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Can I replace HDD with SSD on $599 iMini?

BarkingGhost

BarkingGhost

macrumors regular
Original poster
Oct 18, 2011
231
3
Atlanta+35 miles
If I go into the retail store and purchase the current %599 model iMac mini is there a way to replace the conventional 5400 RPM HDD with a SSD (e.g. Samsung 840)? I also wish to run Bootcamp for W7.

Any enlightenment is always appreciated.
 
BarkingGhost said:
If I go into the retail store and purchase the current %599 model iMac mini is there a way to replace the conventional 5400 RPM HDD with a SSD (e.g. Samsung 840)? I also wish to run Bootcamp for W7.

Any enlightenment is always appreciated.
Click to expand...

Whats an iMac mini? Do you mean an iMac or a Mac mini?

You can purchase an iMac with an SSD, but I'm not sure if your local store will hold the BTO options. Another option is the Fusion drive which is an SSD & 5400 RPM HDD combined. Works like a dream at a fraction of the cost.

Bootcamp will be no problem whatever HDD option you go for.
 
Mac mini, not iMac

You know, sometimes it isn't worth opening my mouth in the afternoon. :D

So I'll start over ... can the HDD in the Apple Mac mini that currently sells in the USA for $599 be replaced with an SSD?
 
BarkingGhost said:
You know, sometimes it isn't worth opening my mouth in the afternoon. :D

So I'll start over ... can the HDD in the Apple Mac mini that currently sells in the USA for $599 be replaced with an SSD?
Click to expand...

I understand your frustration but you are posting in the imac section. And calling it an imac mini instead of a mac mini.
 
BarkingGhost said:
If I go into the retail store and purchase the current %599 model iMac mini is there a way to replace the conventional 5400 RPM HDD with a SSD (e.g. Samsung 840)? I also wish to run Bootcamp for W7.

Any enlightenment is always appreciated.
Click to expand...

It depends on the apple retail store whether they do SSD upgrades. Mine does. Any way sure you can replace the HDD with an SSD or add an SSD to an OEM HDD to make a fusion drive. Or you can order from Apple and pay a premium. Who you get yo do it is a decision you will have to make.
 
Apple will only put a SSD in the mid and server Mac mini. You can yourself replace the HDD with a SSD, no problem. Depending how careful you are it may be a success - there are those who have not studied the video's and or documentation from macsales and or ifxit and have broken off the sockets to various parts basically rendering the computer worthless (Apple will not cover that under warranty).

Those sockets are fragile.... with worsening arthritis I will not undertake it again next year, barely managed this time. (and will then have to pay premium for the mid model....)

The alternative is to use a USB 3.0 external SSD. USB 3.0 is almost as fast as an internal HDD and then you do not have the worry of breaking anything.

(Unfortunately in my case I am running Windows and that will not run on an external drive....)
 
The Mini has room for 2 2.5" drives (HDD or SSD) inside.

You could buy the Mini with the HDD, and put the SSD inside next to it.

Or - if you don't want to open the Mini up and risk damaging something inside (some connections are VERY fragile) - you could connect the SSD as an _external_ drive, and boot and run the Mini that way. I do this myself.

With the right external drive enclosure or a USB3/SATA dock, you will get speeds that are all-but indistinguishable from speeds of an internally-mounted drive.
 
It is not that hard if you:
- Don't follow OWC and iFixit video's, they are crap as they suggest to totally take apart the damn thing.
- Look at this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymGnXdwvabg
- Have a drive that is 7mm thick or thinner, those you can just slide in above the HD in the upper bay.
- Don't worry about the SSD not being screwed into place (won't move anyway, and if it does, insert the spacer that comes with a typical SSD too).
- Get a SATA cable for the LOWER Bay (the video above replaces the HD, you just slide the SSD into the same space which is empty on the 2012).
- Have the good tools: Minitorx AND Hex 2mm for the antenna (torx fits there too, but the screws might wear from torx).


Warranty remains, it only does not apply on the drive you mount and when you physically damage other stuff, but without removing the logic board as in the iFixit/OWC films you cannot damage much.
 
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