Amazing video! I used it tonight to put two 1 TB SSDs into my 2012 Mac Mini Server and give it new life! If anyone reading this comment is about to attempt this, just some caveats. 1. Make sure you have plenty of light to see exactly where all the connections are inside. You don't want to pop the socket off the logic board rather than the connecting piece you were aiming for because you didn't see where exactly you put your tool 2. The power supply component that has to be rotated 90 degrees actually sits in a groove above and below it within the aluminum housing of the Mini. May sure it is sitting in those grooves when you go to rotate it back, I almost cracked mine trying to do it before I noticed the grooves [again the importance of bright light/a flash light to see these little details]. 3. The SATA ribbon cable of the original drive sitting in the drive carrier of my Mini was partially glued onto my HDD. Just use the flat end of your nylon pry tool to gently lift it off the HDD before you detach it. 4. When re-inserting the logic board, keep an eye on your 2 SATA connectors and the IR connector as you slide the board in as the first time I did it I actually got 2 of the 3 cables *under* the board by accident and had to pull out the logic board again to free the cables. The video was truly great, if you've never done an upgrade like this before the video makes it 100% possible. Just make sure you get the right tools, do it in very will lit area and set aside at least 60-75 minutes to go slow and rewatch critical parts of the procedure over and over as you do it. You don't want to rush it and damage your Mini. Good luck!
In my experience with the 2012 Mac Mini Server the Wifi antenna connector is covered by a soft plastic tab. If you don't want to damage it you may want to leave the wifi antenna connected and disconnect it only when removing the mainboard. When re-assembling connect it just before attaching the power supply connector. Also... when placing the antenna back in there is a point where it 'snapped' in. The screw holes would line up on one side and not the other. After several attempts there was a point where it snapped in, was secure, and the screw holes lined up.
Very perfect and detailed guidance. I successfully did last night. If somebody want to replace only one SSD, first HDD must be drive including Mac OS. In order to maximize computer performance both HDD should be replaced. Anyhow only one SSD for OS and apps, I felt the speed is more than two times faster than before!
Thanks guys, I’ve successfully replaced both HDD drives in my 2012 Mac mini with SSD’s using your instructions. Couldn’t have done it without this video!
Thanks for the detailed video. Last night with great fear and trembling I took the plunge and removed the two original 750 GB drives and replaced them with 2 TB Crucial SSDs. It took a while, and I had to rewatch parts repeatedly, but IT WORKED. I now have a revived and faster secondary workstation for my digital drawing tablet. It also doubles as my media center for music and movies. Two notes. First I purchased a static-free pad with a wrist strap. Don't attempt this without something similar. You work so close to the logic board that it would be near impossible not to damage it without one. Second the original drives had black tape holding the drive SATA caps down. I had to peel those off before they would come off. Took me a while to figure that out since the tape was black and the caps are black.
Thank you for sharing this information. I also have a macmini server 2011 and I intend to do this ssd Upgrade, my question was if I could put 2 ssd of 1Tb each.
Thank you for a very clear step by step demonstration. I am buying a second hand MacMini Core 2 Duo 2.66 mid 2010 Server and wonder if I can follow your procedure to upgrade the hard drives. Maybe the internal layout of components is different. Do you know if your procedure will work on my model. Also, you installed two 250 GB SSD drives in this video: what would be the upper limit of SSD capacity? Could it stretch to 1 or 2 TB per drive? Many thanks for a great tutorial, meanwhile.
Very useful and I got there in the end. But I should stress that getting the IR cable off the logic board is tricky. Take your time and learn from my mistake. I pulled the connector off the logic board with the cable. I got a computer place to resolder it back on for $50 and I had my Mac Mini almost put back together. But while I was sliding the logic board back into the aluminum box, the retaining clip somehow slipped off the power socket and got pushed inside the machine. Something else to be careful of because I didn't notice it until I had almost finished and the clip was rattling around inside. Anyway, the resoldered IR connector didn't survive another disassembly so I gave up on it. I never used an IR remote with my Mac Mini and otherwise, just the little LED on the front doesn't work. Other than those two functions, my Mac Mini works fine.
The hardest parts are disconnecting and reconnecting the power to the logic board. Make sure you get that top drive's mounting screws inside the gasket or you will not be able to put the wifi antenna and the two screws that hold the plastic cover.
I just ordered one of these OWC SSDs for a MacMini 6,2 (2012 server). I'm only replacing one drive though, the "primary" drive with the OS, whichever drive that is. Which one do I need to replace? Is it the first one I get to as I go through the procedure (which I believe is described as the "second" drive), or the deeper, more-difficult-to-access drive below the other drive? If I open the System Information (from About This Mac) and inspect the SATA information, one drive is described as "upper" bay and the other as "lower" bay, but is that upper as the computer sits upright on the desk, or upper as we descend into the computer as shown in the video, in which the computer is upside down? Thanks.
discussions.apple.com/thread/8153119 reply by keg55 says "First, while in your OS open Terminal and type diskutil list. Look for disk0 or disk1 that contains your OS and Recovery HD volumes. Remember that disk number. Now, with your Mac Mini upside down, the drive in the bay closest to the round cover (lower) is disk0 and the drive below it under the system board (upper) is disk1."
@@chinarut9755 I don't know if it's random, only that my disks were the other way around. So either the instructions were wrong, or I misinterpreted them, or it varies from machine to machine. Just be aware that you need to check.
@@robinkay-harika6416 hey thanks for sharing - i dunno why i didn’t think to look in the first place - but System Infomation in the SATA section is pleasantly explicit about which volumes reside on disk0 and disk1 - in my case, the Data HD is disk0 in the lower bay (closest to the black disk) - hope this helps anyone else out there! :)
Hi Nikhil. It is not required to wear an anti-static wrist band during the installation process. However, we do recommend doing the installation on an anti-static work surface.
I wonder if i can can put 2x 4TB SSD on my 2012 mini server, i'm about to order the first drive but i can't find precise information about storage limit...
NOTE: it is possible to break the IR jack completely off the board with a small amount of force that feels like you're just popping the connector out. Probably the best way to do this is with a pointy tool, as shown (I only had a wide plastic tool; I realized too late that I could have used a wooden skewer from the kitchen -- the kind you use for chicken satay) and aim for the part where the cables join the plug. Luckily, I can live without IR on this Mac. I think it also controls the power LED on the front of the case because mine doesn't come on anymore, which is a minor annoyance, but this one only needs to last until a Mini with Apple Silicon comes out. (fingers crossed!)
Great tutorial but did not work out so well for me. Possibly due to the age of the computer, (or I wasn't as careful as I thought), the fan connector came right off the logic board. Apple Store Genius Bar can replace the logic board as my model (late 2012) is not yet unsupported and parts are still available. However, they aren't allowed to install my third-party SSD, which would mean I'd have to take it apart again after they repaired it. I'd rather not take that risk so they recommended a local repairer who is able to replace the logic board and install my SSD at the same time.
Thank you for your comment! In order to see what SSD is compatible, I recommend contacting us directly to confirm what model you have! We are open 8AM-8PM Central time M-F. Our number is 1-800-275-4576. Our international number is +1.815.338.8685. Thank you!
Amazing video! I used it tonight to put two 1 TB SSDs into my 2012 Mac Mini Server and give it new life! If anyone reading this comment is about to attempt this, just some caveats. 1. Make sure you have plenty of light to see exactly where all the connections are inside. You don't want to pop the socket off the logic board rather than the connecting piece you were aiming for because you didn't see where exactly you put your tool 2. The power supply component that has to be rotated 90 degrees actually sits in a groove above and below it within the aluminum housing of the Mini. May sure it is sitting in those grooves when you go to rotate it back, I almost cracked mine trying to do it before I noticed the grooves [again the importance of bright light/a flash light to see these little details]. 3. The SATA ribbon cable of the original drive sitting in the drive carrier of my Mini was partially glued onto my HDD. Just use the flat end of your nylon pry tool to gently lift it off the HDD before you detach it. 4. When re-inserting the logic board, keep an eye on your 2 SATA connectors and the IR connector as you slide the board in as the first time I did it I actually got 2 of the 3 cables *under* the board by accident and had to pull out the logic board again to free the cables. The video was truly great, if you've never done an upgrade like this before the video makes it 100% possible. Just make sure you get the right tools, do it in very will lit area and set aside at least 60-75 minutes to go slow and rewatch critical parts of the procedure over and over as you do it. You don't want to rush it and damage your Mini. Good luck!
In my experience with the 2012 Mac Mini Server the Wifi antenna connector is covered by a soft plastic tab. If you don't want to damage it you may want to leave the wifi antenna connected and disconnect it only when removing the mainboard. When re-assembling connect it just before attaching the power supply connector. Also... when placing the antenna back in there is a point where it 'snapped' in. The screw holes would line up on one side and not the other. After several attempts there was a point where it snapped in, was secure, and the screw holes lined up.
Very perfect and detailed guidance. I successfully did last night. If somebody want to replace only one SSD, first HDD must be drive including Mac OS. In order to maximize computer performance both HDD should be replaced. Anyhow only one SSD for OS and apps, I felt the speed is more than two times faster than before!
Thanks guys, I’ve successfully replaced both HDD drives in my 2012 Mac mini with SSD’s using your instructions. Couldn’t have done it without this video!
Thanks for the detailed video. Last night with great fear and trembling I took the plunge and removed the two original 750 GB drives and replaced them with 2 TB Crucial SSDs. It took a while, and I had to rewatch parts repeatedly, but IT WORKED. I now have a revived and faster secondary workstation for my digital drawing tablet. It also doubles as my media center for music and movies. Two notes. First I purchased a static-free pad with a wrist strap. Don't attempt this without something similar. You work so close to the logic board that it would be near impossible not to damage it without one. Second the original drives had black tape holding the drive SATA caps down. I had to peel those off before they would come off. Took me a while to figure that out since the tape was black and the caps are black.
Hey Craig, thank you for your feedback!
Thank you for sharing this information. I also have a macmini server 2011 and I intend to do this ssd Upgrade, my question was if I could put 2 ssd of 1Tb each.
I’m talking about 🇧🇷
Very informing... I like the camera work in this one much better than the older version. Good Job MacSales!
Thank you for a very clear step by step demonstration. I am buying a second hand MacMini Core 2 Duo 2.66 mid 2010 Server and wonder if I can follow your procedure to upgrade the hard drives. Maybe the internal layout of components is different. Do you know if your procedure will work on my model. Also, you installed two 250 GB SSD drives in this video: what would be the upper limit of SSD capacity? Could it stretch to 1 or 2 TB per drive? Many thanks for a great tutorial, meanwhile.
What are the reasons for doing this upgrade? I'm thinking about doing it.
Excellent guide! Very clear, concise and methodical. Thanks!!!
Very useful and I got there in the end.
But I should stress that getting the IR cable off the logic board is tricky. Take your time and learn from my mistake.
I pulled the connector off the logic board with the cable. I got a computer place to resolder it back on for $50 and I had my Mac Mini almost put back together. But while I was sliding the logic board back into the aluminum box, the retaining clip somehow slipped off the power socket and got pushed inside the machine.
Something else to be careful of because I didn't notice it until I had almost finished and the clip was rattling around inside.
Anyway, the resoldered IR connector didn't survive another disassembly so I gave up on it.
I never used an IR remote with my Mac Mini and otherwise, just the little LED on the front doesn't work.
Other than those two functions, my Mac Mini works fine.
The hardest parts are disconnecting and reconnecting the power to the logic board. Make sure you get that top drive's mounting screws inside the gasket or you will not be able to put the wifi antenna and the two screws that hold the plastic cover.
It is easy to put the upper drive inside the rigt place, if you turn the mini upside down, when you slide the hdd in.
I just ordered one of these OWC SSDs for a MacMini 6,2 (2012 server). I'm only replacing one drive though, the "primary" drive with the OS, whichever drive that is. Which one do I need to replace? Is it the first one I get to as I go through the procedure (which I believe is described as the "second" drive), or the deeper, more-difficult-to-access drive below the other drive?
If I open the System Information (from About This Mac) and inspect the SATA information, one drive is described as "upper" bay and the other as "lower" bay, but is that upper as the computer sits upright on the desk, or upper as we descend into the computer as shown in the video, in which the computer is upside down?
Thanks.
discussions.apple.com/thread/8153119 reply by keg55 says "First, while in your OS open Terminal and type diskutil list. Look for disk0 or disk1 that contains your OS and Recovery HD volumes. Remember that disk number. Now, with your Mac Mini upside down, the drive in the bay closest to the round cover (lower) is disk0 and the drive below it under the system board (upper) is disk1."
but in fact it turned out to be the other way around for me - your mileage may vary
@@robinkay-harika6416 do you mean that it’s a flip of a coin as to which drive was formatted as the Data HD at the factory?
@@chinarut9755 I don't know if it's random, only that my disks were the other way around. So either the instructions were wrong, or I misinterpreted them, or it varies from machine to machine. Just be aware that you need to check.
@@robinkay-harika6416 hey thanks for sharing - i dunno why i didn’t think to look in the first place - but System Infomation in the SATA section is pleasantly explicit about which volumes reside on disk0 and disk1 - in my case, the Data HD is disk0 in the lower bay (closest to the black disk) - hope this helps anyone else out there! :)
Is it required to wear anti static wrist band during install new ssd
Hi Nikhil. It is not required to wear an anti-static wrist band during the installation process. However, we do recommend doing the installation on an anti-static work surface.
Great explanation and demo 👍👍
How much memory does a normal mac mini mid 2011 supports? Apple says maximum 4gb.
I wonder if i can can put 2x 4TB SSD on my 2012 mini server, i'm about to order the first drive but i can't find precise information about storage limit...
@@poweredbyowc thank you!
Why does the mac mini have two hard drives?
NOTE: it is possible to break the IR jack completely off the board with a small amount of force that feels like you're just popping the connector out. Probably the best way to do this is with a pointy tool, as shown (I only had a wide plastic tool; I realized too late that I could have used a wooden skewer from the kitchen -- the kind you use for chicken satay) and aim for the part where the cables join the plug. Luckily, I can live without IR on this Mac. I think it also controls the power LED on the front of the case because mine doesn't come on anymore, which is a minor annoyance, but this one only needs to last until a Mini with Apple Silicon comes out. (fingers crossed!)
Perfect video thanks
Great tutorial but did not work out so well for me. Possibly due to the age of the computer, (or I wasn't as careful as I thought), the fan connector came right off the logic board. Apple Store Genius Bar can replace the logic board as my model (late 2012) is not yet unsupported and parts are still available. However, they aren't allowed to install my third-party SSD, which would mean I'd have to take it apart again after they repaired it. I'd rather not take that risk so they recommended a local repairer who is able to replace the logic board and install my SSD at the same time.
I would like to add a Micron M600 M.2 SATA SSD (256GB).
Thank you for your comment! In order to see what SSD is compatible, I recommend contacting us directly to confirm what model you have! We are open 8AM-8PM Central time M-F.
Our number is 1-800-275-4576.
Our international number is +1.815.338.8685.
Thank you!
Is funny the old Mac mini can replace ram with in 5 minutes, and the 2018 Mac mini take 50 minutes!
unnecessary, i could slide out both hard drives without taking out the motherboard. bad video. saved me precious time.
Can you explain how you did that? Without removing the motherboard?