Thinking of putting a SSD drive into my 2011iMac. Im not comfortable cracking open my iMac, a local PC repair shop will charge me $160 for install and I can bring in my own SSD. Is 250 GB SSD big enough? My current 1TB HD is only using 300 GB including iTunes. Is the $300 ($160 for install and $140 for the SSD) upgrade worth it? Will I be able to make a fusion drive using the SSD for the OS and the other HD for everything else? As far as SSDs go, what is the difference/benefits between Samsung EVO/Pro SSDs?
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2011 iMac SSD upgrade
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You really don't need to pay $160 for the installation. 2011 iMacs have Thunderbolt ports. Simply buying external TB enclosure may be sightly cheaper and gives you more flexibility. Plus TB has better bandwidth throughput, 10gbps versus 6gbps SATA3 connection internally. Downside is you end up with some cable clutter, but you can easily mount the enclosure to back of your iMac's sturdy stand.
As for Fusion Drive, you can create your DIY Fusion both internally and externally, external option is usually not recommended since unplugging TB will crash the system (but it will NOT cause catastrophic system failure). Being a desktop, external option isn't all that risky.
840 Pro has better performance and reliability than Evo. For average consumers Evo is good enough.
As for Fusion Drive, you can create your DIY Fusion both internally and externally, external option is usually not recommended since unplugging TB will crash the system (but it will NOT cause catastrophic system failure). Being a desktop, external option isn't all that risky.
840 Pro has better performance and reliability than Evo. For average consumers Evo is good enough.
Hi!
Are you planning on replacing the HD for the SSD or are you planning to install a second SSD to be used together with the HD?
Have you ever installed an hard drive in a computer? If the answer is yes, than please do it yourself using this guide, it's a walk in the park and no one charges 160$ for a walk in the park.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2428+Hard+Drive+Replacement/5954
250GB is enough for most people. You can run iTunes off the internal HD anyway. And yes, Fusion Drive is possible. Make sure you have a backup before you proceed!
Not too concered with cable clutter, but I can not find a decent TB enclosure, besides LaCei. I am willing to pay the $160 for install. Watched the video and no way am I comfortable with that. May wait until OS 10.10 comes out to see if Continuity needs BT 4.0 (wich my iMac doent have) or for a BT 4.0 donggle work around. I might just need to buy a new iMac. IF the new iMac's are 4K its brobably a done deal for me to upgrade.
Seagate and Delock TB enclosure will work fine. HandOff will definitely require BT4.0 LE to work. Other Continuity works through wifi connection if I remember correctly. If Continuity stuff is important to you, you should probably wait at least until after 10.10 release and possibly after someone figures out possible hack with BT donggle or AirPort card implant which should be done along with SSD replacement.
Not to hijack your thread, but I've been wanting to do the same thing. I'm confused as to whether or not there's a special way to install the SSD to use only for the OS, kind of like a fusion drive. I know I will lose the SD but that's not an issue. Can anyone give a link to a kit that includes the SSD that would help accomplish this? I'm not afraid of installing myself also.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other+World+Computing/DIYIM21SSD11/
Nothing special about the install. Once the hardware is in, its strictly a software choice as to whether you want a fusion drive or OS drive and data drive. No need to lose the SD reader.
Great! Thanks! I thought you had to lose the super drive to fit the SSD. I don't mind losing the Super Drive is what I meant.
Do you think the 3G 44GB SSD would be enough just to run the OS?
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I bought my 2011 27" iMac with 1TB internal spinning hard drive. For the last year I have been running OSX from an external Samsung 840 Pro SSD through Thunderbolt using a Seagate Goflex Thunderbolt Adaptor (has a SATA3 connection). Its pretty easy to set up.
Its probably better to do it this way in the long run. As SSD's get cheaper and faster if you want to swop it out for another its less headache. It doesn't look pretty and I'm still looking for a Seagate Goflex hard drive enclosure to slide the SSD into I've heard they can be found on Ebay but it just hasn't been a priority as its been working flawlessly (has half a slab of post-it notes wedged between the adaptor and the SSD to hold it up).
I just use the SSD to run the OS and the internal drive to hold the media, photo collection, porn etc.
Its probably better to do it this way in the long run. As SSD's get cheaper and faster if you want to swop it out for another its less headache. It doesn't look pretty and I'm still looking for a Seagate Goflex hard drive enclosure to slide the SSD into I've heard they can be found on Ebay but it just hasn't been a priority as its been working flawlessly (has half a slab of post-it notes wedged between the adaptor and the SSD to hold it up).
I just use the SSD to run the OS and the internal drive to hold the media, photo collection, porn etc.
Since they are cheap, I would opt for at least an 120GB SSD, any SSD out there will work. Crucial MX100's are cheap but reasonably fast ($80 direct from Crucial). You don't want to spend the time/money for an install only wishing you had purchased more space. The drive usses double sided foam tape to sit behind the SuperDrive. It uses a third, empty SATA connector on the motherboard.
Oh yea that's a great deal. I watched the install video and it really doesn't seem too bad. Thanks for all the help!
my 2 cents
i actually ordered my 2011 imac with a 256 GB apple ssd. recently wanted something larger so replaced it with a Samsung EVO 512 GB but it started piling up "unexpected power loss" in the smart readout every time i slept the comp. This can be quite bad for an SSD. Switched it out for a Crucial m550 and all is good. I would recommend avoiding the EVO personally.
i actually ordered my 2011 imac with a 256 GB apple ssd. recently wanted something larger so replaced it with a Samsung EVO 512 GB but it started piling up "unexpected power loss" in the smart readout every time i slept the comp. This can be quite bad for an SSD. Switched it out for a Crucial m550 and all is good. I would recommend avoiding the EVO personally.