KEY FINDINGS
• Our first look at the 2018 mini’s exterior gives us the warm and fuzzies—it’s the same friendly form factor we remember. 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). • With some trepidation, we point our tools at the 60-percent-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. • We’re greeted by a single fan standing watch over the insides. The fan unscrews with zero fuss, giving a better view of the mini’s depths. A firm push on either side of the blower exhaust, and the board unclips and slides out. • With the board out, we’re going straight for the RAM. Apple has trapped it in a heavy metal cage—almost as if it doesn’t fully trust modular RAM to behave itself. Actually, we’ve seen this in iMacs of yore. The shield allows the RAM to operate at high frequency (2,666MT/s) with no chance of interfering with other functions. Twirl away four Torx screws, and the cage slides 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. • Just one connector and two screws set the little system speaker free. iMac and MacBook speakers seem to get bigger all the time, but this looks about the same size as in older Mac minis. Beneath the speaker, we find some antenna cables, but no modular AirPort card—in what is becoming a trend, these are socketed to the main board. • 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. The last thing between us and an empty mini is the internal power supply, which is a nice enclosed unit, making for safe, easy replacement. • Repairability score: 6 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair). No tough adhesive holds the Mac mini hostage, and disassembly is straightforward. The mini packs standard SO-DIMMs, allowing both DIY upgrades and replacements. The CPU and storage are 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.