

Either ways, a PC can be upgraded continously. The Mac Mini can't. I had to do what I had to do before the parts became unavailable, otherwise it's too late.