Replace MacMini Harddrive with SSD

Question

Is it possible to replace the hard drive of a MacMini (latest model) with a SSD?

Answer 1

Yes. I recommend the guide from iFixit.

Step 1 — Bottom Cover

• Place your thumbs in the depressions cut into the bottom cover.
• Rotate the bottom cover counter-clockwise until the white dot painted on the bottom cover is aligned with the ring inscribed on the outer case.

Step 2

• Tilt the mini enough to allow the bottom cover to fall away from the outer case.
• Remove the bottom cover and set it aside.

Step 3 — Fan

• Remove the two 11.3 mm T6 Torx screws securing the fan to the logic board near the antenna plate.

Step 4

• Lift the ear of the fan nearest the RAM up off the standoff secured to the outer case.

Step 5

• Lift the fan out of the mini for enough clearance to access its connector.
• Carefully pull the fan cables upward to lift the fan connector up out of its socket on the logic board.
• Remove the fan.

Step 6 — Cowling

• Remove the single 3.5 mm T6 Torx screw securing the cowling to the heat sink.

Step 7

• Lift the cowling from the end nearest the antenna plate.
• Rotate the cowling away from the outer case and remove it from the mini.

Step 8 — Antenna Plate

• Remove the following screws securing the antenna plate to the mini:
  • Two 6.6 mm T8 Torx screws
  • Two 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screws (either will work)

Step 9

• Slightly lift the antenna plate from the end closest to the RAM.
• Carefully pull the antenna plate straight away from the circular rim of the outer case.
• Do not remove the antenna plate yet. It is still attached to the AirPort/ Bluetooth board

Step 10

• Use the tip of a spudger to carefully pry the antenna connector up off the AirPort/Bluetooth board.

Step 11

• Remove the antenna plate from the mini.

Step 12 — Hard Drive

• Remove the following three screws:
  • One 5.0 mm T8 Torx or 2.0 mm Hex screw (either will work)
  • One 16.2 mm T6 Torx screw
  • One 26 mm T6 Torx standoff

Step 13

• Carefully pull the wires for both hard drive thermal sensors upward to lift their connectors up and out of their respective sockets on the logic board.

Step 14

• Use the flat end of a spudger to pry both the hard drive and optical drive connectors up out of their sockets on the logic board.

Step 15

• For enough clearance to remove the hard drive, the logic board must be slightly removed. To accomplish this, two cylindrical rods must be inserted into the holes highlighted in red.
• Inserting instruments into any logic board holes other than the ones highlighted in red may severely damage the logic board.
• Insert two tools having a maximum diameter of 2.5 mm into the holes highlighted in red. Be sure they make contact with the outer case below the logic board before proceeding.
• Carefully pry the tools toward the I/O board. The logic board and I/O board assembly should slightly slide out of the outer case.
• Cease prying when the I/O board is visibly separated from the outer case. Remove the two tools.