Samsung 840 SSD for Mac Mini 3,1 (Early 2009)?

[Ender17]

Compatible yes but lots of firmware issues with 840 EVO series

 

[noodle654]

I know this is from 2 years ago, but how has the Crucial SSD been, long term wise, in the Mac mini? This article mentions that Crucial is fast, but fails often, and these folks deal with a lot of Mac minis:

https://macminicolo.net/blog/files/some-lessons-on-mac-minis-and-ssd-options.html

I have a late 2009 Mac mini with the buggy controller and a Transcend 256GB SSD which runs at 1.5gbps [it's SATA III, which one should never buy for the late 2009 Mac mini, as I learned later]. From the comments at http://blogs.helsinki.fi/tuylaant/2014/01/upgrading-old-macs-to-ssds/ it looks like Crucial BX100 SSDs will only run at the 1.5GBit speeds as well, but the M500 will work at 3.0GBit speed. I wonder how dependable the M500 is...? :\

The Crucial SSD's a pretty rock solid. I have a mix of MX100 and M550s, M500s, and new MX300's. They are great drives, and I haven't experience a failure or speed issues. From previous experience, Crucial RMA process is super simple and easy.

Only drives I had issues with from them was the BX100. Good drive, but super buggy. I know it had a lot of firmware updates, but I stayed away from them. I sadly sold off all my old Macs, so I can't test as much any more. But I would give the M500/M550 or MX series a try.

 

[vjl323]

. But I would give the M500/M550 or MX series a try.

Thanks so much for the reply and advice! I'll give the M500 a try; thank you again!

 

[vlark]

After reading many threads on which SSD is the best for Early 2009 Mac Minis and Late 2009 Mac Minis, I bit the bullet and purchased this one:

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/ct275mx300ssd1

This SSD has the Marvell chipset.

I installed the SSD, did a fresh install of Mac OS 10.10.5, and found that my SATA-link speed was 3.0GBps but I had the dreaded negotiated SATA-link negotiated to 1.5GBps. I found a firmware update for this SSD on Crucial's site (http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/support-ssd?cm_re=us-support-_-main-_-firmware-update-link) and applied it, but still no joy.

Any hints what I can do to get the full SATA-link speed of 3.0 GBps?

EDIT: Forgot to add that I installed this in an Early 2009 Mac Mini.

Note: I'm cross-posting this with this thread: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/which-ssd-for-mac-mini-late-2009.1696760/page-2. If that breaks the rules, please delete this post.