Customer Reviews for Other World Computing OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Other World Computing OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models. Add a second 2.5" hard drive or solid state drive (up to 9.5mm in height).
Average Customer Rating:
(13 Reviews) 13
Rating Breakdown 13 reviews
5 stars
11
4 stars
2
3 stars
0
2 stars
0
1 star
0
12 out of 12(100%)reviewers would recommend this product.
Customer Reviews for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Review 1 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Was hard but worked!
PostedApril 28, 2013
The video is helpful
But the manual is better
Although the kit does not have prober labels the colors are the best indicates
Almost broke a connector but it worked
If you like DIY
Go for it
Saved $300 and now I have a cool set up Thanks WOC!
But the manual is better
Although the kit does not have prober labels the colors are the best indicates
Almost broke a connector but it worked
If you like DIY
Go for it
Saved $300 and now I have a cool set up Thanks WOC!
Pros: Quality
Cons: hard to do
I would recommend this to a friend!
Anonymous
from Rg IL
Age: 25-34
Experience Level: Power User
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 2 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Flawless
PostedApril 24, 2013
Thanks to this litlle kit I've installed SSD into my 2012 Mac Mini and set up the Fusion Drive. Works perfect. Took me about an hour instead of 30 minutes, but that's probably because I was too cautious with those little wires.
Five out of five.
Pros: Quality, Durability
I would recommend this to a friend!
Anonymous
from Moscow, Russia
Age: 18-24
Experience Level: Power User
Owned Product: 1-3 months
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 3 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Piece of Cake
PostedApril 23, 2013
Well designed and well documented kit for adding a second internal drive to a Mac Mini. I have several decades of experience in electronics and have disassembled/reassembled thousands of pieces of equipment. I have to say this kit is one of the best instructional procedures I have seen. In spite of the cheap materials and design of Apple's products (which cause things to stick and get out of alignment mechanically), the instructions in this kit help to warn you of possible problems along the way. Excellent work!
On the slight down side, I consider this kit a bit pricey for what you get. But, considering the great job OWC did with providing the exact tools and precise instructions, I have to say it is worth the expense to make the job a 'piece of cake'.
On the slight down side, I consider this kit a bit pricey for what you get. But, considering the great job OWC did with providing the exact tools and precise instructions, I have to say it is worth the expense to make the job a 'piece of cake'.
Pros: Quality, great instructions
Cons: a bit pricey
I would recommend this to a friend!
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 4 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Thorough instructions, easy to follow
PostedFebruary 16, 2013
I normally don't write reviews but felt the need to after installing this product. I was very apprehensive about removing all the guts of my Mac Mini. Afraid I would permanently damage something and end up with a paper weight. I am not a computer tech and have no experience with computer repair. This kit is awesome!! Coupled with the 120 GB SSD(also purchased from OWC), my Mac Mini flies! I think anyone could swap out a hard drive with this kit. With a little patience and following the very detailed and excellent instructions, it is a breeze. Highly recommended!
Pros: Quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
Anonymous
from Baltimore, MD
Age: 25-34
Experience Level: Home User
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
0points
0of 0voted this as helpful.
Review 5 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Works great
PostedFebruary 3, 2013
I purchased this to add an SSD as my primary drive while keeping the original 1TB HDD for files and backup. I have a late 2012 mini and the instructions were very good - as others have mentioned go slow and watch the video several times to get comfortable with what you are doing. Based on some comments in other forums, I chose to put the new SSD into the original drive location and move the stock drive to the extra bay. Also note that the antenna connector is now hidden under some tape but its easily pushed to the side.
Be gentle and move slowly - my mini is flying now!
Pros: Quality
Anonymous
from Atlanta
Age: 35-44
Experience Level: Home User
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 6 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Easier than they implied it would be
PostedDecember 11, 2012
When they said this was a 4 ("challenging") on a scale of 1 to 5, I think they may have been slightly overstating the level of difficulty. But it's possible that I am biased, since I took apart a 1st gen mac mini back in the day to upgrade its CPU to a Core 2 Duo. So I'm used to this sort of thing, perhaps.
One thing that was not suggested, but that I would recommend, is to keep a magnifier handy. Sometimes some of the steps are made somewhat easier when you can get a really good, close look at what you're doing.
I'm going to knock one star off because of an error in the manual that came with the kit. The error is that they have you reinserting a screw into the drive carrier during reinstallation, but that step must not be performed until the power supply is put back in place (the screw holds the power supply in as well). The video instructions are correct. I recommend watching the HD version of the video a couple of times.
I would recommend this to a friend!
nsayer
from Santa Clara, CA
Age: 35-44
Experience Level: IT Professional
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 7 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Great way to add additional storage
PostedNovember 23, 2012
Ordered the data doubler for my new late 2012 Mac mini. All the tools you need are included which makes installation easy. The full color guide provided has every step shown clearly and the YouTube installation video too make install a snap. Using the provided instructions, even the most technically inclined should have no issues adding another drive without too much trouble.
The price is great. While it may be a couple dollars more than an external enclosure for a drive, installing another drive internally means that it works at the full SATA speed rather than the slower speeds of USB 3.0/2.0 or FireWire.
This is a great option for those looking to add storage without the added clutter of an external drive. It also means faster transfer speeds because the drive is internal (although Thunderbolt externals should offer the same speeds although they are very expensive at this point).
Pros: Quality, price
I would recommend this to a friend!
TheMacMan
from Minneapolis, MN
Age: 25-34
Experience Level: IT Professional
Owned Product: 1-3 months
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 8 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Installed on latest 2012 2.6Ghz i7
PostedNovember 21, 2012
Thanks to OWC I've got an SSD and the original 1T hard drive installed! The only difference between the video and the BEAUTIFUL included documentation with my unit is a sticker placed over the Wifi antenna connector. Not a problem if you're paying attention, though. An "involved" install but everything fit nicely. Definite recommend! Don't even bother trying to source the cable elsewhere, you'll pay almost as much for the cable itself on auction-type sites (hint hint) and you won't get the grommets or any of the tools and ultimately, OWC should get a reward as well as a big thumbs up for the great instructions they've put together.
I would recommend this to a friend!
My product recommendations
Mckitrick
from Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Age: 35-44
Experience Level: IT Professional
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 9 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Great Product! (but I had an Installation Disaster)
PostedOctober 10, 2012
This posting is a warning so that others may avoid my mistake. During disassembly, I inadvertently pried the entire IR cable connecter assembly from the logic board. Be very, very careful that you distinguish the two parts of this connector so that you don't make the same fatal mistake that I did. :-(
I would recommend this to a friend!
Steverr
from Montreal
Age: 45-54
Experience Level: Home User
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 10 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Great product.
PostedOctober 9, 2012
Everything you need to mount a second hard drive to your mac mini 2011. Great instructions included.
Pros: Quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
swede
from stockholm, Sweden
Age: 35-44
Experience Level: IT Professional
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 11 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Great product with great manual!
PostedSeptember 1, 2012
Bought this so I could put an SSD into my Mac Mini. The kit came with everything I needed, including a very detailed and very well put together OWC-made installation guide. It is a challenging install that's probably not for anyone who doesn't know their way around the inside of a Mac, but the installation guide made it much, much smoother. Great job OWC!
Pros: Quality
I would recommend this to a friend!
PeterG
from Albuquerque, NM
Age: 35-44
Experience Level: Power User
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+2points
2of 2voted this as helpful.
Review 12 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Worth The Investment In Time and Effort
PostedJune 28, 2012
Like many, I was not really looking forward to disassembling my Mac mini but that's what you have to do in order to install a SSD or HD. I performed two of these upgrades putting a SSD in one and an 750GB HD in another. Just follow along with the instructions and take your time and things pretty much work out ok. The two issues I had revolved around the electrical connectors and the OEM HD. The connectors are fragile looking so it's a bit stressful to disconnect and reconnect them as you're always worried about botching the wiring harness. I didn't have any issues with them but it's tight working conditions so be prepared. The other issue was trying to seat the upper drive back into the mini. I gave up and removed the guide screws and it fit just fine after that. The antenna mount acts to secure the drive as well so it's in no danger of jiggling around. The OWC kit is complete and instructions are among the best I've ever seen. So, if you're willing to take the plunge, you can either add a SSD to boost performance or a HDD to increase storage. I did both on two separate machines and it both are working great.
Pros: Quality
Cons: scary
I would recommend this to a friend!
Mick
from Charles Town, WV
Age: 45-54
Experience Level: Power User
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.
Review 13 for OWC 'Data Doubler' 2.5" Hard Drive/SSD Installation Kit for Mac mini 2011, 2012, and Later models.
Overall rating
Great kit but challenging!
PostedMay 7, 2012
This is a challenging upgrade but within the capabilities of a savvy user if you are comfortable with the innards of a previous Mini or Mac laptop. Great care must be taken but the video tutorial is very comprehensive and accurate; I had forethought to move a copy to my iPad to help with the install.
What was the most difficult was encountered during reassembly. Getting the drive back in the stock "lower" location took some finagling and seating the Airport Antenna back in place also took some work. If the two ears of the Airport Antenna don't sit PERFECTLY in their spots, something isn't right. Part goes under the lip and part goes over it.
Pros: Quality
Cons: nit picky
I would recommend this to a friend!
MichaelD
from Springfield OR
Age: 55-65
Experience Level: IT Professional
Owned Product: less than a month
Verified Buyer: true
Share:
+1point
1of 1voted this as helpful.