How to install SSD to Mid 2010 iMac 27?

soamz · Feb 4, 2013, 11:53 PM

Hi, I have a iMac Mid 2010 model. It has 1TB internal drive, but its kind of slow. So, I would like to attach a SSD drive and let the apps and OS work from the SSD then .

Yesterday I called my local Apple guy and asked him to open the machine .
I already bought a Crucial m4 256GB SSD . But we saw that, there is no extra contact for attaching an additional drive. We took out the super drive , but the contacts dont match with the SSD contacts.

So, whats the best way to do it ?

Do we need to get some extra conversion wire kit to attach somewhere ?

IM tired of Apple limitations.

n-i-k-k-o · Feb 5, 2013, 02:25 AM

First Google search result based on your thread title yields this:

http://www.twam.info/hardware/apple/...d-2010-27-imac

If your "Apple guy" is stumped then I suggest you find your nearest Authorized Apple Reseller and ask them to help you.

N

soamz · Feb 5, 2013, 02:38 AM

I had checked it last week. It was confusing.

eawmp1 · Feb 5, 2013, 02:42 AM

If you read the link you need the adapter kit and cable for the optical bay.
As for replacing the SATA drive it should have been a simple swap.

You should be tired of your apple guy's limitations.

soamz · Feb 5, 2013, 02:57 AM

I dont want to replace my current SATA .

I know, its simple, if I do that way. But I want to use my SATA and SSD both.

eawmp1 · Feb 5, 2013, 03:10 AM

You HAVE to use an adapter to put any SATA drive into the optical bay. The first response linked a site that said as much. Here is another option. Either options allows you to have 2 SATA drives in your iMac (at the expense of the optical drive).

That the iMac is not a Mac Pro is by design and not a "limitation". That third parties offer workarounds is a blessing.

soamz · Feb 5, 2013, 03:15 AM

http://store.mcetech.com/Merchant2/m...roduct_Count=6

THis looks really good. But has anyone tried it ?

eawmp1 · Feb 5, 2013, 03:24 AM

Search.

I've used it in a MacBook Pro.

soamz · Feb 5, 2013, 03:29 AM

Ok then if you can just reply my question :

1. So, I simply get this and remove my super drive. Place this one in place of the super drive. And it has slot for placing the SSD I have.

Then it has its own contacts to attach the SSD and it has its own contacts to connect to the contacts hanging near the super drive in an iMac ?

Do we need do to anything else ?

eawmp1 · Feb 5, 2013, 03:52 AM

It is all you need. They even have the option of a USB external enclosure for the optical drive.

Here is an installation guide.

soamz · Feb 5, 2013, 04:23 AM

Ok what I understood is :

1. Open the iMac.
2. Take out the SATA Drive, by taking out its contacts and power cord.
3. Take out the super drive.
4. Place the SATA drive inside the Optibay. [Here the question is, has the OptiBay got all contacts for the SATA drive and what about the power cord for the SATA ?]
5. And place the SSD in the old SATA drive location, by attaching to glue or sticks ?

dangerly · Feb 5, 2013, 05:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soamz

Ok what I understood is :

1. Open the iMac.
2. Take out the SATA Drive, by taking out its contacts and power cord.
3. Take out the super drive.
4. Place the SATA drive inside the Optibay. [Here the question is, has the OptiBay got all contacts for the SATA drive and what about the power cord for the SATA ?]
5. And place the SSD in the old SATA drive location, by attaching to glue or sticks ?

Take a look at iFixit guide for installing a second HDD in a 27" iMac, the procedure will be the same for the installa tion of SSD:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installi...d+Drive/8955/1

Bacci · Feb 7, 2013, 09:01 AM

Why give up your DVD drive if you have a 27" iMac?

This is imho the better way:

http://blog.macsales.com/13963-owc-i...-27-apple-imac

I've done it myself and it's easy.

soamz · Feb 7, 2013, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bacci

Why give up your DVD drive if you have a 27" iMac?

This is imho the better way:

http://blog.macsales.com/13963-owc-i...-27-apple-imac

I've done it myself and it's easy.

Oh good. How much does it cost ?

And SSd doesnt need power cable. So, where does this cable get into ?

The super drive contacts ?

Bacci · Feb 8, 2013, 01:42 AM

I bought the kit, but I guess if you have a lot of the tools already you could buy them separately.

Instructions can be found
here, that will answer your cable questions too.

Feb 4, 2013, 11:53 PM	#1
soamz macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orissa, India	How to install SSD to Mid 2010 iMac 27? Hi, I have a iMac Mid 2010 model. It has 1TB internal drive, but its kind of slow. So, I would like to attach a SSD drive and let the apps and OS work from the SSD then . Yesterday I called my local Apple guy and asked him to open the machine . I already bought a Crucial m4 256GB SSD . But we saw that, there is no extra contact for attaching an additional drive. We took out the super drive , but the contacts dont match with the SSD contacts. So, whats the best way to do it ? Do we need to get some extra conversion wire kit to attach somewhere ? IM tired of Apple limitations.
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Feb 5, 2013, 02:25 AM	#2
n-i-k-k-o macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Calne, Wiltshire, UK	First Google search result based on your thread title yields this: http://www.twam.info/hardware/apple/...d-2010-27-imac If your "Apple guy" is stumped then I suggest you find your nearest Authorized Apple Reseller and ask them to help you. N
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 02:38 AM	#3
soamz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orissa, India	I had checked it last week. It was confusing.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 02:42 AM	#4
eawmp1 macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL	If you read the link you need the adapter kit and cable for the optical bay. As for replacing the SATA drive it should have been a simple swap. You should be tired of your apple guy's limitations.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 02:57 AM	#5
soamz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orissa, India	I dont want to replace my current SATA . I know, its simple, if I do that way. But I want to use my SATA and SSD both.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 03:10 AM	#6
eawmp1 macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL	You HAVE to use an adapter to put any SATA drive into the optical bay. The first response linked a site that said as much. Here is another option. Either options allows you to have 2 SATA drives in your iMac (at the expense of the optical drive). That the iMac is not a Mac Pro is by design and not a "limitation". That third parties offer workarounds is a blessing.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 03:15 AM	#7
soamz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orissa, India	http://store.mcetech.com/Merchant2/m...roduct_Count=6 THis looks really good. But has anyone tried it ?
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 03:24 AM	#8
eawmp1 macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL	Search. I've used it in a MacBook Pro.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 03:29 AM	#9
soamz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orissa, India	Ok then if you can just reply my question : 1. So, I simply get this and remove my super drive. Place this one in place of the super drive. And it has slot for placing the SSD I have. Then it has its own contacts to attach the SSD and it has its own contacts to connect to the contacts hanging near the super drive in an iMac ? Do we need do to anything else ?
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 03:52 AM	#10
eawmp1 macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: FL	It is all you need. They even have the option of a USB external enclosure for the optical drive. Here is an installation guide.
	0

Feb 5, 2013, 04:23 AM	#11
soamz Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Orissa, India	Ok what I understood is : 1. Open the iMac. 2. Take out the SATA Drive, by taking out its contacts and power cord. 3. Take out the super drive. 4. Place the SATA drive inside the Optibay. [Here the question is, has the OptiBay got all contacts for the SATA drive and what about the power cord for the SATA ?] 5. And place the SSD in the old SATA drive location, by attaching to glue or sticks ?
	0

Feb 7, 2013, 09:01 AM	#13
Bacci macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	Why give up your DVD drive if you have a 27" iMac? This is imho the better way: http://blog.macsales.com/13963-owc-i...-27-apple-imac I've done it myself and it's easy.
	0

Feb 8, 2013, 01:42 AM	#15
Bacci macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2012	I bought the kit, but I guess if you have a lot of the tools already you could buy them separately. Instructions can be found here, that will answer your cable questions too.
	0