Gallery > Mac Mini Upgrade
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1x Putty Knife + 1x Mac Mini
The Mac Mini ready to be cracked open.
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Mac Mini Underside
The underside of the Mac Mini. The putty knife needs to be slipped between the metal case and the plastic bottom.
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The Putty Knife
The most important tool when upgrading a Mac Mini.
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Removing the Metal Case
After you have cracked each side and the front of the Mac Mini you should be able to simply lift the metal case clear.
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Metal Case Removed
Once removed, the metal case can be put to one side, however it will be useful again later when removing the top layer.
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Open Mac Mini
The open Mac Mini.
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Metal Case
The metal case.
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Open Mac Mini - Back
The back of the open Mac Mini.
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Fan Control Plug
At the front of the Mac Mini is a small plug that is used to control the internal fan. This plug needs to be removed before you can proceed, however please remember to replace it once complete, otherwise your Mac Mini fan will always run at 100%.
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Open Mac Mini - Side
The side of the open Mac Mini showing the plastic clips that need to be cracked to be able to remove the metal case.
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Airport Antenna
The Airport (wireless) antenna. To remove, pinch the two black clips below the antenna and lift it clear.
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Removed Airport Antenna
Once removed the antenna can be place to one side, however it will always remain attached during the upgrade process.
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Top Later Removal
Once the four base screws are removed the top layer containing the DVD drive and hard drive can be lifted and folded back. This is where I use the Mac Mini metal case to rest the top layer on.
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Folded Top Layer
As you can see I use the Mac Mini's metal case to rest the top layer on while I work.
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Top Layer
The top layer includes the DVD drive and hard drive. The hard drive can be upgraded be removing the four screws.
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Motherboard
The Mac Mini motherboard.
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Memory Slots
These two memory slots are easily accessible once the top layer has been removed.
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Removed Hard Drive
Once the four screws are removed the hard drive can be unplugged.