Not everyone will want to do this, but it is possible to install a second drive in the 2012 Mac Mini to maximize its storage potential. You'll be surprised at how clean the inside of a computer this old is, but it never hurts to clear it out while you're inside. One additional thing to do throughout this process is to use some canned air to blast out any dust. Line the markings on the base up with the corresponding markings on the Mac Mini.Reassemble the Mac Mini reversing the steps above, first installing the black shroud, then the fan, then the wireless shroud.Reconnect the ribbon cable to the logic board.Using a business card again for support, slide the new SSD into place until the screws lock into place on the bracket inside the Mac Mini. Turn the SSD over so it's upside down and the screws from step 15 are facing the edge of the Mac Mini.Connect the same ribbon cable to the new SSD's SATA connectors.Detach the ribbon cable from the existing hard drive.Detach the Torx T8 screws from the existing hard drive.Īttach those same screws to the left-hand side of your new SSD.Pull the existing hard drive clear of the Mac Mini. Carefully detach the SATA cable for the hard drive from the logic board.Slide a business card or something similar beneath the existing hard drive and prize it up slightly.Pull away the black shroud and set it aside.Ĭarefully pull the fan away from the logic board.Remove the two screws on the fan and the single screw on the black shroud. Move the shroud to one side carefully, making sure you don't snap the cable.Remove the screws on the wireless shroud. The base should simply pull away, but may need prying with a plastic tool or even a credit card.Place your thumbs in the circular divots and twist the base anti-clockwise. Data transfer speeds will be at least four times faster, and that will make a huge difference in the day-to-day running of your Mac Mini. One of the best upgrades to make is to swap out the old mechanical hard drive for an SSD.
Set aside a couple of hours, and you'll be able to bring your old Mac back to life.īetter than using your fingers, this pry tool kit is worth having in your tool kit for those hard to remove and tiny parts. None of these parts are particularly expensive, and none of the work is particularly complicated or time-consuming.
You can upgrade the RAM to a maximum of 16GB you can swap out the internal hard drive for an SSD, and even add a second drive for even more storage. On more recent models, users have been able to upgrade some bits, such as the RAM in the 2018 release, but in the 2012 model, you can go ahead and get really crazy.
The 2012 model remains to this day Apple's last, properly upgradeable Mac Mini. Magic cable: Mac Mini second drive kit ($15 at Amazon).Right tools: ORIA Magnetic Screwdriver set ($18 at Amazon).A second hard drive: Seagate Firecuda 1TB ($63 at Amazon).The right cable: AmazonBasics miniDP to DP ($11 at Amazon).Blowing cobwebs: Canned air ($11 at Newegg).More memory: Crucial 16GB RAM kit ($90 at Amazon).New storage: Kingston 480GB SSD ($56 at Amazon).Here we'll walk you through breathing new life into your old Mac for not a lot of money. It remains Apple's last properly upgradeable Mac Mini, and even in 2020 can be a pretty handy little computer with the right bits inside. The 2012 Mac Mini held a special place in many hearts thanks to how easy it was to upgrade.
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