Upgrade the Mac Mini 2011 hard drive to Solid State Drive

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[RainerPeterFeller]

Thanks a lot, no music, no comic intro, no bells and whistles.
Just a clean work, very usefull.

[happyspaceinvader]

This is by far the best video on replacing the hard drive in the Mac Mini.  Most sites and videos (including iFixit) seem to insist on removing everything down to the logic board... this is completely unnecessary.

You will only really need the following screwdriver bits  Torx T6 &  T7 plus  a 2mm hex bit.

The only trouble I had was that the black plastic would not stick back to the new disk... seems the glue was just too hold.  I solved this with "Glue Dots" adhesive circles.  Also, while replacing the WiFi grill, one of the rubber grommets that sits between that and the hard drive came loose... but it was easy to put back in position.

[donutgod]

Thanks for the video! I upgraded my HDD with an SSD. I didn't disconnect or remove the fan or the wifi cables. I was extremely careful and light handed though. Hardest part was getting the old HDD out, lots of wiggling, it seemed like the memory modules were in the way and I was beginning to think I would need to follow the other guides I saw online (which tell you to remove wifi, fan, IR and push out the logic board). In the end and after a lot of wiggling, the hard drive did come out. Replaced it with the SSD, did all the steps in reverse, voila. Job done.

[simonmaynard]

This is a great guide. About 30 mins to upgrade. Thanks so much. I now have a revitalised Mac Mini.

[JmaJeremy]

With SSDs getting so much cheaper these days this was a great way to prolong the life of my Mac Mini, and I'll of course be able to move it over once I upgrade my whole computer in a year or two.

[d.b.]

Awesome video!!! Replaced my hard disc with an SSD today and followed these instructions! Even with my two left hands I had no issue replacing it 😂! The Mac is super fast again compared to before and I’m super happy! Thanks much!!!

[meleniumshane]

**CAUTION:** I would highly suggest leaving the fan plugged in. They use thin gauge cable and the pins can easily pull out of the housing, which is not fun to fix.

[aterkel]

Truly excellent an clear tutorial (and I've seen many), thank you very much for taking the time to do this. Cheers.

[misophoniq]

Thanks man, worked for me! My Mid 2011 Mac mini only has one of those tiny ribbon cables going to the harddrive. The right one wasn't connected to anything. For the rest, everything was the same. Thanks again.

[damon]

Excellent walk-through my friend!! You make it look very easy. Plan on doing it soon, but Im a little nervous

[capganez]

Good video. Well explained, good lighting. One suggestion. When you move from one task to another, e.g. finished reinstalling the wireless bracket then moving on to reinstalling the black plastic piece. Keep the orientation the same as where the video left off and show that you're rotating 90 degrees left or whatever. It was a little disorienting trying to figure out what way you've got it sitting between tasks but no big deal. Overall nicely done thanks for the vid.

[JohnKalstrom]

My screws were mostly torx 6. And hex 2.0 for the outer screws of the wireless antenna grille.
Pull the fan connector straight up (vs. horizontally).

[mileni]

Ive got late 2012 mac mini. But with a help of this video managed to upgrade it as well. Same process. Thanks and good job.

[ProWax]

Great video! Thank you! I have a Mac Mini server. Is that top hard drive to boot drive?

[danielcrabbe]

Great video! How would you replace the other drive too? Are there many more steps in involved?

[Roodeeboy]

Thanks that's the fan contact damaged now as it didn't come off as you said. All wires now exposed and plastic bit stayed there. Not towards you, slightly up and then towards you 😭

[MattSaundersMCP]

@isstyles Do it mate the speed difference is insane. Cool looking forward to watching it :)

[behemoth]

great walkthrough bud, how good are the SSD's now!

[LaithAbusailik]

Just asking is that a dual hard drive mac since I saw a rectangular HDD looking like thing

[fernandoindech]

Nice video. When you remove the hard drive it look like there was another drive under that is there two drives in there?
Same question as friend bellow! Does someone knows????