eBay
Add a blade-style PCIe SSD to your Mac Mini 2014 using this kit! (SSD not included).

  • Add an SSD to a Mac Mini 2014 that did not originally come with a Fusion drive! All Mac Mini 2014s have a PCIe ZIF port on their logic board, but the cable, bracket and screws are not normally supplied unless you shell out for a Fusion model at initial purchase. So this is the solution!
  • Includes cable/adapter, bracket and screws (everything in Image 1).
  • PCIe SSD gives massive improvement in disk access speeds. Even faster than a SATA SSD.
  • e.g. Read: 660MB/s; Write: 716MB/s !!! (Data from my 256GB Apple-Samsung SSD, which is not included in sale. Speeds may not be representative.)
  • e.g. Make a BLAZING FAST BOOT DISK for your Mac Mini (and keep your HDD for secondary storage).
  • Or, in theory, you can also combine a PCIe SSD with your existing HDD to make a DIY Fusion drive. I've never tried this, but there are YouTube videos that show you how.
Contents of sale. (Everything in Image 1), i.e:
  • 1 x Cable: Premium quality. I can't say for sure that it is OEM (original equipment manufacturer), but it certainly matches the design, quality and function of the OEM cable exactly. Premium 3M self-adhesive on the back of the pad. I have this cable in my Mac Mini and it fits and works perfectly.
  • 1 x Connector-Retaining Bracket: Secures the ZIF connector on the Logic Board. Not available elsewhere online, so custom 3d-printed by me. Therefore definitely NOT an OEM bracket. Made from plastic (unlike the OEM bracket, which is of metal). Includes an alignment sprue. Sits at precisely the correct level to hold the connector.
  • 3 x Screws (see photos): Phillips-headed screws for convenience (unlike OEM screws, which are irritating Torx screws).

Compatibility:

Computer
  • Mac Mini 2014 only. (NOT compatible with 2012 Mac Mini, or others)
SSD
  • Only compatible with official Apple SSDs. They can be made by Samsung or Sandisk, but they MUST have the correct gold contact layout (see photos). They MUST also be original Apple SSDs, because the firmware that runs on Apple SSDs is not the same as most PCIe SSDs.
  • Check my other items, as I will have a compatible Apple SSD for sale soon.
  • (NOT compatible with standard M.2 Samsung/Sandisk SSDs. Even if you could connect them, Apple uses proprietary firmware, so they won't be detected).
  • This type of blade SSD is the 2013-2015 Apple model, and as far as I know, can come from Mac Mini 2014s, Macbook Pros/Airs 2013-15 and Mac Pros 2013-15. I have had success with those from MacBook Pros 2013-2015, both Apple-Samsung and Apple-Sandisk, either 128GB or 256GB. I have not tried others. Apple-Samsung SSDs are superior (faster) to Apple-Sandisk.
  • See photos above for the contact layout required.
Installation:
  • You install this at your own risk. I cannot be held responsible for any damage you do to your Mac in performing this upgrade yourself.
  • I don't recommend doing this on a new Mac Mini 2014, as it would void your warranty.
  • Personally I have installed this with no problems, following relevant instructions on iFixit. This is a very simple installation, but if you accidentally damage the contacts on the Logic Board socket, then there's no way of fixing that. TAKE EXTRA CARE when you align and push the ZIF connector into the Logic Board socket!!
  • Note that the connector-retaining bracket is custom made. It has a projecting line on one side (the side that goes closest to the logic board) which helps you align it with the screw holes.
  • Screws should be tightened very lightly. They are not holding much load, so don't over-tighten and damage your SSD or your Logic Board!
  • I intend on writing an Instructables guide for the installation. Once I've had time to do this, I'll post it with this sale. In the mean time, feel free to message me with any questions.
NOTE: It requires a surprising amount of force to engage the SSD with the connector fully. When it engages, it 'clicks' into place in a very positive fashion. Only once it is fully seated will you be able to insert the screw that then retains the other end of the SSD. When fully seated, you can no longer see the individual gold contact pads, only the larger ground pads behind them.


Tools required for installation:
  • You'll need a plastic lever and a TR6 Torx Security screwdriver (see my other items – often in stock) to get into the bottom of your Mac (see iFixit guides).
  • Phillips PH.00 and PH.1 screwdrivers for screws (see photos). You can manage with just a PH.0 for both, although it's not ideal.
Initialising:
  • Once you have installed the cable and your new SSD, just boot your Mac as normal. Then in disk utility you will find your new disk. It may need initialising before it is available. Once it is detected, then you can format it, and (if you want) install macOS and set it as your new boot disk. Alternatively you can find instructions online for how to set up a Fusion volume.

Any questions, please ask! As I say, I cannot be responsible for any problems you cause with installation, but if you find the cable doesn't work, I'm totally happy to accept a return for a refund of the cost of the cable (undamaged). The most likely reason for not working is the SSD though, in my experience.