I am thinking about uping my G4 mini to a 1gig stick. Usually I have no trouble opening up a computer. But the mini does worry me. I have read & seen a few videos on opening a mini.

Streetwise has an ok price on the memory $149, not as cheap as clockwork. But I figure they will be willing to open up my mini. Without damage & install, not sure if they will charge extra ?

Has anyone had service done by streetwise ?

My mini has had not one issue & I just want to keep it that way.

Any feed back would be helpfull.

Cheers Scott

I ended up using a large kitchen knife to open mine - a quick twist on each side got it open. The main thing is that whatever you use needs a sharp-ish edge.

W9cae - try this guide - very precise and step by careful step:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/Mac-Mini/RAM/82/13

Move slowly and mindfully - and try not to be too scared of its innards.

cheers,

cw

Yeah, I've done it a bunch of times. The first time is scary, but after you reallt 'realise' how its stuck together, its much easier. You have to use just the correct amount of gentle persuasion and force I've found. Honestly, its much scarier than it looks. Back when I pried mine open I had only pictures and a few directions to go off - bought a cheap paint scraper set and got to work.

It's quite true - and there is some merit in doing it yourself - as once you have done it, there is a tant amount of satisfaction in the knowledge that you "know" you can do it, because you "have" done it.

What about for Intel Minis? Aren't they harder to do?

Might as well pay Apple if you're buying it? Any ideas in that case?

Flat piece of strong plastic or a screwdriver. Careful of not damaging the cover and making a mess of it

Since nobody else has said it, any shop is very very likely to charge you extra for install and it usually works out to be fairly costly overall. I would recommend learning the process yourself if you feel confident with upgrading other computers.

You might also be able to save a bit if you buy the RAM from somewhere else rather than a Mac-specific shop, try staticice.com.au for a price search engine.

I have a few paint scraper / spatulas that I use to pry open cases. 1" , 2" and a putty knife with a point. Kitchen knives and screwdrivers tend to leave marks in my experience. Depends on what you are opening of course.
Stewie

I would use a thin putty knife. Also the metal floppy disk covers come in handy, I've found.

Did my g4 mini with no issues. Intel mini's are a different story, the ram is a little more inaccessible.

I suggested a kitchen chopping knife as the damage appears to result from trying to slip something between the outer and inner case. Anything that can slip in easy wont do damage I think.

We purchased RAM from ClockWork and installed the RAM ourselves in our G4 Mini... worked like a charm. I would suggest finding a putty knife with a super-thin edge if you don't have one. That super thin edge will make a difference! Other than that, the hardest part of doing anything in the G4 Mini was closing the box, and that was a case of putting pressure in the right places at the right time

Is there anywhere in Melbourne that will do an Intel Mini RAM upgrade for a reasonable price? I am thinking of just taking it to Computers Now, but suggestions for other service centres are welcome...

I will have the RAM (2x512MB) because a colleague recently bought a MacBook and upgraded it to 2GB.

Spot on, Girlbunny.
Putty knives the best. in the later intel minis, i've found the gap between metal casing & innards to be a mill or 2 bigger, .. so it's easier. yep, putting it together properly always takes me more time. upgrading your intel mini is not difficult at all. four screws around rom/hard drive support frame. then lift off board(not forgetting to disconnect/dislodge the rom ribbon cable), nd be careful not to damage the antennae that connects to back right of mini. the key is, before you close it up again, to test it, then finally, close up.

edit; Sam, u may also shop around, see who can do it for the best price. i'm always negotiable with this. normally charge $40 - 50 for this.

also, if your mini is still in warranty, i'd want a service centre to do it, .. they will also be able/be held responsible of/for any issues that may occur as a result of this upgrade... peace of mind, i think is what they call it