iFixit Offers Kit To Install 2nd Hard Drive in Mid-2011 iMacs

[vthree]

i found the amazon post up there!

 

[Headrush69]

You can easily move your home folder to the HDD, you could for instance make a symlink on the HDD which will point to the right place on your SSD,but you need to log in as a different user, then move(Copy) your home folder to HDD, delete the original and then make a symlink in that place.

Edit 1 : Although this will work there might be side effects, like backup or encrypting the Home folder.

Edit 2 : If only your Movies, Pictures and Music folders are the big ones then it would be better to make Symlinks only for those folders and not your whole Home folder.

I would suggest using the built in ability in Accounts System preferences to move your account rather than manually using symlinks. (right click on account and choose advanced options)

I had hoped to put my iTunes media on my internal SSD but it's just too big.
Having the OS and the Applications on the SSD and my entire account on the internal HDD has been speedy enough.

 

[JesseW6889]

This is the combo cable I used for my mid 2011 iMac: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0056OB8GK/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details

I'm confused... that's not the cable they use in the ifixit kit? The one they use is a tiny (almost looks like a jumper sized) plug on one end, and that goes into a sata power connector on the other. The sata data cable is independent.

 

[Mac2012]

Did I say anything about the design, no I did not, it's beautiful as it is, this is a forum and I and other's have "complained" about how difficult it is to just upgrade a HDD instead of paying Apple's Expensive alternative options.
Just check out how much they charge for bigger HDD or more RAM or other options.
Not only that but even exchanging the main HDD is impossible because of some Apple sensor built into the disk.

Just open it up with suction cups...
You sound very tech savvy, you can't open an iMac? C'mon man, just relax and roll up your sleeves. You STILL have to "open" a mac pro... what's the difference if you really look at it... TB is as fast as SATA so why even worry about it?

 

[Headrush69]

I'm confused... that's not the cable they use in the ifixit kit? The one they use is a tiny (almost looks like a jumper sized) plug on one end, and that goes into a sata power connector on the other. The sata data cable is independent.

It's just a combo SATA power and data cable with straight ends instead of right angled ones making it fit easier.

 

[Thunderbird]

Not a shipping product. Wait until this ships, and I'd love to see a price list.

http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/workstations/z1_features.html

Expected to ship sometime in April. Starts at $1900.

I'm going to wait until the iMac gets refreshed to see if they've redesigned it along these lines. If not, then I'm going over to the dark side with HP. This Z1 Workstation is gorgeous, quiet, has a Blu-Ray Drive option, USB 3.0 and is extremely upgradable. It will be an iMac killer. (though I wish it came in 21").

 

[danny_w]

http://www.hp.com/united-states/campaigns/workstations/z1_features.html

Expected to ship sometime in April. Starts at $1900.

I'm going to wait until the iMac gets refreshed to see if they've redesigned it along these lines. If not, then I'm going over to the dark side with HP. This Z1 Workstation is gorgeous, quiet, has a Blu-Ray Drive option, USB 3.0 and is extremely upgradable. It will be an iMac killer. (though I wish it came in 21").

Even the current line of HP Touchsmart PCs are very upgradeable, but this one looks super. Now if it just had OS X...

 

[Macman45]

The drive doesn't bother me, nor do the cables.....It's the glass....Not for me....Anyway, I have Applecare and explaining a smashed screen might take some doing. If I didn't use the optical drive in my MBP, I would put an SSD in it, but I do use it from time to time.

 

[stariain]

Im gonna do the upgrade, but i dont want to spend all that cash when i can buy a couple of cables.
Only thing im concerned about is the power cable.
In the ifixit pikture of the kit, the power cable has 3 wires.
I cant find a 3 wire cable for sale, certainly in the UK where i live.
Very concerned i dont use the wrong cable and fry my imac!