How do you upgrade the RAM in the Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support?

There are three different lines of Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini models -- the "Mid-2010," "Mid-2011," and "Late 2012" -- which each support different types of memory.

Although the memory types are different, the upgrade procedure for all lines is easy and essentially the same. Unlike earlier Mac mini models, which require one to pry open the case and are not easy to upgrade, the Aluminum Mac mini models have a black plastic base on the bottom that can be removed with a quick turn to access the RAM slots.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Non-Server Mid-2010 - Left, Mid-2011 & Late 2012 - Right)

Identification Help

If you're not sure which Aluminum Mac mini model you have, these models can be identified by the Model Identifier in software and externally by EMC Number for the purposes of upgrading the RAM. More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

To locate the model identifier in software, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the "More Info..." button. If the Mac mini is running OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later, you will need to click the "System Report" button after clicking "More Info..." as well. EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented each model identifier for your convenience.

The EMC number is visible upon removing the bottom "spin off" panel to the right of the memory slots (when the ports are facing you). Accordingly, EveryMac.com also has hand documented the EMC numbers unique to each series.

This is most easily visualized as a chart:

Alu. Mac mini	Subfamily	Model ID	EMC Number
"Core 2 Duo" 2.4	Mid-2010	Macmini4,1	2364
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66	Mid-2010	Macmini4,1	2364
Server (C2D 2.66)	Mid-2010	Macmini4,1	2364
"Core i5" 2.3	Mid-2011	Macmini5,1	2442
"Core i5" 2.5	Mid-2011	Macmini5,2	2442
"Core i7" 2.7	Mid-2011	Macmini5,2	2442
Server (i7 2.0)	Mid-2011	Macmini5,3	2442
"Core i5" 2.5	Late 2012	Macmini6,1	2570
"Core i7" 2.3	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	2570
"Core i7" 2.6	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	2570
Server (i7 2.3)	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	2570
Server (i7 2.6)	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	2570

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can identify these models by the last four characters of their Serial Numbers.

RAM Types & Actual Maximum RAM Capacities

The "Mid-2010" Mac mini models have two memory slots that support 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Originally, they both officially and unofficially supported a maximum of 8 GB of RAM with two 4 GB memory modules. However, as discovered more recently by site sponsor Other World Computing, if these systems are running OS X 10.7.5 or higher, have been updated to use the latest EFI, and are equipped with proper specification memory modules, they can support up to 16 GB of RAM with dual 8 GB memory modules.

The "Mid-2011" Mac mini models likewise have two memory slots but instead support faster 1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Officially, these models only support 8 GB of RAM, but as also reported by OWC, they likewise are capable of supporting 16 GB of RAM with dual 8 GB memory modules. These models only run OS X 10.7 and later versions of the operating system.

The "Late 2012" Mac mini models also have two memory slots but use faster still 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. As of the date last updated (see top), they both officially and unofficially support 16 GB of RAM, but should this number increase in the future (Intel reports that the underlying chipset can support up to 32 GB of RAM), this EveryMac.com Q&A will be updated.

At the moment, all of these systems support 16 GB of RAM. However, like the identification help, the details are most precisely and easily visualized as a chart:

Alu. Mac mini	Subfamily	Model ID	SO-DIMM	Max
"Core 2 Duo" 2.4	Mid-2010	Macmini4,1	1066 PC3-8500	16 GB*
"Core 2 Duo" 2.66	Mid-2010	Macmini4,1	1066 PC3-8500	16 GB*
Server (C2D 2.66)	Mid-2010	Macmini4,1	1066 PC3-8500	16 GB*
"Core i5" 2.3	Mid-2011	Macmini5,1	1333 PC3-10600	16 GB†
"Core i5" 2.5	Mid-2011	Macmini5,2	1333 PC3-10600	16 GB†
"Core i7" 2.7	Mid-2011	Macmini5,2	1333 PC3-10600	16 GB†
Server (i7 2.0)	Mid-2011	Macmini5,3	1333 PC3-10600	16 GB†
"Core i5" 2.5	Late 2012	Macmini6,1	1600 PC3-12800	16 GB
"Core i7" 2.3	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	1600 PC3-12800	16 GB
"Core i7" 2.6	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	1600 PC3-12800	16 GB
Server (i7 2.3)	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	1600 PC3-12800	16 GB
Server (i7 2.6)	Late 2012	Macmini6,2	1600 PC3-12800	16 GB

* Officially, the "Mid-2010" models support 8 GB of RAM, but they actually can support 16 GB of RAM. However, this is if and only if they are running OS X 10.7.5 or higher, have been updated to use the latest EFI, and are equipped with proper specification memory modules.

† Officially, the "Mid-2011" line supports 8 GB of RAM, but they actually support 16 GB.

RAM Upgrade Instructions

For polycarbonate Mac mini models, Apple does not provide instructions or recommend that users upgrade their own memory. However, for the Aluminum Mac mini, the company provides instructions on pages 31-38 and 39-46 of the "Mid-2010" and "Mid-2011" User's Guides, respectively. Apple does not provide instructions in the "Quickstart Guide" for the "Late 2012" models, but the procedure is the same.

The manuals provide installation instructions complete with drawings, which absolutely should be reviewed in their entirety before one installs memory. However, the below videos may be even better.

Mid-2010 Mac mini RAM Upgrade Videos

This video -- from YouTube user DetroitBORG -- specifically covers the optical drive-equipped "Mid-2010" (Macmini4,1) models:

The procedure essentially is the same for the slotless "Mid-2010" Server (Macmini4,1), but OWC provides a precise video nevertheless:

Mid-2011 & Late 2012 Mac mini RAM Upgrade Video

OWC provides an exact video covering the slotless "Mid-2011" (Macmini5,1, Macmini5,2, Macmini5,3), and "Late 2012" (Macmini6,1, Macmini6,2) models, too:

After watching these videos, it should be clear that upgrading the RAM is a simple procedure. Long-term Mac mini enthusiasts no doubt are pleased that the process has been improved so dramatically compared to the earlier polycarbonate Mac mini design.

However, if you do not feel comfortable -- or have the time -- to perform the upgrade yourself, hiring a professional always is a good option.

Mac mini RAM Purchase & Professional Installation Options

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory compatible with all of the Mac mini models and provides a professional upgrade service for the Mac mini, too. Mission Repair also provides an upgrade service by mail with a 24-hour turnaround time.

In Canada, site sponsor The Mac Market sells Mac mini compatible memory with flat rate express shipping across Canada. The company also provides an upgrade service.

In Australia, site sponsor RamCity sells Mac mini compatible memory with free shipping Australia-wide.

Also see:

• How do you upgrade the hard drive(s) in the Aluminum "Unibody" Mac mini models? What type of hard drive or SSDs do they support?
• How do you upgrade the RAM in the Polycarbonate Intel Mac mini models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM do they actually support?