Second drive 2018 mini?

[applesed]

Hi,

In the 2014 mini I was able to upgrade the ssd drive and add a second ssd. I understand that you can not replace the existing ssd on the 2018 mini, but can you still add a second drive? I haven’t seen any posts on this anywhere, just references to the older model and guides on how to do it.

 

[omrij]

No, but you can add external just as fast with thunderbolt.

 

[ktcifone]

you can get a 1TB nvme M.2 SSD drive with a usbc/USB3 cage for about $200 total.
Thats the fastest and the largest at the lowest cost.
the connectivity options with the 2018 mini is amazing.

 

[F-Train]

you can get a 1TB nvme M.2 SSD drive with a usbc/USB3 cage for about $200 total.

True, but worth noting that you’ll lose a lot of the speed that the solid state drive is capable of with that configuration, which means that you’re losing much of what you just paid for.
[doublepost=1552349984][/doublepost]Hi @applesed,

If you want to investigate using a fast external drive, you may find this thread useful: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/samsung-t5-x5-equivalents.2167739/

 

[Dr. Stealth]

The fastest, most reliable solution is a TB3 Samsung X5 external. You won't be disappointed.

 

[Fishrrman]

The only way to "add a second drive" to a 2018 Mini is to plug in an external one.

And that's all I've got to say about that!

 

[paulCC]

The fastest, most reliable solution is a TB3 Samsung X5 external. You won't be disappointed.

Hello - I am considering the Samsung X5 as a full time external drive to an 2018 Mac mini. Would you happen to know how reliable is the Thunderbolt connection with regards to sleep mode ? I mean go to and waking up from sleep....

Thanks for any info. Paul.

 

[Fishrrman]

Unless you have a definite "use case" that requires the speed (and higher cost) of the X5, you'd probably do just as well to do either of the following:
1. Buy a t5 instead and run at USB3.1 gen 1 speed
or
2. Buy an nvme blade drive, and a USB3.1 gen 2 enclosure, and get about 900mbps.