Before that, however, we shut down the Mac mini, unplug the power plug and other cables and place the Mac Mini on a soft surface (e.g. Once all the backups have been completed, we can proceed with the next step.
Before reinstalling, format the SSD using the disk utility (as “ Mac OS Extendet Journaled“).You will now be asked from which medium to boot.Then, press and hold the ALT key to turn on the Mac Mini. After the SSD is installed, plug in the USB stick.
For this reason I have only compiled high-quality and fast SSDs, which I could test personally in my professional everyday life and therefore can recommend best conscience.īefore the built-in hard disk of Mac mini can be replaced by an SSD, we have to think about the available data and the operating system. There are many different solid-state drives (SSDs) on the market, but some of them differ considerably in speed and durability. Option 2: Reinstall OS X and restore the backupĬompatible SSDs – Mac mini (2014 – 2017).It is only important to take your time for the installation and to proceed carefully. However, screwdrivers are now available everywhere and thanks to detailed video instructions, the conversion can be carried out by anyone who does not have two left hands. Unfortunately, Apple has left no room for a second 2.5-inch drive in Mac mini (built in 2014) and protects the contents with TR security screws with a security pin. Therefore, data can be accessed almost without delay. In contrast to a conventional hard disk, an SSD (solid-state drive) does not have magnetic disks with a mechanical read head, but stores the data on chips. If you have a current Mac mini without Fusion Drive, at home, the lame hard drive should be replaced by an SSD. 2012 and earlier or the newer 2018 model all have socketed memory and can be upgraded it is only the 2014 model that does not.Apple has been using slow hard drives in Mac mini for years, so replacing them with an SSD is very worthwhile. Any DIY attempt would merely destroy either the logic board or chips or both. However newer logic boards, chips and manufacturing techniques mean that these days an ordinary soldering iron is totally useless for this purpose and you need tools equivalent to those used originally to build the logic boards, as such it is not possible unless you are a major manufacturer and they have no interest in doing this.
) I remember some enterprising people doing this to upgrade the original Macintosh 128KB to a 'Fat Mac' with 512KB, I even had this done to my own one back in 1985. In theory one could unsolder the existing chips and solder new bigger capacity ones, this indeed did use to be commonly done in the olden days. This leaves the only option as being to sell it and buy a better model. For the Mac mini 2014 the memory is as you state soldered to the logic board, as such it is generally regarded as impossible to upgrade the memory.