iMac 2007 C2D 20" ??

[IngerMan]

I just got back my mid 2007 20" iMac from my son because it was to slow for him. I am doing a clean install of el captain as I type.

I was thinking if I could use the display as an extended display from my late 2015 27", not sure if that is possible. Mini Dvi 2007 to TB2 2015?

I then thought I could try and make it a faster machine. 6GB Ram, 256GB SSD, maybe some other cheap upgrades, not sure if I could change the CPU or if anything else would make a big difference.

Please let me know your opinions.

 

[Juicy Box]

I don't think you can use it in Target Display Mode, check out this link.

It looks like the 2009 model was the first one with Target Display Mode and the 2014 being the last one for some reason.

7 years ago, I bought that 2097 model off Craigslist for my parents to use. I just increased the RAM a little, 4GB I think.

Staring about a year ago, My father was complaining about how slow it was running, so I upgraded to a 256GB SSD, and 6GB RAM, and he says it runs like a new computer, well at least to my father.

It is running El Capitan, and seems to perform well enough for my parents' basic computing needs.

 

[IngerMan]

I don't think you can use it in Target Display Mode, check out this link.

It looks like the 2009 model was the first one with Target Display Mode and the 2014 being the last one for some reason.

7 years ago, I bought that 2097 model off Craigslist for my parents to use. I just increased the RAM a little, 4GB I think.

Staring about a year ago, My father was complaining about how slow it was running, so I upgraded to a 256GB SSD, and 6GB RAM, and he says it runs like a new computer, well at least to my father.

It is running El Capitan, and seems to perform well enough for my parents' basic computing needs.

Thank you vertical smile.

I checked I have 4GB (2 2GB sticks) For less then $40 I can get a 4gb stick to make it 6GB total. I might just for hobby throw in a 256GB ssd. This was my first Apple purchase ever so I might just hang onto it for sentimental reasons or give it to a family member if I can get it to run decent. The CPU is C2D 2.4Ghz. Although the screen is like an old barn, it looks good from far away, lol...

Who did you use to get the hardware for the Ram & SSD, I know of ifixit and OWC.

 

[Juicy Box]

Who did you use to get the hardware for the Ram & SSD, I know of ifixit and OWC.

I think I got the RAM from newegg.com and the SSD came out of another Mac I had, I got more storage from one Mac and took the old SSD out and put it in the 2007 iMac.

Originally, I think I purchased the 256GB SSD from Newegg too, but it was many years ago.

Another thing that might be helpful is having a 3.5" caddy for the SSD.

 

[iTurbo]

I just recently upgraded a 2011" iMac using an ADATA 1 TB SATA SSD and a Fenlink 2.5"-to-3.5" drive adapter. Worked great... and very affordable from Amazon.

 

[EugW]

Upgrade SSD first. RAM second.

For the SSD you can get away with running it over FireWire 800. Running it internally would be better, but the installation is not for the faint of heart.

 

[mikehalloran]

Upgrade SSD first. RAM second.

For the SSD you can get away with running it over FireWire 800. Running it internally would be better, but the installation is not for the faint of heart.

Your standard nonsense again. Just because you are scared to open one of these up doesn’t mean that anyone else should be.

Throw the SSD inside the iMac. Easy to do. All you need is the SSD and a few tools. You can use double-stick foam tape to attach it to the back or a $13 adapter.

If you don’t want to pull it apart, it takes a tech about a half hour.

 

[EugW]

Your standard nonsense again. Just because you are scared to open one of these up doesn’t mean that anyone else should be.

Throw the SSD inside the iMac. Easy to do. All you need is the SSD and a few tools. You can use double-stick foam tape to attach it to the back or a $13 adapter.

If you don’t want to pull it apart, it takes a tech about a half hour.

Around here the Apple-certified techs from an authorized Apple repair shop aren’t cheap. IIRC it was a couple hundred CAD$ plus parts, for an SSD installation in an iMac. CAD$200 is US$150. Have you priced it out locally yourself?

FireWire 800 works well for this if the OP doesn’t want to open it. Yes, I’ve actually tried it, and FW 800 is a nice easy solution, that is if you can find such an enclosure these days.

EDIT:

OWC sells the FW800 enclosures for $45, although I’d suggest adding an AC adapter.

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/firewire/on-the-go

 

[Juicy Box]

Replacing the drive in the 2007 iMac isn't that bad, use the ifixit guide, that's what I did.

Having a basic electronic tool set would be helpful.

There wasn't anything that was hard, maybe dealing with the cables, but if you have a second person, you don't have to even disconnect the display cables.

I know that opening computers, especially Macs can be intimidating. If the OP was planning on taking the iMac somewhere to do the upgrade for a fee, I wouldn't bother on a computer that old. The SSD install would cost way more that the iMac itself.

I would do the install yourself if you have the ability, or use the external SSD drive suggestion.