mac_mini_m4 | sudo apt upgrade
i decided to purchase the m4 mac mini on a whim, and while i do believe it is a fantastic machine in both form and function, the base 256gb storage simply doesn't cut it. instead of paying the apple tax i decided to hop on aliexpress and do it my own way.
if you want to avoid paying the astronomical "apple tax," you can install a third-party ssd and save hundreds of dollars.
while apple charges an outrageous $800 to upgrade the base model to two terabytes (2tb) of storage, high-end nvme ssds of similar capacity typically retail for around $200. this means consumers often pay nearly three times the market price for the same capacity. in fact, budget-friendly ssds make apple's upgrade over 400% more expensive than equivalent third-party options!
by following this tutorial, you can upgrade your base model mac mini (m4 chip, 16gb ram, 256gb storage) to 2tb for potentially $200 with discounts.
keep in mind that opening up your device and replacing components with non-oem parts will obviously void your warranty. if you break the mac mini during this process, the resulting damage is your sole responsibility.
also, while you could simply rig up an external ssd, that method sacrifices portability and often involves restrictions if the drive isn't used as the boot disk—this internal upgrade avoids those issues.
step 1: preparation & tools
before starting the hardware removal, ensure that all your data is backed up.
you will need the following tools and equipment:
• a second mac ready for the dfu (device firmware update) restore process.
• torque screw drivers.
• a spudger (or pick).
• a suction cup (the creator noted that they needed to buy one, suggesting you avoid using alternatives like all hooks).
step 2: hardware installation guide
follow these steps for physical component replacement:
- shut down: fully shut down your mac mini and unplug all cables from it.
- remove bottom cover: flip the mac mini over. insert the spudger or pick and slide it around the edges. you should hear clicks as the clips unhook.
- unplug power: lift the edge to expose the power button and unplug it. remove the bottom cover.
- remove internal plate: you will find eight interplate screws holding components in place. once those are removed, gently lift up the components.
- remove fan: remove the fan screws. you can use tweezers to carefully take off the tape connecting the fan. there are also four more screws in this area that need removal.
- remove old ssd: locate the torx plus screw holding the current ssd in place. insert the spudger along one of the holes on the bottom edge of the ssd and pull it directly out.
- install new ssd: place the new nvme chip upright into the slot.
- reassemble: close up the entire assembly.
step 3: dfu restore and operating system install
since the internal storage is new and has no operating system (os) installed, you must use a secondary mac to restore mac os via dfu mode.
- enter dfu mode: boot the mac mini into recovery mode (you should see an amber flashing light where the power indicator typically would be white).
- connect devices: plug the mac mini into the dfu port on the secondary mac device (the port is on the back of the mac mini and is marked with the thunderbolt icon).
- initiate dfu: keep holding the power button for 10 seconds, and the device is now in dfu mode.
- restore mac: once hooked up to your other mac, the device should pop up. you will see two options: "revive mac" or "restore mac". you should choose "restore mac" since this is a fresh install with no os.
- wait for install: the system will take a while to download the actual mac os image and restore it to the mac mini.
- setup: once complete, you should get the default setup screen.
you now have a fresh install and are ready to go with your newly upgraded 2tb of internal storage! the resulting read speeds should be in line with the stock speeds, potentially around 3,000 read.