Hey all!
After being loyal to me for more than 6 years, my Mac mini HDD finally decided today to go to the graveyard that all HDD eventually go to.
I would like to get it replaced, however. Would my best bet be to do it myself, or take it to the Apple Store? And what would the cost roughly be for your recommended option?
Thanks for all the help in advance!
Mac mini 2018 or later
If you are going to replace the drive, I suggest replacing it with an SSD instead of an HDD. It is fairly easy to replace the drive in the lower bay and well worth the increase in read/write speed using an SSD.
see > https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini_Late_2012 which suggest using a Crucial SSD
or > https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple/Mac_mini/DDR3_1600 that has DIY videos and their brand SSD
As for DIY, I suggest studying the DIY guides and watching the OWC videos, then decide if you're up to the task. If not, then it would be wise to contact your local Authorized Apple Service Provider and at least get a quote.
FWIW over the past several years I have upgraded more than a half dozen 2012 Mac Mini's using PNY SSDs that I picked up on sale from Best Buy.
for example's:
a 240GB PNY is on sale for $29 > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-240gb-internal-sata-solid-state-drive
a 480GB PNY is on clearance for $89 > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-cs1311-480gb-internal-sata-iii-solid-state-drive
a 980GB PMY is $179 > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-960-gb-internal-sata-solid-state-drive/6257875.p?skuId=6257875
If you are going to replace the drive, I suggest replacing it with an SSD instead of an HDD. It is fairly easy to replace the drive in the lower bay and well worth the increase in read/write speed using an SSD.
see > https://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini_Late_2012 which suggest using a Crucial SSD
or > https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple/Mac_mini/DDR3_1600 that has DIY videos and their brand SSD
As for DIY, I suggest studying the DIY guides and watching the OWC videos, then decide if you're up to the task. If not, then it would be wise to contact your local Authorized Apple Service Provider and at least get a quote.
FWIW over the past several years I have upgraded more than a half dozen 2012 Mac Mini's using PNY SSDs that I picked up on sale from Best Buy.
for example's:
a 240GB PNY is on sale for $29 > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-240gb-internal-sata-solid-state-drive
a 480GB PNY is on clearance for $89 > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-cs1311-480gb-internal-sata-iii-solid-state-drive
a 980GB PMY is $179 > https://www.bestbuy.com/site/pny-960-gb-internal-sata-solid-state-drive/6257875.p?skuId=6257875
Replacement of HDD 2012 Mac Mini
