What type of SSD for Mac mini 2014? M.2?

Question

Mac mini Late 2014

Announced on October 16, 2014, identifiable by the model number A1347 and EMC 2840.

187 Questions View all | 29 Parts Shop

davidnick @davidnick

Rep: 97

2

Posted: Feb 14, 2015

Options

What type of SSD for Mac mini 2014? M.2?

Hello,

I have the Mac mini late 2014, the mid model, with the i5 at 2,6 ghz, iris graphics, 8 gb ram, 1 TB HDD.

From what I gather, I have a free slot on the machine for an SSD. All I need to do is to buy a cable from IFIXIT.

I want to get a SSD and use it with the 1 TB HDD that already come with the Mini. What interface should the new SSD be? M.2? Also, I have a SATA 3 SSD in a drawer... I can't use it at all,no?

Answered! View the answer I have this problem too

Is this a good question?

Yes No

Score 8

3 Comments

PCIE SSD connector flex cable can be purchased separately here on ali express https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-SSD-...

Dec 21, 2016 by Prathik Gopal

Prathik Gopal - Good find!

Just remember you still need an Apple SSD (or OWC compatible SSD)

Dec 21, 2016 by Dan

I have this exact model and I want to add a PCI SSD into this space. I understand I can buy this part (Mac Mini Dual Hard Drive Kit) https://eustore.ifixit.com/products/mac-... and the OWC Aura Pro X2 SSD

https://eustore.ifixit.com/products/owc-....

Could someone please confirm these two items are what I need?

Thanks.

Mar 30, 2020 by Simon G

Add a comment

4 Answers

Chosen Solution

Dan @danj

Rep: 490.6k

Self employed contract worker

35

338

973

Posted: Feb 15, 2015

Options

First here is the IFIXIT guide to get to the SSD: Mac Mini Late 2014 SSD Replacement.

If you jump to Step 9 you'll see the SSD if you system has one. In your case it doesn't The SSD connector will be missing! Apple does not supply the cable on the HD model only units.

Here in the IFIXIT teardown you can see the connection point in Step 8: Mac Mini Late 2014 Teardown. OK, so you'll need to get the needed cable and a screw to hold the Apple custom SSD blade (which is simular to a M.2 SSD).

Sorry no, you can't use just any blade SSD or what ever you have in your drawer. As this is such a new system getting the needed cable will be difficult.

Guide

Mac mini Late 2014 Teardown

Difficulty:

Moderate

Guide

Mac mini Late 2014 SSD Replacement

Difficulty:

Moderate

—

15 minutes

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No

Score 2

3 Comments:

Hey Dan,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I have a few follow up questions if you would.

I seen a few guys replacing the standard HDD with a standard SATA SSD ( like the samsung 840 evo) with no firmware added, and I thought the upgrade will be the same here for the pcie SSD.

My only chance of getting a SSD in my mac mini is to replace the HDD with a SSD right?

Feb 15, 2015 by davidnick

Correct you'll need to swap out the HD if you want a SSD. But, then you get into the issue of not having a very large drive. How about going with a SSHD (hybrid drive) which gives you the zip of a SSD but the deep storage of a standard HD. Seagate makes a good unit: Laptop SSHD. If you want a dual drive setup you could even go with this: Western Digital Black2 which fits into the HD SATA port.

Feb 16, 2015 by Dan

I see that Other World Computing is promising a PCIe SSD upgrade option available in spring 2016 (about now) , not clear whether this will come with the option of a cable for 2014 Mini with HDD only, but could be worth watching: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/mac-mini/

Mar 16, 2016 by Chris McCarthy

Add a comment

PCIE SSD connector flex cable can be purchased separately here on ali express https://www.aliexpress.com/item/NEW-SSD-... — Prathik Gopal
Prathik Gopal - Good find!

Just remember you still need an Apple SSD (or OWC compatible SSD) — Dan
I have this exact model and I want to add a PCI SSD into this space. I understand I can buy this part (Mac Mini Dual Hard Drive Kit) https://eustore.ifixit.com/products/mac-... and the OWC Aura Pro X2 SSD

https://eustore.ifixit.com/products/owc-....

Could someone please confirm these two items are what I need?

Thanks. — Simon G
Hey Dan,

Thanks for taking the time to answer. I have a few follow up questions if you would.

I seen a few guys replacing the standard HDD with a standard SATA SSD ( like the samsung 840 evo) with no firmware added, and I thought the upgrade will be the same here for the pcie SSD.

My only chance of getting a SSD in my mac mini is to replace the HDD with a SSD right? — davidnick
Correct you'll need to swap out the HD if you want a SSD. But, then you get into the issue of not having a very large drive. How about going with a SSHD (hybrid drive) which gives you the zip of a SSD but the deep storage of a standard HD. Seagate makes a good unit: Laptop SSHD. If you want a dual drive setup you could even go with this: Western Digital Black2 which fits into the HD SATA port. — Dan
I see that Other World Computing is promising a PCIe SSD upgrade option available in spring 2016 (about now) , not clear whether this will come with the option of a cable for 2014 Mini with HDD only, but could be worth watching: http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/mac-mini/ — Chris McCarthy

August @august80605 Rep: 49 4 · Answer 1 · 2015-03-17T08:00:10-07:00

Most Helpful Answer

August @august80605

Rep: 49

4

Posted: Mar 17, 2015

Options

Check this, its a small help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3MmzNRI...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SaVDTq3...

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No

Score 2

Add a comment

gabrieljsmith1 @gabrieljsmith1 Rep: 1 · Answer 2 · 2015-05-01T19:18:19-07:00

gabrieljsmith1 @gabrieljsmith1

Rep: 1

Posted: May 1, 2015

Options

Read this : http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.p...

Get This: http://applecomponents.com/items/carrier...

I'm looking for a M.2 SSD compatible with it - going to try this one: http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-850-EVO-3-...

Was this answer helpful?

Yes No

Score 0

1 Comment:

@ gabrieljsmith1 - Sorry the SSD you have selected here will not work. You need to buy a REAL Apple SSD unit from Apple as the connector and the firmware on it is very different! I would recommend you watch this site to see when they offer the needed SSD part: Transcend

May 2, 2015 by Dan

Add a comment