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Adding Second Hard Drive to Mac Mini

That-Guy

That-Guy

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 25, 2012
662
57
UK
Hey Peeps,

Just about to order the new Mac Mini, going to get the Base Model but buy 16gb of RAM to upgrade it.

I also want to add a 128gb SSD Drive to it as a Boot Drive then add the original 500gb Drive as a second Hard Drive for Apps and Data.

I have found this kit here to allow this:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMM11D2/

Anyone have any experience with this kit? and should it work with the new Mac Mini?

Are there any other kits like this that can be used? I am based in the UK so would love to order from a UK site if possible.

All ideas, suggestions and tips for adding a second drive to the Mac Mini would be great :)
 
milkmandan said:
The kit works with the new mac mini 2012.
As stated on the site, it says "for Mac mini 2011-2012 Models".

iFixit also has a kit, but it is more expensive :\
http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Parts/Mac-Mini-Dual-Hard-Drive-Kit/IF171-005

you could buy the Torx bitset on your own at a local hardware shop, but you'll have to find the other parts separately.
Click to expand...

Ah sorry didn't see that, it's been a long day :)

I guess the easiest thing to do is buy this kit to save messing about!

Will be ordering the memory from Crucial because that seems to be what allot of people go for, they also have an easy Memory Selector on their site.

While I'm here, would I put the SSD in the place of the old one or in the empty space? (to make it the boot/master drive) and how do I get the OS on it?

Can you tell I have only recently switched from Winblows haha :D
 
That-Guy said:
Ah sorry didn't see that, it's been a long day :)

I guess the easiest thing to do is buy this kit to save messing about!

Will be ordering the memory from Crucial because that seems to be what allot of people go for, they also have an easy Memory Selector on their site.

While I'm here, would I put the SSD in the place of the old one or in the empty space? (to make it the boot/master drive) and how do I get the OS on it?

Can you tell I have only recently switched from Winblows haha :D
Click to expand...
The mac mini can hold 2x 2.5" drives. You can put the SSD in which ever space you want. You dont need to specify boot/master/slave anymore. Since the introduction of SATA, i believe that kinda setup was thrown out the window.

As for putting the OS on it, you can:
1. Internet Recovery
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/2...-new-macs-install-os-x-from-blank-hard-drive/

2. USB Installation
http://gigaom.com/apple/quick-tip-create-a-usb-installer-for-mountain-lion/
 
milkmandan said:
The mac mini can hold 2x 2.5" drives. You can put the SSD in which ever space you want. You dont need to specify boot/master/slave anymore. Since the introduction of SATA, i believe that kinda setup was thrown out the window.

As for putting the OS on it, you can:
1. Internet Recovery
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/2...-new-macs-install-os-x-from-blank-hard-drive/

2. USB Installation
http://gigaom.com/apple/quick-tip-create-a-usb-installer-for-mountain-lion/
Click to expand...

Thank you for your help :)

Going to have a read up before ordering parts in the next few days!
 
I just received the OWC kit on Friday and installed a spare Samsung 830 256GB SSD in the main slot and moved the original drive to the secondary slot. Nuked both drives and did a fresh install of the OS onto the 830 SSD. So far things are working flawlessly. I highly recommend the OWC kit, especially for the price.

One quick note: if you do what I did, the original drive will have the electronics facing up (e.g. the drive will be upside down). You'll want to leave the black plastic cover on the original drive to protect the electronics, then install your SSD bare since it is a sealed unit with no electronics exposed.
 
cmonroe said:
I just received the OWC kit on Friday and installed a spare Samsung 830 256GB SSD in the main slot and moved the original drive to the secondary slot. Nuked both drives and did a fresh install of the OS onto the 830 SSD. So far things are working flawlessly. I highly recommend the OWC kit, especially for the price.

One quick note: if you do what I did, the original drive will have the electronics facing up (e.g. the drive will be upside down). You'll want to leave the black plastic cover on the original drive to protect the electronics, then install your SSD bare since it is a sealed unit with no electronics exposed.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip :)
 
That-Guy said:
I also want to add a 128gb SSD Drive to it as a Boot Drive then add the original 500gb Drive as a second Hard Drive for Apps and Data.

I have found this kit here to allow this:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMM11D2/

Anyone have any experience with this kit? and should it work with the new Mac Mini?
Click to expand...

Mine arrives tomorrow and it will be seating a 240 GB 6 Gb/s SSD to go with the 2012 Mini's 1 TB HD. The kit seems to come with all the tools necessary, too, so just follow the OWC video for installation and - most importantly - take your time. The SATA and IR connectors are prone to snapping off if you're not careful. You can probably live without the IR connector, but snap the SATA connectors and you have a dead Mini.
 
Last edited:
Cave Man said:
Mine arrives tomorrow and it will be seating a 256 GB 6 Gb/s SSD to go with the 2012 Mini's 1 TB HD. The kit seems to come with all the tools necessary, too, so just follow the OWC video for installation and - most importantly - take your time. The SATA and IR connectors are prone to snapping off if you're not careful. You can probably live without the IR connector, but snap the SATA connectors and you have a dead Mini.
Click to expand...

This is why I'm nervous of doing this myself.

In the UK so can't send it to OWC.
 
MetzoPaino said:
This is why I'm nervous of doing this myself.

In the UK so can't send it to OWC.
Click to expand...

I'm in the UK too but as said above its simple enough just watch the video a few times and take your time. The instructions that come with the kit are apparently very good too :)

Ordered my kit tonight with a estimated delivery time of 8-12 days.
 
I got my Mac Mini today and used the OWC data doubler to install a SSD as a second drive. It was a PITA and rather not very pleasant to do, but I got it done in about 1/2 hour or so. In retrospect I could have gone without keeping the 1 TB drive in there and just doing the simpler drive replacement.

In the end, if you are careful, patient and somewhat handy it's not that big of a deal to do. But if you don't go slowly and follow instructions you can do damage.
 
RaceTripper said:
I got my Mac Mini today and used the OWC data doubler to install a SSD as a second drive. It was a PITA and rather not very pleasant to do, but I got it done in about 1/2 hour or so. In retrospect I could have gone without keeping the 1 TB drive in there and just doing the simpler drive replacement.

In the end, if you are careful, patient and somewhat handy it's not that big of a deal to do. But if you don't go slowly and follow instructions you can do damage.
Click to expand...

Can you verify that the OWC Data Doubler came with all the tools necessary (torx, hex drivers)??
 
Cave Man said:
Mine arrives tomorrow and it will be seating a 256 GB 6 Gb/s SSD to go with the 2012 Mini's 1 TB HD. The kit seems to come with all the tools necessary, too, so just follow the OWC video for installation and - most importantly - take your time. The SATA and IR connectors are prone to snapping off if you're not careful. You can probably live without the IR connector, but snap the SATA connectors and you have a dead Mini.
Click to expand...
iirc the OWC data doubler has a spudger. It should help in preventing breaking anything. slowly and carefully
 
Cave Man said:
Can you verify that the OWC Data Doubler came with all the tools necessary (torx, hex drivers)??
Click to expand...

Yes comes will all the correct tools:

owc_macmini2011diykit_gall2.jpg
 
That-Guy said:
I'm in the UK too but as said above its simple enough just watch the video a few times and take your time. The instructions that come with the kit are apparently very good too :)

Ordered my kit tonight with a estimated delivery time of 8-12 days.
Click to expand...

Let us know how it goes.
 
Been thinking about doing this myself as well, but not having done something like this before I had a question before I took the plunge. Would an external SSD via USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt (does such a thing exist yet) be much slower than an internal SSD? If there is an obvious answer to this please bear with me for knowing bugger (i'm also in the UK ;)) all about how computers actually work.
 
Adlerhorst said:
Been thinking about doing this myself as well, but not having done something like this before I had a question before I took the plunge. Would an external SSD via USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt (does such a thing exist yet) be much slower than an internal SSD? If there is an obvious answer to this please bear with me for knowing bugger (i'm also in the UK ;)) all about how computers actually work.
Click to expand...

yes a usb3 with a ssd works fine as does a thunderbolt with an ssd. they are not quite as fast as internal install but offer instant plug n play with 0 risk. I have multiple threads on usb3 and thunderbolt installs. more on thunderbolt as usb3 and minis just came out. I can link you to amazon uk for purchase in a minute or 2.

i have used this company I have the usb3 only on the way for testing

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MiniPro-2-5...YT9C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351601036&sr=8-2


http://www.amazon.co.uk/MiniPro-2-5...TJGW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1351601117&sr=8-4



I am testing this now I have a thread on it on this site just search my name on mac rumors . it is low cost it works it is a bit slow with a new sata III ssd. If you have a sata II ssd it would be good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-STA...1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351601208&sr=1-7

this should be good some users on our site have a smaller version

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LaCie-Rugge...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351601461&sr=1-2



there is a big thread on this item
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-SRD...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351601552&sr=1-1

I would think the lacie rugged thunderbolt is good for you or the oyen usb3 only
 
Last edited:
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I installed a 256gb Samsung 830 in my new 2012 mini yesterday with the ifixit kit using their online guide for the 2011. Everything thing went good and set it up as the boot drive. The install was definitely not for someone who is shy about poking around inside of a brand new computer, but as long as you follow the directions and take your time with the plugs, fragile wires and logic board removal you'll be ok. Booted into recovery HD mode using the option key at startup and did the Internet install of mt lion onto the ssd.
 
philipma1957 said:
yes a usb3 with a ssd works fine as does a thunderbolt with an ssd. they are not quite as fast as internal install but offer instant plug n play with 0 risk. I have multiple threads on usb3 and thunderbolt installs. more on thunderbolt as usb3 and minis just came out. I can link you to amazon uk for purchase in a minute or 2.

i have used this company I have the usb3 only on the way for testing

http://www.amazon.co.uk/MiniPro-2-5...YT9C/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351601036&sr=8-2


http://www.amazon.co.uk/MiniPro-2-5...TJGW/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1351601117&sr=8-4



I am testing this now I have a thread on it on this site just search my name on mac rumors . it is low cost it works it is a bit slow with a new sata III ssd. If you have a sata II ssd it would be good.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-STA...1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351601208&sr=1-7

this should be good some users on our site have a smaller version

http://www.amazon.co.uk/LaCie-Rugge...1_2?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351601461&sr=1-2



there is a big thread on this item
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Seagate-SRD...1_1?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1351601552&sr=1-1

I would think the lacie rugged thunderbolt is good for you or the oyen usb3 only
Click to expand...
Thanks very much indeed!
 
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
OK, got my 240 GB SSD installed (OWC Mercury Extreme 6G) along with the 1 TB drive that came with the 2012 Mini and all is well. There was really only one place that slowed me down - reinstalling the antenna grate; I could not get the two screw tabs to fit into their recessions. If you look closely at the grate, it actually has a bit of a groove on the curved side and this fits into curved edge of the Mini's chassis. It took a while to sort out, but the best approach to it seems to require having the curved side towards you, then while pushing the flat side of the grate towards you, gently lift the grate around the curved edge from right to left by putting a small screwdriver (with the OWC installation kit) into the holes around the edge. Eventually, the groove on the grate will pop into place and the two tabs for the screws will drop into their recessed places.
 
milkmandan said:
The mac mini can hold 2x 2.5" drives. You can put the SSD in which ever space you want. You dont need to specify boot/master/slave anymore. Since the introduction of SATA, i believe that kinda setup was thrown out the window.

As for putting the OS on it, you can:
1. Internet Recovery
https://www.macrumors.com/2011/07/2...-new-macs-install-os-x-from-blank-hard-drive/

2. USB Installation
http://gigaom.com/apple/quick-tip-create-a-usb-installer-for-mountain-lion/
Click to expand...

I have a 2012 mac mini and I purchased the OWC SSD which should be arriving within the next couple of days. I was just going to clone my current internal hard drive. Then once it was cloned to the SSD format the old one and use it for storage. Is cloning to the SSD not recommended? Am I better off doing a clean install?
 
MetzoPaino said:
Let us know how it goes.
Click to expand...

Will do :)

Will post a few pictures and screen shots when everything is done.

Just really want to Data Doubler the turn up now but due to demand the item won't ship till at least tomorrow then needs to make it to the UK :(

I'm so impatient :D

jcovaltine said:
I have a 2012 mac mini and I purchased the OWC SSD which should be arriving within the next couple of days. I was just going to clone my current internal hard drive. Then once it was cloned to the SSD format the old one and use it for storage. Is cloning to the SSD not recommended? Am I better off doing a clean install?
Click to expand...

With a major hardware change like that I would do a fresh install myself it always caused less problems for me in the past.

But if you want to clone your drive then Carbon Copy Cloner should work fine and its free :)
 
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