SSD in original Intel Mac Mini? Anyone have this setup?

[nitsuj3580]

I have the original Intel Mac Mini that came with a Core Solo processor sitting around at the moment. I've already opened it once to put in a C2D T5600 1.83 ghz processor and maxed it out to 2 gigs of RAM.

I still have the original 60 gig hard drive in there. With SSD prices coming down, I was thinking of grabbing a 60 gig or so SSD drive and putting it in the Mac Mini.

Has anyone done this? Will I run into any issues? Any recommended drives for this setup. I'll be running Snow Leopard if that matters and using an external HDD for more storage.

Thanks!

 

[TheStu]

I put an SSD into an OG BlackBook (2.0GHz Core Duo) and it was a the best upgrade imaginable. I tried to do the same thing on a 1.83GHz Core Duo WhiteBook but it rejected the SSD for some reason. (same model SSD, OCZ Vertex 2 120GB).

I would say go for it. With the improvements to Flash in recent years, an SSD in an older Mac can revitalize it for modern day use.

Are you sure that you cannot install Lion onto that one? I thought that all the C2Ds were 64bit and therefore compatible?

 

[Tyranicus]

Are you sure that you cannot install Lion onto that one? I thought that all the C2Ds were 64bit and therefore compatible?

Lion may not install on it because the installer relies on the model number to determine compatibility, but if it were to be installed on another Mac and cloned over, it would almost certainly work.

 

[TheStu]

Lion may not install on it because the installer relies on the model number to determine compatibility, but if it were to be installed on another Mac and cloned over, it would almost certainly work.

Ah, I hadn't considered that.

In that case stick with Snow as long as you can. Lion's (IMO) biggest advantage is gestures, and unless you have a Magic Trackpad, you can't do those anyway.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Yup, I've got a couple websites bookmarked that discuss cloning an older Mac Mini in order to get Lion on it. I figure I'll start with Snow Leopard and go from there.

I'm just trying to find one or two confirmations that SSDs will work in the first Intel Mac Mini.

 

[TheStu]

Yup, I've got a couple websites bookmarked that discuss cloning an older Mac Mini in order to get Lion on it. I figure I'll start with Snow Leopard and go from there.

I'm just trying to find one or two confirmations that SSDs will work in the first Intel Mac Mini.

I can't confirm Minis specifically, but as I said, Macs of that age can handle SSDs with aplomb.

 

[nitsuj3580]

I can't confirm Minis specifically, but as I said, Macs of that age can handle SSDs with aplomb.

Got it. Great, thanks! I'll go ahead and grab a 120/128 GB SSD from all the deals I've been seeing lately. If it doesn't work, I'm sure I can re purpose it for something else