Upgrading the Hard Drive: What's that sponge for?

I have no idea why it is hotter, though it could be a higher speed drive than stock.

On the "sponge" that is a air diverter so DO NOT remove it!

{quote:title=MatthiasSt wrote:} Is it because of that "sponge"{quote}
LOL 🙂 It's called foam. I can't believe you've never seen a piece of foam before in your life. It's supposed to be there.

your mac mini IS sponge-worthy. leave it in.

Because you got a wrong HDD, Western Digital is the hottest HDD in the world. Maxtor is better, because I have many experience on purchasing HDD, my No.1~3 selection would be : 1.Maxtor 2.Toshiba 3.Hitachi I never thought it would have been WD.

Maxtor is very cold, hottest up to 36 degree C(96F) at most. It never exceed 36C(96F), in most of time, it's on 34C(93F).

But since It's hard to find a Maxtor 2.5" HDD, then the Toshiba or Hitachi became my favorite. and sure, the temperature I measured of these two Japanese HDD are all below 36C.

That's why I never buy WD HDD, because their technology is a little left behind Maxtor(Seagate acquired years ago), Toshiba, Hitachi.

Basically, I think Toshiba and Hitachi are the same level in HDD technology, they know how to make a cold HDD.

Hope this help!