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Erm... Apple Store Chat??

Z

zachnelson

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 23, 2010
753
0
So apparently, if you order the 2.5GHz Mac mini with one hard drive, you can a second drive, but it MUST be an SSD. According to this Apple Store Chat person you can only have 1 SSD and 1 HDD, not 2 SSDs or 2 HDDs.

You are chatting with Brittany F, an Apple Expert
Hi, my name is Brittany F. Welcome to Apple!
Hey there! Thanks for chatting with me. How are you doing?
If I order the 2.5GHz Mac mini with one hard drive, does it include mounting brackets and cabling for a second hard drive?
The Mac Mini only supports one hard drive, that'll be the hard drive that comes installed.
Incorrect, the 2.5GHz Mac mini can be BTO with two hard drives.
I am asking, if I order it with only one hard drive, does it include the mounting backers and cabling for a second hard drive that I will add myself.
It only comes with the option for one hard drive.
Therefore, we'll only be able to put one hard drive in there.
It has as option for pairing an SSD, is this maybe what you're referring to?
The 2.5GHz Mac mini can be purchased with 1 750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm and 1 256GB Solid State Drive correct?
Thanks for clarifying.
SSD and Hard drive are two completely separate drives. We are only able to install one hard drive.
SSD is a different type a drive, which is not an area to support a hard drive it supports SSD.
What?
An SSD and an HDD are the same size. one spins, one doesnt
Solid State Drives and Hard Drives are two different types of drive, they are shaped differently and they work differently.
They are not shaped differently.
You can install one hard drive one Solid state drive.
They are the exact same size. 2.5" SATAII drives with standard mounting holes etc.
Can I speak to someone else please?
Yes they are two different drives that are different.
I'm not able to transfer chats, I'm here to help you.
Okay.
You're welcome to simply click the "x" button to end the chat, however, this chat is designed to assist customers with their questions..
Would you like to continue now
yes please
Great.
A solid-state drive and a hard-disk drive, although differing in technologies are the exact same dimensions, correct?
They are not, they can be differently shaped as they are different drives. The space for the SSD is designed for SSDs. The hard drive area is designed for the hard drive.
Where are you getting your information from?
I build computers for a living. A SSD can go in a HDD slot and a HDD and go in a SSD slot
They are just standard SATAII + Power
I'm here to help you with the information that's offered on the Apple Online Store.
I haven't heard from you for a few moments. Would you like to continue chatting?
Yes.
Alrighty.
What other questions did you have me about the online store?
If I order the 2.5GHz Mac mini with one hard-disk drive, does it include mounting brackets and cabling for a solid-state drive that I want to add myself later?
For a SSD only, yes. The HDD drive space would be for the hard drive.
Okay, so I can add an after market 2.5" SSD, but NOT a 2.5" HDD?
You can add a supported SSD, you can replace the built in HDD with another HDD.
I'm confused
So, I can have 1 SSD and 1 HDD, but not 2 HDD?
Exactly, it only supports on SSD and one HDD.
Does it support 2 SSDs?
We only have the option for one SSD and one HDD. We won't be able to mix them together like two SSD or two HDD.
Nooooooo! I don't care what you can sell me.
I want to know if I can buy the 2.5GHz Mac mini with one hard drive and drop in my OWN 2.5" hard drive from my other laptop
that makes it 2 HDDs
1 from you, 1 from me
It only supports on SSD and one HDD>
Based on what?
What is the limitation?
This information is on the online store.
It lists support for only one SSD and only one HDD>
...
Click to expand...
 
Hahahaha, amazing! What about the $999 model that has 2x 750GB HDD?

I have the 2.5ghz model, and swapped out the HDD for the SSD, it was pretty easy overall. There is no hardware/cable whatsoever to help with adding a 2nd drive unfortunately.. But there definitely is space for it.
 
She's trained to provide you a standard answer, in order to deter you from exploring the internals of the mini, to prevent you from voiding any warranties on the product and to encourage you to purchase the "Apple Standard" BTO Mini.

The 2011 minis come with 2 SATA controllers that afford the ability to attach two SATA devices that will fit in the allotted space. This can be a combination of 2 HDDs, 2 SSDs or 1 HDD/1SSD.

I just ordered this cable to see if its the appropriate cable for adding a second Hard Drive into my 2.5 Ghz Mini.

Hopefully it'll work, but I'm hoping there will be more cost-effective solutions in the near future! With shipping the total came to $50 just for the cable.
 
slyseekr said:
She's trained to provide you a standard answer, in order to deter you from exploring the internals of the mini, to prevent you from voiding any warranties on the product and to encourage you to purchase the "Apple Standard" BTO Mini.

The 2011 minis come with 2 SATA controllers that afford the ability to attach two SATA devices that will fit in the allotted space. This can be a combination of 2 HDDs, 2 SSDs or 1 HDD/1SSD.

I just ordered this cable to see if its the appropriate cable for adding a second Hard Drive into my 2.5 Ghz Mini.

Hopefully it'll work, but I'm hoping there will be more cost-effective solutions in the near future! With shipping the total came to $50 just for the cable.
Click to expand...

what about the screws to hold it in place?
 
Robot

Yeah its not actually always a human you are dealing with. Sometimes its a robot only.

Either way you end up with a heavily scripted human or robot that seldomly answers intelligent questions about hardware.:)
 
slyseekr said:
I just ordered this cable to see if its the appropriate cable for adding a second Hard Drive into my 2.5 Ghz Mini.

Hopefully it'll work, but I'm hoping there will be more cost-effective solutions in the near future! With shipping the total came to $50 just for the cable
Click to expand...
Isn't the "bottom hard drive" the one that's already there? I guess if it's long enough it should work but Apple isn't exactly known for having excess slack on their internal cabling.
 
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