The M4 Mac mini got here with a shock — a slotted and upgradeable SSD. Here is how one can set up one, get it working, and what to anticipate for velocity.
Mac mini upgradeability has diversified over time. The 2012 and earlier than fashions had been the gold normal, with each upgradeable RAM and storage. The 2014 mannequin had upgradeable storage, however not RAM. The 2018 had RAM slots, however lacked upgradeable storage.
When the M1 mini shipped, nothing was upgradeable. And whereas Apple would not strictly approve of SSD upgrades on the M4 Mac mini, it is not less than potential.
We have upgraded considered one of our Mac minis with an aftermarket SSD. Here is how we did it, and the way it’s going.
What comes within the expandmacmini.com improve equipment
We have chosen a SSD from expandmacmini.com. They provide a 2TB SSD for the core Mac mini, that retails for $259. Up to now, we’ve not seen something from any vendor for the M4 Professional Mac mini because the bodily traits of that drive are totally different, however we’re certain that is coming ultimately.
Taking the Mac mini aside
We’re not going to present a step-by-step right here, the parents at iFixit have executed a superb job with a breakdown of the steps. Use that information.
We do have just a few suggestions, although, We do not suggest eradicating the ability cable from the unit, and as a substitute depart that plate sitting subsequent to the Mac mini.
Fan, decrease plate, and extra, unscrewed to get to the Mac mini SSD
Additionally, it is pointless to unscrew the Wi-Fi module. There’s been quite a lot of complaints about horrible Wi-Fi with the brand new under-mounted docks — now you recognize why. The antenna is true there on the backside of the unit.
I did not look after the screwdriver that got here with the drive — however that is okay. Torx drivers or units are cheap, and it is best to most likely have a pleasant one anyway.
Even with the included screwdriver, simply take care to supply even, downward power to show the screws, and you will be tremendous.
After the reassembly
All that continues to be is a DFU restore. To get this executed, plug the Mac mini right into a show of some kind with the HDMI port. Then maintain the ability button down.
Whereas holding the ability button down, plug the Mac mini into energy. Launch the ability button when the ability gentle blinks amber.
Here is the essential half. Plug the Mac mini into one other useful Mac, with one finish of the cable on the center Thunderbolt port. The restore will fail if it is on something however the center port.
On the host Mac, a window will pop up asking you if it is okay to connect with the Mac in DFU mode. Enable it to attach, and select “restore.”
DFU restore underway
The required obtain of the 16GB file varies dependent in your web velocity, and Apple’s server load. After obtain, the restore course of takes about 5 minutes.
Pace testing
I have never been residing with this mix for very lengthy, however preliminary velocity assessments show promising. The unique drive wasn’t pokey, with about 2.8 gigabytes per second learn and write velocity.
Earlier than any iCloud account affiliation, and earlier than any indexing, we hit about 4 gigabytes per second learn and write velocity. This is not as quick because the M4 Professional Mac mini, however it’s quicker than any exterior drive by way of Thunderbolt, and massively quicker than the inventory drive within the M4 Mac mini.
This does not make the day-to-day efficiency really feel perceptibly snappier, actually. In order for you that, you most likely ought to have purchased extra RAM than you probably did whenever you received the machine. However, the velocity is sweet simply the identical.
Inner is handy and quick, exterior could also be cheaper
I first received concerned in Apple service within the ’80s, dabbled within the ’90s whereas within the service, and continued by way of the beginning of the century. Admittedly, this has waned some as Apple stuff has turn into much less and fewer upgradeable and routinely repairable.
I’ve already been requested how a lot technical ability is required to do an improve like this, and if my background in service is important. None of this is so simple as upgrading a Home windows desktop, however it’s additionally not required to have that background in service.
The primary barrier to entry is not ability, however is having a second Mac helpful for the DFU course of, however for many studying this, that is not a lot of a barrier.
I’ll say that it isn’t honest that the screws in Apple gear hold getting smaller as my eyes become older.
An ice dice tray that I’ve used for years for small screws
Anyway, the fee effectivity of SSD upgrades are a difficult subject in the case of the Mac mini. On the M4 Mac mini, a 2TB SSD provides a $800 premium to the overall when bought from Apple.
This improve is much lower than that, at $259 shipped to your door.
However, a 4TB Teamgroup M.2 PCI-E 3 SSD retails for about $205, with a USB4 enclosure coming in at round $80. For $280ish, you may have twice the storage, exterior, with much less velocity.
However, inside storage is handy. I do not assume it is $800 handy, however $289 handy as a substitute is a price proposition greatest left to the reader.
This all stated, we’re conserving the manufacturing unit SSD. Not solely is there nothing actually that may be executed with it, we’ll cling on to it in case the Mac mini ever wants to return to Apple for restore.
The operation is not warranty-voiding, however we’re additionally sure that it is the very first thing Apple goes responsible if one thing goes improper with the pc.
