Buying New Mini Today

[SoCalReviews]

[[ I don't like the fact that the SSD that you add isn't covered by AppleCare. You also have to be very careful not to damage any of the Mini's wiring or internal parts when you add the SSD ]]

There's nothing that mandates that a fusion drive has to be interally installed.

One could buy a bare SSD, and buy an external enclosure or USB3/SATA dock, put the SSD into that, then use Terminal to "forge" a fusion drive that uses the internal HDD _and_ the external SSD.

Once completed, speeds will be all-but indistinguishable from an internally-mounted drive.

You haven't risked damaging anything by opening up the Mini, and you'll have the SSD easily "in hand" if there's a warranty issue.

The only disadvantage, if you consider it to be one, is that you'll have an additional peripheral on the desk. So what?

Yes, that is exactly the point... but if for some reason you did want a faster internal drive that is still covered under the regular one year warranty or a three year AppleCare and you didn't want to risk adding an SSD internally then ordering the fusion drive for the new Mini is another option. Also I am not against installing an SSD internally if that is what someone wants to do... but it's important not to have a false sense of security. Installing an SSD does involve other potential risks. As you indicated... using an external drive via USB 3 or TB port could be set up to work well without having to install another drive internally on the 2012 Mini.

 

[bwlmog]

Hi, I'm looking to buy the I5 Mac Mini writhing the next 6 weeks and will be upgrading to 16gb Ram. I'd love the SSD or Fusion option on this model as I'm not keen on the self install option. However the external fusion seems like an interesting option. Does anyone have any links to guides on how you do this?

Thanks in advance.

 

[chrfr]

However the external fusion seems like an interesting option.

It's a terrible idea. If you happen to forget to turn on the external, or accidentally disconnect it, all your data is gone.

 

[deconstruct60]

It's a terrible idea. If you happen to forget to turn on the external,.... all your data is gone

Extremely unlikely. If the drive is turned off ( for a reasonable amount of time. ) then the data is still there. It isn't mounted on the desktop, but it is still around.

.... or accidentally disconnect it, all your data is gone.

Similar accidental "pull of the plug" on the drive can happen to power cord on the mini. Very similar impact.

The external drive enclosure at the end of a Thunderbolt daisy chain that is periodically modified then the probability goes up. However, if the external enclosure is direct attached to the mini and any TB daisy chain adjustments are made downstream then accidental disconnection doesn't have to be all that high.

What the "bad" idea here is splitting the "Fusion" drive over multiple devices. If want an external Fusion drive then get a 2+ external drive enclosure and put the two (or more ) drives into it and "fuse" two of them into a Fusion drive.

For example, could tag the internal drive as some sort of time machine target or "archive/bulk storage" drive and move the Fusion set up external.

 

[Fishrrman]

[[ It's a terrible idea. If you happen to forget to turn on the external, or accidentally disconnect it, all your data is gone. ]]

Absolute nonsense.

if one has a fusion drive consisting of an internal/external combo, and forgets to turn on the external (or even disconnects it), and then tries booting, the computer won't boot, of course.

In that case, just turn on the external drive or re-connect it.
Back in business.

 

[Noetics]

Thanks for the responses guys, mucho gracias!

 

[Dekard]

I'd verify BB return policy, I've had issues with B&H before.

Just be forewarned if you purchase through B&H:

No Return/Exchange on the following:
- Computers and Computer Software, once any of the manufacturer's packaging has been opened.
- Any computers built or modified by B&H to customer's specifications.
- Special Order merchandise or any item indicated on the website as non-returnable.

 

[Micky Do]

(I'm one of the nightmare customers talked about elsewhere, who clings to his hardware for far too long)

How long is far too long?

And what is the point of fancy specs to "future proof" a computer that it appears you feel should be turfed out in fairly short order?

Other than bragging rights, what are your needs.

My base model early 2009, with the addition of an extra 4 GB of RAM looks like it should see me and my simple needs right for a good while more.

 

[fig]

The only disadvantage, if you consider it to be one, is that you'll have an additional peripheral on the desk. So what?

You apparently don't have a wife who insists the desk stays clean

I bought the exact same machine as the OP about six months ago and I'm thrilled with it. Do design and some 3d animation on it as well as light gaming and it's been stellar.

Yes, I could've installed an SSD myself and saved a bit, but I like the extra drive space with the Fusion and it saved me the hassle for what ends up as a pretty minimal investment over the lifetime of the machine.

 

[olegunnar]

How long is far too long?

And what is the point of fancy specs to "future proof" a computer that it appears you feel should be turfed out in fairly short order?

Other than bragging rights, what are your needs.

My base model early 2009, with the addition of an extra 4 GB of RAM looks like it should see me and my simple needs right for a good while more.

It's replaced my late 2006 iMac, and only because the iMac suffers from the nasty soldering issue that locks up the machine more and more often (about every ten minutes or so now). Otherwise I'd have kept using it.

My needs aren't big. Just as I did in 2006, I'm buying the best I can for a reasonable amount. It'll last me longer. 100 USD for 0.3 GHz is fine by me.

At some point a computer will feel too slow for modern use. That point is different for different people, but it'll happen. If my computer is 0.3 GHz faster than it could have been, it'll last me that while longer. That is, assuming Apple doesn't screw me by dropping OS support or by having built the computer with parts that won't last.

I'm not sure what you're getting at about "bragging rights". If I had a 2009 mac mini, I'd stick with that as well. I didn't. I had a 2006 iMac that froze up all the time, because of a manufacturing error (that Apple won't acknowledge, of course). Since I had to buy a new computer, I thought I'd buy one that would last me as long as possible. What's the offensive part of that?

 

[mvmanolov]

Meh, i just bough mine woohoo…

 

[ioannis2005gr]

Meh, i just bough mine woohoo…

Why you didn't wait for a new redesigned one? It won't be very far to happen (Q1 or Q2 2014 is round the corner...).

 

[mvmanolov]

Why you didn't wait for a new redesigned one? It won't be very far to happen (Q1 or Q2 2014 is round the corner...).

to be quite honest, i got tired of waiting... i've been waiting since June...

Also, this little guys is much more than i need now as i don't see myself buying a 4k tv in the next 2-3 years and after that o'll get a new mini as well and make this one a dedicated headless server. in terms of gnu performance it does what i need again(1 a month or less), being able to play grid 2 every now and again is more than enough for me.

more important for me was to be able to handle seder side of things and regular work without slowing down or heating up and this little guy is as quiet as it gets. 3d movies at 1080p no problem soooo

That's why