Regarding late 2012 SSD upgrade

[bramhall]

I have a basic Mac Mini 4GB RAM, 500GB HDD, 2.5GHz and previously did a clean install to Sierra via a USB bootable installer.

I am going to fit a Samsung Evo 860 SSD then clean install Mojave. Have seen plenty videos and got plenty of tips for the actual SSD install so I should be OK doing that.
Also creating the bootable installer should be OK as I did it before.

When I erase/format the SSD, before installing Mojave It seems I should choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and GUID partition (not APFS) from this apple instruction :-

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208496

"Are you about to install macOS High Sierra or later on the disk?
If you need to erase your disk before installing High Sierra or later for the first time on that disk, choose Mac OS Extended (Journaled). During installation, the macOS installer decides whether to automatically convert to APFS—without erasing your files:

• macOS Mojave: The installer converts from Mac OS Extended to APFS."

Will it be as simple as:-

1. Fit the SSD
2. Erase/format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled)
3. Run the Mojave bootable installer selecting the newly formatted SSD and let the installer convert the SSD to APFS

Is this the best way to do it? I would be grateful for any advice tips.

I had read somewhere that people who Erase/formatted the SSD to APFS ran into problems.
Elsewhere it was suggested to upgrade to Mojave first, then fit the SSD and clean install with Erase/format APFS. Something about getting the necessary firmware for APFS beforehand.

Many thanks for any replies.

 

[iluvmacs99]

The reason people ran into problems who erase and formatted the SSD to APFS is that, their machines didn't have the latest EFI boot rom as well as the SMC firmware that allows booting from an APFS volume, so that's why the instruction recommended that the prepared SSD volume be formatted in HFS+ first and let Mojave or the latest High Sierra 10.13.6 combo update to flash the new firmware and convert HFS+ to APFS after the flash. It is then with the new firmware that you can properly boot from an APFS volume. Otherwise, you'll get the "No OS" sign (a grey slanted slash icon) on the boot screen or an occasional grey slanted slash icon upon wake up from sleep or wake up for LAN.

The proper way to update your firmware is through an OS update installer from the USB bootable drive and boot from that. Once you're in the installer, both your firmware will be updated. The EFI boot rom version should be 280.0.0.0.0 and higher for Mini 6,1 and 6,2 (2012 model). If less than this, then format your prepared SSD drive in HFS+ and let Mojave convert. If the boot rom is at 280.0.0.0.0 or higher, your only option in the installer under Disk Utility would only be APFS volume for both SSD and HD spinning platter. There is no option to format the prepared SSD in Mac OS Journalled. At least, that's what I saw with my Macbook Air 2014 when I updated it to Mojave with the internal SSD.

Hope this helps.

 

[bramhall]

The reason people ran into problems who erase and formatted the SSD to APFS is that, their machines didn't have the latest EFI boot rom as well as the SMC firmware that allows booting from an APFS volume, so that's why the instruction recommended that the prepared SSD volume be formatted in HFS+ first and let Mojave or the latest High Sierra 10.13.6 combo update to flash the new firmware and convert HFS+ to APFS after the flash. It is then with the new firmware that you can properly boot from an APFS volume. Otherwise, you'll get the "No OS" sign (a grey slanted slash icon) on the boot screen or an occasional grey slanted slash icon upon wake up from sleep or wake up for LAN.

The proper way to update your firmware is through an OS update installer from the USB bootable drive and boot from that. Once you're in the installer, both your firmware will be updated. The EFI boot rom version should be 280.0.0.0.0 and higher for Mini 6,1 and 6,2 (2012 model). If less than this, then format your prepared SSD drive in HFS+ and let Mojave convert. If the boot rom is at 280.0.0.0.0 or higher, your only option in the installer under Disk Utility would only be APFS volume for both SSD and HD spinning platter. There is no option to format the prepared SSD in Mac OS Journalled. At least, that's what I saw with my Macbook Air 2014 when I updated it to Mojave with the internal SSD.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the info iluvmacs99

I was going to follow this guide to create the installer using the last version of Mojave :-
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201372

As I am not sure how to check the EFI boot rom version, should I just Erase/format to "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" if the option is there and "APFS" if there is no "Mac OS Extended (Journaled)" option?

Thanks for any replies.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

As I am not sure how to check the EFI boot rom version

Apple Menu > About this Mac > Overview > System report > Hardware Overview

 

[bramhall]

Apple Menu > About this Mac > Overview > System report > Hardware Overview

Thanks Heat_Fan89

It reports:-
Boot ROM Version: 280.0.0.0.0

Looks like I Erase/format to APFS then, if iluvmacs99 experience with his Macbook Air translates to my Mac Mini and there is no Mac OS Extended (Journaled) option.

 

[Fishrrman]

My suggestion:
Connect the new SSD via USB3, then prepare and test it BEFORE you open the Mini.

Could save you A LOT of trouble by doing things that way.

 

[bramhall]

My suggestion:
Connect the new SSD via USB3, then prepare and test it BEFORE you open the Mini.

Could save you A LOT of trouble by doing things that way.

Might consider that Fishrrman, I'd be a bit gutted if I fitted it and was unlucky enough to get a faulty SSD!

 

[Heat_Fan89]

My suggestion:
Connect the new SSD via USB3, then prepare and test it BEFORE you open the Mini.

Could save you A LOT of trouble by doing things that way.

What are the speed differences between an internal SSD and external SSD via USB 3? I ordered an internal Western Digital SSD 250GB for my 2012 Mini. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073SB2MXW/ref=twister_B07WXNPZL3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Mojave takes a little over 1 minute to boot to desktop from the power switch. What kind of improvement would I notice?

I'm contemplating ordering the 2018 i5 Mini from Amazon for $999. Not sure if it would be better to chug along with my 2012 Mini until Apple does another refresh in a couple of years. Any thoughts?