Apple Mac Mini 7.1 (Late 2014) Upgrade To NVME SSD - quick tutorial and benefits in 2023. MacMini

[@mikepxg6406]

2014 Mac mini only works at PCIE X 2 Speed. The other PCIE lanes are used for other resources.

[@geoffreyamadi]

Could kindly provide links where you bought the NVME adpater?

[@DataHombre]

You can get it from Amazon. I think I posted a link in one of an earlier replies I made, in here.

[@marcelpetzold]

I rarely comment on Videos, but I just want to say thanks man! It really helps to be guided through the process. I am familiar with it on a basic level, but the little tips lie which formats the drives need to be are helping a lot!

[@DataHombre]

Thanks man! Much appreciated. :)

[@DM00SE]

Nice video mate thanks. Now just gotta get myself one of those.

[@DataHombre]

Thanks! It’s worth the upgrade. :)

[@boeddelen]

Great video! I'm trying to repurpose the same type of Mac Mini. Could you provide the make and model for the M.2 converter you used? Have been surfing the web for something of that kind, but I only find sketchy products that I don't want to buy. Do you have any idea as to if the Mac has any restrictions on make and/or model for the M.2 stick itself?

[@DataHombre]

Thanks! I got this one off of Amazon Canada. M.2 NGFF NVME SSD Adapter, 2280... www.amazon.ca/dp/B096MNC5MF?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share I think any m.2 stick should work, to be honest.

[@corey7219]

What about bootcamp? It works on my internal mechanical hard drive, but not my nvme ssd on my 2014 mac mini. Same adapter you have

[@DataHombre]

@@corey7219 Hmmm. Not sure to be honest. I never tried. I know that bootcamp is pretty restrictive in general, if you deviate apple’s plan in using it. They make it pretty difficult like that, lol.

[@victorfideliss]

Thank you very much for the video man! I want to install 1tb nve ssd on a 2.6GHz mac mini late 2014 that doesn’t have fusion drive, do you know if it’s possible? I read that 2.6ghz doesn’t support 1TB sdd. Only 256gb. Thank you very much

[@DataHombre]

I think they are all the same internally. There should be a motherboard connector on yours too that would support attaching this NVME adapter.

[@zootropoide]

You can use a little of isopropanol and a thin spatula or knife to easily remove the flex of the original SSD.

[@DataHombre]

Thanks. Good to know. :)

[@andrewrivas3887]

Does it even make it faster I have a 1 TB SSD already in their Took out the standard hdd

[@DataHombre]

It should be faster than just a regular SATA based SSD, yes. I think roughly double the performance. I haven't benchmarked this myself specifically on the Mac Mini 2014, but am ball-parking this on general experience.

[@carlosherrera6196]

Excellent video tutorial 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 if any chance you can put the link of the part you used for the upgrade on the comments section thanks you so much

[@DataHombre]

Thank you. :) This is the part: www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B096MNC5MF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Amazon Canada link.

[@kryssgeezus5697]

what can be done if your stuck at full progress bar when restoring image or even download os x or other versions of mac os? seems that my associate is stuck there and cant use her mac mini right now!

[@DataHombre]

What's the version of the mac mini? 2012, 2014, 2018, something else? I'm thinking for starters, try restoring through a USB key / OSX image, then if that doesn't do any good, if possible, try replacing the hard drive inside, and restoring from USB again.

[@kryssgeezus5697]

@@DataHombre as of now it seems that the osx is corrupted and all that can be done is going to the disk managment to try to do those things, but all options so far have been tried. bash/command line tools arent even working right.

[@tomgme6624]

I have a big request: could you please write down exactly what I need to buy to install an M.2? I already bought the wrong thing once and I can't return it... I would really appreciate it, and thank you for your help!

[@DataHombre]

You need to buy these. You can look them up on Amazon. I will post product title names: The adapter module: Sintech M.2 NGFF NVMe SSD Card for Upgrade Mac Mini Late 2014 Year A1347 MEG Series The NVME SSD itself: Search for "NVMe SSD 1TB M.2" and choose one brand / size that fits your budget. They will all be faster than what Mac Mini 2014 can support speed wise, so you can't really go wrong on performance.

[@maplephp]

does it support name pcie 3.0 or 4.0?

[@DataHombre]

No, only x2 link. So your 3.0 or 4.0 NVME will fall back to x2 speeds.

[@utrodussaidalbaqi9556]

Is this model usable for iOS App development in 2023?

[@DataHombre]

I would advise an M1/2 Mac for any professional app development. I would think performance wise 2014 is ok enough, but just keep in mind that it officially goes up to OSX Monterey. Unofficially you can upgrade to Ventura with OpenCore Legacy Patcher. Having said that, you need to evaluate your dev tools and supportability / value in this case (will your tool work on with Monterey or a patched Mac that runs Ventura). If it was me, I would definitely recommend a more current mac such as the M series for professional, paid work. :) For day to day, standard computer use, 2014 mac mini is great, otherwise.

[@utrodussaidalbaqi9556]

​@@DataHombre "Thanks for your advice. Maybe I should save some money so I can buy the M series."

[@ziggy8757]

the adapter handles nvme m.2 gen 4 ssd? or just gen3? can you send the link to the adapter you bought?

[@DataHombre]

The adapter is for an m.2 type nvme ssd. Gen 3 or 4 will work just as well and the theoretical speed limit of each will not be met, so which ever kind you can get cheaper, I say go for it. I bought this adapter off of Amazon: a.co/d/beU7rVI

[@ziggy8757]

@@DataHombre thank you so much

[@ThangapandianSekar-p2s]

The only video which shows the fusion drive as of my macmini. Love!. In my 2014 late macmini it says Link width is x2. What SSD do I need to purchase? does X4 ssd also works?

[@DataHombre]

Thanks for commenting! :) I think only x2 link speed will work here. With this method, pretty much any nvme stick will suffice to meet the x2 link speed.

[@ThangapandianSekar-p2s]

@@DataHombre Thanks a lot

[@ThangapandianSekar-p2s]

How do you unstick the adapter. I cannot unstick it.

[@rico.andriol]

wd40@@ThangapandianSekar-p2s

[@marik_hadare]

Does Windows Bootcamp will work for this NVME? I mean can we install Windows on it and Mac on main SSD?

[@DataHombre]

It should not be an issue at all.

[@keweenawbee]

thank you! I have several 2014's a few 1.4 and two or three like yours. So what was the speed increase? You mentioned X2 in the beginning I was not sure exactly what you meant. In any event the 2X would bring the 1.4 models up to a usable level correct?

[@DataHombre]

Hi. Twice the speed of the original solution that involved the fusion drive concept. It’s about twice as fast if you use an nvme drive. Definitely usable level.

[@skyemac8]

Trim is also supported with this update!

[@DataHombre]

Thanks for the info. Is it automatically enabled, too?

[@skyemac8]

It is.

[@BlueNETGaming]

Thanks for showing this, looks really good but wish you showed how you installed the part into the machine. Also your screen makes my OCD kick in! 😅 You should try using screen cleaner instead of licking it 😂❤

[@DataHombre]

Thanks for your comment. :) Haha, yes the screen is filthy. It's not my main display, but a test one that sits in storage and comes out once in a while. I should have cleaned it up.

[@pelhamh]

Excellent

[@copperbackpack6]

Just want to let people know that you do not need to buy this adapter if you already have the fusion drive. You can by the adapter head that fits into the slot already and then put into your new NVME into that and use the same stand-off from your original Apple Blade SSD. Also some Chinese branded SSD are making “Apple Blade SSD” clones now so you can just do a simple swap with no adapters. Use at your own risk with off brands but people on Mac Rumors have has some luck with them.

[@cybergshulz4328]

Hi, thanks for your comment. Can you please explain a little bit more maybe have some links where to buy these adapter heads?

[@copperbackpack6]

@ I don’t think I can put links here without getting flagged but they sell the adapter on Amazon that fits the traditional nvme and slides into the Apple proprietary connection that already comes with the “Fusion Drive.” Sintech NGFF M.2 for MacBook Pro Late 2013-2015 fits into the Mini with the 128gb Fusion drive or 256gb-1tb for $10.

[@kppgm]

Hello, What code for original adapter connector?

[@DataHombre]

I’m not sure. I threw mine out as it broke off during removal (apple glued it with heavy glue).

[@digitalnorbs]

Does any one know if I can take the 1tb (blade) from my mac mini 2014 and use it in my 2015 macbook pro? Thank you tech peeps

[@DataHombre]

I think so, as long as your 2015 macbook pro has a replaceable SSD. You'll be able to confirm this by looking up your exact model.

[@crs1474]

How do you make a Mac OS usb bootable drive?

[@DataHombre]

You can use a tool such as Belena Etcher to do it. You can google guides. Pretty simple stuff. :) Thanks for commenting.

[@paiisano]

Olá, quais foram as ferramentas Torx que usou para abri-lo. ?

[@DataHombre]

Hi there, TR6 Torx Security screws. I have used the iFixIt screwdriver set that has all these weird Apple Torx sizes.

[@seanjohnclarkmusic4302]

Great video, you got me in the right direction. My previous comment was not true so I deleted. Apparently I just had a 512gb SSD, but installed on top like yours. Maybe someone took out the hdd.

[@DataHombre]

Glad I could help. Thanks. :)

[@sayhowling]

is there any way to access that installation boot without mac keyboard god this is annoying why does apple wanna separate from the norm so bad

[@DataHombre]

It should be possible. On a windows keyboard, you need to hold the Alt key at boot, as soon as you hear the chime. It needs to be a wired keyboard.

[@TheGunnyBadger03xx]

Honestly, these Mac mini's (Intel based) are great for running Linux!

[@burgermeister7244]

That's actually what I was planning to use mine for. But then I learned about the web-based wipe and re-install feature, and just put macOS on it after all. I already have three Linux computers, so it will be fun to play with macOS for a bit, too.

[@keithmiller9665]

Stop the “uh” “uh” “uh”😮

[@DataHombre]

Thanks. Definitely something to work towards, and clean up my delivery.