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NANTROUP
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Can a 2011 Mac Mini fit in a 2010 case?

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Is it possible to put the 2011 2.5 i5 components in a 2010 slotted case and include a superdrive?

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Regardless of the cost, we still need an answer. As one person commented, some of us may have an existing case or 2010 mini. I noted a similar question posted recently as well.

NANTROUP,

Did you successfully attempt this? I'm thinking about doing the same thing.

EddieSosa,

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EddieSosa
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The mac mini 2011 does not fit in the 2010 case. After carefully moving the components to the old case I realized that optical drive bracket did not allow the logic board to slide in smoothly and required some angling to get in in. Then when I was closing up shop I made a second realization that the 2011 logic board simply does not have a place to connect the optical drive to the logic board. I considering doing some soldering but I did not want to risk it. I'm going to just buy an external optical drive and mount it behind my screen. Maybe oneday Apple will include an optical drive again, I mean what kind of desktop does not have an optical drive.

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mayer
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Even if you can the cost of the old case is about $140 + the bottom plate at about $32

For me it's not about cost. I already own a mid 2010 model. I will do the replacement if it is possible. So the real question is does it fit or not? Dimensions, screws etc. I can even use glues instead of screws :) we just need to know if it is fits or not ;)

Ozgur,

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Jake Devincenzi
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If the only thing holding you back is "will it fit," i'd say go for it! The internal components of the new Mini seem to have the same dimensions, though some of the mounting locations are different. With some minor tampering, it should all fit. I can't guarantee that the old optical drive will work with the new components, but if you really want to give it a shot, how could we say no? That's what the site's all about.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

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geeji
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Actually, it is quite possible, with some tweaking, in 3-4 hours; see this post on www.123macmini.com.

We now only have to hope that enough people will get interested so that iFixit will provide an all inclusive kit to do that in less than 60 mn :-)

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