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vasu
11
Asked
Replace original HD with 2 SSD's
Can I remove the original hard drive and install two 120 GB SSD's in my mid 2011 mac mini ? Please let me know..
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Nicholas
361
Answered
Accepted Answer
Oh, sorry.
Yeah, that should be entirely possible.
Here's the iFixit guide for replacing the original HD:
Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Hard Drive Replacement
In combination with the steps to instal the second hard drive, again located here:
Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Dual Hard Drive Kit
The final step of the second hard drive installation addresses the question of running the SSD as the primary. Specifically it says:
"To minimize the amount of work necessary when adding an SSD to be used as your primary drive, we recommend installing the SSD like we did in this guide and leaving the stock platter drive in its original bottom position (closest to the antenna plate). After reassembly, boot the Mini into Lion Recovery and use disk utility to erase your SSD. Then install Lion on your SSD. After rebooting, go into system preferences>sta
Then you should be made in the shade. Since the device can boot off the SSD as a primary then you don't need the other at all.
Once you have the system booting off the first SSD, then you can go back in and replace the original HD with your second SSD.
Though you will be required to install them in two waves. Put in the first and get it to successfully boot off of the SSD as the primary. Then go back in and install the second SSD by replacing the original HD.
There is a way to do this in one tear-down. The trick is using an external fire wire case to prep the first SSD. Follow the same steps in the prep and make sure the SSD is set as the boot disk before exchanging the HD out. I would put the old HD into the external firewire case as a OS backup (you never know when it will come in handly)
Dan,
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Score
Nicholas
361
Answered
There is enough room within the device to install a second hard drive, about a centimeter and a half of extra space.
Which is documented in iFixit's Teardown of the device, located here:
They also sell a convenient tool kit specifically for this purpose. Located here: Mac Mini Dual Drive Kit If you're interested or in need.
Oh, and here is an installation guide as well:
Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Dual Hard Drive Kit
Hope that answers your question.
Add a second hard drive to your 2011 or 2012 Mac Mini — 50+ available at 49.95 each.
