Mac Mini SSD + SSD

[sublimaze1]

I have an old Crucial MX100 that I am going to put in a new mac mini.

I have heard that it is possible to tear down the new minis and put an SSD in. I have also heard that you can put this animal in there as well

What are the pros/cons of this and is it an easy install? I have torn down minis before and am confident of the old drive to new drive swap technique, but have not explored installing this type of SSD due to space, connectors, etc.?

Thanks in advance.
WJ

 

[honestone]

I am just about certain that "type" of SSD card will not fit inside a Mac Mini. I have a late 2012 Mac Mini, and I replaced the internal drive with a Samsung 840 Pro 256 gig SSD:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147193

Samsung now makes an 850 Pro model, which is the same size:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147360

Note the dimensions: 0.28 by 2.75 by 3.94 in. (H x W x D). Those dimensions are the same as the HDD the Mac MIni ships with.

The procedure to actually do the swap is not difficult. These links explain how to do it:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2012+Hard+Drive+Replacement/11716

By the way, I recently purchased 2 Samsung 850 Pro 512 gig SSDs, installed one of them inside a nice, slim Orico 2.5" external exclosure (easy installation), and it works like a charm.

Also, if you have a late 2014 model, it seems like it is somewhat more difficult:

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac+Mini+Late+2014+Hard+Drive+Replacement/3281

Apparently, the late 2014 model can be equipped with a PCI-e Apple OEM SSD, and I believe that SSD looks like the Samsung one in your photo above. Also, the RSAM is not upgradable on the 2014 model, but it is on the 2012 model.

Finally, here is a link for a google search I did for "Can one install a MZ-V5P256BW SSD inside a late 2014 Mac Mini?" (that MZ-V5P256BW is, I believe, the model number for the SSD in the picture you posted above):

https://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/232196/Mac+mini+2015+Dual+hard+Drive+Possible

It looks like you can't use it inside the late 2014 Mac Mini, as:

"Although the PCIe interface is standardized, Apple is using special firmware on the SSDs using that socket; you can't just buy a generic SSD card and expect it to work, and you can't plug a traditional SATA drive into the connector."