OWC480GB Aura Pro X2 NVMe Flash SSD Add-On Solution Compatible with Mac Mini (Late 2014), Including Tools & Installation Components

My Mac Mini MGEN2LL/A was slowing down after system updates to the point where the little beach ball would twirl sometimes for minutes while uploading a web page, loading a photo, or just scrolling through a large document. A cold boot would take four minutes. Infuriating. No cleaning up or reloading of the Mac OS did any good. I ordered this SSD after reading the users were having luck with SSDs vs. the factory mechanical hard disk drive (HDD).After receiving the kit, I simply followed the instructions and was shocked to find that space for the SSD existed without having to remove the HDD—whoa. And the installation took only about 10 minutes from cracking it open to screwing it back together. So I was able to simply have the MacOS load onto the SSD without the risk of deleting anything on the existing drive. Then I ran the SSD and reloaded all software onto it, confirming that it ran 6 to 10 times faster on the new drive. Then I simply erased the old HDD and now use it to store digital media—music, video, and photos.I really have a new Mac. It's responsive and handles large files without hesitation. Still takes about 40 seconds to boot, but I seldom boot from cold anyway. Yeah, I could have bought a new M1 chipped device, but I decided to use the money for something else. No regrets.

This took an old 2014 mini from waiting for minutes to open apps to just a few seconds. I hadn’t used the Mac too much before but at least after loading up the latest version of Big Sur this is a requirement. I opted for the 1TB size so I could just do a quick transfer over from the spinning disc in the Mac and then redo stuff as needed. About 600GB took about 5 or 6 hours to copy over with carbon copy cloner (set to the legacy mode or whatever it is called to support Big Sur - so I could select it as a boot drive. First time I had skipped that option and had do a few minutes of research to figure out why). Just as snappy now as a similar age iMac I had installed 20MB of RAM in. Proved to me the slowdown was the old slow hard drive on this model. It would have been soooooo much nicer (and cheaper) if Apple would have allowed RAM upgrades in these mini models but this basically gives the same feel.The adapter doesn’t really stick in perfectly but with the card in it all stays in place with the screws. I understand Apple used a different pin arrangement on the card and too bad as that does prevent use of the other options out there that are about $80 for 1TB. I suppose you may be able to get some of those working as I have seen certain vendors have adapters for them but I paid a bit more for this kit to avoid the trial and error to see if other stuff would work or fit. With the little extra cost to me for the quick it works kind of fit!

My mac Mini is a whole new machine. Do follow the directions in the comment from the person who explains that you must set it up to be your startup disk. The process is not as easy as you would think. You will need to do some research. I had to format the disk so that the computer would see it as something it can start up from and I had to install the operating system on it first. If you can do this prior to installation, it's recommended. Check out the tech forums online. I just added a few more years of use to my computer. It annoys me that mac started soddering the memory on so now you can do upgrades yourself. This is the only viable option. I have a 2011 imac that I've revamped that runs like a beast. I may never let it go. Gone are the days you could manage your own machine.

My original 2014 mac mini with its 5400 rpm disk has been barely usable since I bought it, too slow to do anything, even running a web browser, unless you are a very patient person. Installed this SSD, and boy what a huge difference! Hard to quantify the performance increase, but it feels like modern computer at last. Many times faster all around than it was originally. Yeah there are cheaper ways to add SSD, but this one has 2 things going for it - based on the numbers its probably one of the fastest you can get, plus it is very easy to install. This does not involve removing the hard disk and replacing it, all you have to do is remove the bottom cover, plug it in, then stick it in place and secure with the provided screw. Everything you need to do the job is included. You make this the boot drive and leave the old hard disk in there and use it for additional storage or backup. Excellent, clear instructions are provided. Worth every penny for me.

OWC has the installation videos on their website that show how to to install this SSD in a 2014 Mac mini.All of the hardware necessary to properly install the SSD is provided.The process is pretty easy, and the results are over 10 times faster than the original equipment hard drive.Note that the original hard drive can also stay installed and used for additional (and slower) storage.Definitely recommended, for how easy it was.

My 2014 MacMini (i3/4GB) - is mainly used for video services connected to TV. It would take over 10 minutes to boot up - and the lack of memory caused the iOS (Catalina) to rely heavily on the hard drive. Now boots take about 10 seconds - and programs open on first click (not 30 to 40 seconds later)This is a little pricy compared to replacing the HD - but so much easier. Installed this in less than 10 minutes. All of the special screws and drivers included. About an hour to format and install Catalina on the new drive. The videos on the OWC site pretty much give a complete run down on what needs to be done.Now using the mini a lot more for other content - plus the old HD is still there for either backup or file storage

This can take some time - so recommend you be patient and do it right. On the 21.5" iMac the drive connector sits next to the left speaker enclosure - resist the temptation to move the speaker. If the fragile power cable is wedged in with the speaker, improperly removing it can break it - and that will add a couple of hours to your install (don't ask me how I know). Net of that it went great and the boot time went from 2 minutes 7 seconds to 15 seconds - awesome!

Great item. Fitted the Mac mini and installation was very quick, less than 10 mins start to finish. Although my kit didn’t come with the plastic tool for removing the base or the securing screw for the ssd. But apart from that it was great.

It is working fine. Followed the built in instructions to imac mini. All OK so far. It could be cheaper, otherwise happy with my purchase.

The kit comes with the special tools required to open the machine. Installation was completed in less than an hour and was able to install a new operating system and proceed with reconfiguration. Boot time was measured at 33.6 seconds to desktop. OWC Technical Support was excellent in helping me to determine the correct kit for my requirements.

Muy fácil de instalar, el disco interno SSD le da una velocidad de vértigo al mac mini 2014. Como consejo, busquen la versión de 512 GB o superior, pues la de 256 GB, depende de para qué se queda un poco corta.

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