Slow Mac mini 2014

Buying or building an external USB 3.0 SSD is by far the least expensive and evasive way to go. Plus it will be at least 4 or 5 times faster than running from the 2014 Mac Mini's slow 5400rpm internal drive.

While it seems a little hard at first, it's actually pretty easy to format the external SSD, install macOS on the external SSD and then Migrate your data from the existing internal drive.

1. Plug in the external SSD, and then erase and format it, as per > How to erase a disk for Mac - Apple Support
2. Next install macOS on the SSD, as per > How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support
3. Then startup from the SSD and migrate your data from the internal drive during the initial setup.
4. Lastly, set your Startup Disk Preference to startup from the external SSD and away you go.

You're welcome.

For example > https://eshop.mahttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B083FDS is a great choice.

Others to considered, are the > https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083FDSS8T?

and https://www.bestbuy.com/site/samsung-t5-1tb-external-usb-type-c-portable-solid-state-drive-deep-black/6026202.p?

A USB 3.0 SATA SSD drive is plenty fast enough to use as a startup drive. There is no real advantage going TB 2, plus it is less available and more expensive.

The WD Passport SSD does not make my list, because I've seen a few of those that have bitten the dust early.

https://www.amazon.com/2TB-Passport-Portable-Storage-WDBKVX0020PSL-WESN/dp/B07C58KFX1?

You do not need to take the Mac Mini apart to use an external USB 3.0 external SSD. You just need to plug it into one of your Mac Mini’s USB ports.

You’re welcome.