Upgrade Path for a 2012 mini…

[bazookaman]

jdc wrote:
You need a new macpro =) :comp:

I'd like to replace my 2012 mini with an OLD macpro. The trashcan version. But they're still damn expensive.

[zachdog]

I also have a 2012 Mac mini. Here are a few clarifications for the group:

It has two drive bays. Neither are proprietary, although a hardware kit is often needed to use the second bay.

It has two RAM slots. No tools are needed to upgrade RAM. Not even a screwdriver.

There’s no optical drive. The last mini with an optical drive was the 2010 model.

This is the last fully upgradeable Mac.

[bazookaman]

My '12 mini has an SSD as a boot drive and a second drive that is a clone of the boot drive. Just in case.

[kurtzie]

zachdog wrote:
I also have a 2012 Mac mini. Here are a few clarifications for the group:

It has two drive bays. Neither are proprietary, although a hardware kit is often needed to use the second bay.

It has two RAM slots. No tools are needed to upgrade RAM. Not even a screwdriver.

There’s no optical drive. The last mini with an optical drive was the 2010 model.

This is the last fully upgradeable Mac.

That's what I thought. So I can add an SSD and still keep the fusion drive installed. Correct?

Also how do I know what system my mini shipped with?
I didn't keep track of all the software upgrades. There are notes on OWC site about if it shipped with 10.8.2 you have to format the new drive in a different way. LINK

[space-time]

So I can add an SSD and still keep the fusion drive installed. Correct?


A fusion drive, by definition, is a pair of Hard drive and SSD. SSD for faster access (OS, maybe some Apps) and hard drive for bulk storage. As far as I understand, OS X (or now macOS) handles the distribution of items on SSD vs Hard drive, so you only see one volume.

Disclaimer" I never used a fusion drive, I always install large SSD in my machines.

now what do you mean by "I can add an SSD and still keep the fusion drive installed. Correct?"

You do not have space for 3 drives. You can exchange the SSD for a larger SSD, although I am not sure that is worth the effort. But to ADD another SSD and maintain the existing fusion drive is not possible. You can add the new SSD as an external drive though. But that is a different question.

[freeradical]

jdc wrote:
[quote=Speedy]
[quote=jdc]No optical in a 2012 mini. Good riddance.

Used the optical drive in my 2011 MBP today to show a movie (via a projector) to a class of 14 students.
Before or after you had to explain what a DVD was...

I still have a DVD only plan from Netflix, since less than 5% of the movies I watch are available on streaming.

[jdc]

freeradical wrote:
[quote=jdc]
[quote=Speedy]
[quote=jdc]No optical in a 2012 mini. Good riddance.

Used the optical drive in my 2011 MBP today to show a movie (via a projector) to a class of 14 students.
Before or after you had to explain what a DVD was...

I still have a DVD only plan from Netflix, since less than 5% of the movies I watch are available on streaming.
:oldfogey:

[kurtzie]

After more research and thought, I think I will get an external SSD (USB3 enclosure) and just dual boot from the external and leave the Fusion Drive alone.
Eventually a whole new Mac will be in my future (Mini, iMac, Laptop... TBD)

Thanks,

Steve

[jdc]

kurtzie wrote:
After more research and thought, I think I will get an external SSD (USB3 enclosure) and just dual boot from the external and leave the Fusion Drive alone.
Eventually a whole new Mac will be in my future (Mini, iMac, Laptop... TBD)

Thanks,

Steve

Not a bad option.