2014 Mac Mini SSD

[vbctv]

I currently have my Mac Mini 2014 running via a 512GB SSD via USB 3.0, however I'm considering having my local MicroCenter install it internally. Would the drive be faster installed via the Sata. Also are there any other benefits of not having USB3 external SSD over internal SSD?

 

[Fishrrman]

The drive may be marginally faster when installed internally, BUT -- I don't think you'll really notice that much of a difference.

The -one thing- you do get with an internally-installed drive is the ability to use TRIM.

HOWEVER -- in my own experience, TRIM makes no significant difference at all. I've been running my 2012 Mac Mini from an SSD in a USB3/SATA dock for more than 3 years now, and it still runs "like new".

Also -- an increasing number of SSD's are designed so they will work fine without TRIM.

My opinion only, but don't worry about it.
How does your setup run right now?

 

[treekram]

In addition to what Fishrrman has said,

- The SATA port has it's own bus lane, on the 2014 Mac, all USB devices share one bus. If you were copying data from one USB SSD to another and now you copy from a USB SSD to the SATA SSD, this is the use case where you'll probably notice a difference.

- If you're the careless type, having the OS disk inside the computer is preferable to having it external. The consequences of disconnecting an external OS disk is more severe than the typical "disk has not been properly disconnected" that you see when disconnecting an external non-OS disk.

If your current enclosure/dock does not support UASP and you put the SSD in the computer, there will be a noticeable performance gain. There was a thread recently where the OP changed from a non-UASP to a UASP enclosure and the performance gain was pretty significant.

 

[jpietrzak8]

- If you're the careless type, having the OS disk inside the computer is preferable to having it external. The consequences of disconnecting an external OS disk is more severe than the typical "disk has not been properly disconnected" that you see when disconnecting an external non-OS disk.

Also useful if you're the type who has, let's say, pet cats who have an all-consuming interest in any toys you are currently playing with, particularly if those toys may have cords that they can bat around. (I sometimes wish we could go back to the days where cords came with screws built-in to attach them firmly to a device...)

 

[vbctv]

So had Microcenter install my SSD inside and it's much faster btw. I noticed it right away. I use the PNY CS2211. Its booted quicker & I notice programs open quicker. I was getting solid 500 read/write on the USB enclosure. Now getting 650 read/write internally. It's worth getting it put inside the machine...

 

[treekram]

If you don't mind me asking, how much did Microcenter charge for the installation? I ask because the question of using a USB enclosure vs. user-installing vs. 3rd-party installing comes up here on a regular basis.

Are those benchmark figures from Blackmagic? If so, they're very good indeed, both for the USB and internal SATA.

 

[vbctv]

Yes from Blackmagic. Microcenter charges $59.99 for the install which isn't bad and it took less than 2 hours at my local store in Mayfield Hts.

 

[treekram]

Yes from Blackmagic. Microcenter charges $59.99 for the install which isn't bad and it took less than 2 hours at my local store in Mayfield Hts.

Thanks for sharing the information. That's a good price for the install as compared to what it costs to do it yourself. I just bought the T6 security screwdriver and a UASP enclosure to prepare for an eventual drive replacement and that was about $25 (the enclosure will be used for other things, though). iFixit sells the tools necessary to do the replacement for about $23.

 

[vbctv]

Plus MicroCenter is Apple certified so it won't break your warranty. They are an Official Apple Repair Center that Apple lists on their website...