Replacing 2012 Mini Hard drive without Logic Board tool

[SimonUK5]

Is it a right pain to take the stock drive out and replace it with an SSD without the u-shaped tool? I've read that some people just pull the drive out at an angle?

Anyone done it without the tool?

 

[maflynn]

Check out the iFixit guide and see what it entails.

 

[paulrbeers]

Is it a right pain to take the stock drive out and replace it with an SSD without the u-shaped tool? I've read that some people just pull the drive out at an angle?

Anyone done it without the tool?

Twice in fact. If you just get two precision screw drivers and slide them into the holes you can do it without the tool. It's probably a little more difficult to deal with two tools instead of one, but I've done it with no issues.

 

[SimonUK5]

Check out the iFixit guide and see what it entails.

The guide assumes you have the tool...

@paulrbeers - Cheers! nice to know someone doesn't pay for iFixits/OWCs overpriced tools.

 

[El Hikaru]

The guide assumes you have the tool...

@paulrbeers - Cheers! nice to know someone doesn't pay for iFixits/OWCs overpriced tools.

I bought iFixit tool and arriving today.
I know you are right but excited.

 

[hwojtek]

I did exactly the same thing Paul did and found it fairly easy. However for the next time I will come prepared with a piece of hard wire bent to resemble the iFixit tool.

 

[blanka]

I did not use the U tool, but on Ebay, you buy the cable with all tools, gromets and U-bar for 25$ and free shipping. Can't worry much with that price.

 

[SimonUK5]

I did not use the U tool, but on Ebay, you buy the cable with all tools, gromets and U-bar for 25$ and free shipping. Can't worry much with that price.

just replacing the drive not adding a second, so don't need a kit.

I'll just bend a coat hanger to the same shape.

Thanks guys

 

[mvmanolov]

i didn't think of a coat hanger neat... I used to drill bits that were the right size, and it worked like a charm

 

[blanka]

just replacing the drive not adding a second, so don't need a kit.

Why do you replace? Just add the second drive. Thought you had a very good reason to replace the HD, for a Mac Pro beating SSD Raid 0 config or so, but just replacing with another drive. That is waste of money, storage and time.

 

[fhall1]

If you're just taking out and replacing the existing drive you don't need to move the logic board....search youtube, there are videos there showing how to do it.