You'll be surprised at how clean the inside of a computer this old is, but it never hurts to clear it out while you're inside. One additional thing to do throughout this process is to use some canned air to blast out any dust.
#Mac mini 2011 16gb memory mac#
Line the markings on the base up with the corresponding markings on the Mac Mini.Reassemble the Mac Mini reversing the steps above, first installing the black shroud, then the fan, then the wireless shroud.Reconnect the ribbon cable to the logic board.Using a business card again for support, slide the new SSD into place until the screws lock into place on the bracket inside the Mac Mini. Turn the SSD over so it's upside down and the screws from step 15 are facing the edge of the Mac Mini.Connect the same ribbon cable to the new SSD's SATA connectors.Detach the ribbon cable from the existing hard drive.Detach the Torx T8 screws from the existing hard drive.Īttach those same screws to the left-hand side of your new SSD.
Pull the existing hard drive clear of the Mac Mini.
#Mac mini 2011 16gb memory upgrade#
You can upgrade the RAM to a maximum of 16GB you can swap out the internal hard drive for an SSD, and even add a second drive for even more storage. On more recent models, users have been able to upgrade some bits, such as the RAM in the 2018 release, but in the 2012 model, you can go ahead and get really crazy. The 2012 model remains to this day Apple's last, properly upgradeable Mac Mini. Magic cable: Mac Mini second drive kit ($15 at Amazon).
Right tools: ORIA Magnetic Screwdriver set ($18 at Amazon).A second hard drive: Seagate Firecuda 1TB ($63 at Amazon).The right cable: AmazonBasics miniDP to DP ($11 at Amazon).
Blowing cobwebs: Canned air ($11 at Newegg).More memory: Crucial 16GB RAM kit ($90 at Amazon).New storage: Kingston 480GB SSD ($56 at Amazon).Here we'll walk you through breathing new life into your old Mac for not a lot of money.
It remains Apple's last properly upgradeable Mac Mini, and even in 2020 can be a pretty handy little computer with the right bits inside. The 2012 Mac Mini held a special place in many hearts thanks to how easy it was to upgrade.