I need to add more user profiles. I have an older model Mac mini with 1TB of space. I can’t migrate to the new Mac mini M4 base model because there is not enough space. How do I create more space to get all my family data and user profiles transferred over. Do I use HDD or SSD? What are the steps to do this?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Mac mini
Excuse the diversionary discussion above on purchase options, boot from SSD, etc. Well-intended but totally off topic unfortunately.
Your issue is with the migration assistant. Avoid MA and setup your Mac as fresh creating profiles manually. For the rest, restore from Time Machine and/or external disk after copying data files from your old Mac. Install apps fresh as well. All the best.
Excuse the diversionary discussion above on purchase options, boot from SSD, etc. Well-intended but totally off topic unfortunately.
Your issue is with the migration assistant. Avoid MA and setup your Mac as fresh creating profiles manually. For the rest, restore from Time Machine and/or external disk after copying data files from your old Mac. Install apps fresh as well. All the best.
Apple's upgrade prices are ridiculous. 1 TB costs £400 whilst you can buy a 1 TB plugin SSD for £70 or less.
So you get the base model mini and buy a 1 TB (or larger) plug in SSD.
You then install Sequoia on the external and boot the Mac from that.
The process is quite simple and takes an hour or so for the (automatic) installation of the operating system.
Yes, he can do that however if he may lose all AI capabilities. I agree the cost of Apple storage is high but long after the money is spent he will not be thinking about $$ he will be enjoying the user experience.
You buy NOT the base model. You get one with 1 TB of space. You cannot put 1 gallon of gas into a coffee cup. It’s that simple!
The OP is needing more storage space and he wants info on the options.
He appears to know what to do with MA (or not) once he has the drives.
Does he want or need AI?
I don't but if I did I would simply boot into the internal SSD.
Furthermore if he decides to sell the M4 (or it breaks) he will lose his 1 TB drive and most of the cash he paid for it whereas if it is an external he just keeps it for his next computer.
Lastly when you add a 1 TB plugin drive you do not have 1 TB of storage you have 1.25 TB! When you have it built in you are paying £400 for less than 750 GB
As for the "experience" even a USB 3.0 SSD runs the computer just as fast for normal activities including video editing so the experience is the same.
Just re-read your original question and the wording looks as though you may have already bought the base model.
If so, this 4 minute video will walk you through the process of making a bootable SSD.
The actual process only takes a minute but he guides you step by step to ensure you make no mistakes.
Thank you. This is what I was looking for. I have a 2 TB SSD and my time machine backups on a HDD. I just wanted the space to load all my family’s profiles on new Mac. Don’t need the AI capabilities at all
As hcsitas says your families profiles (accounts??) shouldn't take up much space, so you could boot normally from the internal and use the external for photos, videos etc.
The reason I prefer booting from the external is because the internal SSD is tiny and as such has quite a limited lifespan (TBW). Booting from the external ensures that the internal gets no wear at all.
Ok, but OP doesn’t need more storage space to create profiles. It’s an MA limitation, easily bypassed. Nevertheless, your point taken, +1.
How can I increase storage on my Mac mini M4 model
