Does Mac Mini use proprietary hard drives like the iMac?

[mdh95070]

Not sure if this group knows the current iMacs use HDs with proprietary firmware and cabling (all covered in the iMac group). I wonder if the new Mac Minis use the same approach?

 

[iCheddar]

iFixIt did a teardown. Looks like it uses a custom zif/sata connector at the logic board, but a standard SATA connector at the drive. Swapping drives is/will be simple. I know that MR user Edge has already done a swap; however, adding a second drive will impossible until that cable comes to market.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-Mini-Mid-2011-Teardown/6131/1

 

[mdh95070]

iFixIt did a teardown. Looks like it uses a custom zif/sata connector at the logic board, but a standard SATA connector at the drive. Swapping drives is/will be simple. I know that MR user Edge has already done a swap; however, adding a second drive will impossible until that cable comes to market.

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-Mini-Mid-2011-Teardown/6131/1

Thanks. I am really disappointed that apple decided to go with proprietary drives on the iMac for thermal reasons. The iMac is a better value, for me, than the mini. But, i refuse going with proprietary drives. thanks

 

[profets]

Were they really proprietary drives in the iMac or regular HDDs with some proprietary connector and sensors stuck to them?

 

[jmcgeejr]

Were they really proprietary drives in the iMac or regular HDDs with some proprietary connector and sensors stuck to them?

It had to do with the temp sensor being polled on the drive and if you changed it, made the fan go full speed. Someone made a mod to fix it.

However on this 2011 mini, I just put in my own ssd, crucial c300, there are no temp sensors on the 2011 mini now.

 

[profets]

It had to do with the temp sensor being polled on the drive and if you changed it, made the fan go full speed. Someone made a mod to fix it.

However on this 2011 mini, I just put in my own ssd, crucial c300, there are no temp sensors on the 2011 mini now.

Cool, nice to know.

Just looked up the iMac teardown on ifixit.. Its just a WD blue drive in there anyway.. lol. Definitely worth replacing.

 

[Westyfield2]

It had to do with the temp sensor being polled on the drive and if you changed it, made the fan go full speed. Someone made a mod to fix it.

However on this 2011 mini, I just put in my own ssd, crucial c300, there are no temp sensors on the 2011 mini now.

Hurrah!

 

[philipma1957]

It had to do with the temp sensor being polled on the drive and if you changed it, made the fan go full speed. Someone made a mod to fix it.

However on this 2011 mini, I just put in my own ssd, crucial c300, there are no temp sensors on the 2011 mini now.

yeah I am 90 percent done with a 256gb samsung ssd looks like this will be easier then the 2010 to do 1 drive swaps!