Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Dual Hard Drive Kit Install a second hard drive in your mid 2011 or late 2012 Mac Mini. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/T5JANma4ZIYagm6n Walter Galan Moderate Mac Mini Mid 2011

Use this guide to install iFixit's Dual Hard Drive Kit in your Mid 2011 Mac Mini.

Use this guide to install iFixit's Dual Hard Drive Kit in your Mid 2011 Mac Mini.

Tools
 Mac Mini Dual Hard Drive Kit This guide has been found to be exceptionally cool by the iFixit staff. Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Bottom Cover Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Fan Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Cowling Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Antenna Plate Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Logic Board Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Hard Drive Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Power Supply Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Hard Drive Tray Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover. Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover. Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case. Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/p5voHV2WbSJTcHTV http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/t2lX4AlfsU3MwcGL Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case. Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case. Remove the bottom cover and set it aside. Remove the bottom cover and set it aside. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/OHeH6POHN2YreiPQ Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate. Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VSBK45eaYv4AVsjx Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case. Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case. Removing the standoff screw is not necessary to remove the fan. You need only raise the fan enough to lift it off the standoff screw. Removing the standoff screw is not necessary to remove the fan. You need only raise the fan enough to lift it off the standoff screw. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/dWMVZSWPuIjtQJc5 Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector. Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector. Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board. Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board. Remove the fan. Remove the fan. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VQFHMQkFM64QrdVD Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink. Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Rd3TuDxXMVOSOXmI Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate. Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate. Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini. Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/RfnDauGTbLmaAXGJ Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini: Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini: Two 6.6 mm T8 Torx screws Two 6.6 mm T8 Torx screws Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either screwdriver will work) Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either screwdriver will work) http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Mm3kYeoh1ZFnVVrN Slightly lift the antenna plate from the end closest to the RAM. Slightly lift the antenna plate from the end closest to the RAM. Carefully pull the antenna plate away from the circular rim of the outer case. Carefully pull the antenna plate away from the circular rim of the outer case. Do not remove the antenna plate yet. It is still attached to the AirPort/ Bluetooth board. Do not remove the antenna plate yet. It is still attached to the AirPort/ Bluetooth board. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/rGlKkfoRWiFpgnmw http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/mKxt2lfdv2AvPSxG Use the tip of a spudger to carefully pry the antenna connector up from its socket on the AirPort/Bluetooth board. Use the tip of a spudger to carefully pry the antenna connector up from its socket on the AirPort/Bluetooth board. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/KkUOIGsW6IuaiREO Remove the antenna plate from the mini. Remove the antenna plate from the mini. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/XIW1QpyHMwWIqRNS Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive connector up from its socket on the logic board. Use the flat end of a spudger to pry the hard drive connector up from its socket on the logic board. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/gFshH6jov5IGgQLl Use the tip of a spudger to lift the IR sensor connector up and out of its socket on the logic board. Use the tip of a spudger to lift the IR sensor connector up and out of its socket on the logic board. Make sure to pry up from beneath the wires and not underneath the socket. Make sure to pry up from beneath the wires and not underneath the socket. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AayZoHCA511Q2NVe Remove the following three screws: Remove the following three screws: One 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screw (either screwdriver will work) One 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screw (either screwdriver will work) One 16.2 mm T6 Torx screw One 16.2 mm T6 Torx screw One 26 mm T6 Torx standoff One 26 mm T6 Torx standoff http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/OixNJGHMGToYONLE To remove the logic board, the two cylindrical rods of the Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool must be inserted into the holes highlighted in red. Inserting instruments into any logic board holes other than the ones highlighted in red may destroy the logic board. To remove the logic board, the two cylindrical rods of the Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool must be inserted into the holes highlighted in red. Inserting instruments into any logic board holes other than the ones highlighted in red may destroy the logic board. Insert the <a href="/Tools/Mac-Mini-Logic-Board-Removal-Tool/IF145-159?utm_source=ifixit_guide&amp;utm_medium=wiki_text&amp;utm_term=if145-159&amp;utm_content=product_link">Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool</a> into the two holes highlighted in red. Be sure it makes contact with the top side of outer case below the logic board before proceeding. Insert the [product|IF145-159|Mac Mini Logic Board Removal Tool] into the two holes highlighted in red. Be sure it makes contact with the top side of outer case below the logic board before proceeding. Carefully pull the tool toward the I/O board. The logic board and I/O board assembly should slightly slide out of the outer case. Carefully pull the tool toward the I/O board. The logic board and I/O board assembly should slightly slide out of the outer case. Cease prying when the I/O board is visibly separated from the outer case. Cease prying when the I/O board is visibly separated from the outer case. Remove the Mac Mini Logic Board Removal tool. Remove the Mac Mini Logic Board Removal tool. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/vCdil4TP3cRWNykL http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PaneRS5uGgwCvebk http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/soFKe4ZlaSRWkHM1 Pull the I/O board/logic board assembly out of the outer case enough to access the power connector. Pull the I/O board/logic board assembly out of the outer case enough to access the power connector. Use your fingers to disconnect the DC-In cable from the logic board. Use your fingers to disconnect the DC-In cable from the logic board. Pull the power cable connector toward the front side of the mini. Pull the power cable connector toward the front side of the mini. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/5AVpNqwjXEaVetVI Carefully slide the logic board assembly out of the mini, minding any cables that may get caught. Carefully slide the logic board assembly out of the mini, minding any cables that may get caught. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/fTgiLowRdkdLPeeB Pull the hard drive away from the front edge of the mini and remove it from the outer case. Pull the hard drive away from the front edge of the mini and remove it from the outer case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UAHvm3I6aCEASKFw http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AOkZHjGiS3OaTbND Remove the 7.9 mm T6 Torx screw securing the power supply and hard drive tray to the outer case. Remove the 7.9 mm T6 Torx screw securing the power supply and hard drive tray to the outer case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/sVpMtxufm6iXm4Oc Pull the silver metal AC-In socket retainer away from the side of the outer case and remove it from the mini. Pull the silver metal AC-In socket retainer away from the side of the outer case and remove it from the mini. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/4HnTjGVXQqBVxFge http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/5OXqUFWCPLa2BmMO Rotate the AC-In connector 90 degrees counter-clockwise. Rotate the AC-In connector 90 degrees counter-clockwise. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/VEQSKRNKNgroiLnY http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/i4PWNuYnxQLT4tli Slide the power supply out of the mini, minding any cables that may get caught. Slide the power supply out of the mini, minding any cables that may get caught. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/tMtxjtjNVHNcDLPS Remove the 7.9 mm T6 Torx screw securing the hard drive tray to the outer case. Remove the 7.9 mm T6 Torx screw securing the hard drive tray to the outer case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/pnaQoYrc5wQXNCZD Remove the hard drive tray from the outer case. Remove the hard drive tray from the outer case. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/dQ5wO1qp6ITlgDhY The following steps will guide you through installing a second hard drive in your Mini. The following steps will guide you through installing a second hard drive in your Mini. In the next few steps you will be installing the grommets in the holes located along the brackets boxed in red. In the next few steps you will be installing the grommets in the holes located along the brackets boxed in red. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/E6PYsAElSIntk3WW While working from the inner side of the bracket, push the grommet through the hole in the side of the bracket. While working from the inner side of the bracket, push the grommet through the hole in the side of the bracket. Be sure the grommet is seated nicely in the bracket as seen in the third picture. Be sure the grommet is seated nicely in the bracket as seen in the third picture. Repeat the process for the remaining three grommets on either sides of the brackets. Repeat the process for the remaining three grommets on either sides of the brackets. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/2rjhSFaxWUeGiwTO http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/RpJUv6YqSTDM2WDm http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/MoeACmPZJ5nwL4og The bracket with all four grommets installed should look like the bracket shown in this picture. The bracket with all four grommets installed should look like the bracket shown in this picture. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/OrJ2sLSmFsROGF6w Bend the ribbon cable along the dotted lines to help the connectors remain seated in their sockets. Bend the ribbon cable along the dotted lines to help the connectors remain seated in their sockets. Bend the ribbon cable 90 degrees at the SSD connector so that it is parallel to the connector. Bend the ribbon cable 90 degrees at the SSD connector so that it is parallel to the connector. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/IgcHMdqxbJqsXCAN http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/Eow5BDakTYVPbHQ2 Use the edge of the SSD connector to put a 45 degree downward bend in the cable along the first large dotted line. Use the edge of the SSD connector to put a 45 degree downward bend in the cable along the first large dotted line. Bend the ribbon cable back up 45 degrees along the second large dotted line. Bend the ribbon cable back up 45 degrees along the second large dotted line. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/AyB3xKynks4timVZ http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LHwog4aOKFkwqWKg Hold the ribbon cable on either side of the first small dotted line and bend it up 90 degrees. Hold the ribbon cable on either side of the first small dotted line and bend it up 90 degrees. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/jtAxDjogNAFRUuPV http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/wQAQdw3kmlgIGAVp Bend the ribbon cable down 90 degrees along the second small dotted line. Bend the ribbon cable down 90 degrees along the second small dotted line. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PvBQWHgsQQVLstX2 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/pb2gDBL3OqgwDQhi Attach the cable included in the kit to your second hard drive. In our case, we are using an SSD. Attach the cable included in the kit to your second hard drive. In our case, we are using an SSD. If your cable came with a small piece of black tape with rounded corners, you can install it over the hard drive cable connector to to secure the connector to its socket on the hard drive. The piece of tape is not required and not installing it will have no adverse effects on your machine's performance. If your cable came with a small piece of black tape with rounded corners, you can install it over the hard drive cable connector to to secure the connector to its socket on the hard drive. The piece of tape is not required and not installing it will have no adverse effects on your machine's performance. Before attaching the cable to your hard drive make sure it has been properly folded along the dotted white lines. This will help the cable attach and stay in-place. Before attaching the cable to your hard drive make sure it has been properly folded along the dotted white lines. This will help the cable attach and stay in-place. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/SWt6ZDxnKwZeAWJL Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to install two of the set screws on the side of the hard drive closest to the end of the hard drive cable that attaches to the logic board. Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to install two of the set screws on the side of the hard drive closest to the end of the hard drive cable that attaches to the logic board. Tighten the screws until they contact the end of the threaded holes in the side of the hard drive. They are shown correctly installed in the third picture. Tighten the screws until they contact the end of the threaded holes in the side of the hard drive. They are shown correctly installed in the third picture. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/PZXiEoaB6Z6BwtE1 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UvnQy6IgN2TYYu2X http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/aFQwidhTa4FYCDQJ In the next two steps, you will install the hard drive into its bracket. In the next two steps, you will install the hard drive into its bracket. When inserting the hard drive, be sure to place it in its bracket cable side up with the SATA connector closest to the bulge in the bracket seen in the third picture. When inserting the hard drive, be sure to place it in its bracket cable side up with the SATA connector closest to the bulge in the bracket seen in the third picture. Push the set screws into the grommets in the bracket and install the hard drive up into its bracket as seen in the second picture. Push the set screws into the grommets in the bracket and install the hard drive up into its bracket as seen in the second picture. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/ECGgCDFYBKgUJnVm http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/R5GRAfSAPIg4MLIG http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/cfxCVsSTY623QJPF Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to install the remaining two set screws through the grommets and into the side of the hard drive. Use a T6 Torx screwdriver to install the remaining two set screws through the grommets and into the side of the hard drive. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/UDYQ5x3KEiuS3oxZ http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/rTikpPaqZOuB1xpt Install the second hard drive assembly into the outer case. Install the second hard drive assembly into the outer case. Be sure that the mounting holes line up with the threaded holes in the outer case as seen in the second picture. Be sure that the mounting holes line up with the threaded holes in the outer case as seen in the second picture. When the logic board is installed, simply connect the second hard drive cable to the free socket on the logic board. When the logic board is installed, simply connect the second hard drive cable to the free socket on the logic board. The second hard drive cable should lay flat between the two hard drives. The second hard drive cable should lay flat between the two hard drives. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/IRHVhOWjJiCfrAZ1 http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/LQSJS5OulUv5QDfU When you start up your machine, you'll see both drives are recognized by the Mini. When you start up your machine, you'll see both drives are recognized by the Mini. Xbench scores show that if you install hard drives in either the top or the bottom position, their speeds will remain the same. Xbench scores show that if you install hard drives in either the top or the bottom position, their speeds will remain the same. 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 <a href="http://www.apple.com/macosx/recovery/" rel="nofollow">Lion Recovery</a> and use disk utility to erase your SSD. Then install Lion on your SSD. After rebooting, go into system preferences&gt;startup disk and choose your SSD as the startup disk. 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 [link|http://www.apple.com/macosx/recovery/|Lion Recovery] and use disk utility to erase your SSD. Then install Lion on your SSD. After rebooting, go into system preferences>startup disk and choose your SSD as the startup disk. http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/FVU1op41sTAnFxDw http://d3nevzfk7ii3be.cloudfront.net/igi/IU2oO4QQkTsNvxwb

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.