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2012 Mac Mini SSD Question

SAL8116

SAL8116

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 24, 2010
198
7
Florida
I had planned to do this upgrade some time ago, but other things arose. I've narrowed it down to these 4 options in my price range. The mini has 16GB of Ram already and this is the final piece of upgrade. Wanted users thoughts as to which you would get if it were you buying and why? Appreciate the feedback everyone. Hope to order it this weekend.


Kingston - HyperX Savage 480 GB:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/kingsto...1313002705.p?id=mp1313002705&skuId=1313002705

PNY - CS1100 480GB Internal Serial ATA III SSD
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-cs1...lack/3935037.p?id=1219609310365&skuId=3935037


SanDisk - Ultra II 480GB Internal SATA SSD
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk...lack/1160024.p?id=1219473300661&skuId=1160024


Samsung - 850 EVO 500GB Internal Serial ATA SSD
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung...lack/1662009.p?id=1219507980756&skuId=1662009
 
Samsung based on longer warranty, Kingston because of the MLC NAND, SanDisk for trust in the brand, and PNY on price considerations.
 
I bought four Crucial SSDs and upgraded 3 computers. The 4th SSD is used externally for Lightroom. I bought Crucial because I read of problems that some Mini owners had with the Samsung I was considering. The Crucials worked without issue in the 2012 Mini, 2009 Mini and a 2008 MacBook.

After reading lots of performance reviews and user comments, I only considered Samsung and Crucial.
 
JamesPDX said:
Angelbird 512GB for everything. I have 2 in my 2012 Mini. You can thank me later.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/searc...=Rating_At+least+4+stars&ci=4&N=4294255798+19
Click to expand...

fa8362 said:
I bought four Crucial SSDs and upgraded 3 computers. The 4th SSD is used externally for Lightroom. I bought Crucial because I read of problems that some Mini owners had with the Samsung I was considering. The Crucials worked without issue in the 2012 Mini, 2009 Mini and a 2008 MacBook.

After reading lots of performance reviews and user comments, I only considered Samsung and Crucial.
Click to expand...

Thank you guys!!
 
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I've got a Crucial, too (M500 480 GB) and no problems (I think I've got it nearly 18 months so far).
However, you can always get a dud.
It's crucial to have regular TimeMachine backups.
SSD often die a "sudden death" with no warning-signs.
But technology in this area is evolving so fast, it would be almost silly to base any advice on historic performance.
 
MRrainer said:
I've got a Crucial, too (M500 480 GB) and no problems (I think I've got it nearly 18 months so far).
However, you can always get a dud.
It's crucial to have regular TimeMachine backups.
SSD often die a "sudden death" with no warning-signs.
But technology in this area is evolving so fast, it would be almost silly to base any advice on historic performance.
Click to expand...


Time machine does daily 6 am backups to an external 1 TB drive.

Thank you!!
 
Another PDX member posting with advice. We've got 5 2012 Mini Servers, including one on my desk and the only one of them that hasn't been updated with an SSD for the boot drive - we're using Intel 730 drives to replace the main 5400 RPM spinner (we leave the slave 1TB spinner in place), with Newegg providing the best price on that drive (my local Best Buy matched on two of them at the time). FWIW, I've held off on updating a few Macs and PCs after reading about the new processes that Intel & Crucial/Micron should be cramming into SSDs by late this year.

I've purchased Crucial RAM and SSDs and have no issues with them. I wanted to like and buy Angelfire SSDs but passed after reading on a couple of review sites about admitted firmware issues (http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6734/angelbird-ssd-wrk-512gb-ssd-review/index.html - 5th paragraph) that have not been resolved or fixed; TT hasn't updated their review and Angelfire hasn't posted a firmware fix on their Support page - I checked again while writing this post). I've passed on Samsung's drives because of the 830 bugs, 840 bugs, and 850 bugs - there's always an excuse with that company's SSD products IMO.

We've had zero problems with the Intel 730 drives. Intel controller, MLC, 240/480GB, zippy, frickin scary case, competitive prices on sale, 5 year warranty - what's not to like now that we have TRIM support on 3rd party SSDs?
 
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campyguy said:
Another PDX member posting with advice. We've got 5 2012 Mini Servers, including one on my desk and the only one of them that hasn't been updated with an SSD for the boot drive - we're using Intel 730 drives to replace the main 5400 RPM spinner (we leave the slave 1TB spinner in place), with Newegg providing the best price on that drive (my local Best Buy matched on two of them at the time). FWIW, I've held off on updating a few Macs and PCs after reading about the new processes that Intel & Crucial/Micron should be cramming into SSDs by late this year.

I've purchased Crucial RAM and SSDs and have no issues with them. I wanted to like and buy Angelfire SSDs but passed after reading on a couple of review sites about admitted firmware issues (http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/6734/angelbird-ssd-wrk-512gb-ssd-review/index.html - 5th paragraph) that have not been resolved or fixed; TT hasn't updated their review and Angelfire hasn't posted a firmware fix on their Support page - I checked again while writing this post). I've passed on Samsung's drives because of the 830 bugs, 840 bugs, and 850 bugs - there's always an excuse with that company's SSD products IMO.

We've had zero problems with the Intel 730 drives. Intel controller, MLC, 240/480GB, zippy, frickin scary case, competitive prices on sale, 5 year warranty - what's not to like now that we have TRIM support on 3rd party SSDs?
Click to expand...


Appreciate the feedback!
 
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I have no comment on SSD's. I have only had one in my Macbook Pro for a few months with no problem. Not long enough to be a track record.
I do have a comment on Best Buy. I have had nothing but bad experiences with the Best Buy stores in my area (lower NH). I would only buy simple piece parts from that company.
 
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Another Crucial user here. I've been using an MX100 (512GB) for ~11 months - it's actually migrated from an '11 MBP to a '12 Mini i5/DC and is currently running my '12 Mini i7/QC (as the boot/bottom drive, the OEM 1TB spinner is still in place for music, archives, etc.)

Through all the moves, changing machines, first using a 3rd party app to enable TRIM, and using the "native" method in 10.10.4, it hasn't missed a beat. My wife's '10 MBP also has an MX100 (256GB), also works fantastic over the last 13 months (though it hasn't been as nomadic as my drive :D )

Mac Mini Drive Status.png
 
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okvist said:
I have no comment on SSD's. I have only had one in my Macbook Pro for a few months with no problem. Not long enough to be a track record.
I do have a comment on Best Buy. I have had nothing but bad experiences with the Best Buy stores in my area (lower NH). I would only buy simple piece parts from that company.
Click to expand...

D.T. said:
Another Crucial user here. I've been using an MX100 (512GB) for ~11 months - it's actually migrated from an '11 MBP to a '12 Mini i5/DC and is currently running my '12 Mini i7/QC (as the boot/bottom drive, the OEM 1TB spinner is still in place for music, archives, etc.)

Through all the moves, changing machines, first using a 3rd party app to enable TRIM, and using the "native" method in 10.10.4, it hasn't missed a beat. My wife's '10 MBP also has an MX100 (256GB), also works fantastic over the last 13 months (though it hasn't been as nomadic as my drive :D )

View attachment 576663
Click to expand...


Thank you for the feedback!!
 
Just ordered the Samsung Evo. Should be here this week. Here's to hoping to install and reboot go smooth.
 
SAL8116 said:
Just ordered the Samsung Evo. Should be here this week. Here's to hoping to install and reboot go smooth.
Click to expand...

When I originally got my SSD, I mounted it externally, used the Disk Tools to duplicate the existing HDD to it, swapped to the internal bay, set it as the boot drive. Booted, worked perfect, still working terrific (per above).

If you don't _mind_ the re-install gyrations, it's not a bad idea, but I was lazy and needed my machine up quickly.
 
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I had an older model Crucial M500 laying around the house and added it to my 2012 server a couple of weeks ago and basically said the same thing. The Crucial took me from approximately 70mbps read/write to 450/500 mbps read write and app launches went from 20 seconds to almost instant. I think the Evo is a better, faster drive compared to the Crucial I added, so I guess you're seeing even better performance!

This was such an easy upgrade. Outside of the time it took me to clone my start up drive, surgery tool less than 15 minutes.
 
Regarding the install, is it merely a question of switching the factory HDD with an SSD? I've found the iFixit HDD replacement guide here, but I wasn't sure if there was anything else that needed to be done.
 
In my 2012 server, the lower HDD was the OS/boot drive. I used CCC to clone it to the SSD (including the recovery partition), then cracked her open following the video on the OWC site. Essentially, remove RAM, remove screws and those few parts, remove drive, install new drive and put it back together in reverse order. Really easy. Trust me, If I can do it anyone can.
 
D.T. said:
When I originally got my SSD, I mounted it externally, used the Disk Tools to duplicate the existing HDD to it, swapped to the internal bay, set it as the boot drive. Booted, worked perfect, still working terrific (per above).

If you don't _mind_ the re-install gyrations, it's not a bad idea, but I was lazy and needed my machine up quickly.
Click to expand...

That makes a lot of sense -- I take it you bought an external enclosure of some sort?

I've been toying with the idea of an SSD for a while now, but couldn't really wrap my head around how to deal with managing the data on my standard HD (600GB-ish) onto a smaller SSD, as well as a secondary drive.

I think I'm finally settling on just buying a 1TB SSD and going this route instead. Will save some headaches, and I guess will mean I don't have to import a dual-drive kit (and should mean that I also don't have to pull out the logic board, etc., which is a definite plus).
 
JamSandwich said:
That makes a lot of sense -- I take it you bought an external enclosure of some sort?

I've been toying with the idea of an SSD for a while now, but couldn't really wrap my head around how to deal with managing the data on my standard HD (600GB-ish) onto a smaller SSD, as well as a secondary drive.

I think I'm finally settling on just buying a 1TB SSD and going this route instead. Will save some headaches, and I guess will mean I don't have to import a dual-drive kit (and should mean that I also don't have to pull out the logic board, etc., which is a definite plus).
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's not so much an enclosure, but this neat external interface kit from Sabrent, it has a USB cable with a module and a few adapters for data/power, so it lets you connect 3.5" or 2.5" drives using IDE or SATA. The drive just kind of hangs out "naked" :D It's not really intended for long term connectivity, but it's been +super+ handy for me, since I had a bunch of older drives, of varying size/interface spec I wanted to backup.

http://amzn.com/B00CPGYNV4

Oh, I have the USB 2.0 version above (got mine quite a while back), here's the newer USB 3.0 ($22 vs. 15).

http://amzn.com/B00DQJME7Y
 
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mlovergaard said:
Is it easy to switch out the HDD for a SSD, I am pretty computer davy, but must admit the whole process on iFixit looks rather daunting.
Click to expand...
If you get a set of those iFixit tools or the equivalent, it's rather snappy. Or get the tools from OWC. You will need the logic board removal tool and the drive-doubler kit if your want two drives up in there. I've done it enough times that somehow I've actually memorized the entire process. Wierd.
 
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