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Enclousure for external SSD

E

Edde1

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 23, 2012
39
0
Hello mac users.

I use a 2012 I7 mini with 16gb RAM. It runs OK but i dont have that super fast feeling when open apps, it feels little slow.

I dont want to open my mini and install SSD. What external enclousure do you recomend for running stabel with MAC OS on?

I have look at ebay and found 1000 different models.
 
Assuming it's the MacMini 6,1 (Late 2012), you have USB 3 available. That should be more than adequate for a single SSD.

I recently purchased a Sabrent 2.5" USB 3 case for a HDD (a Seagate XT) and haven't had any issues (it looks nice, too...). Another brand I've used for USB 3 is StarTech. I would just peruse Amazon or perhaps NewEgg and see what the reviews are like, especially for SSD applications.

I've only purchased one SSD, and it was for an Early 2009 UB 17" which was limited to SATA II. However, I bought it based on the possibility it might be used in a faster machine sometime in the future. I did quite a bit of research and, for price and performance, bought a Crucial M4 512GB. That was back Oct. 2012 (I ended up selling the machine in Feb. - the new owner was pleased to find it had an SSD), so prices and models have changed. The other two I looked at were the Samsung and IBM, but for the difference in price - plus running it on a slower SATA II, I went with the M4. For Crucial, it still looks like the M4 has the performance edge over their newer drive (m500), but the new one is a bit more economical - especially for the 960GB monster.
 
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Thanks guys! How is kingston or sandisk SSD drives? Im from sweden and they are cheap if you compare to intel.
 
Edde1 said:
Hello mac users.

I use a 2012 I7 mini with 16gb RAM. It runs OK but i dont have that super fast feeling when open apps, it feels little slow.

I dont want to open my mini and install SSD. What external enclousure do you recomend for running stabel with MAC OS on?

I have look at ebay and found 1000 different models.
Click to expand...

Not cheap but nothing will look better with a mini.

http://www.newertech.com/products/ministack.php
 
How do Samsung SSD prices compare where you are? They are another good brand to consider.
 
Edde1 said:
Hello mac users.

I use a 2012 I7 mini with 16gb RAM. It runs OK but i dont have that super fast feeling when open apps, it feels little slow.

I dont want to open my mini and install SSD. What external enclousure do you recomend for running stabel with MAC OS on?

I have look at ebay and found 1000 different models.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify and narrow down your request... are you looking for a 2.5" driveless enclosure to put a 2.5" SSD in?

----------
BounouGod said:
Not cheap but nothing will look better with a mini.

http://www.newertech.com/products/ministack.php
Click to expand...

It has had documented problems with USB3.0 interference. It works sometimes, but in many cases it shuts/limits the BT and WiFi of the mini. See the blog in this page.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other+World+Computing/DIYIMM12BTS/

Why buy it if you have to keep it so far away from the mini? The whole idea was that it would stack, but you cannot stack it. You may as well buy an elcheapo USB3.0 enclosure if that is the case.
 
opinio said:
Just to clarify and narrow down your request... are you looking for a 2.5" driveless enclosure to put a 2.5" SSD in?

----------



It has had documented problems with USB3.0 interference. It works sometimes, but in many cases it shuts/limits the BT and WiFi of the mini. See the blog in this page.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other+World+Computing/DIYIMM12BTS/

Why buy it if you have to keep it so far away from the mini? The whole idea was that it would stack, but you cannot stack it. You may as well buy an elcheapo USB3.0 enclosure if that is the case.
Click to expand...

I just need somthing that works. A eclousure to put 2.5" SSD and run OSX withot boot problems or any other hickups.

I hafe found many 10USD encousures but does they work goof for this?
 
Edde1 said:
I just need somthing that works. A eclousure to put 2.5" SSD and run OSX withot boot problems or any other hickups.

I hafe found many 10USD encousures but does they work goof for this?
Click to expand...

I use this for my 2.5" boot drives. But technically it is not an 'enclosure'. Its a dock. It is very convenient though. I use eSata through a T-Bolt Lacie Hub or also USB3.0. It gives you so many options.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/FWU3ES2HDK/

There is a cheaper USB3.0 only version.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/FWU3ES2HDK/

But having said all that it may not be what you want if you want a permanent boot drive.
 
Mr. Retrofire said:
Make sure the enclosure supports the UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) and that you use the newest version of OS X (no, NOT the developer previews), because newer versions have better UAS-drivers.

The UASP increases the transfer speed and decreases the latency on the bus. The result is an interface similar to eSATA.
Click to expand...

How can i check that? The sellers on ebay do not write anything about that.

Will this wd enclousure work?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-WD-2-5-...US_Drive_Enclosures_Docks&hash=item35c7c98b1f
 
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