What is the max HD size possible in a mid-2010 Mac Mini?

[alexreich]

The title pretty much states all. I would like to get 1TB (or even a 2TB) HD in my mini, but before buying, I want to know the absolute maximum size HD.

I would also like to know if it's possible to remove the SuperDrive and replace it with another HD? I know I should have just bought a Mac Mini server, but at the time I didn't know what exactly I was using the computer for, and didn't have the money for a Server.

**If someone could tell me what Apple charges for a maximum HD upgrade that'd be great! But if it's too high, I'll do it myself.

Thanks for any help.
-Alex

 

[hitekalex]

1TB hard drives are now possible, since Samsung announced 9.5mm 1TB drives few days ago. So you can go up to 1TB in a regular Mini, and up to 2TB in a server.

AFAIK, Apple won't upgrade hard drives in Mini.. You have to do it yourself or by a 3rd party.

 

[alexreich]

Yes!

Could you send me a link to that hard drive? That would be fantastic!

 

[Anonymous Freak]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136545

I hope the updated Mac Mini server comes with those. Toshiba makes one, too.

 

[hitekalex]

Could you send me a link to that hard drive? That would be fantastic!

Samsung 9.5mm drive isn't on sale yet - it just got announced this week. Hopefully shouldn't be long.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136545

I hope the updated Mac Mini server comes with those. Toshiba makes one, too.

These are all 12.5mm drives - they do not fit Mini. You need 9.5mm drive.

 

[clyde2801]

If the new model has TB, it could theoretically hold a :censored:load of data.

 

[evilcat]

The foillowing 750Gb models are available at OWC for the Mini:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Seagate/ST9750420AS/

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Western Digital/WD7500BPKT/

They list them as guaranteed to work with the 2010 Mini, and are very good about that kind of thing.

 

[Seydlitz]

Is there a reason not to go with a NAS? It would be more flexible and in general more useful (can be used by every device you own). And depending on the setup arguably it's safer. Price wise I would bet that a lowly synology 1 or 2 drive nas with a good desktop drive would be close and certainly hold more storage (simply because it uses 3.5" drives)

It helps if you sketch the use case before we can give advice

 

[hitekalex]

Is there a reason not to go with a NAS? It would be more flexible and in general more useful (can be used by every device you own). And depending on the setup arguably it's safer. Price wise I would bet that a lowly synology 1 or 2 drive nas with a good desktop drive would be close and certainly hold more storage (simply because it uses 3.5" drives)

It helps if you sketch the use case before we can give advice

If he doesn't need more than 1TB of space - going with internal storage makes perfect sense. Why complicate things with NAS, which will ultimately be slower than internal SATA drives?

Certainly Mini itself can serve as NAS to other devices as well.