hello!
i looked everywhere but found nothing about
replacing both the 2.5 hard drive and the optical drive with a single, internal 3.5 hard drive. is it possible?
cheers
Full Version: mac mini: replace drives with 3.5 hdd?
You're saying you want to remove the internal harddrive and optical drive and put in a 3.5" harddrive instead?
No. It's not possible, unless you have an alternative way to power this 3.5" drive, because the connector for the 2.5" SATA drive is a single piece and cannot be easily adapted to hold a 3.5" drive.
You'd be better off using one of the many Mac Mini stylized external enclosures for your 3.5" drive.
No. It's not possible, unless you have an alternative way to power this 3.5" drive, because the connector for the 2.5" SATA drive is a single piece and cannot be easily adapted to hold a 3.5" drive.
You'd be better off using one of the many Mac Mini stylized external enclosures for your 3.5" drive.
QUOTE(Ampidire @ Feb 28 2007, 10:33 PM) 
You're saying you want to remove the internal harddrive and optical drive and put in a 3.5" harddrive instead?
No. It's not possible, unless you have an alternative way to power this 3.5" drive, because the connector for the 2.5" SATA drive is a single piece and cannot be easily adapted to hold a 3.5" drive.
You'd be better off using one of the many Mac Mini stylized external enclosures for your 3.5" drive.
No. It's not possible, unless you have an alternative way to power this 3.5" drive, because the connector for the 2.5" SATA drive is a single piece and cannot be easily adapted to hold a 3.5" drive.
You'd be better off using one of the many Mac Mini stylized external enclosures for your 3.5" drive.
thank you. yes that's what i was thinking. because i really don't need an optical drive, especially for work i don't need it at all. so only the power supply is the stumbling block? does the drive fit physically?
cheers
QUOTE(space ace @ Mar 1 2007, 09:55 AM)
thank you. yes that's what i was thinking. because i really don't need an optical drive, especially for work i don't need it at all. so only the power supply is the stumbling block? does the drive fit physically?
No, it also does not fit physically. There is *just* enough space for a 2.5" Hdd inside, which is much smaller than 3.5". You CAN hack a SATA connector to a mac mini.
But don't worry, a firewire type external enclosure will be nearly as fast as S.A.T.A.
QUOTE(Synaesthesia @ Mar 1 2007, 08:39 AM)
No, it also does not fit physically. There is *just* enough space for a 2.5" Hdd inside, which is much smaller than 3.5".
yes that's why i suggested removing both the hard and optical drive... it's been a while since i had a mini and i don't remember their position...
MY BAD, didn't read properly!
It could work, but I don't know.
You might wanna check out 123macmini.com
It could work, but I don't know.
You might wanna check out 123macmini.com
1. Won't physically fit. CPU heatsink is in the way. Even if you bend the fins, you'd have to make a new structural frame to had the drive.
2. You'd have to source a 12v from somewhere, the optical and HD only use 5V.
2. You'd have to source a 12v from somewhere, the optical and HD only use 5V.
thanks 
sounds barely possible and no one has done it so far...
sounds barely possible and no one has done it so far...
QUOTE(aprilfools1993 @ Mar 26 2007, 10:39 AM)
I beg to differ... Check this out!
...
You just need an external case with a power source, and you might have to mod both the mini case and the external inclosure with a hacksaw or something
...
You just need an external case with a power source, and you might have to mod both the mini case and the external inclosure with a hacksaw or something
You didn't even read what the guy wanted to do!
He wants to fit the 3.5 HD into the mini, without an external case.
There's no way you can fit a 3.5 HD and an extra power supply into an Intel mini's case.
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