Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

applesed

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 25, 2012
533
340
Hi,

In the 2014 mini I was able to upgrade the ssd drive and add a second ssd. I understand that you can not replace the existing ssd on the 2018 mini, but can you still add a second drive? I haven’t seen any posts on this anywhere, just references to the older model and guides on how to do it.
 

ktcifone

macrumors member
Oct 30, 2009
74
35
you can get a 1TB nvme M.2 SSD drive with a usbc/USB3 cage for about $200 total.
Thats the fastest and the largest at the lowest cost.
the connectivity options with the 2018 mini is amazing.
 

F-Train

macrumors 68020
Apr 22, 2015
2,272
1,762
NYC & Newfoundland
you can get a 1TB nvme M.2 SSD drive with a usbc/USB3 cage for about $200 total.

True, but worth noting that you’ll lose a lot of the speed that the solid state drive is capable of with that configuration, which means that you’re losing much of what you just paid for.
[doublepost=1552349984][/doublepost]Hi @applesed,

If you want to investigate using a fast external drive, you may find this thread useful: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/samsung-t5-x5-equivalents.2167739/
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,185
13,235
The only way to "add a second drive" to a 2018 Mini is to plug in an external one.

And that's all I've got to say about that!
 

paulCC

macrumors regular
Nov 2, 2012
100
59
The fastest, most reliable solution is a TB3 Samsung X5 external. You won't be disappointed.
Hello - I am considering the Samsung X5 as a full time external drive to an 2018 Mac mini. Would you happen to know how reliable is the Thunderbolt connection with regards to sleep mode ? I mean go to and waking up from sleep....

Thanks for any info. Paul.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
29,185
13,235
Unless you have a definite "use case" that requires the speed (and higher cost) of the X5, you'd probably do just as well to do either of the following:
1. Buy a t5 instead and run at USB3.1 gen 1 speed
or
2. Buy an nvme blade drive, and a USB3.1 gen 2 enclosure, and get about 900mbps.
 
  • Like
Reactions: madrag
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.