2nd hard drive on Mac Mini 2011

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samtenor Author

Level 4

1,684 points

2nd hard drive on Mac Mini 2011

Hey all:

Ordered the i7 Mini and can not wait to open it up, upgraded to 8G memory and, of course, the 256G SSD (Samsung).

Here are few things I want to share with anyone interested in the SSD.

First, seems the TRIM support only will work on Apple's stack SSD, can not be achieved by 3rd vendor.

Even I used Samsung (which Apple usually uses) that TRIM is not supported. Although the system profile did recognize as SSD.

Second, it's SATA III (6G) per hardware indication, which I kicked myself for buying the SATA II (when it was on sale) months ago.

Third, it is way much easier then 2010 Mini to extract the hard drive. I just removed the memory, fan and side panel. Only Fan connector needs to be disconnected. There is NO hard drive sensor on the drive, just SATA cable and plastic shielding cover.

Fourth, since there is no optical drive, below the hard drive, you can see the empty space. You also can see the OTHER SATA spot next to the hard drive's SATA slot/button. Here is my question - the Mini ditched the optical drive and share the same design of the Mini Server's design.

Has anyone tried to install the second hard drive using ( part # 922-9560) flex cable?

Thanks

Sam

Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.7)

Posted on Aug 1, 2011 1:59 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Art

Level 1

115 points

Aug 1, 2011 11:45 PM in response to samtenor

"Here is my question - the Mini ditched the optical drive and share the same design of the Mini Server's design.

Has anyone tried to install the second hard drive using ( part # 922-9560) flex cable?"

Yes, it's been done:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1201731

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Answer 2

samtenor Author

Level 4

1,684 points

Aug 10, 2011 6:18 AM in response to Art

I did it.

Just need to remove the power supply clip and with little luck, I managed to insert another 256G SSD (SATA III) in the bottom bay. a little loose that I used a little velcro to cushion/stablize the drive (really not necessary, since Mac Mini is NOT going to be tossed around).

It was so much easier to to the upgrade than the 2010 and previous Mac Mini.

Thanks

Sam

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Answer 3

MikeyUK

Level 1

0 points

Aug 10, 2011 1:24 PM in response to samtenor

Hi there, did you buy the 922-9560 cable ? I'm just wondering if it supports SATA III speeds. Cheers Mike

- Actually found this on Wikipedia of all places:

"The new speeds may require higher power consumption for supporting chips, factors that new process technologies and power management techniques are expected to mitigate. The new specification can use existing SATA cables and connectors, although some OEMs are expected to upgrade host connectors for the higher speeds."

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Answer 4

samtenor Author

Level 4

1,684 points

Aug 10, 2011 2:11 PM in response to MikeyUK

I googled the part number and got it from MacParts in CA.

Yes, I got the SATA III speed, as posted on the system menu.

Still, no TRIM support 😟 for both Samsung 470 and Crucial C300 drives.

Not intend to use third party's TRIM command - my Mac Mini 2007 (x2) both use 128G SSD - running 24/7 and they have been most reliable among all my Macs.

Sam

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Answer 5

Aug 14, 2011 9:44 AM in response to samtenor

Here's a video on adding a new hard drive and a second drive:

http://www.techdc.com/2011-mac-mini-hard-drive-upgrade-video

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Answer 6

bikkuri

Level 1

1 points

Nov 17, 2011 7:30 AM in response to samtenor

I got a Mac Mini Server 2011 (5,3) and I am thinking about adding a second hard drive, since I bought it with only one SSD.

Does the server version have the required button drive cable by default or do I have to buy it?

Further, do I need these holding screws or does the Mini have a mounting rack inside?

Thanks.

b

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Answer 7

Nov 17, 2011 8:14 AM in response to samtenor

samtenor wrote:

I googled the part number and got it from MacParts in CA.

Yes, I got the SATA III speed, as posted on the system menu.

Still, no TRIM support 😟 for both Samsung 470 and Crucial C300 drives.

Not intend to use third party's TRIM command - my Mac Mini 2007 (x2) both use 128G SSD - running 24/7 and they have been most reliable among all my Macs.

Sam

There have been hacks to enable TRIM support on non-Apple supplied SSD drives, however OWC supplied SSD drives don't actually need TRIM and would actually perform worse with it.

This is because newer SSD mechanisms have an alternative built-in solution.

See http://blog.macsales.com/tag/trim you might also want to read http://hints.macworld.com/article.php?story=20110326064058903

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