DDR and especially DDR2 SODIMM memory became recently somewhat affordable, allowing for another episode of the Brain-Surgery series.
This time it was the different twins that were due for an significant RAM increase. The different twins are our two Mac minis; there is Tom's 1.25GHz PowerPC G4 based Mac mini and 1.5GHz Intel Core Solo based Mac mini that's mostly used as a TV-Internet Connector, which setup and purpose I had described back in October 2006 in Subscription TV.

Usually, I get memory upgrades for Macs from either Crucial or Ramjet directly. However, this time I got a way better deal at Mwave.com for the same Crucial Memory.

Upgrading the Intel-based Mac Mini to 2GB RAM

• Upgrading here means replacing 200 PIN SODIMMs:
  Two Micron 256MB DDR2 667 CL5 (PC2-5300S-555-12-C0) modules were replaced by two Micron 1GB DDR2 667 CL5 modules: CT12864AC667
• There are a couple really useful sites that explain in much detail how to open the Mini, OWC even posted a video, showing how to disassemble the Intel-based Mac mini.
  However, I had some trouble removing the WIFI-antenna, which didn't work as explained elsewhere. The antenna is spring-loading and kept in place by two black plastic posts. Squeezing the posts towards each other only slightly, releases the antenna-board immediately.
  The whole procedure only took about 15 minutes, which already included using about half a can compressed to clean the device. On the other hand, upgrading the memory certainly is the easiest upgrade one can perform and I imaging that replacing harddrive or CPU may be a little more challenging.

Upgrading Tom's PowerPC G4 based Mac mini to 1GB

• Here again, upgrading means replacing, this time a single 184 PIN DDR SDRAM:
  A single 512MB PC3200 CL3 module was replaced by a Micron 1GB DDR PC3200 CL=3 UNBUFFERED NON-ECC module: CT12864Z40B
• Opening the older Mini seemed a little harder but once the case was opened, replacing the memory module was very easy, no other components needed to be removed or disconnected.
  Again, with cleaning, the whole procedure took less than 15 minutes.

Here are the previous episodes of this never ending brain surgery series ...

1. G5's memory upgrade
2. iBook 1.2GHz memory upgrade
3. 1.67 GHz 15" PowerBook 1GB DDR-2 memory upgrade
4. 2nd Harddrive for the G5 • Seagate Barracuda 250 GB SATA drive
5. Final voluntary "brain surgery" performed on the aging Power Mac G5
6. Brain Surgery Pt.6 - The different Twins a.k.a. Mac minis