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Apple's New 27-Inch iMac Supports Secondary Solid State Hard Drive
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Can I just install one myself? The 1TB model with a second OWC Mercury Extreme 60GB model for $179 would give you a nice scratch disk for far cheaper.
Slight error in their promotional material now
So that little diamond shaped promo that states up to 2TB of storage is a little off now... its actually up to 2.25TB. But who's counting really.
So that little diamond shaped promo that states up to 2TB of storage is a little off now... its actually up to 2.25TB. But who's counting really.
Yes, that's what it looks like. I have one of the new Mac mini servers and I'm keeping my user directory and data all on the second drive. The operating system, applications, developer tools, and a few miscellaneous things are on the boot drive and it's about 30GB. A 64GB or 80GB SSD would be adequate for my purposes.
Sadly, the Mac mini's drives aren't considered end user replaceable, so I might pay someone else to do the upgrade someday.
I'm waiting for SSD prices to come down and hoping that manufacturers add better garbage maintenance into the controller. TRIM is a hack and routine drive maintenance and optimization should really be the controller chip's responsibility, not the operating system's.
Ok, someone please talk me out of buying the SSD + 1TB option. This iMac is replacing an 8 year old Dell and I always tend to "future proof" my computer purchases. This seems like a good, though damn pricey option in that regard.
Shoot! I was looking at the specs for the new one compared to my 2009 27" i7 and wasn't feeling too bad. But a dual HD with SSD! That's the thing that's gonna be having me kick myself. *sigh*
If you get the 27" iMac with only the 1TB standard hard drive now....will you be able to get the second SSD drive installed later?
I would imagine so...but just asking
I would imagine so...but just asking
Still no answer on the TRIM support?
Two people have mentioned it... no responses. Probably nobody knows.
I wonder if that is something that can be added with OS 10.6.5 update, or if there must be some sort of hardware added to the SATA bus.
I'd love to see TRIM support added to the OS, and a silent configuration update to the Mac Mini, offering SSD options, and maybe optional ATI video processor, on BTO.
It just seems like these machines are getting expensive. breathe on an iMac and it breaks the 2000$ mark, and option it up with huge SSD capacities and RAM, and over 3000$.
HUGE Mac Pro computers now easily exceeding 3000$, up to 5 grand for a 12 core.
Hardly any configuration to a Mac Mini, and it tops out near a grand, BEFORE adding a 24 or 27 inch screen, or a Drobo.
With things getting so expensive... single component failures start to become an issue, and modularity becomes attractive, rather than All-In-One.
If a component fails outside of warranty, or if you wish to upgrade to newer tech... the costs get HIGH to replace more than is necessary by purchasing a whole new computer.
A 1000$ Apple monitor will work fine for many years... what happens when LightPeak, or USB3.0 comes out next year. Or the generation of processors and video processors newer than the current ones.... A CPU upgrade can do that. Why re-buy a monitor?
Why scrap or send to salvage a working computer if the monitor does fail, just because it is all one piece.
Apple seems to be bundling things for MONEY, not for technical specifications and differing obsolescence rates. Changing the plugs and ports all the time doesn't help much either.
I'd still love a mini tower, or other small form-factor machine that has the guts of these iMacs, but stood on it's own. People could buy non-glossy monitors, if they want, or Apple's glass monitors. Or hook them to huge monitors. Or draw-on monitors. Or multi-touch surface monitors, or projectors. Or two matching monitors at once.
Plus it would have some expansion ports, without having to get a behemoth mac pro.
It is an age old argument. Not everyone wants an AIO, and there is a huge chasm of a gap between Mac Mini and Mac Pro, along side an iMac.
Two people have mentioned it... no responses. Probably nobody knows.
I wonder if that is something that can be added with OS 10.6.5 update, or if there must be some sort of hardware added to the SATA bus.
I'd love to see TRIM support added to the OS, and a silent configuration update to the Mac Mini, offering SSD options, and maybe optional ATI video processor, on BTO.
It just seems like these machines are getting expensive. breathe on an iMac and it breaks the 2000$ mark, and option it up with huge SSD capacities and RAM, and over 3000$.
HUGE Mac Pro computers now easily exceeding 3000$, up to 5 grand for a 12 core.
Hardly any configuration to a Mac Mini, and it tops out near a grand, BEFORE adding a 24 or 27 inch screen, or a Drobo.
With things getting so expensive... single component failures start to become an issue, and modularity becomes attractive, rather than All-In-One.
If a component fails outside of warranty, or if you wish to upgrade to newer tech... the costs get HIGH to replace more than is necessary by purchasing a whole new computer.
A 1000$ Apple monitor will work fine for many years... what happens when LightPeak, or USB3.0 comes out next year. Or the generation of processors and video processors newer than the current ones.... A CPU upgrade can do that. Why re-buy a monitor?
Why scrap or send to salvage a working computer if the monitor does fail, just because it is all one piece.
Apple seems to be bundling things for MONEY, not for technical specifications and differing obsolescence rates. Changing the plugs and ports all the time doesn't help much either.
I'd still love a mini tower, or other small form-factor machine that has the guts of these iMacs, but stood on it's own. People could buy non-glossy monitors, if they want, or Apple's glass monitors. Or hook them to huge monitors. Or draw-on monitors. Or multi-touch surface monitors, or projectors. Or two matching monitors at once.
Plus it would have some expansion ports, without having to get a behemoth mac pro.
It is an age old argument. Not everyone wants an AIO, and there is a huge chasm of a gap between Mac Mini and Mac Pro, along side an iMac.
TRIM is required for Windows. Mac OS X doesn't seem to have the same technical challenges.
http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/apple/2010/07/01/mac-ssd-performance-trim-in-osx/1
All in one stigma....
There is one poster that points out all the issues with the All in one iMacs. I agree and don't agree.
I agree that there is a huge gap between a Mini and Mac Pro. iMacs are a great all in one. They last forever. I still have an old G5 one that has not been shut off since it was bought and runs just fine... it's over 5 years old. It's no speed demon compared to the newer macs in the house... but no 5 year old computer is fast by todays standards.
As for worrying about the screen going bad???? I got better things to worry about. I just don't see that as a huge issue because it rarely happens.
There is one poster that points out all the issues with the All in one iMacs. I agree and don't agree.
I agree that there is a huge gap between a Mini and Mac Pro. iMacs are a great all in one. They last forever. I still have an old G5 one that has not been shut off since it was bought and runs just fine... it's over 5 years old. It's no speed demon compared to the newer macs in the house... but no 5 year old computer is fast by todays standards.
As for worrying about the screen going bad???? I got better things to worry about. I just don't see that as a huge issue because it rarely happens.
I hope a SSD is user installable. I had to skimp on some things because students need things like food. I plan to upgrade the RAM later as I'll be doing a lot of Maya/Cinema4D work soon.
Still ecstatic that the "Apple tax" was only $250NZD and that was a system with an inferior screen and missing a webcam and speakers.
Still ecstatic that the "Apple tax" was only $250NZD and that was a system with an inferior screen and missing a webcam and speakers.
iMac disk install
<Can I just install one myself? The 1TB model with a second OWC Mercury Extreme 60GB model for $179 would give you a nice scratch disk for far cheaper.>
Replacing a disk on an aluminum iMac is not for the faint of heart. Starts with pulling the glass of with suction cups and goes downhill from there... I have done valve jobs, can sweat copper pipe, but when I replaced a buddy's dead iMac drive it reminded me of the joy of a big easy open box MacPro... To change to Ssd would add the angle of fitting your new drive/enclosure in the proprietary carrier snuggled into the bowels of the iMac... See below scary video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StW94cSHQXo
<Can I just install one myself? The 1TB model with a second OWC Mercury Extreme 60GB model for $179 would give you a nice scratch disk for far cheaper.>
Replacing a disk on an aluminum iMac is not for the faint of heart. Starts with pulling the glass of with suction cups and goes downhill from there... I have done valve jobs, can sweat copper pipe, but when I replaced a buddy's dead iMac drive it reminded me of the joy of a big easy open box MacPro... To change to Ssd would add the angle of fitting your new drive/enclosure in the proprietary carrier snuggled into the bowels of the iMac... See below scary video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StW94cSHQXo
Niiice.
The 2.93GHz i7 with a 2TB HHD and the 256GB SSD will be my new machine.
I'll be ordering next week (to make sure I'm available for delivery).
The 2.93GHz i7 with a 2TB HHD and the 256GB SSD will be my new machine.
I'll be ordering next week (to make sure I'm available for delivery).
Feh, that's not hard. You should try replacing an HDD in an eMac. Massive risk of getting a fatal shock.
so the 2TB upgrade costs $150 and the 256SSD costs $600. But doing both upgrades at the same time costs "only" $900.
that they are talking about swaps.
the 'standard' 1 TB costs X amount (which is included in the base price of the computer). You want the 2TB that costs X+$150. Or you want the 256SSD that costs x+$600.
If you do two drives they can only swap one of them, then they add a second. $900 is the X+difference for the one swapped drive AND the cost of the second one.
Maybe, OS X needs TRIM less than Windows but one can certainly measure "degradation of write speed to roughly 1/4 of the original speed" with SSDs in Macs with the 'right' usage:
http://macperformanceguide.com/Storage-SSD-Reconditioning.html
Yeh if you're after performance in those apps, opt for the faster quad processor over anything else and buy 3rd party ram.
SSD does best with random reads but it's not going to do much when you're writing out video (sequential writes) or editing it. Get an external raid for that. Plus you'll chew through 256 gig easy.
Agreed. Ideally I'd prefer to order a stock HDD and add my preferred SSD and a larger HDD myself while I'm at it. There's nothing "wrong" with the Toshibas Apple is using though. They're not top-shelf, but they're at least pretty decent.
However with all of these SSDs in Macs, Apple needs to put TRIM in Snow Leopard. Waiting for 10.7 isn't a good option.
For those complaining about price, SSDs aren't cheap. Will be the case for a few more years.
Video isn't what I'm using Maya/C4D for.
Thanks anyway though, but I do know my hardware and software needs.
SSD install
I am just saying that I would rather stay at work for a bit longer and pay Apple do do the original install (of an SSD)... Not at all the same as dropping a drive into a tower... That is top on the list of reasons why I am not rushing off to buy an iMac. Paying a premium for form over function... As a tinkerer, I will fix my buddy's iMac if necessary, but at my home I have a Mac Pro...
I am just saying that I would rather stay at work for a bit longer and pay Apple do do the original install (of an SSD)... Not at all the same as dropping a drive into a tower... That is top on the list of reasons why I am not rushing off to buy an iMac. Paying a premium for form over function... As a tinkerer, I will fix my buddy's iMac if necessary, but at my home I have a Mac Pro...
so the 2TB upgrade costs $150 and the 256SSD costs $600. But doing both upgrades at the same time costs "only" $900.
This is like the 20th time I've seen $600 quote from a few threads. It IS NOT $600, The SSD is an additional $750 + the 150 for the 2TB is $900.
As an IT pro who handles laptops (HUNDREDS of laptops, not just a few.)... LCD screens do go out. They can develop color lines, or dead lines, pressure marks that create light spots, or dark spots, backlights fail... although CCFL may be worse at that than LED, and sometimes the signal scrambles, either at the video card end, or at the display rendering end, in the LCD assembly.
I deal with laptops, but my family has iMacs. My father had nothing but trouble, and finally after a power supply, and a hard drive replacement... the third time, the screen went out, on a 20" Aluminum, and he had to buy a full newer iMac... not just a new monitor, or a new CPU with an existing monitor. It isn't beyond the realm of do-able, but it is spending more than is really comfortable, when motivated by component failure on the previous machine.
My mother in law has an old half-sphere with the articulated flat screen monitor type iMac, and it is running great, albeit showing it's age. But her previous eMac blew a capacitor in the video section of the motherboard. Instant toast. If it had been a CRT monitor, the main CPU could have still worked, and just needed a replacement monitor.
Conversely, if the main logic board of any of the iMacs or eMacs would have gone out, you instantly have a monitor built onto a dead computer, that you can't use on any other computer.
Computers and monitors don't fail at the same rates, and don't go obsolete at the same rates, either.
Obviously, I don't have THAT big of a problem with AIO computers... that I suggest them to my family members. But if there were a choice for a mini tower form factor, with a separate monitor, I wouldn't have to procure whole new systems for them, when they break, and I could have mixed and matched working components, for lower costs, for people like my mother in law who doesn't need a lot of power, and doesn't want to spend much.
However, if an AIO were inexpensive... She could use an AIO machine made out of an iPad's hardware specs, if it were cheap enough, free standing or dock-able to a stand, and big enough for her to see it nice and big with settings-variable resolution or variable icon and text rendering, and a keyboard that she is used to typing on, and with enough OS power to be stand-alone, instead of subservient to a master computer running a full OS for updates and backups.
It might even be easier yet for her to use by touch, than when I had to teach her the concepts of click and drag, from her hand on the desk to the arrow on the screen, or that closing a window doesn't close an application. The sorts of things that teaching a non-computer-literate person involves. New concepts. Touching what you want on the screen is an easier concept to first learn.
But if it fails, again, it had better be cheap enough for me to just get her another one, without breaking her or my budget. Big-gift-able price. Not new iMac price.
Apple needs more versatility in their computer lineup. Choices between mobile, modular, and AIO from 500$ to 2000$. Above 2 Grand, it gets pretty traditional into full towers, and powerful mobile workstation laptops, and maybe a high-end AIO like a big, optioned-up iMac.