Mac mini Ultra ATA Hard drive maximum size

I understand older Ultra ATA (PATA) hard drive systems (i.e. Ultra ATA/66) will not use hard drives larger than 128 GB. If I replace the PATA hard drive in a Mac Mini with a PATA HD larger than 128 GB will it see the entire hard drive or will it only see 128 GB? I tried to find if older Mac Minis use Ultra ATA/66 or better but could not or does it not matter with 2.5 inch PATA drives?

Mac Mini Ultra ATA HD

Posted on Jan 1, 2007 11:52 AM

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8 replies

Jan 1, 2007 12:43 PM in response to infogeek2

User uploaded fileWelcome to the Apple Discussions!

It's is possible to install every 2.5 inch ATA drive in a G4 Mac Mini! The biggest 2.5 inch ATA drive's at this moment is 160 GB. So that is also the biggest HD you can install in the Mac Mini G4 now. The MacMini can then use the full 160 GB off the disc.

There is no limitation like the 128 GB you mentioned. The MacMini G4 does have a Ultra ATA-100 controller. For example the Mini G4 does also support HD's with a size off 750 GB. But there are no 2.5 inch drive's with that size (only 3.5).

There are people who took apart their Mini G4 and installed 3.5 inch ATA HD's with sizes uptoo 750 GB. They reported the HD's to work perfect!

Hopefully this is helpfull or solved your problem. Consider rewarding some points!
Please see the "helpfull" and "solved" button's on top off this message! Apple: Why reward points?

Jan 2, 2007 8:08 AM in response to AndyO

User uploaded fileInside the MacMini, Macbook and MacbookPro are 2.5 inch HD's, which can be uptoo 200 GB!

These HD's are also called laptop HD's. The size is much smaller then the standard 3.5 inch HD's!

Inside the Powermac, iMac and MacPro are 3.5 inch HD's, which can be uptoo 750 GB!

You can NOT compare these!

Inside the MacMini, Macbook and MacbookPro is just not enough space to fit a 3.5 inch HD!

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Mac mini Ultra ATA Hard drive maximum size

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