Mac Mini HDD stuck

[snapdragonx]

Hi all,

I purchased a 2012/13 Mac Mini today and I'm trying to remove the HDD to install an SSD. Can I insert a blank SSD in there or do I need to use Super Duper or some other software to clone the hard drive first?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Chancha]

The other way round is easier.

Don't take anything out of the Mini yet, wait for your SSD to come, then put the SSD into an external enclosure, mount this to the Mini, format with Disk Utility, clone your OS X from Mini internal HDD to the SSD.

After that boot from this SSD to see if it works (still as an external). At this point you can then take apart the Mini and put the SSD in place. In fact you may even buy one of those drive bay frames so instead of swapping out the internal HDD, you can fit it into the upper SATA bay inside the Mini, so you end up with a dual drive / fusion drive Mini.

 

[Fishrrman]

For the "prep and test" part (before you open the Mini), you could use a USB3/SATA dock. They cost as little as $20.

To see what these are, go to amazon.com and enter "usb3 sata dock" into the search box, and you'll get many hits.

Here's one that should work:
http://www.amazon.com/Syba-Docking-...395326282&sr=8-2&keywords=syba+usb3+sata+dock

It will also come in handy anytime you encounter a "bare" SATA drive...