About to pick up a 2012 Mac Mini - few questions

[dandingo]

Hi there,

I'm about to pick up an i7 2012 stock Mac Mini and have a few questions.

I have a 24" ASUS IPS monitor. Will I need a certain kind of connection to connect it to the MM?

I'm a photographer and currently have a PC running WIN7. Will I have a problem migrating my photos and Lightroom catalog to OSX?

I'm going to purchase a Samsung EVO 840 SSD. What will I need in order to install it?

I'm also going to pick up some more RAM. If I pick up an 8GB stick, will it work with the existing 4GB with no problems?

Thanks!

 

[fa8362]

That monitor's resolution and input connections dictate what you need. The Mini comes with an HDMI to DVI adapter. HDMI output on that Mini is limited to 1080p resolution.

 

[dhmoore74]

So... I just bought the same Mac Mini this week myself. All you need is an HDMI cable or a Mini Display to HDMI cable. Works great!!

I also bought the Samsung EVO 840 256 GB SSD last night at Micro Center and went straight home and installed it. Very easy to install.

Couple of links for you:
http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+SSD+Installation/637
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLbc1JhLFQ
http://www.microcenter.com/product/418124/840_EVO_Series_MZ-7TE250BW_250GB_SATA_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_(SSD)

I also plan to reinstall the original 1TB Hard drive in my Mac Mini tomorrow. I ordered this kit from Amazon that will allow you to install a 2nd HDD. The performance increase is amazing when you get the new SSD installed.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ8U3OU/ref=pe_385040_121528360_TE_dp_1

Also its not my business, but you might really like this monitor. It looks awesome with the Mac Mini and the picture and sound is great.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBLIVPO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[dandingo]

So... I just bought the same Mac Mini this week myself. All you need is an HDMI cable or a Mini Display to HDMI cable. Works great!!

I also bought the Samsung EVO 840 256 GB SSD last night at Micro Center and went straight home and installed it. Very easy to install.

Couple of links for you:
http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+SSD+Installation/637
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNLbc1JhLFQ
http://www.microcenter.com/product/418124/840_EVO_Series_MZ-7TE250BW_250GB_SATA_60Gb-s_25_Internal_Solid_State_Drive_(SSD)

I also plan to reinstall the original 1TB Hard drive in my Mac Mini tomorrow. I ordered this kit from Amazon that will allow you to install a 2nd HDD. The performance increase is amazing when you get the new SSD installed.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BJ8U3OU/ref=pe_385040_121528360_TE_dp_1

Also its not my business, but you might really like this monitor. It looks awesome with the Mac Mini and the picture and sound is great.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBLIVPO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks for the links. Really appreciate it.

Do I need any special tools to install the SSD? I may just use the 5400 in an external enclosure as a backup.

 

[dhmoore74]

All you have to have for sure is the Torx T6 & T8. Those are required to get the screws out. To change the HDD, all you have to do is remove the bottom cover, remove the Fan and the Silver plate where the WIFI is. Then you can lift the HDD out and slide the new SSD in without taking the motherboard and all that out.

Now if you install the 2nd drive, then you will need to pull the motherboard. You will prob need that little nifty tool to slide into the holes to get the MB to slide out.

 

[blanka]

2+8GB works great.
If the bottom slot is empty, buy a cable to add the SSD. If the hd is in the bottom place, swap it for the ssd. You also need 2mm hex for the airport antenna. Torx 8 will fit too, but it is not the correct tool, and it will damage the screws a little.

 

[heckofagator]

Also its not my business, but you might really like this monitor. It looks awesome with the Mac Mini and the picture and sound is great.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00KBLIVPO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

that's a nice looking monitor. Thanks.