ML on SSD - clone or download?

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--A--C-- Author

Level 2

308 points

ML on SSD - clone or download?

Hi,

I ordered a new Mac Mini, and I am considering to put a SSD drive in it, as described here:

-->http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMM11D2/

Obviously, I want the SSD to be the boot drive, what is the best way to get OSX on it:

* Download it from the App Store

* Clone it from the original stock HDD with Carbon Copy Cloner

To me, cloning seems the easiest way, but are there any disadvantages to this?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2.66GHz Intel Core i7 4GB 17" 2010

Posted on Dec 26, 2012 7:15 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

Jeff Nitschke

Level 4

2,664 points

Dec 26, 2012 7:19 PM in response to --A--C--

I just did this a couple of weeks ago. I used Carbon copy cloner to clone my boot drive

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Answer 2

Dec 26, 2012 7:26 PM in response to Jeff Nitschke

I borrowed a Data Transfer Kit from my brother (runs $17.99USD)

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Answer 3

--A--C-- Author

Level 2

308 points

Dec 26, 2012 7:29 PM in response to Jeff Nitschke

Okay, thanks, I will do that too, unless somebody can convince me why a download would be better.

I've posted another slightly more complex question in the iTunes section regarding this SSD move, but I'm not getting any answer there. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/4633425?answerId=20689386022#20689386022

Any chance you ran into this too?

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Answer 4

--A--C-- Author

Level 2

308 points

Dec 26, 2012 7:34 PM in response to Jeff Nitschke

With the data doubler kit (link in my first post) the original stock drive stays inside the mac mini too.

So I can boot from it, install CCC, and clone to the SSD, don't see why I would need this Data Transfer kit that you mention.

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Answer 5

Dec 26, 2012 7:42 PM in response to --A--C--

My mini is a mid 2011 MiniServer so, I had 2 500GB drives inside. Pulled them both I am planning on adding a 1TB internaly next month in addition to my SSD.

But, back to you question. I moved my iTunes & iPhoto Libraries to my now external striped Raid

I do believe I just copied the iTunes folder onto my new raid moved the old library to the trash then started iTunes while holding the "option" key itunes should ask for a library then just point it to where you moved your library

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Answer 6

Dec 26, 2012 7:48 PM in response to Jeff Nitschke

I just read the iTunes version part I am not sure if you will be able to run the older iTunes or what version of iTunes will be on the new Mini

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Answer 7

--A--C-- Author

Level 2

308 points

Dec 26, 2012 8:00 PM in response to Jeff Nitschke

okay, thanks for your answers...

iTunes move that simple??

This article http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449 seems to suggest it's not that easy...

Did this preserve ratings? I would think if you just move it, file paths will not be recognized.

Anyhow, If you confirm this worked, I could as well try it :-)

Reverting to 10.7 won't be the biggest problem I think, I've seen many threads on how to do this, because many people are not happy with 11.

Unless Apple has a way to prevent you from doing this with a new machine on firmware level, but why would they do that...

allright, thanks mate, I'll try your suggestion, or maybe others will have useful ideas. Still a week until the MM arrives.

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Answer 8

Dec 26, 2012 7:58 PM in response to --A--C--

I didn't pay attention to ratings honestly.

I'm not really minding the new iTunes

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Answer 9

Dec 26, 2012 8:04 PM in response to Jeff Nitschke

I will be moving my librarys back inside my mini when I get my new drive (external spinns down so, I sometimes have to wait for the drive to wake up)

But, it has been working just peachy:

Discover new joys, embark on new journeys and give more meaning to your life in 2013.

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