I want to upgrade my macmini hard drive?

Hello,
how can I know what kind of hard drive I can buy to upgrade my Macmini (late 2006) hard drive?

You'll need a 2.5" serial ATA (SATA) hard drive. I like, and use, the Western Digital Scorpio Black, which has a 5 year warranty. A good source for choosing a drive is http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007605%2060000345 9&IsNodeId=1&name=SATA%203.0Gb%2fs as they have good prices, quick shipping, and many user comments.
If you plan to change it yourself, there's a video at http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini_06-08/ and step by step instructions at ifixit.com

Similar Messages

  • What All Do I Need If I Want To Upgrade My Macbook Hard Drive?

    hey guys.
    i've tried reading up a little but i was hoping someone (or a few people) could give me some straight up answers.
    if i want to upgrade my macbook hard drive what all do i need? just the hard drive? or are there other pieces?
    also.. whats a good 250GB one? i found this one on ebay: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-2-5-Western-Digital-250GB-SATA-Harddrive_W0QQitemZ220271 134397QQihZ012QQcategoryZ158853QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
    is that one any good? i just know the name (Western Digital) and have heard good things about them...
    any comments are welcome.
    thanks!
    beau

    I got a 320GB sata 2.5" hard drive and installed it myself, its easy. I also got a caddy so I can use my old 120GB drive as a back up. Make sure u have everything backed up! Seagate and western digital drives are most popular. I asked similar q and got this answer"
    Extended Hard Drive Preparation
    1. Boot from your OS X Installer Disc. After the installer loads select your language and click on the Continue button. When the menu bar appears select Disk Utility from the Installer menu (Utilities menu for Tiger or Leopard.)
    2. After DU loads select your hard drive (this is the entry with the mfgr.'s ID and size) from the left side list. Note the SMART status of the drive in DU's status area. If it does not say "Verified" then the drive is failing or has failed and will need replacing. SMART info will not be reported on external drives. Otherwise, click on the Partition tab in the DU main window.
    3. Click on the Options button, set the partition scheme to GUID (only required for Intel Macs) then click on the OK button. Set the number of partitions from the dropdown menu (use 1 partition unless you wish to make more.) Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Partition button and wait until the volume(s) mount on the Desktop.
    4. Select the volume you just created (this is the sub-entry under the drive entry) from the left side list. Click on the Erase tab in the DU main window.
    5. Set the format type to Mac OS Extended (Journaled.) Click on the Options button, check the button for Zero Data and click on OK to return to the Erase window.
    6. Click on the Erase button. The format process can take up to several hours depending upon the drive size.
    Steps 4-6 are optional but should be used on a drive that has never been formatted before, if the format type is not Mac OS Extended, if the partition scheme has been changed, or if a different operating system (not OS X) has been installed on the drive.
    If your backup is bootable, then boot from the external drive and use SuperDuper to clone it back to the newly installed drive.
    Mac Pro 2.66 Ghz; MacBook Pro C2D 2.33 Ghz; MacBook Pro 2.16 Ghz Mac OS X (10.5.4) Intel iMac C2D 17 "; MacBook 2.0 Ghz.
    And
    Now, to install the hard drive, follow http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mac/MacBook-Core-Duo/Hard-Drive-Replacement/86/5/

  • Want to upgrade to 320GB hard drive

    Hello. I would like to know if it is possible to install OSX onto an external hard drive first. The reason being, I want to have everything set up first, before I open up my MacBook Pro and upgrade the hard drive (oroginal 120GB)
    I'm looking into a SATA Seagate 320GB, 16mb cache, 7200rpm from TigerDirect.
    I would be putting this into a USB 2.5" drive case first for installation.
    Also is it possible to install a 500gb?
    Thanks for the tips.

    Yes. First, use Disk Utility to format the new drive in the external enclosure - it needs to be GUID partition map (Partition tab) and formatted as Mac OS Extended (Journaled).
    Note that after you format the drive, you can simply use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner to clone your internal drive onto the new drive, then test it by booting from the external drive (hold the option key at startup), then install the drive. You can also install the OS from the Install DVDs onto the external drive, then copy over your files. But, cloning is easier.
    You can certainly use a 500 GB drive with the correct form factor, as well.

  • Want to upgrade to larger hard drive on IMAC 21.5 mid 2011

    My IMAC is HD is almost full and causing my IMAC to run very slow.  I have moved iPhoto to an external drive and deleted my imovies but hasn't helped much.  Is it possible replace the 1tb drive with a larger one?
    Right now I feel like I am using a Windows machine instead of a Mac, everything runs so slow!

    Another (and easier) solution would be to get an external drive to hold all your photos and movies and whatever else is filling up your drive and keep a good amount of empty space on your internal drive. Once you move your iPhoto library, you can delete them on your internal.
    Another question: how much RAM do you have?
    And, which OS version?

  • I want to change my macbook hard drive to a bigger drive

    I want to change my macbook hard drive to a bigger drive, its a duo core. I would like to know what make is best and where do i get the tools for it eg screwdriver, static protector . Where do I order my drive from.
    Can I change my drive on this model. I'm in the uk. thanks for the help

    These are very good instructions on How to Upgrade Your MacBook's Hard Drive.
    Here is the Apple DIY hard drive replacement instructions.
    The only step they left out is the need for a number 8 Torx Driver to swap a shield from the old drive to the new.
    Tools can be ordered on the net or check with some friends you never know what they might have. The hardest one to find will be the Torx driver but some radio shacks carry them.
    OWC carries an assotment of nice drives. Check the bottom of the page in the link below.
    http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/
    This will give you an idea of what you need.
    Here is a place in the UK you can check.
    http://www.2ndchancepc.co.uk/int-hdd.html
    Message was edited by: First Magus

  • I buy the new imac,late 2012 with a hard-drive 3TB and i want to change with another hard-drive 1TB....where i can buy?

    i buy the new imac,late 2012 with a hard-drive 3TB and i want to change with another hard-drive 1TB....where i can buy?

    It's also much more difficult to install third-party hard drives in current or recent Macs than it was. See:
    http://blog.macsales.com/10146-apple-further-restricts-upgrade-options-on-new-im acs
    The 2012 iMacs are also in essence glued together and very difficult to disassemble and reassemble. The bottom line is: don't try it.
    Why, if I may ask, would you want to remove the 3TB drive and replace it with a 1TB drive? What is it you hope to achieve even if it were possible?
    Regards.

  • Can you upgrade a MacBookPro hard drive from a "750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm" to a Solid State Drive easily?  The info seems to say that it's as easy as plugging the new drive into a drive slot?

    I am about to buy a new MacBook Pro, but want to try out the Serial Drive 7200rpm before taking the plunge to use the SSD....Can you upgrade a MacBookPro hard drive from a "750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm" to a Solid State Drive easily?  The info seems to say that it's as easy as plugging the new drive into a drive slot?

    shldr2thewheel wrote:
    Fmaharg wrote:
    I am about to buy a new MacBook Pro, but want to try out the Serial Drive 7200rpm before taking the plunge to use the SSD....Can you upgrade a MacBookPro hard drive from a "750GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm" to a Solid State Drive easily?
           Yes
    Fmaharg wrote:
    The info seems to say that it's as easy as plugging the new drive into a drive slot?
           It's easy, but not that easy.  You need to copy all the info from the drive currently in the mac to the new  one before you install the new SSD.  You can do          this by downloading cloning software (I use CarbonCopyCloner because it's free)
    Not to be picky but CCC is donationware, if you use it because of its quality you should send a little bit of money in appreciation, and as a bonus you get to turn the banner off.

  • Upgrading my PS4 hard drive

    Hi, I'm looking to upgrade my PS4 hard drive to a 2TB. I am looking for the cheapest deal possible and I was hoping you guys could help me out because I have no idea what type of hard drive will work and what won't. What should I be looking for in a hard drive? 

    Oran_Gina wrote:
    Trust-A-Zombie wrote:
    I upgraded to a 2TB yesterday. Was very worried as don't like doing things to do with changing in console components but when i found out Sony actually made the console and hard drive slot to be changed if you want I went ahead and did it. Bought this. 100% works. Took me 10-15 mins. Got everything installed back. Very simple process. http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00I8O6OQ4?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00 Watch this step by step on what to do. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLOSeGlY5oo  Just need USB Stick and a screwdriver. No need to go all technical like a lot of people will. Just buy that product in the link and follow the video. Simple That's all good, but for £20 less you get exactly the same hard drive. You just have to pop it out of a plastic case.  I guess if that's not something someone feels happy to do then by all means buy the stand alone drive.  We did mention it in the first couple of answers   I am in two minds to go for the portable HDD from Argos and crack it open or the M9 2TB from Amazon,it's the warranty I am more concened about.I have had the 1TB M9 installed in my PS3 for a few years and touch wood never had any problems,problem with cracking open the portable HDD it voids the warranty instantly so I am leaning more to the more expensive option.

  • Greeting,  I want to reformat my external hard drive using Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted ) but before formatting it, I want to make sure that if I loose the hard drive or the hard drive get stolen, no one will be able to retrieve or recover the in

    Greeting,
    I want to reformat my external hard drive using Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted ) but before formatting it, I want to make sure that if I loose the hard drive or the hard drive get stolen, no one will be able to retrieve or recover the information on it so could you tell me what kind of encryption will be used or is there any way to recover the information?
    Thanks!

    I think FileVault is used to encryp internal hard drive but I wanna encrypt an external hard drive with Mac OS Extended Journaled Encrypted which is completely different!

  • I connected my external hard drive to my new imac to put all of the information from my macbook onto it. i have been working on the macbook now and want to reconnect the external hard drive so my imac is updated with the work. How is that done?

    I connected my external hard drive to my new imac to put all of the information from my macbook onto it. I have been working on the macbook now and want to reconnect the external hard drive so my imac is updated with the work. How is that done? or is it possible?

    As I said, I don't use Time Machine, so it'd be best to wait for an "expert" answer, but, with my very limited knowledge, I'd say: probably not - so, for now, I'd suggest you read up on Time Machine:
    http://web.me.com/pondini/Time_Machine/Home.html
    http://support.apple.com/kb/index?page=search&src=support_site.home.search&local e=en_US&q=time%20machine
    And, you might be attracting more knowledgeable answers if you were to post this question in the Time Machine Forum (part of the Snow Leopard forums).

  • I am changing my hard drive and want to copy my old hard drive to the new one.

    I went to the apple store with a bad hard drive in my macbook pro. The apple store said change the hard drive, they did, but I wanted to save the old hard drive to get everything off of it. So, I borrowed a sata enclosure and I was able to get everything from the orignial drive (which wasn't really broken) onto my external harddrive. Then I started up the Computer, but didn't use the Migration Assistant (Dumb, I know). Now I need to get everything that was on the original drive and put it where it is suppose to go. Is there a simple solution?

    y at earp wrote:
    I borrowed a sata enclosure and I was able to get everything from the orignial drive (which wasn't really broken) onto my external harddrive.
    If this external drive is a boot drive (has the OSX on it), you can swap it into your MBP or use Disk Utility>Restore to clone the data to the internal MBP HDD.
    Ciao.

  • I want to install a second hard drive

    I want to install a second hard drive in my mid 2011 Imac. Is there room for expansion? Do I have to buy any special equipment or is it possible to plug the new hard drive directly in to the computer?

    You are welcome.
    WD, Seagate, LaCie and others have a good variety of Thunderbolt external drives and storage solutions.
    Thunderbolt external hard drives - Google Search

  • I upgraded my imac hard drive to a 2tb drive. how do i use time machine to get my computer back to normal?

    i upgraded my imac hard drive to a 2tb drive. how do i use time machine to get my computer back to normal?

    Thank you. I followed the faq#14 (using setup wizard from the osx install disk). Everything went just as planned until I woke up this morning and noticed there was no progress on the "transferring documents" meter. It stopped about 1/4 of the way. I can hear the computer working and the bar is somewhat animated like it is advancing but it's not.
    Should I cancel and restart or should I wait it out? It already been about 13 hours since I started the process. Do you think it is my time machine or my iMac? Maybe the time machine file is corrupt or something.
    Anyway, any help is appreciated. Thanks.

  • If I don't want to use my Seagate hard drive anymore for Time Machine...How do I go about this?

    I want to use the external hard drive still, but not as my back up disk for Time Machine anymore. How do I make it so that my Macbook doesn't associate this specific external hard drive with TM when I plug it in?
    Thanks

    chenango232 wrote:
    Missing a pretty big step here....  How does one install a new OS on an external drive?  You can't install an OS without first booting into an OS.  I don't have a disk to boot to, but have gotten as far as downloading the install software.  Perhaps the answer you should be providing is that I need to create an install disk somehow?
    Is not the current HDD in your MBP a boot drive?  If so and you have Yosemite installed, you can boot into the recovery partition.  From the 4 option menu you can use Disk Utility.  If you have the NEW HDD connected to the MBP it will appear in Disk Utility.  Click on that drive to format in Disk Utility>Erase.  After formatting, go to the 'Reinstall OSX' option and install the OSX onto the external HDD.  When finished swap the drives.
    Ciao

  • I use an external hard drive as a Time Machine back up, but I want to use another external hard drive to save movies, photos on it, but it won't give me the option to save anything on the new external hard drive. Nothing is wrong with the external hard.

    I use an external hard drive as a Time Machine back up, but I want to use another external hard drive to save movies, photos on it, but it won't give me the option to save anything on the new external hard drive. Nothing is wrong with the external hard. 

    Hi Clarkett99,
    To use an external hard drive for your iTunes library, see the steps in this article -
    iTunes: Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
    http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
    iPhoto can be used in a similar way, follow the steps in this previous discussion -
    how do I save photos and their albums...: Apple Support Communities
    https://discussions.apple.com/thread/3744259
    Thanks for using Apple Support Communities.
    Best,
    Brett L

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