1TB disk space in mac mini!

**natedawgg** · 03-06-2009, 10:52 AM

i just read a post on ifixit.com where they show you how to put 1 TB of disk space in your mini. this particular hack is done on the newest mini, but after reading the article i am not sure that it couldn't be done on previous versions.
here is the direct link to the article

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/M...te-Drive/660/1

the only down side ( and not a major one IMO ) is that you lose the internal optic drive. they do show you how to enable the over-the-air sharing of optic drives that comes enabled on the macbook air. looks pretty cool to me. especially sense they will sell you all the parts you need (disks included) for only $250!

**TTeuer** · 03-06-2009, 11:38 AM

Not possible with the old Minis. The new Minis use a SATA optical drive so a second 500GB harddrive can fairly easily be added as noted by iFixit.

The Intel Minis used SATA HDs, but PATA/IDE CD-Drives while the PPC Minis were completely PATA/IDE.

**CX92ENVY** · 03-06-2009, 03:06 PM

So there is a way to use that drive for the mac air with the new mac mini?

**TTeuer** · 03-06-2009, 10:57 PM

Yah, SSDs will work in an Intel Mac Mini.

**pepsibobby** · 03-07-2009, 03:23 AM

I think he was refering to the CD Drive which I do not think will work.

**CX92ENVY** · 03-07-2009, 10:11 AM

Originally Posted by pepsibobby

I think he was refering to the CD Drive which I do not think will work.

Correct! they cam put 1T in a mac mini but cant figure how to make this drive work with other macs?

but it is possible to make others work with out using windows os?

**natedawgg** · 03-07-2009, 03:38 PM

i fixit was saying that the possibility of using a cd rom on another machine to install/upgrade software is definitely available. you just have to run a few command in the terminal. i think they walk you through that in the tutorial i posted above

**pepsibobby** · 03-07-2009, 07:51 PM

yeah they do walk you through setting up your mini to be able to use the CD over network feature, but what would be the point of having a computer where you need an external CD just to get an extra 250gb of space. Honestly if you need that much space in your carputer...you need to seak proffessional help

**TTeuer** · 03-08-2009, 01:33 PM

No, it is NOT possible. There is absolutely no room for an optical drive - they're simply too big.

**natedawgg** · 03-08-2009, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by pepsibobby

yeah they do walk you through setting up your mini to be able to use the CD over network feature, but what would be the point of having a computer where you need an external CD just to get an extra 250gb of space.

in my opinion what is the point of having an internal optical drive. that space is better used as storage. i can count on one hand how many times i have really needed to use that optical drive in the two years of having my mini (the same goes for my laptop). an internal optical drive is just becoming obsolete. it makes much more sense to just plug a drive in when i need it the one or two times a year that i acutally use one than to waste the space inside the mini. This is especially the case with a carputer, where much of the time the mini is in a location that is not conducive for poping in a cd to listen to. you would be much better off having an external usb optical drive that you can mount discreetly under you monitor or some place much more accessible like that.

Honestly if you need that much space in your carputer...you need to seak proffessional help

here i can agree. 1TB is a bit much for a carputer, especially if all you are using it for is navigation and music. However, if you intend to keep your entire library of dvds (so your passengers can watch not you of course

) then i could possibly see needing a full 1TB of space. mostly i think this hack is more for people who would want to hook a mini up to their tv.