Retrofit SSD for Mac mini M4

The SSD prices that Apple charges its customers when buying new Macs are almost legendarily high. For the popular new Mac mini M4, for example, you pay 230 euros more for 512 GB instead of 256 GB, 460 euros more for 1 TByte and even 920 euros more for 2 TByte. It gets even wilder with the M4 Pro version: Here you get 4 TByte for 1380 euros extra, and 8 TByte for a whopping 2760 euros. For the latter surcharge, you could (almost) treat yourself to four entry-level versions of the Mac mini M4 (unit price at Apple with 256 GB: 699 euros). The bad thing: Apple has a monopoly here, as there is no provision for retrofitting. But that is now changing: Clever hobbyists have launched retrofit SSDs that are compatible with Apple systems and can be installed without soldering. These are now also available for the Mac mini M4.

A quarter of the Apple price

The provider is a company called Expandmacmini.com, which is backed by the London-based company Fyde Innovations, which offers an alternative operating system for Chromebooks. Initial tests of the SSDs on offer were posted on AppleInsider and on YouTube. Mac & i will endeavor to test the modules as well. Currently, SSDs are only offered for the Mac mini M4, not for the M4 Pro model, which uses a modified modular design. Furthermore, there is currently only one module size available: 2 TByte for 259 US dollars plus tax/inches, not quite a quarter of the Apple price. Delivery is to be free of charge worldwide. According to the provider, the “prototyping and testing” phase is currently underway for the M4 Pro modules.

According to Expandmacmini.com, the modules use NAND memory chips that Apple also uses, and the factories are “specially certified”. The speed of the modules should be the same as the original. Installation is perfectly feasible for people without two left hands, even if opening the machine is “moderately difficult” according to the iFixIt instructions. (Previously, there had already been successful attempts at re-soldering.) On the software side, a DFU restore is still necessary, for which you need another Mac. A previously created backup must then be restored.

SSD modules also for the Mac Studio

Previously, a French provider specializing in Mac repairs had already announced a solution for the Mac Studio – even with SSD modules that are supposed to run more securely than Apple's version thanks to overvoltage protection. In the coming weeks, even modules with 8 TByte should be available there.

Following a successful Kickstarter project, the hardware will now also be freely available; interested parties can get in touch here.

(bsc)