By Jeff Suovanen • Difficulty: Moderate
The future is now! Apple’s once-neglected Mac mini is coming in hot with a brand new, cutting edge, long awaited … processor upgrade? And a couple more ports? There has to be more, and we know how to find it—time for a teardown!
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- This Mac might be mini, but it's packing some big specs. Let's unpack some here:
- 3.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i3 with 6 MB shared L3 cache
- 8 GB of 2666 MHz DDR4 SO-DIMM memory
- 128 GB SSD
- Intel UHD Graphics 630
- 802.11ac Wi-Fi + Bluetooth 5.0
- macOS Mojave
- Our first look at the 2018 mini's exterior gives us the warm and fuzzies—it's the same friendly form factor we remember.
- Apart from the new color, we also have some new identifiers: model A1993 and EMC 3213.
- Despite controversial departures from a few common ports, Apple has included plenty of them here! We spot two USB-A ports, four USB-C ports, a headphone jack, an ethernet port, and an HDMI port (which isn't available on any other recent Apple product).
- We'd like to think we know our way in—but after four years without an update, we're not taking anything about this opening procedure for granted.
- With some trepidation, we point our tools at the 60%-recycled-plastic bottom cover.
- Success! An opening tool takes care of the base, and six quick stabs with the TR6 Torx security driver loosens the familiar antenna plate underneath.
- So far so good. Fingers crossed that this keeps up!
- Just like the last couple times we did this, we're greeted first by a single fan standing watch over the mini's insides.
- The fan unscrews with zero fuss, giving us a better view of the mini's depths.
- Theoretically, we just need to unplug these cables from the logic board, and it'll be free to slide right out of the chassis.
- It's time to improvise—our handy Mac mini logic board removal tool technically fits in the logic board's screw holes, but it doesn't feel right. We're going to need more leverage.
- Could it be that some good old-fashioned thumb pressing does the trick? It does! A firm push on either side of the blower exhaust is all it takes, and the whole board unclips and slides out.
- Who knows, maybe Apple does have a tool to push without endangering those thin exhaust fins, but carefully aimed thumbs works for us!
- With the board out, we're going straight for the RAM. Apple has trapped it in a heavy metal cage—almost as if they don't fully trust modular RAM to behave itself.
- Twirl away four Torx screws, and the cage slides right off. Has RAM replacement ever been easier?
- Sure it has—but, the return to standard SO-DIMM RAM after the bitter disappointment of the 2014 mini's soldered-down chips is a huge win. Upgrade now, or upgrade later—you have a choice again.
- Just one connector and two screws sets the little system speaker free.
- Beneath the speaker, we find some antenna cables, but unfortunately no modular AirPort card—in what is becoming a trend, these are socketed right to the main board.
- Alas, AirPort cards are just a distant memory now that logic boards have assimilated all wireless functions.
- From here we set to work freeing the heatsink, twirling away Torx screws and exposing the paste-y (soldered) CPU.
- One last screw, and the port cover is free, uncovering ... the ports. As it departs, it takes some antenna hardware with it.
- This mini still holds a lot of silicon—let's take a look!
- 3.6 GHz quad-core Intel Core i3 CPU with Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Toshiba TSB3225V81199TWNA1 flash storage (32 GB each, 128 GB total)
- Apple APL1027 339S00604 T2 coprocessor
- Intel SR40E CM246 platform controller hub
- Intel JHL7540 Thunderbolt 3 controller
- Broadcom BCM57766 Gigabit Ethernet controller
- 338S00342-A0 (likely an Apple PMIC)
- And the backside holds even more:
- Murata 339S00458 Wi-Fi / Bluetooth module
- MegaChips MCDP2920A4 DisplayPort 1.4 to HDMI 2.0 converter
- Cirrus Logic CS42L83 audio codec
- Texas Instruments TPS51916 memory power solution w/ synchronous buck controller
- Texas Instruments CD3215C00 USB-C controller x4
- Texas Instruments CSD58872Q5D NexFET synchronized buck power block
- Intersil ISL95828AHRTZ CPU power controller
- Chip identification, continued:
- Infineon (formerly International Rectifier) IRF3575 60 A synchronous buck converter
- Renesas (formerly Intersil) ISL62383C power supply controller
- Vishay SIC621 60 A integrated power stage
- Renesas (formerly Intersil) ISL80101A 1 A LDO regulator
- Texas Instruments INA210 bi-directional current sense amplifier
- Texas Instruments INA211 bi-directional current sense amplifier
- Texas Instruments INA214 bi-directional current sense amplifier
- Chip identification, continued:
- Dialog Semiconductor (formerly Adesto) AT45DB021E 2 MB serial flash memory
- Macronix MX25R2035F 2 MB serial NOR flash memory
- Winbond W25Q80EW 8 MB serial NOR flash memory
- Winbond W25Q80DW 8 MB serial NOR flash memory
- ON Semiconductor CAT24C128 128 KB serial EEPROM memory
- Texas Instruments HD3SS215 6.0 Gbps HDMI DisplayPort differential switch
- Diodes Incorporated PI3USB32 dual SPST USB 2.0 switch
- Chip identification, continued:
- Texas Instruments TMP464 5-channel temperature sensor
- Texas Instruments TMP103 temperature sensor
- Texas Instruments TAS5770 audio amplifier
- Texas Instruments TPS2561 2-channel power switch
- Apple 338S00410 power management IC
- Texas Instruments TPS62684 1.6 A step-down converter
- Dialog Semiconductor SLG59M301V 4 A load switch
- The last thing between us and an empty mini is the internal power supply!
- The linchpin holding this unit in place is a familiar one—so familiar that we follow our own repair guide to remove it.
- The power supply is a nice enclosed unit, making for safe, easy replacement.
- The mini power supply gets an upgrade from days past, jumping from 85 watts to 150.
- It appears we've maxed out our mini, feast your eyes on these cool components!
- Back in the day, a Pro Mac meant a computer you could upgrade, configure, and connect as you pleased. This new mini aligns so well with that ideal that we're surprised it didn't earn itself a "Pro" title—especially compared to the increasingly closed-off MacBook Pro line.
- Perhaps the most exciting part of this mini is a return to upgradable RAM. In fact, our users are so excited they already made a RAM replacement guide. Stay tuned for the official guide and upgrade kits!
- Mac mini Late 2018 Repairability: 6 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair).
- No tough adhesive holds the Mac mini or its components hostage.
- Using fairly common tools, disassembly is straight-forward.
- The mini packs standard SO-DIMMs allowing both DIY upgrades and replacements.
- The CPU and storage are both soldered to the logic board and not user-upgradeable.
- If any of the many ports is damaged or worn, the entire logic board will need replacing.