2011 27" iMac with SSD & HDD. I want to replace the HDD.

[N0ddie]

Currently have a November 2011 built 27" iMac. When bought I specified the 256Gb SSD + 1TB HDD option. Lately my HDD has started to make some funky noises so I'm looking to replace it with a 1TB SSD (Samsung 850 EVO) as they have come down it price considerably.

I have watched numerous videos on how to replace the HDD on these iMacs and its something that I'm going to do myself however I have yet to see one with both the Apple SSD & HDD fitted and am unsure as to whether or not it will be the same process.

Does anyone know where the Apple SSD is usually installed on these iMacs?

I have ordered the suction cups in order to remove the screen so if nobody knows for sure I'll open it up myself (When they arrive) before I splurge £250 on an SSD I may not be able to fit.

 

[HBOC]

fixit.com or check OWC (macsales.com)

 

[tubeexperience]

You''ll need this: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIM27SSD11/

 

[N0ddie]

Why cant I just remove the HDD and install and SDD in a 2.5 to 3.5" bracket?

 

[tubeexperience]

Why cant I just remove the HDD and install and SDD in a 2.5 to 3.5" bracket?

You can if you already have the tools.

 

[N0ddie]

So according to MacSales/OWC Apple positioned their SSDs in the 2011 27" iMac under the optical drive.

2.5" to 3.5" AdaptaDrive, 2 suction cups and the heat sensor/adapter thingy came today. SSD should be here on Thursday so the plan is to swap the drives on Friday.

 

[N0ddie]

So done the swap this morning (2 days later than expected due to Amazon couriers damaging the 1st SSD) and am impressed. Read and write speeds up from 50MB/s to 500MB/s.

Install was straightforward enough with the help of tutorial vids. The hardest bit was the ribbon type cable getting reattached.

 

[maflynn]

Install was straightforward enough with the help of tutorial vids. The hardest bit was the ribbon type cable getting reattached.

Congrats, and I agree, some of those cables can be a bit tricky, but I'm sure now with an SSD, your iMac must feel brand new.

 

[billk]

Would it be the same process for the 2009 i5 1TB? I have a left over SSD from my MacBook pro retina (2012) that I wanted to reuse. Any help on the tools/conversions would be much appreciated. thanks!