Sintech M.2 NGFF NVMe SSD Card for Upgrade Mac mini Late 2014 Year A1347 MEG Series

Highly recommend if you have a late 2014 Mac Mini. Make sure you have the right tools to open up the chasis. Beyond that, fairly easy to install and works as advertised. Keep in mind, the bus on which the NVME is connected to is limted to 1000 MB/s bandwidth, so don't expect your PCIe x5 to run at 7000+ MB/s

If you have a 2014 Mac Mini, this is a solid product upgrade if you are coming from a spinning HDD or even an SSD SATA drive. Easy to install - and if you remove your SATA cable/drive for this upgrade, simply use the screw retainer hold down on the PCIE coupling. I was a bit skeptical of the tape to hold the board in place, but - it's 3M brand and Sintech also adds the screws for the rear hold down as well - so your SSD will be fixed properly... As for performance? It drives my WD NVME at nearly full speed of the bus design - or just under 500Mb/s for read/writes. It's a definite upgrade over either a SATA HDD or SSD... Again - well done product that does what it says it will do....

In 2023 I decided to finally try out a MAC. I initially bought a used 2018 Mac Mini off eBay. Load times weren't that great & as I upgraded to newer versions of MacOS they got worse. Had read how installing an NVMe SSD drive could speed things up. Well, let me tell you -- it's night and day! What's I'm doing is probably a bit untypical. I'm using the 2018 Mac Mini as a thin client basically, connecting to a more powerful desktop PC that I call "The Beast!" through Microsoft Remote Desktop. I also bought a Mac Mini M2 in 2023 a few months after I had upgraded the 2018 Mac Mini. And I can connect to the Mac Mini M2 from the 2018 Mac Mini as well. So basically I have the option of working on a powerful computer from the basement, either a Windows Desktop or Mac Desktop through this thin client. It's worked out wonderfully. I even have dual 24" monitors setup on the 2018 Mac Mini and have it kicked into the highest resolution (non-4k). I'm actually very surprised how well the remote desktop connections work these days -- no different than being right at the PC itself as long as you're on a wired connection. In any case, this adapter helped me try out a Mac and going forward I'll probably do more of these thin clients as I upgraded to newer versions of the Mac Mini. The adapter was pretty straight-forward to install. It's best to verify you buy a compatible NVMe SSD first, so do a bit of research. Oh and, in my case I got the screws needed for installation in the package. I don't think I had noticed the description mentioned including screws, so I had purchased some, but turns out screws were included.

I used this adapter to install a NVMe SSD into my late 2014 Mac Mini. You will need #6 and #8 Torx SECURITY screwdrivers to access the interior of your Mac Mini. I mention this because even though I had a Torx set, they weren't "security" and I had to rush to the store for the right ones so I could use my computer the next day. The adapter fits perfectly. the NVMe attaches with a bit of adhesive tape and one screw (supplied). It was fairly easy to install and works great. I'm happy with the quality of this adapter.

Ok.. I had a late 2014 Mac Mini that was a "decent" machine, but slow as dog running through a foot of mud, so it did not get much use and sat there. When I saw this option, I decided to give the Mac one last try to see if I can bring it back to life. I got this adapter, a Seagate 2TB FireCuda Hybrid (to replace to the slow Fusion drive) and a WD SN570 NVMe way to fast 250GB drive. I wanted to use the NVMe for OS/Apps and the FireCuda for data (Pictures, videos, music, etc). I started by backing everything up and learning how to replace the actual HDD, then I added this adapter and the NVMe. I did a fresh install of the OS (Monterey) and then after it went through setup and got to login screen.. Whole new worlds opened up. I can't even begin to tell you the night/day difference adding a NVMe drive to the Mac Mini made. Since I use the HDD for storage mostly, I am not really counting that, but the performance is still far better than the fusion drive. Still, WOW. Seriously a new machine, unlike anything performance wise previously. I honestly think I heard the startup sound say "Thank you"

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Had an old MacMini (late) 2014 that was just too tired with its 5,400 RPM 1 TB drive, so decided to get the inexpensive Sintech M.2 NGFF NVMe SSD adapter and a Crucial 1 TB SSD NVME SSD (as it was on sale). Install was a breeze (I've dabbled in the MacMini dozens of times), but a few issues to highlight: a) depending on the alignment of the PCIe connector on the motherboard, you might have to gently 'struggle' to get the screw holding the adapter in place at the far end. b) try the adapter is place first, no adhesive exposed. Then just remove one corner of the adhesive cover so you can grab it with a pincer or a pair of pliers later. Then mount the adaptor, ensuring that is aligns smoothly with the PCIe connector. Once it does and the screw has been placed in the slotted hole, pull away the rest of the adhesive cover. c) do not rely solely on the included adhesive strip. Highly recommended to use a bracket (similar to what Apple uses for their PCIe connected adapter) or place to place a piece of temperature resistant foam as padding between the adapter and the mini's cover. You DO NOT want this adapter to suddenly fall out of its connector due to some micro tension when mounting it. But when all was done, the SSD stick in place, and after a fresh install of MacOS Monterey and eventual migration of user profile from the old HDD, this previously sluggish aluminum 'puck' is now again a perfectly usable, even speedy, computer. I have now installed SSDs of various type in a dozen computers or more, and if there is one 'upgrade' that truly changes the experience on a PC, SSD must be the top choice. For those looking to working the MacMini; carefully review what HW version you have, as they differ quite a bit in regards to what can be done and not in terms of upgrades.

If you have a 2014 series Mac Mini, this is a must have. Works like a charm. Beats a SATA SSD by far. One small technical flaw (and forgive me, I am an engineer :) ) is the fixation support is made with a small adhesive foam bar as opposed to a screw - which screw has its dedicated hole about 1/10" away from the scerw's location on the sintech board. So very typical. This is not a disadvantage, just a picky observation. Anyway, the product is really great, does what is should and does it perfectly. Not to mention the fact that if this was an Apple adapter, the price would be well in the hundreds :) As for the NVMe SSD, I am using it with a Samsung EVO 960. Most likely it will work with the EVO 970 as well (if you upgrade the 970's firmware to the latest one - the 970 worked like this in a 2016 Mbook Air). So again, buy with confidence, it will considerably beef up your Mac's performance and that will bring new life to it - and that will make you happy for sure.