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SSD drive in new mini - possible? worth it?

A

appleman108

macrumors member
Original poster
Jul 26, 2010
38
0
is it worth it (or even possible) to install a SSD in a new mini.

if so, how is this done?
and where would the other HD be housed,
would it be an FW800 external?

i could buy an imac, but it's more than i need
and i already have a perfectly good 23" cinema display.

thanks
 
Sure it's possible. Costs depends on your wallet. Many people get one just big enough for OSX and/or applications and use an external or another internal drive for files etc.

There are MANY threads on this site discussing just your questions. Search for them under "search" top of page.
 
Sure it can be done for the money. You can replace the existing internal drive with the SSD drive. You can purchase an enclosure for the drive you currently have in there, but at 5400 RPMs, don't expect blazing speeds.

Lots of good feedback on the Momentus XT from Seagate. You can get a 500 GB, 7200 RPM drive for under $150 bucks, and it has 4 GB of internal storage that acts like an SSD. Check it out, they seem like a good mix between SSD and traditional hard drives.

Nabby
 
Nabby said:
You can replace the existing internal drive with the SSD drive. You can purchase an enclosure for the drive you currently have in there, but at 5400 RPMs, don't expect blazing speeds. Lots of good feedback on the Momentus XT from Seagate. You can get a 500 GB, 7200 RPM drive for under $150 bucks, and it has 4 GB of internal storage that acts like an SSD. Check it out, they seem like a good mix between SSD and traditional hard drives.
Click to expand...


thanks Nabby

sounds like this would make a nice efficient machine!

two things:

1. where would you recommend buying the drives (i'm in canada)
2. where could i get the SSD installed (i don't trust myself doing it)


thanks again
 
I haven't done the conversion myself (yet) on my new Mini. I'm considering it. I would order from newegg.com (if you can, I don't know if they ship to Canada).

And sorry, but I've got no idea where you can get it done. Perhaps a local Apple authorized service provider? Maybe a tech there will do it on the side for you?

Good luck.

Nabby
 
Definately recommend the SSD upgrade. I would recommend you do research on which SSD to get as its not just a matter of any SSD, these days you have different controllers on them as well such as the newish sandforce controllers in the OCZ series. I would recommend the INTEL X25M or the OCZ Vertex 2E series.
 
Kaiser Phoenix said:
Definately recommend the SSD upgrade. I would recommend you do research on which SSD to get as its not just a matter of any SSD, these days you have different controllers on them as well such as the newish sandforce controllers in the OCZ series. I would recommend the INTEL X25M or the OCZ Vertex 2E series.
Click to expand...

Don't OCZ and OWC have the same (or similar) Sandforce controllers? I noticed OCZ carries the same drives at a higher price.
 
Ice Dragon said:
Don't OCZ and OWC have the same (or similar) Sandforce controllers? I noticed OCZ carries the same drives at a higher price.
Click to expand...

I went with OWC-they have a long warranty and tech and service cannot be beat. They build them right here in the USA too.
 
mangrove said:
I went with OWC-they have a long warranty and tech and service cannot be beat. They build them right here in the USA too.
Click to expand...

Yeah I like the warranty and I especially like the fact of them being made in America. Also my mistake on the OCZ ones, I was looking at SLC vs. MLC hence the vast price difference.
 
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