space ace Posted February 25, 2007 Share Posted February 25, 2007 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 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ampidire Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 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. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-313654 Share on other sites More sharing options...
space ace Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 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. 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 Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-313939 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted March 1, 2007 Share Posted March 1, 2007 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. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-313952 Share on other sites More sharing options...
space ace Posted March 1, 2007 Author Share Posted March 1, 2007 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... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-314250 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Synaesthesia Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 MY BAD, didn't read properly! It could work, but I don't know. You might wanna check out 123macmini.com Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-314584 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrks Posted March 2, 2007 Share Posted March 2, 2007 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. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-314636 Share on other sites More sharing options...
space ace Posted March 2, 2007 Author Share Posted March 2, 2007 thanks sounds barely possible and no one has done it so far... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-314691 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrks Posted March 29, 2007 Share Posted March 29, 2007 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 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. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/43504-mac-mini-replace-drives-with-35-hdd/#findComment-335188 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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