HDD Upgrade on Late 2015 21.5" iMac

[0mgjohn]

I know that Apple say the Late 2015 iMac's aren't upgradable once purchased, but I'm aware that it is possible to upgrade the storage on these devices.

The iMac I've been given has the 1TB 5400rpm HDD, but I'd be willing to sacrifice the amount of storage for a much quicker SSD like I have in my MBP, as I a) won't need that much storage and b) find load times far too long compared to my similarly specced MBP.

So, given I can get someone with the knowhow (or even attempt it myself) would I be able to replace the HDD with a SSD (probably 512GB) if I fit an adapter that can allow me to mount an SSD.

Thanks!

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Consider as others have done using a Thunderbolt or USB3 external SSD as the boot drive. You will get the advantage of the speed of the SSD without the worry of cracking your iMac open.

 

[RichardC300]

You can probably do it yourself! It's pretty straightforward. I replaced the HDD in my mom's late 2013 21.5" iMac with an SSD and upgraded the RAM, and that's the same procedure as it would be on your model (minus the RAM, since yours is soldered on). If you think through the steps before you do them and go slow and have a hint of manual dexterity, it's pretty simple. You won't need any adapter, too.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2889+Hard+Drive+Replacement/57817

 

[Fishrrman]

Easiest and fastest -- along with safest -- way is to connect a USB3 SSD and let it become your "external booter".

You'll realize 85-90% of the speed of an internally-installed drive, with none of the potential problems of cracking the case.

Some of the new "ready-to-go" USB3 SSDs are so small that once you velcro them to the back of the iMac's stand, they'll be all-but invisible.

And -- you'll still have the 1tb HDD for extra storage.

 

[cynics]

Easiest and fastest -- along with safest -- way is to connect a USB3 SSD and let it become your "external booter".

You'll realize 85-90% of the speed of an internally-installed drive, with none of the potential problems of cracking the case.

Some of the new "ready-to-go" USB3 SSDs are so small that once you velcro them to the back of the iMac's stand, they'll be all-but invisible.

And -- you'll still have the 1tb HDD for extra storage.

Easiest solution however you wouldn't be able to use bootcamp from it (not sure if that even matters to the OP) and I'm not certain but you might not have TRIM support (don't MacOS support this over USB3?).

 

[Fishrrman]

"and I'm not certain but you might not have TRIM support (don't MacOS support this over USB3?)."

He won't have TRIM support.
But... TRIM support is inconsequential, of no importance.

I've been booting and running my late-2012 Mini via USB3 for more than FOUR YEARS now. The SSD it runs from benchmarks "same as new".

The "lack of TRIM" has NEVER become an issue.

 

[estabya]

"and I'm not certain but you might not have TRIM support (don't MacOS support this over USB3?)."

He won't have TRIM support.
But... TRIM support is inconsequential, of no importance.

I've been booting and running my late-2012 Mini via USB3 for more than FOUR YEARS now. The SSD it runs from benchmarks "same as new".

The "lack of TRIM" has NEVER become an issue.

I don't think it is accurate to say that TRIM is inconsequential, but it definitely is not as important as it was a few years ago. Most SSD controllers these days have fairly robust garbage collection systems, so TRIM is not a necessity. It helps, but realistically you will be replacing your computer before you wear out your SSD, with TRIM or without.

 

[cynics]

"and I'm not certain but you might not have TRIM support (don't MacOS support this over USB3?)."

He won't have TRIM support.
But... TRIM support is inconsequential, of no importance.

I've been booting and running my late-2012 Mini via USB3 for more than FOUR YEARS now. The SSD it runs from benchmarks "same as new".

The "lack of TRIM" has NEVER become an issue.

I'd probably be more curious about wear leveling and other speed factors vs seq read which is how they are typically rated.

Obviously it doesn't need to run (you and many others aren't) and it may not present any noticeable differences (tbd) however out of curiosity I used the verbose option with fstrim on my laptop. I know for a fact it ran on Friday night because I initiated it. Its been set for a weekly trim which hasn't occurred yet since then, so ~ 3 days....

Shockingly (for myself included) 2.5 GiB (~2.7 gb) were trimmed and I have hardly used the laptop since Friday except fairly heavy internet browsing.

 

[Texaswiseguy]

Easiest and fastest -- along with safest -- way is to connect a USB3 SSD and let it become your "external booter".

You'll realize 85-90% of the speed of an internally-installed drive, with none of the potential problems of cracking the case.

Some of the new "ready-to-go" USB3 SSDs are so small that once you velcro them to the back of the iMac's stand, they'll be all-but invisible.

And -- you'll still have the 1tb HDD for extra storage.

I am glad I saw this post. Anyone have a suggested external HDD? I’m thinking about this one:

Home > Computer Parts > Hard Drives & Data Storage > Mac Hard Drives

LaCie 1TB USB 3.1 (Gen 2 Type-C

 

[diba]

Its a 30-60 minutes effort to replace the internal HDD with an SSD - not too complicated and I used the iFixit link from further up while doing it.

 

[Fishrrman]

Texaswiseguy --

The LaCie drive you linked to is a little pricey, but it is USB3.1 gen2 (which should provide 960+MBps reads with a Mac that can handle it).

If the price is acceptable to you, that should do fine.

 

[Texaswiseguy]

One last question: what is the best size to buy? 1TB?

 

[Fishrrman]

"One last question: what is the best size to buy? 1TB?"

Very difficult to answer because only you "know your own needs".

For me, 500gb would do fine.
I think it's really "all you need", so long as you keep "seldom-accessed stuff" (such as movies, which take up LOTS of room) on the internal drive, or on a non-boot drive.

Just be careful what you put on it.
Save what you need and put what you don't need elsewhere...

 

[GooberMan]

You can probably do it yourself! It's pretty straightforward. I replaced the HDD in my mom's late 2013 21.5" iMac with an SSD and upgraded the RAM, and that's the same procedure as it would be on your model (minus the RAM, since yours is soldered on). If you think through the steps before you do them and go slow and have a hint of manual dexterity, it's pretty simple. You won't need any adapter, too.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2889+Hard+Drive+Replacement/57817

Thanks for the link! I just upgraded my late 2015 4K that was constantly getting the spinning wheel as it accessed the HDD, used that site for the kit and the instructions, worked great.

A few things to note regarding my experience:

-It's probably good to install Mac OS onto the SSD beforehand. I didn't, and had to try maybe three or four times getting Mac OS onto the SSD before it finally worked.

-Inserting the SSD can be tricky, as one of the comments notes, if you bend back the silicon corners holding the drive it helps. Then use the plastic tool to help hold it in place as well.

-FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! Including trying it out before sealing the screen up. Once it's sealed, no going back.

-Make sure it's aligned when removing the final adhesive backing. Mine is ever so slightly off on one corner. No big deal, but obviously the final seal is a big step.

-Be careful removing the final adhesive backing. The instructions note this, and I had one snap off prematurely, and had to use the tweezer tool to grab and remove the last bit.

-Might be good to buy an extra set of adhesive strips, just in case. I didn't, but the thought occurred to me while going through this.

-Also, probably good to leave the iMac tilted back for 24 hours, with something holding it in place as well. I've got Paracord holding mine. This is just to not put a strain on the adhesive while it sets. If you ever buy adhesive strips they generally say this, to not actually use it for 24 hours. I'm leaving the Paracord on it for a week though, just to be safe.

If you haven't used an SSD before, an upgrade is well worth it.