X

Mac Mini hard drive swap (pictures)

Learn how to upgrade or replace the hard drive in Mac Mini models from 2005 to 2009.

Dan_Graziano2.jpg
Dan_Graziano2.jpg
Dan Graziano
Dan Graziano is an associate editor for CNET. His work has appeared on BGR, Fox News, Fox Business, and Yahoo News, among other publications. When he isn't tinkering with the latest gadgets and gizmos, he can be found enjoying the sights and sounds of New York City.
Dan Graziano
HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-20.jpg
1 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

You will need a putty knife or small paint scraper to remove the Mac Mini's casing, a small Phillips head #2 screwdriver, a pair of tweezers, and either a replacement 2.5-inch solid-state drive or a hard drive. It also doesn't hurt to pick up a can of compressed air to clean away the dust.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-23.jpg
2 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Gently shimmy the putty knife between the base of the Mac Mini and the case. Carefully bend the knife away from you until the cover begins to lift as you make your away around all four edges.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-2.jpg
3 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

You should now be able to remove the case with your hands.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-4.jpg
4 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

There are three orange antennas that must be removed before moving forward. The two on the left simply lift out, while the larger one is held in place with a clip that must be squeezed from the bottom.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-5.jpg
5 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Under each antenna is a spring, remove it and place it aside.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-8.jpg
6 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Unscrew the four screws that hold the CD drive into place. Make sure you are removing the screws that connect the drive to the case, and not the ones on the actually CD drive.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-9.jpg
7 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Don't forget to remove the ribbon cable before you lift the CD drive out of the case.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-10.jpg
8 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

The hard drive is located on the back of the CD drive.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-13.jpg
9 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

At this time I used the can of compressed air to spray away the extra dust.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-15.jpg
10 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

The hard drive is held in place with four screws. Remove the two on top and then the two on the side.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-16.jpg
11 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Next, remove the temperature sensor from the top of the drive.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-18.jpg
12 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Slide the drive up and use the tweezers to gently lift it out.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-19.jpg
13 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Remove the two anti-static cushions from the back of the hard drive and place them onto your new one.

HowToMacMiniHardDriveReplacement-1.jpg
14 of 14 Sarah Tew/CNET

Secure the hard drive in place, reattach the temperature sensors, and place the CD drive back into the case. Use the four screws to secure the CD drive, and reattach the ribbon cable. Then, take the three springs you removed earlier and place them back on their corresponding antenna posts, followed by the antennas themselves. Place the case back on the Mac Mini and push down evenly along the edges to lock it in.

More Galleries

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work

21 Photos
2023 BMW Z4 Is 100% More Purple
2023 BMW Z4

2023 BMW Z4 Is 100% More Purple

17 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos