Swap ODD for SSD iMac 27" Late 2009

You'd need an Optibay adapter ranging from 20 to 80 € via eBay and MCETech and Hardwrk.

As for a guide, I guess you already looked here?

As for where it could be done in the UK, I have no clue, but it does not look that complicated, but then again, I opened my 2007 Aluminium iMac thrice already to replace the HDD with a bigger HDD and then with an SSD and then finally remove the ODD, since it was frelling up.

As for the speed, S-ATA 3.0 Gbps (S-ATA II) would be correct and more than sufficient.

According to this, it seems to be different.

A guide from crutial - http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+SSD+Installation/367/1

thedeske said:

A guide from crutial - http://guides.crucial.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+SSD+Installation/367/1

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It is still the guide from iFixIt I linked to in the first reply, the same pictures and descriptions. It will probably not change the OP's decision to not do it him/herself.

simsaladimbamba said:

It is still the guide from iFixIt I linked to in the first reply, the same pictures and descriptions.

Click to expand...

Ah, sorry about that. You're right. I think some people are intimidated by the 4 cables behind the LCD. Compared to pulling apart a Mini, this is not so bad. ajhard should have no problem finding a shop to help out.

ajhard said:

Thanks both - I am absolutely intimidated by the cables!
I have now found a local place that will do it for me which is great.

I was thinking about this SSD - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Ser...18?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1363699005&sr=1-18

And one of these two caddies - http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DDMMCL0GB/

http://www.ifixit.com/Apple-Parts/1...ems&utm_term=imac_intel_27"_emc_2309_and_2374

Any comments on which caddy is best, whether any other bits are required and if the SSD looks ok?

Thanks

Click to expand...

Just completed the install with the OWC tray (same one in your link) and a Samsung 840 (256)
on an 09 i7. The thing that slows me down is dealing with the tiny LCD cables. The wide ribbon on the right is a little hard to grab and release the side locks. It's so thin and delicate looking, I'm a little scared to really grab it. The small ribbon on the bottom left has a levered latch you have to pull back on it's top and then pull the cable down. It was a little sticky, but I took a break and got it done. The very top left cable you detach first is easy to lift out, but it's paper thin and short, so it doesn't have a positive feel when you put it back. My hands are perhaps large, so it's a matter of getting a feel while you hold the panel open. I worked with the iMac standing up.

I've worked with temp sensors before, so use a tiny object to slowly peel it and it's square cover away. The stick should remain if you go very slow & you can re-apply to the SSD. I didn't bother unplugging the temp cable. Just peeled it away before I removed the Optical.

I use an small hemostat to help with screws, but tweezers are fine.

The 840 works quite well. On the 09 I don't see the need to get anything faster.
I'll enable trim after re-filling some user files I removed for the install.

Good Luck

ajhard said:

Thanks thedeske

That's great - I guess I'll go with the 840 and the OWC caddy then.

I don't know anything about Trim - is there an idiots guide I can take a look at so as not to screw it up?

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The caddy is nice, but designed for taller SSDs, It means you'll have to flex the cable right at the connection point on the SSD. I could have done a little surgery on the metal (bend it back and out of the way) but it works as is.

There are many discussions on using Terminal, or you can get http://www.groths.org/trim-enabler/ and turn it on/restart.