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

danb1979

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 5, 2015
680
949
Preston, Lancs - UK
The above question really?

My old MBP had a 256GB SSD installed and using it was sublime, everything was lightening quick!

However I'm running my 2012 i7 Mini via it's internal 1TB HDD and wondered if a) it'll make very noticeable difference booting it from a 128GB SSD and b) if it's worth it for what I use my Mini for (general day to day running of my business - MS Outlook, Word and Excel for Mac, Adobe PDF's, lots of internet searching and also the full management of my iTunes account etc)?

If it IS worth it; is it best to use a USB 3.0 external HDD or spend more and get a Lightening capable SSD?

And, what's the best way of going about it (ie. how do I move the bootable drive/packages I use across to the SSD, but leave all my docs and iTunes items on the 1TB HDD on the Mini)?

Thanks :)
 

SpinalTap

macrumors regular
Sep 25, 2003
205
15
Bournville, UK
Sure. Get hold of this IcyBox UASP enclosure for your chosen SSD from Amazon - http://tinyurl.com/ogfbgo7

Typical read/write speeds will then dramatically increase - as will start-up time.

Leave all of your documents and applications on your existing HDD's - then format your new SSD via DiskUtility. Now, restart your Mac holding-down the 'alt' key. Choose your new SSD, and follow the instructions to download OS X onto it.

When finished, nominate your external SSD as the start-up volume - and restart. Done.
 

danb1979

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 5, 2015
680
949
Preston, Lancs - UK
Thanks for that

I was looking at this for the enclosure: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KCEY3...TF8&colid=3DTRR9QJAYDDQ&coliid=I25OER33ZCRII2

and this for the SSD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RQA6T...lid=3DTRR9QJAYDDQ&coliid=I10KTTD8XNWZZ2&psc=1

Connecting it via USB 3.0 etc...

How do I go about getting a fresh copy of Yosemite; do I just download it from the App Store?

What should I format the SSD to (just standard Journaled) and when I select that as the start-up volume, is that it done or should I move the likes of MS Office for Mac 2011 to there as well etc?

Thanks (I'm new to this kind of upgrading so excuse the questions)!
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,425
4,392
Delaware
...
I was looking at this for the enclosure: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KCEY3...TF8&colid=3DTRR9QJAYDDQ&coliid=I25OER33ZCRII2

and this for the SSD: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00RQA6T...lid=3DTRR9QJAYDDQ&coliid=I10KTTD8XNWZZ2&psc=1

Connecting it via USB 3.0 etc...

How do I go about getting a fresh copy of Yosemite; do I just download it from the App Store?

...
Don't get that case - unless it specifically says that it supports UASP protocol. Here's one:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OFJ1UK6?psc=1

Download Yosemite from the App Store.
Don't install from that download, but use it to create a bootable USB flash drive. And you can keep that so you don't need to download all of the installer the next time you need it...
 

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,425
4,392
Delaware
I suggested that you make a bootable flash drive. You would download the Yosemite installer app, but don't install it. It will automatically open after downloading from the App Store, so just quit it. Use one of the methods to create a bootable USB installer, just google for those.
I like to use the great DiskMakerX utility. It is simple to use, without having to go through the terminal to finish making the bootable installer.
And, when you have the SSD, either installed in your mini, or attached through an external case - boot to the installer flash drive that you made. You'll need to erase the SSD with the Disk Utility before continuing with the install, so that the install sees the SSD. Choose the SSD as the destination - and - wait. 30 minutes, 1 hour tops, and it will be all ready for whatever you want to do with Yosemite.
 

Fishrrman

macrumors Penryn
Feb 20, 2009
28,241
12,388
danb wrote above:
"I was looking at this for the enclosure: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00KCEY3...TF8&colid=3DTRR9QJAYDDQ&coliid=I25OER33ZCRII2"

The problem with this enclosure is that there is NO UASP support stated in the specification.

Prediction:
You WILL NOT get the "full speed" of which USB3 and your SSD are capable with this enclosure.

I posted this to you once before, and I'll post it again:
DO NOT buy ANY USB3 enclosure UNLESS it specifically mentions "UASP" in the product description !!!!

Sometimes you will actually see -two versions- of [what looks to be] the same enclosure -- one version supports UASP, the other doesn't.

Keep looking!
 

Cherrysoda

macrumors newbie
Apr 10, 2014
16
5
The anker enclosure does support USAP. I bought one last October.

If you've got enough space it'd be easier to clone your current hdd to the ssd.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Weaselboy

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,425
4,392
Delaware
Anker may very well support _UASP_, but they sure keep that information quiet.
It would only take a couple of words at their website, or in the device user manual, to point out that they provide support for the UASP protocol.
I prefer to point folks to devices that want to brag about what they support, and actually advertise that fact.
 

Cherrysoda

macrumors newbie
Apr 10, 2014
16
5
That's fine, just pointing out the facts to the OP. Anker have excellent customer support and I've bought many of their products (including several different enclosures), don't have a bad word to say about them tbh.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.