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Maximum Size HDD for 2014 Mini
- Thread starter PORTISHEAD_ZP
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I installed a Seagate ST5000LM000 5TB hard drive into a Mac mini Late 2014. The drive is twice as thick as the original 7mm one that came with the Mac mini, but I still managed to fit it in.
The installation is hindered by two guide rods on a black plastic bracket located at the front inside the case, which holds two guide bushings. To make everything fit easily, you need to remove this black plastic bracket (it’s attached with double-sided tape) and shave off 2–3 mm of plastic from the top of the bracket.
This will allow you to lift it slightly, making it possible to install a thicker drive than the original. It’s a tight fit, but it works perfectly.
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Wouldn't it be easier to just use an external drive, on its own or by using a third party enclosure? Just curious about the logic. Speed wise it wouldn't see any different I think and you save yourself the trouble of making it fit. Again, just curious to see if I am missing something.
First, there’s really no trouble for me – taking it apart and putting it back together is quick and easy. While I was at it, I also replaced the thermal paste.
Second, yes, there’s no speed difference, because I’m using this Mac Mini as a network storage device, and the speed is limited by the 1 Gbps network card anyway.
Third, why would I want an external drive dangling on a cable outside the case, when I can have it neatly installed inside?
Now the additional external drive can be used for Time Machine backups instead.
And by the way, everywhere I looked people said it’s impossible to fit a 5 TB drive thicker than 7 mm in there. Well, I’ve proven it’s perfectly doable, and anyone who can take it apart and reassemble it can manage it.
Most modern computers and operating systems really don't have a practical limit for the capacity a drive that's attached to the machine as long as it physically fits and uses a compatible connector. Yes, a limit in capacity does technically exist, but that limit is mathematically exponentially higher than any single drive capacity is likely to get within the next several decades (64 bit operating systems can theoretically address up to 75 zettabytes of data, which is 75,000,000,000 terabytes).
Exactly. And I just couldn’t come to terms with the fact that there’s space to install a thick 5 TB drive—but I can’t actually install it 😅 Probably back in 2014, 15 mm thick HDDs weren’t even available yet.