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does the base model have a 2nd sata port?

LeandrodaFL

LeandrodaFL

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Apr 6, 2011
973
1
So, MacMini 2011 base model, the one with intel HD graphics, you can only get one with 1 HDD. But does the motherboard have a 2nd sata port for a 2nd HDD? After all, since no more superdirve, there is space inside the case! I want to get a SSD.

So, for those who bought one...anyone did open yours yet?
 
Wondering the same thing. Obviously, the server Mini model has two internal SATA 2.5" drives, so one would hope that any of the new Minis can be outfitted with two 2.5" SATA drives by the end user. Eagerly awaiting confirmation on this...
 
2.5 GHz model does have the option of 750GB SATA+256GB SSD. It nearly doubles the price of the machine though.

A maxed out Mini (not server) is actually $1849
 
Yes, I believe.

I have just taken apart 2.5 Core i5 Mac mini, and it has a second custom SATA port (with the small zif connector) but no supplied cable/adaptor. The second hard drive stacks underneath the first and will require screws/cage to slot in.

There is no temperature sensor/connector with the base 500GB HD, but there is an empty zif socket underneath the fan, which I suspect may be for temp sensors on the server model.
 
Edge... Is the new Mini case easier to crack open than the 2010 model was, where you had to use a putty knife to wedge the case off?
 
Edge said:
Yes, I believe.

I have just taken apart 2.5 Core i5 Mac mini, and it has a second custom SATA port (with the small zif connector) but no supplied cable/adaptor. The second hard drive stacks underneath the first and will require screws/cage to slot in.

There is no temperature sensor/connector with the base 500GB HD, but there is an empty zif socket underneath the fan, which I suspect may be for temp sensors on the server model.
Click to expand...

That's a bummer... so one is forced to buy the dual drive (non server) version or hope for the zif to sata ribbon and cage/mount availability. I know the dual drive parts can be purchased for the 27" iMac so hopefully the Mac Mini 'kit' will become available fairly soon. I would rather buy the single drive version i7 and then add a real SSD to the machine rather than the overpriced OEM apple unit.
 
Sounds like replacing the HDD isn't as hard as the 2010. I'm salivating at the possibility of adding my own 1TB 7200 HDD + SSD.
 
Tom Sawyer said:
Thanks for posting that link.. Pretty lame that they did not include the 2nd sata connector. Saved what, $0.0864 per unit? No surprise.
Click to expand...

Notice how the cable wraps around the drive. What were they supposed to do? Leave the second one dangling in there (that very few people would ever use) and have it crushed by the lower bay drive?

FYI: 076-1391 is the part number for the secondary cable for anyone wondering.
 
jwhazel said:
Notice how the cable wraps around the drive. What were they supposed to do? Leave the second one dangling in there (that very few people would ever use) and have it crushed by the lower bay drive?

FYI: 076-1391 is the part number for the secondary cable for anyone wondering.
Click to expand...

Probably right on how many would use the connector, fairly low population of owners I'm sure.

Good to know the part #... thanks for the info!
 
japtor said:
iFixit did a teardown:
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac-Mini-Mid-2011-Teardown/6131/1

Looks much easier cause you don't have to get to the optical drive area to add a second drive (where you have to take the whole thing apart), in these it looks like it's just stacked with the other drive.
Click to expand...

Can we reassemble the parts of a 2011 Mac Mini (2.3 and 2.5 GHz models) in the unibody of a 2010 Mac Mini while keeping its DVD drive? If we can, we then have a 2011 Mac Mini with a DVD!
 
LeandrodaFL said:
Is it possible to RAID them? I have not read the articale yet
Click to expand...
It should be possible, although you'd probably have to boot from an external drive/USB stick/DVD to configure the RAID. Anyone know if it comes with a USB stick like the MBA, or is the built in recovery the only thing?
FrankHahn said:
Can we reassemble the parts of a 2011 Mac Mini (2.3 and 2.5 GHz models) in the unibody of a 2010 Mac Mini while keeping its DVD drive? If we can, we then have a 2011 Mac Mini with a DVD!
Click to expand...
Well they do mention a lot of the parts are similar. I guess the main problem is getting a connector, if the old optical drive bracket parts fit. Ask iFixit on Twitter about it.
TheBaconKing said:
Why not just take the DVD drive out of the 2010 mini and buy an enclosure for it.
Click to expand...
I'm guessing it's for HTPC or some other use where you'd want the drive integrated for simplicity/cleanliness.
 
I dont think it comes with a USB stick, but you will be able to buy one. Hwoerver, the internet recovery is amazing.

Yearh, for RAID, I may have to boot from a external disk, create teh RAID, install and then boot again...so complicated....

Im not so sure about getting the superdrive from 2010 MacMini and putting on 2011 MacMini. Since latest model have more chips in the board, the thunderbolt chip, and the Radeon chip, there may be a space problem in addition to cooling issues, it might compromise it.
 
japtor said:
Anyone know if it comes with a USB stick like the MBA, or is the built in recovery the only thing?
Click to expand...

No USB stick, no DVD, no nothing. Just stickers and warranty in the box.

And the internet recovery is crazy, but mine took 1-2 hours to download.
 
TheBaconKing said:
Why not just take the DVD drive out of the 2010 mini and buy an enclosure for it.
Click to expand...

I asked the question on the behalf of those who would like to have a 2011 Mac Mini with an optical drive. According to your saying, they do not have a 2011 Mac Mini with an optical drive but an external optical drive.
 
xheathen said:
Sounds like replacing the HDD isn't as hard as the 2010. I'm salivating at the possibility of adding my own 1TB 7200 HDD + SSD.
Click to expand...

Already got a combination of the two (WD Scorpio Blue 1 TB + OCZ Vertex 3 MAX IOPS 120 GB, plus a Crucial 2x4 GB RAM upgrade) saved as a Shopping cart on Newegg for the Mac mini Server I'm about to order...
Total cost $451.97, compared to an additional $750 to get a 750 GB hard drive plus slower 256 GB SSD with the 8 GB RAM upgrade from Apple - plus I get to sell the stock 500 GB hard drives and 4 GB RAM.

LeandrodaFL said:
Is it possible to RAID them? I have not read the articale yet
Click to expand...

Yes. You'll have to plug in an external drive, boot to the recovery partition, load Disk Utility, back up the primary drive (See "Using Disk Utility" -> "Instructions for backing up to an external hard disk via Disk Utility",) configure a RAID, restore from the backup (See "Using Disk Utility" -> "Restoring the backup disk image's contents to your internal Mac OS X disk")
 
You need to 'Accept' iLife apps in App Store

japtor said:
Does the internet recovery download iLife too?
Click to expand...
When you next load the App Store, the Purchases section shows the iLife apps (iMovie, iPhoto, Garageband) under Apps to Accept.

It then associates those apps with the hardware UUID of your machine. Once accepted, they appear just as other purchased apps and you can choose whether or not to download them.
 

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Part number for where/who?
It's the apple part # for the cable required to add the seconds hard drive.

I.e., where/who do you order that part from?
I don't know who you order it from. I assume third party sites will eventually start selling them at a markup like the ssd cables for the imacs.

Where'd you find this information?
Mac mini bill of materials.
 
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