iFixit - Answers With Device "Mac Mini"

Mac Mini Late 2012: Replace the wifi card with a current 802.11ac card?

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 11:18:49 -0700

Is it possible, with the existing antenna setup in a late 2012 MacMini to replace the wifi card with a current 802.11ac card?

⟐ Commented aprile 22, 2021 at 11:18 GMT-7

Mac mini Model A1283: Is There a Way to Increase The V-RAM Above 256MB

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:54:33 -0700

Hi, I have had my mac mini for about 5 months, and in that time have also maxed out the ram (4GB). I was wondering if there is a way to force the amount of Video-RAM above 256MB. Is there any thing i can change in system preferences?

⟐ Commented febbraio 16, 2021 at 8:54 GMT-7

Mac Mini Mid 2011: Can a 2011 Mac Mini fit in a 2010 case?

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 04:42:45 -0700

Is it possible to put the 2011 2.5 i5 components in a 2010 slotted case and include a superdrive?

Regardless of the cost, we still need an answer. As one person commented, some of us may have an existing case or 2010 mini. I noted a similar question posted recently as well.

⟐ Commented ottobre 14, 2024 at 4:42 GMT-7

Mac Mini Late 2012: Replace fusion drive with a single SSD

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 17:08:26 -0700

I want to completely remove the fusion drive from my mac mini and install an SSD Samsung 840 EVO 1 TB. What are the hardware requirements (other than the SSD of course)?

Do I need any extra cables for example ? Is there sth else that I should be aware of? Thank you very much for the support.

⟐ Answer deleted settembre 08, 2022 at 17:08 GMT-7

Mac mini Late 2018: Does the Mac Mini 2018 support running on 1 memory DIMM

Thu, 17 Feb 2022 12:53:46 -0700

To cut costs, is it possible to use a single 16GB, or 32GB RAM DIMM for the 2018 model, and buy a matching one later, or even better buy one 16GB DIMM and use the 4GB Apple ship (to make it 20GB). Will it boot and work?

⟐ Commented febbraio 17, 2022 at 12:53 GMT-7

Mac Mini Mid 2011: Snow Leopard on Mac Mini 2011?

Sun, 02 Sep 2012 08:49:32 -0700

I haven't got the Mini yet, but would like to buy one, if there is a chance of running it with Snow Leopard. I need Rosetta, which Lion doesn't provide, besides my general scepticism about Lion.

I have a friend with a 2011 MacBook Pro. The idea is to clone a freshly installed SL onto the Mini. The two Macs seem to be identical, but I'm afraid that there is something that I'm overlooking. Any ideas or observations regarding this idea?

⟐ Answered settembre 02, 2012 at 8:49 GMT-7

Mac Mini Mid 2011: Replace HDD with SSD, will any SSD work (Mac Mini mid 2011)?

Mon, 05 Aug 2019 18:39:12 -0700

I read the other post (Can I change HDD to SSD disk for Mac Mini Mid 2011?) but it didn't really answer my question. I don't need a huge SSD, but I would like a fast one. All the work from this machine is stored on a network (except the applications). So I clearly don't need to (or want to) spend $500 on Apple's updgade to SSD. I would like to just get the fastest 60-120gb SSD I can find, but can I get any one? I don't want two drives in the machine, I only want one, and I want to boot and run programs from the same SSD.

⟐ Commented agosto 05, 2019 at 18:39 GMT-7

Mac Mini Mid 2011: 2011 Mac mini GPU failed (Radeon 6630M) - repair options?

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 14:02:12 -0700

Recently my mac mini failed critically while streaming videos. The screen started garbling, then went a weird pink colour. Now it wont fully boot, after showing the apple logo with the boot progress bar for a few seconds it flashes to a white screen with some faint vertical banding.

I managed to disabled the discrete GPU (Radeon 6630M) and now it boots to desktop but the graphics are pretty awful using the integrated GPU.

My options seem to be:

1. Try to 'reflow' the chip. However, it seems this would only be a temporary fix. Or can anyone recommend a high quality repair service that could fix it in a more permanent way? (reball the chip?)

2. Replace logic board. Second hand logic board $150 to $200 on ebay. Some risk that it would fail again.

3. Buy a new system (most expensive, $800ish for comparable specs).

Anyone else faced this? Any other options to consider?

If you reflow/reballed, how long did it last?

⟐ Answered marzo 16, 2021 at 14:02 GMT-7

Mac Mini Mid 2011: Can't secure wi-fi antenna plate properly

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 20:02:59 -0700

I added second hard drive , using this kit.

Everything works fine, but I'm not able to secure wi-fi antenna plate back, like it was before.

Antenna plate secured by 4 screws, but I can tighten only one of 2 5mm T8 torx screws - remained screw just doesn't fit to the hole. I tried to remove and reinstall antenna plate many times, but things doesn't change - it's impossible to align holes in antenna and in the case exactly

⟐ Commented febbraio 18, 2019 at 20:02 GMT-7

Mac Mini: Mac Mini wont boot

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 23:18:36 -0700

I have a Mac Mini that has been 'freezing' causing frequent hard restarts. Now it won't boot at all, no Apple screen, sound, only the front light comes on. I have tried several restart options including holding power button while plugging power, also after start holding P,R,alt,cmd keys.........

My hope is it is memory - not main board - I really need to salvage the data on HDD.

Thanks.

(This is a question asked by noneone from our discussion forums that did not get an answer. We'll see if you guys can help!)

⟐ Answer deleted settembre 27, 2021 at 23:18 GMT-7

Mac mini Late 2018: What PSU connector is used?

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 02:21:56 -0700

Planning a battery powered MAC Mini 2018. It seems to have an additional row of pins compared to the previous 85w 2014 model. Does anyone know the pin out of this, and also if apple’s using a custom connector or if it’s a standard one I could find and crimp? Thanks!:)

⟐ Answered novembre 17, 2025 at 2:21 GMT-7

Mac Mini Late 2014: Mac mini 2015 Dual hard Drive Possible?

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 04:15:48 -0700

Im planning on buying a Mac mini 2015 with 16GB of RAM, but i would really like to have dual internal Hard drives, is this possible?

Thanks in advance.

⟐ Commented agosto 25, 2020 at 4:15 GMT-7

Mac Mini Late 2012: Intel HD Graphics Card Upgradability?

Sat, 23 May 2015 06:10:43 -0700

What are some ways to upgrade the graphics card? I've read that this Intel might perform worse on some tasks then the 2011 models' AMD cards.

⟐ Commented maggio 23, 2015 at 6:10 GMT-7

Mac mini Model A1176: Replacement heatsink hold-down pins?

Tue, 01 Nov 2022 22:33:36 -0700

I need replacement heatsink hold-down pins (spring loaded plastic pins) for the CPU heatsink on my A1176. On the second CPU upgrade the one-way ends (under the logic board) snapped off two pins despite careful handling.

I don't want to buy a whole $100 dysfunctional mini on eBay just to get heatsink pins! I came up empty with Digi-Key and other component suppliers. Anyone have any ideas?

⟐ Commented novembre 01, 2022 at 22:33 GMT-7

Mac mini Model A1283: How can I get this connector?

Tue, 29 Nov 2022 00:13:13 -0700

I did the HDD replacement by myself according to Mac mini Model A1283 Hard Drive Replacement .

However, I did a mistake and broke the thermal sensor connector.

I could not find it anywhere even the whole sensor unit.

Actually I need the connector part excluding sensor part.

I need your help.

⟐ Commented novembre 29, 2022 at 0:13 GMT-7

Mac mini Late 2020: Can you add ram to the M1 or M2 Mac Mini?

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:58:49 -0700

I want to know if these are upgradable before I purchase. Thanks!

⟐ Commented dicembre 24, 2025 at 0:58 GMT-7

Mac mini Late 2018: Solder an external power button to the latest mini?

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 06:59:31 -0700

Hi y’all,

Just got the latest Mac mini and I need to add an external power button to it with long wires so I can turn it on and off from a distance. In the previous models I was always able to trace back the wires to the pins and splice the cables but with this ultra flat cable now, anyone knows where I need to add my wires?

Thanks a bunch!

⟐ Answer edited ottobre 19, 2025 at 6:59 GMT-7

Mac mini Late 2018: What is the SSD I/O speed as benchmarked by Black Magic disk test?

Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:39:51 -0700

Would love to know what the SSD with the new T2 controller benchmarks.

Is this at the same level as the iMac Pro, which was something crazy like 3GB/s read, and 2.5GB/s write?

⟐ Commented febbraio 18, 2019 at 10:39 GMT-7

Mac mini Model A1176: Dead Mac mini with no obvious damage

Sun, 31 Jul 2016 13:05:36 -0700

i received a mac mini with no signs of life.

there is no visual damage on the logicboard.

i removed the logic board and found some markings on the board.

testpoints at the following parts on the bottom side are marked "pink": U6400, U6410, U9500. those areas/parts are marked "blue": the circuits between R9537/C9522 and C9525/R9540, the printed text of L4732/R4732/R4733.

on the top side is only one "red" marking on C9521.

i've read a few things of other dying minis, some suffered the "failing fan issue" - but i don't think that those things are related. others died during the setup/update of 10.6.3.

the pram battery had 2.99v - but nothing changed after replacing it with a new battery.

and please - no "get a new mini" or "replace the logic board" answers.

i want to know if those computers are fixable or not - there are way to much minis out there that could do a great job in those times (mine is a 2ghz c2d with 2gb ram - not a "crappy" old 1.5 core solo)

the cpu isn't the problem, tired it with different ones, the brick works too - tested on another mini and it delivers around 18.5v to the board

any useful suggestions??

⟐ Answered luglio 31, 2016 at 13:05 GMT-7

Mac Mini Mid 2010: Will a 2012 Mac Mini logic board fit in a 2010 model?

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:45:44 -0700

I am thinking about building/cannibalizing a Mac Mini(s) in order to make one functional Mac Mini with the 2.6Ghz i7 Quad Core Logic board AND optical drive in a 2010 model shell. I am aware of the inherent difficulties in such an endeavor. I've seen various posts stating they've done a 2010 - 2011/2012 model swap, but my main question is whether the 2.6 quad i7 will fit in a 2010 shell along with an optical drive. I've only seen a few low quality pictures of the logic board itself, and it appears to have large heat sinks that take up quite a bit of space compared to other boards. Price being barred of course (this is as much a project for me, as it is for the final product).

⟐ Answer edited agosto 23, 2023 at 14:45 GMT-7