Mac Mini OS Drive Upgrade-Is It Worth It?

[dmm]

My 5400 rpm drive bit the dust on my 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mac Mini. 4 gig ram.

Would upgrading the system drive to 7200 from 5400 add some snap to PT9? All audio files are being run out of external firewire drives.

This is sort of a temp computer until I can afford to move into a macpro in probably about a year from now. Don't want to spend any money on this machine if I don't have to but if this upgrade will make a significant difference I will.

Thanks

[getz76]

Originally Posted by dmm

My 5400 rpm drive bit the dust on my 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Mac Mini. 4 gig ram.

I don't have to but if this upgrade will make a significant difference I will.

You are only talking about a $10 difference in price on a 500gB Western Digital.

A faster system drive will make you happier all around.

[dmm]

Originally Posted by getz76

You are only talking about a $10 difference in price on a 500gB Western Digital.

A faster system drive will make you happier all around.

It'll be full price as Apple won't let me upgrade the drive under the hardware warranty. Even if paid up on the difference.

Might be hard to even sell the 5400 rpm replacement drive.

[Dism]

Originally Posted by dmm

It'll be full price as Apple won't let me upgrade the drive under the hardware warranty. Even if paid up on the difference.

Might be hard to even sell the 5400 rpm replacement drive.

That's why you replace it yourself.

http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/Mac_Mini

[getz76]

Originally Posted by dmm

It'll be full price as Apple won't let me upgrade the drive under the hardware warranty. Even if paid up on the difference.

Might be hard to even sell the 5400 rpm replacement drive.

What? You are under warranty?

Just get the drive replaced.

[John_Toolbox]

If you want a significant performance increase, get an SSD for a boot drive.

I know that the 7200rpm 2.5" drives have gotten better in the last few years but if apple will warranty the drive for free I don't think it's worth messing with an upgrade to a 7200rpm drive.

Several years ago I hacked a mac mini with a SATA extension cable and an external enclosure with a 7200rpm 3.5" boot drive in it. It made a difference, but it wasn't a huge one.

[dmm]

Thanks for the help, guys!

[dmm]

Originally Posted by getz76

What? You are under warranty?

Just get the drive replaced.

Under warranty apple will only let me put back in what it originally had. Won't allow an upgrade even if I paid the difference.

[nst7]

You might have more flexibility if you go to a 3rd party authorized Apple repair place (your local Apple store can refer you). They might be able to figure out a workaround to do what you need and still be reimbursed by Apple.

[dmm]

Originally Posted by nst7

You might have more flexibility if you go to a 3rd party authorized Apple repair place (your local Apple store can refer you). They might be able to figure out a workaround to do what you need and still be reimbursed by Apple.

I tried. They want to sell new hard drives @ full price price plus installation.