Apple Mac mini (Early and Late 2009)
Yes. 2 slots, up to 8 GB seen working.
It takes DDR3-1066 laptop-size sticks (SO-DIMM). The slots sit inside the case, so fitting memory means opening it up. Apple lists it as a service upgrade.
- Slots
- 2 SO-DIMM slots
- Type
- DDR3-1066 204-pin SO-DIMM
- Most seen working
- 8 GB in two or more machines
- Firmware says
- 32 GB maximum (often wrong, so we show what machines run)
- How sure
- 31 of 31 reports show this layout
Worked out from 31 hardware reports of this desktop, with Apple's memory specifications for which Macs have sockets. Sources and method. Updated 10 Nov 2026.
Questions
Can I upgrade the RAM in the Apple Mac mini (Early and Late 2009)?
Yes. 2 slots, up to 8 GB seen working. It takes DDR3-1066 laptop-size sticks (SO-DIMM). The slots sit inside the case, so fitting memory means opening it up. Apple lists it as a service upgrade.
What type of RAM does the Apple Mac mini (Early and Late 2009) use?
DDR3-1066 laptop-size sticks (SO-DIMM, 204-pin).
How much RAM can the Apple Mac mini (Early and Late 2009) take?
Machines in the reports run up to 8 GB. The firmware reports a maximum of 32 GB, a figure that is often wrong.
Is this my desktop?
On the Mac, choose Apple menu > About This Mac > System Report. The Model Identifier should read Macmini3,1.
More in the Apple Mac mini
- Mac mini (Late 2014) (Macmini7,1)
- Mac mini (Late 2012) (Macmini6,1)
- Mac mini (Late 2012, quad-core) (Macmini6,2)
- Mac mini (Mid 2011) (Macmini5,1)
- Mac mini (2018) (Macmini8,1)
- Mac mini (Mid 2010) (Macmini4,1)
- Mac mini (Mid 2011, faster processor) (Macmini5,2)
- Mac mini (Mid 2007) (Macmini2,1)
- Mac mini Server (Mid 2011) (Macmini5,3)
- Mac mini (Early and Late 2006) (Macmini1,1)