As confirmed by theExpand Mac mini, the NAND storage in the new Mac mini models with M6 and M5 Pro processors is soldered to the logic board. This is a significant change from the previous models with M4 and M4 Pro processors, which had removable storage that could be upgraded. This change has caused concern for users who relied on the upgrade flexibility of older models.
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Apple’s decision to solder NAND storage to the logic board means that users can no longer upgrade Mac mini after purchase, which was possible with the M4 and M4 Pro models. “Expand Mac mini” offers plug-and-play SSD drives that are functionally equivalent to Apple’s proprietary drives, but hundreds of dollars cheaper. This allowed customers to save significant money by choosing the Mac mini with the minimum available capacity of 256GB from Apple’s online store and later installing a larger capacity drive from a third-party vendor. With the new models, this option is no longer available.
Expand Mac miniexpressed its disappointment with the change, stating in a blog post that “we will continue to look for a solution, but support for the M6 and M5 Pro now seems unlikely.” This development has caused concern for users who want to be in control of their storage and system upgrades.
Notably, Mac mini with the M1 processor and M2/M2 Pro processors also had NAND soldered to the logic board. So, the M4/M4 Pro configurations with removable storage have proven to be a lone exception for now. Apple has not commented on this reversal, leaving users to wonder about the reasons behind this decision.
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Additionally, all new Mac mini configurations with 256GB of storage reportedly have a single NAND chip, instead of a pair of 128GB chips. This results in 256GB configurations having slower SSD speeds compared to configurations with 512GB of storage or more, which have dual NAND chips. According to AAPL Ch.'s testing with Blackmagic's Disk Speed Test, the new 256GB model's Disk Speed Test scores were about half of those of models with 512GB of storage or more.
While the average customer is unlikely to notice the difference, performance-demanding users will appreciate the fact that they need to opt for at least 512GB of storage to achieve the fastest possible SSD speeds. Fortunately, even with 256GB of storage, it appears that the new Mac mini has significantly faster SSD speeds compared to the previous 256GB model.
Mac mini models with M2/M2 Pro processors and 256GB of storage also had a single NAND chip, so the M4/M4 Pro configurations proved to be a unique exception in this regard as well. This change in Mac mini architecture may affect consumer decision-making, as the ability to upgrade storage is an important factor for many users.
Apple's decision to limit upgrade options could be interpreted as an attempt to maintain control over its ecosystem and encourage users to buy models with more storage from the start. However, this strategy may disappoint users who want more flexibility and economy in their choices.
See also: Apple: A smaller Mac Mini and a new iPad Mini expected in November
Overall, the changes to the new Mac mini models with M6 and M5 Pro processors underscore Apple's trend toward more closed systems, limiting third-party upgrade options. Users who want to be in control of their system's storage and upgrades may need to look for alternatives or opt for models with more storage from the start.
