1
Score
paul
13
Asked
Replace Optical Drive with SSD
Is it possible to replace the optical drive in a mac mini A1176 with an SSD? The interface of the optical drive is listed as pata, but looks to be a 50-pin connector supplying power as well. Whatever that interface is, I'm looking for a sata ribbon adaptor for it.
2
Score
mayer
148.6k
Answered
The left hand column on this link to OWC shows upgrades for your machine including a SSD drive: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/mac-mini/
mayer, the ssd upgrade on that link appears to replace the existing hd in the mini. I'm looking to replace the optical drive with another ssd.
paul,
0
Score
KnowItAll
31
Answered
You are correct, it uses a PATA connection, and in order to use a modern (half decent) drive, you would need to convert the connection from a PATA to a SATA drive. Of course these are still IDE connections, just different interfaces given the project.
A convertor like this would work: http://firmtek.stores.yahoo.net/seritek1...
The issue is then compatibility. To be honest, I know that Apple has never truly supported PATA to SATA connections, but that doesn't mean that it won't work.
knowitall, thanks. ive ordered a similar circuit card based adapter from amazon, waiting for it to arrive. im hoping for a cable solution, but no luck so far. goal is to fit the whole bundle back within the mac mini case.
paul,
