Installing Mac mini Model A1283 RAM

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Accessing the RAM requires the removal of the internal frame.

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Add Note Edit Step 1 — Top Housing  ¶ 

  • You can skip this step if you bought your putty knife from iFixit. Putty knives purchased from iFixit come with pre-ground edges.

  • You'll need a putty knife in order to open the case. A 1.5 inch thin putty knife will work well, but you'll want to grind the edge down. Rub the putty knife's short edge back and forth on a sheet of all purpose rough grit sandpaper (100 grit will work fine) until it attains a beveled edge.

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Add Note Edit Step 2  ¶ 

  • Carefully insert a putty knife into the crevice in between the top cover and bottom housing. Start on the left side first. Push the blade down until you meet firm resistance (roughly 3/8 of an inch).

  • Gently enlarge the existing crevice by rotating the putty knife downward and away from the mini.

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Add Note Edit Step 3  ¶ 

  • Repeat the prying motion until a portion of the bottom housing has been nudged upward.

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Add Note Edit Step 4  ¶ 

  • Repeat the same prying procedure on the right side.

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Add Note Edit Step 5  ¶ 

  • The top cover should now be marginally separated from the bottom housing. Use your fingers to completely separate the two, starting with the I/O side of the mini.

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Add Note Edit Step 6 — Internal Frame  ¶ 

  • In the next few steps you will be removing the AirPort and Bluetooth antennas (shown in red) from the internal frame. Be very careful, as breaking the brackets will require replacing the internal frame.

  • We will first remove the AirPort antenna, located in the lower left corner of this picture.

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Add Note Edit Step 7  ¶ 

  • Slightly squeeze the two retaining arms toward each other and lift the AirPort antenna off its post.

  • Squeezing the two posts excessively will surely break them off the internal frame. Work delicately.

  • During reinstallation, you will have to slightly squeeze the two posts together so they fit into the openings on the AirPort antenna board.

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Add Note Edit Step 8  ¶ 

  • The two Bluetooth antenna boards simply lift off the internal frame.

  • Grab the Bluetooth antenna nearest the port side of the computer by the edges of the board and pull it straight up off the internal frame.

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Add Note Edit Step 9  ¶ 

  • Remove the antenna board near the front of the mini by pulling it straight up off the internal frame.

  • If necessary, remove the piece of tape securing the antenna leads to the internal frame.

  • Be sure to keep track of the springs under each of the three antenna boards.

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Add Note Edit Step 10  ¶ 

  • Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the audio ribbon cable connector up off the audio board.

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Add Note Edit Step 11  ¶ 

  • Remove the four Phillips screws securing the internal frame to the bottom housing.

  • The screw in the lower right corner of this image is recessed deep in the internal frame and longer than the other three screws. A flashlight and a thin screwdriver aid in removal.

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Add Note Edit Step 12  ¶ 

  • Lift the internal frame off the bottom housing, minding any cables that may get caught.

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Add Note Edit Step 13 — RAM  ¶ 

  • Simultaneously pull the tabs on each side of the RAM chip away from the center of the chip. These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.

  • Pull the RAM chip directly out from its connector.

  • If there are two RAM chips installed, repeat the above procedure for the second chip.

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

For more information, check out the Mac mini Model A1283 device page.

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