Checking the latest hard drive update for my old Mac Mini from late 2012? I have some questions.
Checking the latest hard drive update for my old Mac Mini from late 2012? I have some questions.
I was looking into the best method to install an SSD to swap in for the slow hard drive on your 2012 Mac Mini. I compared several choices: an external enclosure, an internal SSD, and a standard USB SSD. OCW is recommended as a solid option. Since you have limited knowledge about replacing an SSD in a Mac, I’ll walk you through the steps clearly, including any considerations or details you should be aware of.
Choose a quality SATA SSD such as the Crucial MX500. Position the back of your Mac Mini to reach the hard drive, then remove it. On a Windows PC, mount both drives using the SATA port. Install Macrium Reflect, clone the Mac drive onto the SSD, and install the SSD on the Mac Mini. It should start working if successful. If not, use the Mac OS installer on a USB drive and perform a fresh installation on the SSD.
I’d choose an internal SSD. It’s easy to set up on that system and offers faster speeds than a USB 3 drive. You’d also skip OWC; their drives aren’t very reliable. A Crucial MX500 would suit the setup well and is reasonably priced. For macOS, you can either copy your current installation onto the new drive or install a fresh copy using a USB installer or Internet Recovery.