Mac mini Storage Bottleneck? This Fixes It! Orico MiniTower
Introduction to External Storage Solutions
Overview of the Video
- Teresa introduces herself and her expertise in coaching and remote assistance for various operating systems and software, including Apple Mac, Windows, Linux servers, and DaVinci Resolve.
- She mentions the high costs associated with Apple's storage upgrades and indicates that there are alternative options available on the market.
Limitations of Internal Upgrades
- Teresa outlines three main reasons against recommending internal storage upgrades:
- Loss of warranty upon modification.
- Inconsistent performance from third-party upgrades.
- Investment is limited to a single computer, necessitating further expenses when upgrading to new models.
The Orico Mini Tower SSD Docking Station
Product Introduction
- The Orico Mini Tower SSD Docking Station M435 is highlighted as an ideal external storage solution capable of providing up to 56TB of additional storage across multiple platforms (Mac, Windows PC, Linux).
Unboxing and Components
- The package includes:
- A small power brick (12V, 5A).
- Copper heatsink for NVMe drives with adhesive tape.
- Two USB-C cables (15 cm braided and 1 meter long), along with an adapter for USB-A.
Installation Process
Hard Drive Installation Steps
- To install hard drives:
- Remove the magnetic top cover revealing two metal trays.
- Align the hard drive with tray holes and secure using included screws.
NVMe Drive Installation
- Installing an NVMe drive involves sliding it into its slot and securing it with a single screw. Thermal pads are provided for optimal heat management.
Connecting the Docking Station
Cable Connections
- Users can choose between short or long USB-C cables based on their setup preferences. Power must also be connected for operation.
Initializing Drives
- After connecting everything properly, users need to press the power button to activate the docking station. Initialization of all attached disks follows this step.
Storage Configuration Options
Disk Management Features
- The Orico Mini Tower allows independent formatting of each disk or configuration into RAID setups:
- RAID 0: Combines two drives into one large array but risks data loss if one fails.
- RAID 1: Mirrors data across two drives for redundancy but does not increase capacity beyond that of a single drive.
RAID Configurations and Performance Testing
Understanding RAID Options
- Disk mirroring is discussed, emphasizing that data is automatically mirrored to a second hard drive for redundancy. If both drives fail, data loss occurs.
- The speaker advises against using SPAN/JBOD configurations due to potential inefficiencies and recommends RAID 1 or RAID 0 based on specific use cases.
- An introduction to testing the Orico hardware RAID 0 setup is provided, highlighting the simplicity of switching configurations via a manual switch.
Safety Features in RAID Configuration
- A safety feature prevents data loss when accidentally switching between RAID levels; existing data remains intact during configuration changes.
- To change the RAID level, users must press and hold a reset button. This process resets the array but does not erase existing data unless specified.
Formatting Drives for Optimal Performance
- Recommendations are made for formatting drives: use macOS Extended Journaled for mechanical drives and APFS for NVMe drives to optimize performance.
- Initial speed tests reveal that two mechanical hard drives in a striped array achieve approximately 410 MB/s due to simultaneous writing across both disks.
Performance Comparison Between Different RAIDs
- The NVMe drive's performance is tested next, achieving speeds close to its theoretical maximum of 1000 MB/s through USB-C connection.
- Transitioning to a RAID 1 (mirror), itβs noted that while redundancy increases, performance matches that of a single drive since identical data is written simultaneously.
Software vs. Hardware RAID Performance
- A comparison between hardware stripe (Orico hardware RAID) and macOS software stripe reveals that software-based solutions are slower due to CPU overhead required for maintenance.
- The speaker emphasizes the advantages of using hardware RAID over software options, citing consistent write speeds as an important factor in performance reliability.
Additional Capabilities of Orico Mini Tower
- The Orico Mini Tower can accommodate SATA SSDs alongside traditional HDD setups, allowing up to 24TB of flash storageβideal for high-demand applications like video production at an affordable price point.
Grab Your Computer Help and Resources
Accessing Support and Resources
- Viewers are encouraged to click the link in the video description to obtain resources before they sell out.
- The speaker offers personal remote assistance for computer issues, emphasizing a supportive approach.
- Scheduling a Zoom video call for remote help is made easy with just a few clicks via the provided link.
- The speaker hints at additional valuable computer-related content available for interested viewers.