Install a second HD

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Mac mini Mid 2011

Released on July 21, 2011. Core i5 or Core i7 Processor. Thunderbolt. This unit is also used to run the Mac mini Server configuration.

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Okieboat1979 @okieboat1979

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Posted: May 5, 2015

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Install a second HD

Does a Mac Mini (Mid-2011) have the space/capacity to install a second HD, specifically a 1 TB SSD. Leaving the existing factory installed HD in place?

If so will the Mac OS support the second internal drive?

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Dan @danj

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Posted: May 5, 2015

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Yes! Very doable!

I have two 2TB drives in my home system as a media server. I put both in.

Here's the IFIXIT guide: Installing Mac Mini Mid 2011 Dual Hard Drive Kit, Here's the kit: Mac Mini Dual Drive Kit which will give you all of the pieces.

As for the drive, all you need to make sure of is the hight of the drive does not exceeds 9.5 mm and is a SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) drive. If you can swing it I would recommend getting a Seagate SSHD drive Vs a standard drive. Hybrid drives offer deeper caching which speeds up the boot up and launching of apps. Heres a link to the Seagate page that talks about it: Laptop SSHD.

Product

Mac mini Dual Drive Kit

$26.99

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8 Comments:

Thank you very much for the clear answer and the included link. I greatly appreciate your response!

One last question as I'm new to the Mac world. Once I install the second HD (Yes, I plan to install a SSD), do I have to make any BIOS type changes like I would with a PC?

May 7, 2015 by Okieboat1979

A 1TB SSD is quite expensive! If you go with a 1 TB SSHD (hybrid drive) you can gain must of the same performance at a much lower cost.

May 7, 2015 by Dan

Thanks, that is what I meant. I followed your supplied links and have just completed ordering the hardware kit and the SSHD that you recommended.

Again, many thanks.

May 7, 2015 by Okieboat1979

No, Apple systems don't need BIOS tweaking unlike many PC's. You should make sure your systems firmware is upto date before you start. Here's the Apple T/N that explains things: EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs.

May 7, 2015 by Dan

Why do you think you need a 1 TB SSD? Depending on your OS level you will have some issues as TRIM services are not available currently via TRIM Enabler due to how Apple now requires signed drivers (Yosemite). Which is why we went with SSHD's for all of our mini's at work.

May 7, 2015 by Dan

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Thank you very much for the clear answer and the included link. I greatly appreciate your response!

One last question as I'm new to the Mac world. Once I install the second HD (Yes, I plan to install a SSD), do I have to make any BIOS type changes like I would with a PC? — Okieboat1979
A 1TB SSD is quite expensive! If you go with a 1 TB SSHD (hybrid drive) you can gain must of the same performance at a much lower cost. — Dan
Thanks, that is what I meant. I followed your supplied links and have just completed ordering the hardware kit and the SSHD that you recommended.

Again, many thanks. — Okieboat1979
No, Apple systems don't need BIOS tweaking unlike many PC's. You should make sure your systems firmware is upto date before you start. Here's the Apple T/N that explains things: EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Macs. — Dan
Why do you think you need a 1 TB SSD? Depending on your OS level you will have some issues as TRIM services are not available currently via TRIM Enabler due to how Apple now requires signed drivers (Yosemite). Which is why we went with SSHD's for all of our mini's at work. — Dan