2nd drive install into 2012 Mac mini server

[heimi]

Hi

I just bought a 2nd hand Mac mini server (2012) which appears to have been custom specced at purchase with a single 256Gb SSD rather than the more standard dual HD's. The SSD is reporting as being installed in the 'lower' position.

I want to add a second drive in and have been infinitely confused by a stack of threads I've read, plus info on owc/macsales/ifixit, etc.

Please can someone confirm which SATA cable I need to install a new drive into the vacant 'upper' bay? Is it the Apple part code 922-9560, or another part, perhaps 076-1360?

TIA
Toby

 

[Boyd01]

Can't help with your question, but here's some food for thought... I have the same machine with only the original Apple 256gb SSD. I have read about so many people who damage their mini's when installing drives that I decided not to do it. Instead, I left Mountain Lion on the internal drive for my expensive legacy software and installed Sierra on a 1TB external Samsung T3 SSD.

It works really well and I am running demanding software like Final Cut Pro X, Logic Pro X, Compressor, etc. Now the internal SSD is a bit faster but IMO does not justify the hassle and risk of opening up the Mini. The T3 is really small and is powered by the USB cable.

FWIW, this is the Apple internal 256gb SSD

And this is the external 1TB Samsung T3

 

[CUDA_Switch]

Please can someone confirm which SATA cable I need to install a new drive into the vacant 'upper' bay? Is it the Apple part code 922-9560, or another part, perhaps 076-1360?

Based on what I read on PowerBookMedic.com, it looks to me like Apple part 076-1360 is what you want since you're adding a second internal hard drive for the upper bay (having the single drive pre-installed in the lower bay is "typical" from what I've read). The 922 part looks like the cable used for installing a hard drive install in the lower bay, which isn't what you need. When the Mini is open, the bays are reversed so the lower bay is actually on top. So installing a drive in the upper bay means that you have to take the entire Mini apart, including the logic board (if you were installing into the lower bay, you could get to it without having to do all of that). So you will also need the Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool, which is just a U-shaped piece of metal that gives you the leverage to pop the board out. I've done both upper and lower drive replacements on a couple of Minis. It's doable. All I can say is that it helps a lot to go very slow, make sure you have the right tools, read the iFixit guide and the comments, and be careful. If you aren't a patient person, it may not be the project for you because it's easy to break those small components.

 

[heimi]

Having looked into this some more, I am now pretty sure that what I need is:

Apple Part #: 076-1413
Manufacturer Part #: 821-1501-A

Anyone else care to chuck in their two penneth? One area I am unclear on is if there is any difference in the various cables in terms of supported speed, i.e. SATA III (6Gb/s) -v- SATA II (3Gb/s).

Useful link is: https://thebookyard.wordpress.com/2013/06/04/mac-mini-hard-drive-upgrade-process/

TIA

 

[dborod]

I would recommend the instructions and the parts in the kit from ifixit: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+Mac+Mini+Late+2012+Dual+Hard+Drive+Kit/11713

I added a second drive to my 2011 mini using their parts and procedure, and it went fine.

 

[Neodym]

One area I am unclear on is if there is any difference in the various cables in terms of supported speed, i.e. SATA III (6Gb/s) -v- SATA II (3Gb/s).

In the past there have been cables that would not work with an SSD. Not sure whether that is the same issue as SATA II vs. SATA III, but if in doubt I would take the (more modern) SATA III cable, even if you can't make use of the full speed in the mini.