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SSD install on new Mac Mini?

M

mscmsc

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 23, 2011
2
0
Greetings,

I just purchased an i7 Mac Mini with the standard 500 GB HDD. I'm wondering if I can install and aftermarket SSD and keep the current HDD as well. I would like to put Lion OS and my apps on the SSD to use as my main/boot drive, and use the current HDD, for additional storage. Is this sort of thing possible? If so, how do I put a clean Lion OS on the SSD and wipe everything from the hard disk

Thanks,

Mark
 
A

aristobrat

macrumors G5
Oct 14, 2005
12,292
1,403
AFAIK, the new Airs and minis have the "Internet recovery feature" built into the firmware, so you can just download a new copy of Lion if you want a clean install.

I'm about to install a SSD in my 2010 mini. I ordered mine with an external enclosure. When it gets here, I'll temporarily put it in the enclosure, hook it up to the mini, and use SuperDuper to make a clone. Then I'll put the SSD in the mini, and remove the HDD, putting it into the enclosure. I'll use the Disk Utility app to format it clean.

I think I saw somewhere where someone made the special cable required if you want to run the SSD + HDD both in your new mini.
 
falterego

falterego

macrumors 6502
Dec 28, 2008
280
0
Southern California
If you want the original drive to be internal, you'll need the connector referenced in this post. It seems a bit pricey IMO, so I would go with external.

If you're ok with it being external I'd suggest finding a Firewire 800 external case for it since that'll be faster than USB 2.0
 
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