Installing an SSD while keeping Applecare

mentaluproar said:

Also, I read that OSX defragments files as they are accessed (if they could benefit from it). Defragmenting an SSD is a no-no. Does OSX still defrag on the Apple SSDs or not?

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With very few exceptions, you don't need to defrag on Mac OS X, except possibly when partitioning a drive. You especially shouldn't defrag a SSD.

About disk optimization with Mac OS X

You probably won't need to optimize at all if you use Mac OS X.

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SSDs do not require defragmenting. It'll only wear them out faster.

Apple won't install upgrades in your Mac Mini.

Apple would probably upgrade your drive, if you are willing to pay Apple prices + labor.

If I were in a situation where I had applecare, I would invest in a nice USB 3.0 2.5" SATA III compatible enclosure, and boot from an external SSD. What model mini do you have? This may be viable with a 2012 version, because USB 3.0 transfers at 5 Gb/s, where SATA III (internal) is 6 Gb/s, so you could run at nearly full speed. If not, USB 2.0 would bottle neck the SSD and it wouldn't be worth the upgrade.

I'm assuming your HDD feels slow and you would like better read/write times, correct?

Apple won't install third party anythings.

It's a DIY endeavor.

Just spitballing here (You would really have to contact apple to get an accurate number) but right now, apple is charging $300 for a 256GB SSD upgrade for current mini's at the online store. Add that plus maybe $50 or more for labor. Keep in mind a $300 upgrade is the incremental surcharge for substituting a $50 hard drive, so a standalone drive could be $350. A thunderbolt enclosure would do the trick for a DIY external SSD, but those can be pricy as well.

mentaluproar said:

The SSD in question would not be third-party.

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Unless it came with the Mac they won't touch it. Apple Genius bars will not install anything that wasn't part of the original machine.

Curious as to what Apple SSD you were planning to use? How were you going to buy it?

COrocket said:

Just spitballing here (You would really have to contact apple to get an accurate number) but right now, apple is charging $300 for a 256GB SSD upgrade for current mini's at the online store. Add that plus maybe $50 or more for labor. Keep in mind a $300 upgrade is the incremental surcharge for substituting a $50 hard drive, so a standalone drive could be $350. A thunderbolt enclosure would do the trick for a DIY external SSD, but those can be pricy as well.

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Those are options available only when the unit is factory built.

mentaluproar said:

If they would be willing to upgrade the drive, they can order one themselves. They get replacement parts somehow.

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Apple retail won't do it, they're not allowed to. It's as simple as that.

mentaluproar said:

I bought applecare and still have plenty of time left on it, but this stupid platter drive in my mini is infuriating me. I'm considering upgrading to an SSD but I want to keep my applecare. If I were to take it to a genius bar, could I pay them to upgrade to an apple-sanctioned SSD so I could keep the warrantee?

Also, I read that OSX defragments files as they are accessed (if they could benefit from it). Defragmenting an SSD is a no-no. Does OSX still defrag on the Apple SSDs or not?

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Why not just do it yourself. Many many members on here have done it. Probably many with the same experience tinkering with computers as you. If they could do it, so can you. Just keep the stock drive in case you need to get warranty work done. Then take the SSD out and put stock drive in.

Installing an SSD does nothing to your warranty. I took my 2011 13" with a crucial m4 to them to get my charger replaced. They wanted to do tests on my computer to make sure everything is good and the genius said it was awesome because it went through tests 10 times quicker. This was before rMBP so the only ones they usually saw were Airs but they were slower at the time. Do it yourself.

Then sell your Mac and buy a new one with an SSD, or find an auhorised repair shop, that does such things, that offers a warranty in case they frell up.

mentaluproar said:

I would love to do it myself, but if I screw over my applecare and ever need it...

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It's a chance you have to take. I put a SSD in my MacBook Pro and they didn't care.

Just keep the original drive and if your mini is having issues, swap the original drive back in and take it in. I did that and the genius bar didn't bat an eye. There isn't any warranty stickers to break when working on your mac.

This is one of the easiest upgrades possible on the Mac line. If you put your old drive back should you need it serviced, there is no way they can tell you ever swapped it. You could probably even get away with playing dumb and saying you paid a tech to do it who claimed to be Apple authorized.

Also, I don't think going iMac or Air will save you money as both are considerably more expensive even at lower performance points.

Agree with previous post -- just keep your original drive and re-install if it needs any Apple Care. But if you need Apple Care, just take it in. If the issue is related to anything other than the disk, they'll fix it. If they think it's the SSD, then that's what they'll say and return it to you in the same condition they got it.
I have three different SSDs in three different Macs, and I suspect many of the people on this forum have done the same thing. SSDs are real performance boosters.

why not look up how to do it yourself to install the SSD and do not worry about apple care, as others say should you see another problem besides HD, the apple genius bar will have to take care of it, be smart do not let the apple get your money just to install ssd (even order a new mac products), it is simple once you know how to install stuff, you will never forget, it is like simple maths once you learn what is 1+1 you will never forget.

mentaluproar said:

I bought applecare and still have plenty of time left on it, but this stupid platter drive in my mini is infuriating me. I'm considering upgrading to an SSD but I want to keep my applecare. If I were to take it to a genius bar, could I pay them to upgrade to an apple-sanctioned SSD so I could keep the warrantee?

Also, I read that OSX defragments files as they are accessed (if they could benefit from it). Defragmenting an SSD is a no-no. Does OSX still defrag on the Apple SSDs or not?

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apple will install an apple ssd in your mac mini if you have a mac mini that had it as a bto option.

ie the base 2012 no the mid 2012 yes.

now you do know that an external ssd in a t-bolt is a really good option.


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1280118/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1317577/

pm me for photos or info on how to set one up

"I would love to do it myself, but if I screw over my applecare and ever need it..."

The solution is easy, though most in this forum would refuse to see it or accept it.

That is…

Just buy the SSD you want, and [until your AppleCare runs out] connect and run it EXTERNALLY, using either a USB3/SATA dock, a USB3 enclosure, or perhaps even a Thunderbolt adapter (like those from Seagate).

The new USB3 "5g" enclosures/docks may not be the exact equivalent of connecting via the Mini's internal SATA connector, but they are fast enough so that [shy of a few seconds while booting] it may be impossible to perceive the difference during normal running or loading of applications, files, etc.

A few 'net articles to browse through to investigate this further:

http://www.barefeats.com/hard161.html

http://fortysomethinggeek.blogspot.com/2012/10/blacx-5g-usb-30-update-fastest-usb-30.html