∞ Device lets Mac mini, iMac users replace optical drives with second HD

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OWC has announced the expansion of their Data Doubler optical bay drive mounting kit. The kit now works in 2009-era Mac minis and 2009-2010 iMac models. It costs $79.99.

[ad#Google Adsense 300x250 in story]The Data Doubler replaces the “SuperDrives” present in these systems from the factory with a mount which can accommodate a hard disk drive or SSD – a second drive to accompany the internal drive already inside. That way, Mac minis and iMacs can be expanded with additional storage capacity, or through RAID 0 striping, a boost in hard disk drive performance.

OWC says the Mac mini kit is user-installable, but it recommends professional installation for the iMac kit.


  • JLN

    For $80 you could get a respectable external drive. Why give up your optical bay for this?

  • http://crankygeek.com Jack Brewster

    If they added an esata or USB 3.0 connector at the same time, I’d think about it. But for straight up storage, I agree with JLN.

  • http://www.macsales.com OWC Grant

    The point of Data Doubler is to max your storage capacity or dramatically increase performance via an SSD…by utilizing the rarely used optical drive bay. And regarding the suggestion above, it’s far more convenient to have the drive internally…

    • http://crankygeek.com Jack Brewster

      “it’s far more convenient to have the drive internally…”

      I think that’s use-dependent. Not arguing that adding RAID or SSD capability is nice, but I still think that an external drive is more convenient. It can be easily moved to another computer, or replaced if a drive fails, for example.

      But it’s a nice to have option if someone needs it.

  • hiscross

    I’ve been a similar sled in a mid-2009 mini and MBP over 6 months. I have 2 Intel ssd in my Mini and 2 Patriots in my MBP. I have the DVD in an external case. They both work great.

  • osequis

    I love OWC products and this adaptor comes handy for those like me who are thinking about adding such feature, but the price seems kinda high at $80 considering that a new external case for the soon to be orphan superdrive is not included in the kit.