Apple gurus... Mac Mini maximum RAM question

[Platypus]

So officially the Mac Mini only supports 4GB of RAM but I read on a few places that it has been reported people have gotten it up to 8GB. I need the cheapest mac I can get that supports 8GB of RAM, and right now thats the iMac from my search. It would be the mini if this indeed works.

I couldn't give a shit less about proc or anything else except memory and hard drive space. I'd rather get actual confirmation from someone that it indeed works before going down that road.

 

[TheStu]

I cannot confirm, as I do not owe a Mini, or the cash necessary to get 2*4GB SODIMMs.

However, out of curiosity, what are you doing that requires 8GB and HDD space, but is irrelevant with regards to CPU?

 

[Platypus]

I cannot confirm, as I do not owe a Mini, or the cash necessary to get 2*4GB SODIMMs.

However, out of curiosity, what are you doing that requires 8GB and HDD space, but is irrelevant with regards to CPU?

My music production software is always memory bound, not CPU bound. I have outboard processors for everything else but the software tends to get very sluggish without a huge amount of RAM. I have a 2Ghz core 2 duo mac right now and the CPU is barely sweating but I'm pegging the memory. The HDD space is for plugins, samples, loops, and tracking large projects.

 

[TheStu]

Wow, the new MacBook can handle 8GB of RAM IIRC, and you can get them refurbed for like $850 or so. More than the Mini sure, but a more capable system not just in terms of performance, it is easier to upgrade the RAM and HDD, and it is a laptop for travel.

 

[Compman55]

I will be doing that upgrade once the ram is down in price. Yes it does work as there is one member here that did it, can;t remember his name. There is also a guy on ebay that sells them with 8GB, so I know it works. I email him and he says there is not mods needed, just plug and play. No OS hacks either.

 

[Compman55]

Oh, and you will need a 64bit version of windows if you plan to run 8GB. OSX does not care how much you have.

 

[JSt0rm]

hey platypus,

I work in audio. I would recommend buying a early macpro as you dont need the cpu to matter as much. $1200 to $1500 will buy a quad 2.66ghz maybe even more of a computer.

I work on one of these everyday and my cpu mostly sits around 20% usage. Although I do use a protools hd system and that takes some of the wear off the cpu. The i/o, ram and hard drive capability is well worth the cost of admission. Plus I have 2 video cards and rock 4 monitors. Real estate for days

 

[Platypus]

hey platypus,

I work in audio. I would recommend buying a early macpro as you dont need the cpu to matter as much. $1200 to $1500 will buy a quad 2.66ghz maybe even more of a computer.

I work on one of these everyday and my cpu mostly sits around 20% usage. Although I do use a protools hd system and that takes some of the wear off the cpu. The i/o, ram and hard drive capability is well worth the cost of admission. Plus I have 2 video cards and rock 4 monitors. Real estate for days

Thanks for the advice. I am thinking now about possibly getting the 21 inch imac. It has more than enough CPU for my needs and I can get it up to 16GB if I wanted to RAM wise. I've found a few for 1k, that seems like a good plan. It's also another monitor since I already have one and I'm coming to find out I'd love to get some plugin windows off of my workspace.

This is w/ Logic fwiw.

 

[effowe]

Ever consider just building a Hackintosh? It would be cheaper and much more upgradable if you decide to add more ram / hd space.