Running MacOS of SSD on 2012 Mac Mini

The 2012 Mac Mini will run much better from an external USB 3.0 SSD, than from the stock internal 5400rpm HDD. However, it will even better if the internal HDD was upgraded to an SSD.

Most long time users here including myself, will recommend OWC macsales.com external drives, enclosures and SSDs.

see > https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/external-storaghttps://www.pny.com/mega-consumer/shop-all-products/solid-state-drives

Also note that OWC sells SSDs and has guides, if you want to install an SSD directly into your 2012 Mac Mini.

see > https://eshop.macsales.com/upgrades/mac-mini-late-2012-2.5-ghz

saddact wrote:

Hi, my 2012 Mac Mini is virtually unusable it's so slow! ....

Before spending money on an SSD, if is so incredibly slow,

there may also be some software issues. I suggest downloading

the app EtreCheck from the App Store, run it and post the results

here. More often than not, "incredibly slow" is the result of incompatible

software, adware. or other application that is interfering with normal function.

saddact wrote:

Hi, OK thanks. It's currently running the very latest Catalina so a fresh install on the external SSD and then bring over the files after that is the best option yes?

Yes, format the external SSD and install macOS 10.13, then Migrate directlly from the internal drive or your Time Machine backup.

So hooking up an external SSD and installing Catalina fresh on that is the way I think I'll go.

That will not be quite a fast as installing an internal SSD, but it will be 4 or 5 times faster than running from your current internal 5400rpm HDD.

Kappy is spot on. USB 3.0 is plenty fast enough for a 6G SSD.

Personally I've been using PNY SSD internally and externally for years without any issues.

I have 2 960GB, 4 480GB, 2 older 3G 320GB PNY SSDs.

I have a couple in Sabrent USB 3.0 enclosures.

You have Thunderbolt 2 support. You may as well use USB 3.0 if it's supported on your model. There is no advantage to using TB2 over USB 3.0. If you go with Thunderbolt 2, then you can find less expensive enclosures although they may be harder to find. You can also use the 2.5" form-factor SSDs which are also less expensive than NVMe blade SSDs.

OWC is a good place to start looking for the hardware.

You should look at OWC for SSDs and enclosures that support Thunderbolt 3. If you plan to use a blade SSD like the NVMe M.2 Samsung 970 or 960, then you will find Thunderbolt 3 enclosures at Amazon. Note that enclosures that support Thunderbolt 3 speeds are fairly expensive - from $110 and up. Cheaper enclosures are available but will not support the higher speeds of true Thunderbolt 3.

Maybe there are other reasons it is slow. Ever considered a "spring cleaning?"

Install El Capitan or Later from Scratch

1. Make a bootable clone using Disk Utility, CarbonCopy Cloner or TimeMachine.
2. Restart the computer. Immediately, at or before the chime, hold down the Command and R keys until the Apple logo and progress bar appear. Wait until the Utility Menu appears.
3. Select Disk Utility from the Utility Menu and click on the Continue button.
4. When Disk Utility loads select the target drive (out-dented entry w/type and size info) from the Device list.
5. Click on the Erase button in Disk Utility's toolbar. A panel will drop down.
6. Set the partition scheme to GUID.
7. Set the Format type to APFS (SSDs only) or Mac OS Extended (Journaled.)
8. Click on the Apply button, then wait for the Done button to activate and click on it.
9. Quit Disk Utility and return to the Utility Menu.
10. Select Install OS X and click on the Continue button.

This should install the version of macOS that was currently installed. Test out the new system after which you can restore your data and files from the backup. I suggest you reinstall all third-party software from their original sources being sure to get versions compatible with your running version of macOS. See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.