Daniel Hruska Apple introduced two new Mac computers at this year's October keynote. The first one is compact Mac mini, the second then iMac with Retina display with 5K resolution. Like every new Apple device, these two models did not escape the tools of the iFixit server and were disassembled down to the last part.
Mac mini (Late 2014)
We've been waiting two years for the new Mac mini - the smallest and cheapest Apple computer. A successor that, however, is more likely to cause enthusiasm than enthusiasm due to the impossibility of upgrading the operating memory and low performance embarrassment. Let's see what it looks like inside.
At first glance, everything is the same... until you turn the mini on its back. Gone is the rotating black cover under the body that allowed easy access to the computer's internals. Now you have to peel off the cover, but even then you still can't get inside.
After removing the cover, it is necessary to remove the aluminum cover. A screwdriver with a T6 Security Torx bit must be used here. Compared to the regular Torx, the Security variant differs by a protrusion in the middle of the screw, which prevents the use of a regular Torx screwdriver. After that, disassembly is relatively simple.
The integration of the operating memory directly on the motherboard is definitively confirmed. Apple started with this approach with the MacBook Air and is gradually starting to apply it to other models in the portfolio. The disassembled piece contained four 1GB LPDDR3 DRAM chips from Samsung. After all, you can look at all used components directly on the server iFixit.
Those who would like to replace the storage will also be disappointed. While the previous models contained two SATA connectors, this year we have to make do with only one, so for example you cannot connect an additional SSD and create your own Fusion Drive. However, there is an empty PCIe slot on the motherboard for a thin SSD. For example, the SSD removed from the iMac 5K Retina fit into the new Mac mini like a glove.
The overall repairability of the Mac mini is rated 6/10 by iFixit, where a full score of 10 points means an easily repairable product. On the spot collision, the operating memory soldered to the motherboard and the processor made the biggest impact. On the contrary, the absence of any glue that would make disassembly difficult is evaluated positively.
iMac (Retina 5K, 27”, Late 2014)
If we ignore the main novelty, i.e. the display itself, not too much has changed in the design of the new iMac. Let's start with the simplest. On the back, you just need to pry off the small cover, under which the slots for the operating memory are hidden. You can insert up to four 1600MHz DDR3 modules.
Further disassembly steps are only for strong personalities with a steady hand. You have to access the iMac hardware via the display or carefully peel it off from the body of the device. Once you peel it off, you need to replace the adhesive tape with a new one. Maybe in practice it's not such a difficult task, but probably few people will want to start tinkering with such an expensive device.
With the display down, the inside of the iMac resembles a very simple kit - left and right speakers, hard drive, motherboard and fan. On the motherboard, components such as an SSD or Wi-Fi antenna are still connected to the appropriate slots, but that's basically all. The iMac is simple inside and out.
The repairability score for the iMac with 5K Retina display is just 5/10, due to the need to remove the display and replace the adhesive tape. On the contrary, a very simple RAM exchange will definitely come in handy, which will take even a less skilled user a few tens of seconds, but at most a few minutes.
Unreal :-D There's nothing wrong with that. Such a "magical" box.
And that's it :)
I would be very interested if the official (Czech) service solves the fact that I use a different (color) double-sided adhesive tape? I've been planning to replace the disk in the iMac with an SSD for a long time, but I'm worried about the warranty after re-installing the display.
Regarding the "Mac Mini", I read somewhere that the RAM is not upgradeable. From that photo, I think I can see the memory module there. So you don't know if the memory can be replaced?
What you see in the photo is the Airport module:
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/O11NgQ6Uow4PmEaq.huge
And RAM can't really be upgraded:
https://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Xdi1YLbX3ugbjrMD.huge