When it comes to compact and powerful computing, Apple’s Mac mini M4 stands out as a top contender in the market. The device packs a lot of punch in a small form factor, offering fast processing speeds and quiet operation—all at a relatively affordable price. Yet, there’s one major caveat: Apple’s storage upgrade options are far from economical. In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I managed to upgrade my Mac mini’s storage to 4TB without emptying my wallet by opting for third-party solutions instead of Apple’s own overpriced SSD options.
The Problem:
The Apple Mac mini M4, starting at $599, is an incredible deal considering its performance. However, the storage options offered by Apple are notoriously expensive. The base model of the Mac mini M4 comes with a 256GB SSD, and upgrading to 512GB costs an additional $200. To bump it up to 1TB or 2TB, you’d be looking at an extra $400 or more.
Apple’s prices for higher storage capacities are even more shocking. For example, upgrading from a 2TB SSD to a 4TB SSD in the Mac mini M4 Pro costs an extra $600, and taking the storage to 8TB would set you back $1,200. These prices make the storage upgrade an exceptionally poor value when compared to what third-party vendors offer.
The Solution: External SSD and Enclosure Combo
To avoid Apple’s inflated prices, I decided to purchase an external SSD with a compatible enclosure. The process was simple and cost-effective, especially when compared to the hefty sums Apple charges for additional storage. Here’s a breakdown of what I did:
- External SSD Option: I opted for the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB M.2 NVMe SSD, which cost me £257 ($320). This option is about a quarter of the cost of Apple’s 4TB upgrade, while still providing blazing fast read and write speeds.
Enclosure: To house the SSD, I purchased the OWC Express 1M2 enclosure, priced at £149 ($185). This enclosure supports USB 4, ensuring that the SSD operates at optimal speeds when connected to the Mac mini.
The Mac Mini
To highlight how much more expensive Apple’s storage upgrades are compared to third-party alternatives, here’s a comparison:
| Model | Extra Storage (GB) | Extra Cost (USD) | Cost per GB (USD) |
|–||-|–|
| Mac mini M4 16GB / 256GB | 256 | 200 | 0.78 |
| Mac mini M4 16GB / 512GB | 256 | 200 | 0.78 |
| Mac mini M4 16GB / 1TB | 488 | 200 | 0.41 |
| Mac mini M4 Pro / 2TB | 1000 | 400 | 0.40 |
| Mac mini M4 Pro / 4TB | 2000 | 600 | 0.30 |
| Samsung 990 Pro 4TB | 4000 | 320 | 0.08 |
As you can see, Apple charges up to 10 times more per gigabyte than third-party options.
Setting Up the SSD and Enclosure
- Ports to Know: The Mac mini M4 offers multiple USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports. The fastest speeds come from the Thunderbolt 4 ports, which support a transfer speed of up to 40Gb/s.
2. Choosing the Right SSD:
- Installing the SSD in the Enclosure: Once I had my SSD and enclosure, the installation was straightforward. It involved inserting the SSD into the enclosure, securing it, and connecting the device to the Mac mini via one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports. The whole process took about 5 minutes, and there was no complicated setup involved.
Formatting the Drive: After connecting the external SSD, I formatted it to APFS, Apple’s file system, for maximum compatibility and performance.
Performance Comparison: Internal vs. External SSD
In terms of performance, the Samsung 990 Pro SSD, combined with the OWC enclosure, actually outperforms the Mac mini M4’s internal SSD. Using Blackmagic’s Disk Speed Test, the external SSD achieved a read/write speed of 3,100 MB/s, slightly faster than the internal SSD, which hit around 2,800 MB/s for read and 2,000 MB/s for write.
The Benefits: Faster and More Cost-Effective
By opting for this external SSD and enclosure combo, I’ve not only saved hundreds of dollars, but I’ve also gained a significant performance boost. The external drive feels just as fast as the internal SSD for everyday tasks, whether I’m editing photos, working with large files, or running applications. Additionally, I can use the external drive on other devices or even on my next Mac upgrade—something Apple’s internal storage solution doesn’t offer.
What Undercode Says:
The key takeaway here is that while Apple’s hardware offers excellent performance, its pricing strategy for storage upgrades can be a major hurdle for consumers looking to maximize their value. By opting for an external SSD setup, users can save a significant amount of money while still achieving nearly identical, if not superior, performance to Apple’s internal storage options. This is especially true when considering the long-term viability of external storage—there’s no need to worry about future device upgrades, as the external SSD can easily be transferred.
Moreover, this approach empowers users to take control of their tech ecosystem, with the ability to choose the exact specifications of their storage, without being locked into Apple’s proprietary upgrades. While external storage might initially sound like an inconvenient or overly technical solution, modern enclosures and NVMe SSDs make this upgrade process both user-friendly and cost-effective.
Apple’s business model works well for those who prioritize convenience over customization, but for power users and savvy shoppers, third-party SSDs and enclosures present a compelling alternative. By considering these alternatives, users can take full advantage of their hardware without overpaying for storage space that can be sourced much more affordably.
Fact Checker Results:
- Apple’s storage pricing is significantly more expensive compared to third-party SSD options, with a price per GB of up to 10 times higher.
- Third-party NVMe SSDs, like the Samsung 990 Pro, offer performance that rivals or exceeds the Mac mini’s internal storage.
- External SSD solutions, while requiring an enclosure, provide a highly effective and cost-efficient alternative for users seeking larger storage without compromising on speed.
References:
Reported By: www.techradar.com
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