Upgrading OS, or RAM, or both?

allanb · 11-24-2012, 03:41 AM

I have a 2009 Mac Mini, model 3.1, with 1 GB, running OS 10.6.8. It lives in the same house as a Macbook and an iPad, with which I want to be able to interchange information easily.

I would like to be able to use iCloud. I would also very much like to make the Mini quicker (I spend a lot of frustrating time watching the spinning ball.) But – if it makes any difference – I don't play video games, and video quality generally is not important to me.

I'd be grateful for any advice on (1) whether I ought to upgrade from Snow Leopard (and if so, should it be to Lion or ML?) and (2) whether I would gain from a memory upgrade (I understand that Apple officially supports up to 4 GB on this model.)

I know, I'm trying two questions for the price of one here. But I don't know enough to separate them.

acme.mail.order · 11-24-2012, 04:09 AM

Memory, definitely. 1Gb running 10.6 is minimal - might be ok for a file server not running a desktop. Put in 4Gb and upgrade to Mountain Lion.

DeltaMac · 11-24-2012, 06:33 AM

You would need to at least double your RAM for Mountain Lion.
Your 2009 mini can be upgraded to 8GB!

Here's an OWC page, that also has a video showing how to replace the memory (or upgrade your hard drive, etc)
It's not a simple task on your mini.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memor..._Mac_mini/DDR3

You might even consider replacing the hard drive with an SSD, which with more RAM would make your mini feel completely different (and much faster response)

anthlover · 11-24-2012, 07:05 AM

Go with 8gb of ram, it will be night and Day. In order to consider SSD you have to decide not only on the cost but the space required. SSDs still cost 4 to 5 times more if your talking about something in the 250 to 500GB range.

There are also Hybrid seagate hard drives, there merely very fast but there not pure SSD.

11-24-2012, 03:41 AM	#1
allanb Triple-A Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aquitaine, France Posts: 176	Upgrading OS, or RAM, or both? I have a 2009 Mac Mini, model 3.1, with 1 GB, running OS 10.6.8. It lives in the same house as a Macbook and an iPad, with which I want to be able to interchange information easily. I would like to be able to use iCloud. I would also very much like to make the Mini quicker (I spend a lot of frustrating time watching the spinning ball.) But – if it makes any difference – I don't play video games, and video quality generally is not important to me. I'd be grateful for any advice on (1) whether I ought to upgrade from Snow Leopard (and if so, should it be to Lion or ML?) and (2) whether I would gain from a memory upgrade (I understand that Apple officially supports up to 4 GB on this model.) I know, I'm trying two questions for the price of one here. But I don't know enough to separate them.

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11-24-2012, 04:09 AM	#2
acme.mail.order League Commissioner Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Tokyo Posts: 6,050	Memory, definitely. 1Gb running 10.6 is minimal - might be ok for a file server not running a desktop. Put in 4Gb and upgrade to Mountain Lion.

11-24-2012, 06:33 AM	#3
DeltaMac League Commissioner Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 7,963	You would need to at least double your RAM for Mountain Lion. Your 2009 mini can be upgraded to 8GB! Here's an OWC page, that also has a video showing how to replace the memory (or upgrade your hard drive, etc) It's not a simple task on your mini. http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memor..._Mac_mini/DDR3 You might even consider replacing the hard drive with an SSD, which with more RAM would make your mini feel completely different (and much faster response)

11-24-2012, 07:05 AM	#4
anthlover Hall of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 2,671	Go with 8gb of ram, it will be night and Day. In order to consider SSD you have to decide not only on the cost but the space required. SSDs still cost 4 to 5 times more if your talking about something in the 250 to 500GB range. There are also Hybrid seagate hard drives, there merely very fast but there not pure SSD.