Internal or External SSD??

[tibas92013]

Last January I upgraded my Mac Mini Basic(late 2012) RAM from 4GB to 16GB. I now want to upgrade the 500GB Hard Drive with either a 128GB External or Internal SSD. Due to recently buying a Refurbished 2GB Apple Time Capsule from the Apple Store, I have decided that 128GB SSD will be sufficient.

If I go with the "Internal", I will need to pay a MAC TECH which are few and far between here in Costa Rica.

So, your recommendations will be appreciated on "what road take"??

 

[jbarley]

A USB 3.0 external enclosure which is UASP compatible (similar to this) would be the way to go.
They are in-expensive and would be almost as fast as an internal drive.

 

[Fishrrman]

I would like to second the recommendation of the above poster.

That is, leave the existing drive in the Mini where it is, and just add an external SSD mounted in a good USB3 enclosure. For all practical and "perceivable" purposes, an external SSD running via USB3 will be indistinguishable (speed-wise) from an internally-mounted drive. And be aware that opening the Mini and "doing drive surgery" is a careful and delicate procedure -- there have been many, many postings here (seems like one every few days) from someone who thought they could do the job, opened it up, and...... BROKE something inside.

The above reply suggests one enclosure to use, I'd like to suggest another:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003VKTJGW...UTF8&colid=R75PP4I2A0BE&coliid=I3DOKZ31SP7539

 

[marclondon]

Despite what others say you won't get the same performance as an internally connected SATA drive but it will be good. Having programs constantly searching for stuff on an external USB is not the best.

Just replacing a lower bay drive in the 2012 Mini isn't too hard - there are probably about 100 threads here on this.

M.

 

[Joelburman]

Yeah there is a huge difference in switching out the HDD drive for a SSD compared to doing the 2 drive install on the minis. Most people can pull the first one off with the right tools and enough confidence.

 

[happyfrappy]

Despite what others say you won't get the same performance as an internally connected SATA drive but it will be good. Having programs constantly searching for stuff on an external USB is not the best.

Just replacing a lower bay drive in the 2012 Mini isn't too hard - there are probably about 100 threads here on this.

M.

On NewEgg every so often they offer a Thunderbolt 128GB SSD for $150-179, it'll smoke USB 3.0 and the OP will benefit without needing a tech. AFAIK, the Thunderbolt SSD enclosure can be opened, a classmate bought one to replace the SSD with a larger one

 

[tibas92013]

Fellow Forum Members; thank you for your excellent recommendations.