The M4 Mac Mini came with a surprise: a slotted and improvable SSD. Here we show you how to install one, run it and what to expect for speed.
Mac Mini Upgradeantity has varied over the years. The 2012 models and before were the gold standard, with RAM and improvable storage. The 2014 model had updated storage, but not RAM. 2018 had RAM, but lacked updated storage.
When the M1 Mini sent, nothing was update. And although Apple does not strictly approve SSD updates in the M4 Mac Mini, at least it is possible.
We have updated one of our Mac Minis with a after -sales SSD. This is how we did and how it goes.
What comes in the expandmacmini.com update kit
We have selected a SSD from expandmacmini.com. They offer a 2TB SSD for the Core Mac Mini, which was originally sold for $ 259, and now it costs around $ 320. To date, we have not seen anything from any provider of M4 Pro Mac Mini, since the physical characteristics of that impulse are different, but we are sure that that comes eventually.
Taking the separate Mac Mini
We are not going to take a step by step here, the people of Ifixit have done an excellent job with a breakdown of the steps. Use that guide.
However, we have some recommendations, we do not recommend deleting the unit’s power cable and, instead, leave that plate next to the MAC Mini.
Fan, lower plate and more, endless to get to the Mac Mini SSD
In addition, it is unnecessary to disregard the Wi-Fi module. There have been many complaints about the terrible Wi-Fi with the new docks little mounted, now you know why. The antenna is right there at the bottom of the unit.
I didn’t care about the screwdriver that came with unity, but it’s fine. Torx drivers or sets are economical, and should probably have a pleasant one anyway.
Even with the screwdriver included, I only be careful to provide a uniform down force to turn the screws, and it will be fine.
After the reensamblaje
All that remains is a DFU restoration. To do this, connect Mac Mini on a screen of some kind with the HDMI port. Then keep the ignition button down.
While holding the power button down, connect the MAC Mini in the food. Release the ignition button when the food light flashes amber.
Here is the crucial part. Connect the MAC Mini to another functional MAC, with one end of the cable in the mid -ray port. The restoration will fail if it is more than in the middle port.
In the host mac, a window will appear wondering if you are well connected to the MAC in DFU mode. Let it connect and choose “restore”.
CU
The required discharge of the 16 GB file varies depending on its Internet speed, and the Apple server is loaded. After discharge, the restoration process lasts about five minutes.
Speed test
I have not been living with this combination for a long time, but the initial speed tests are promising. The original album was not Pokey, with approximately 2.8 gigabytes per second reading and writing speed.
Before any ICLOUD account association, and before any indexation, we reach around 4 gigabytes per second reading and writing speed. This is not as fast as the M4 Pro Mac Mini, but it is faster than any external album through Thunderbolt, and enormously faster than the Stock Unit in the M4 Mac Mini.
This does not make daily performance feel more agile, really. If you want that, you should probably have bought more ram than when you got the machine. But, the speed is pleasant in the same way.
Internal is convenient and fast, external can be less expensive
First I got involved in Apple’s service in the 80s, I ventured in the 90s while I was in the service, and continued until the beginning of the century. It is true that this has diminished some, since Apple’s things have become less and less update and routinely repairable.
They have already asked me how much technical skill is required to perform an update like this, and if my experience in the service is necessary. None of this is as simple as updating a Windows desktop, but it is also not necessary to have that background in the service.
The main entrance barrier is not skill, but it is to have a second Mac by hand for the DFU process, but for most reading, that is not a barrier.
I will say that it is not fair that the screws in the apple gear become smaller as my eyes age.
An ice cubes tray that I have used for years for small screws
Anyway, the profitability efficiency of SSD updates is a complicated issue when it comes to Mac Mini. In the M4 Mac Mini, a 2TB SSD adds a $ 800 to total cousin when you buy from Apple.
This update is much less than that, at $ 259 sent to your door.
But, a 4TB M.2 PCI-E 3 SSD Retails team group for about $ 205With a USB4 enclosure entering Around $ 80. For $ 280ish, it can be twice as an external storage, with less speed.
But, internal storage is convenient. I do not think it is convenient of $ 800, but $ 289 convenient is a value proposal that is better to leave the reader.
All this says we maintain the factory SSD. Not only there is nothing really that can be done, but we are going to hold on to him in case the Mac Mini once needs to return to Apple for repair.
The operation is not a guarantee, but we are also sure that it is the first thing that Apple will blame if something goes wrong with the computer.
March 12 update, 9 am et I have been living with this and punishing the SSD for more than two months, and there has been no problem. He has also had several operating system updates since then, and everything has been perfect.
There have been many comments on the Internet about this update since they debut. We still do not recommend buying generic aliexpress. This is the main reason why we chose the supplier we made.
We will continue to review this, and other updates that have been promised to the M1 Mac Studio, throughout 2025.
#update #Mac #Mini #SSD
