27" iMac (Late 2012) PCIe SSD

[Fried Chicken]

What M.2 PCIe Blade SSD would fit into my late 2012 iMac?
I'm looking to retrofit an M.2 SSD into my iMac, and if I could upgrade with one of the really really really fast newer chips that are coming out that would be great.

However, there is laughably little information regarding the M.2 port found specifically on the late 2012 27" iMac. In fact the entire M.2 PCIe port has very little information.

So broadly what I want to know is: what Blade SSD will fit my iMac?

More specifically, what's the difference between the M.2 port in the 2012 iMac and the 2013 iMac?
What version of PCIe is on that curious little port?

 

[rbart]

On 27" late 2012, it's not a PCIe or M2 blade.
It's a SATA blade specific to Apple.
You can't buy a new one, but you can find some used ones on eBay (it's the same balde as in MacBook pro retina 2012).

 

[Fried Chicken]

On 27" late 2012, it's not a PCIe or M2 blade.
It's a SATA blade specific to Apple.
You can't buy a new one, but you can find some used ones on eBay (it's the same balde as in MacBook pro retina 2012).

http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...imac-aluminum-late-2012-late-2013-models.html

"For storage upgrades, if the 21.5-Inch "Late 2012" iMac models were not configured with an SSD or a "Fusion Drive" at the time of purchase, there is no way to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD later as the needed connector is not present. However, the 27-Inch "Late 2012" and all "Late 2013" iMac models do have this connector on the motherboard even without a pre-installed SSD, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD after the purchase of the system."

Everymac claims it is in fact a PCIe connector.

 

[rbart]

http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...imac-aluminum-late-2012-late-2013-models.html

"For storage upgrades, if the 21.5-Inch "Late 2012" iMac models were not configured with an SSD or a "Fusion Drive" at the time of purchase, there is no way to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD later as the needed connector is not present. However, the 27-Inch "Late 2012" and all "Late 2013" iMac models do have this connector on the motherboard even without a pre-installed SSD, so it is possible to add a PCIe-based "blade" SSD after the purchase of the system."

Everymac claims it is in fact a PCIe connector.

NO !
The connector in the late 2012 is a SATA connector
In late 2013 it's a PCIe connector, completely different

 

[jseq]

Anyone can confirm it´s not possible to buy a new SATA blade specific to Apple?

 

[le.bouch]

I've fitted blades to both 21" and 27" late 2012 vanilla iMacs. The 21" that I worked on definitely DID have the connector, so everymac.com is not telling the whole story. I don't recall the details (I researched it when I worked on the 21") but I think the bottom line is some do, some don't!
On both occasions I used genuine Apple blades (actually have Samsung stamped on them), intended for the 2012 iMacs or, as above, MBPR 2012. Whether others work is debatable (OWC probably know) but if I was doing it again I'd stick to the Apple ones. Oh yeah, you'll also need a small screw to hold the blade in place. Or a blob of silicone

 

[rbart]

Anyone can confirm it´s not possible to buy a SATA blade specific to Apple new?

Apple doesn't sell spare parts, you can only find the Apple SSD blades on ebay or similar sites ...
Usually they are used ones.

 

[Fried Chicken]

You can buy a blade to SSD adapter and install a 2.5" SSD or HDD or whatever SATA device you want.