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Mid 2014 iMac. SSD?
- Thread starter Robere210
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Yup, you can do a SSD swap.
While I have not done one on the Mid-2014 iMac, if you have any experience working on Macs, I suspect it shouldn't be too hard.
iFixit has a how-to on the 2012-2019 iMacs and a tool kit you can buy. The part that people probably find the most difficult is cutting away the adhesive hold the glass and display in. IIRC, you have to be careful when cutting around the camera and mic so you do snip em.
I would suspect that putting the glass back perfectly aligned might be an issue too, well if it your first time. Maybe buy double the glue strips just in case you screw up the first time.
Other options:
If you want an SSD, but not the hassle of getting into the iMac, you can always use an external SSD.
A Thunderbolt would probably be best, as it can have TRIM enabled on it, but a USB3 drive would be an improvement over your HDD even without trim.
I would suggest finding a cheap Thunderbolt external enclosure, like the Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt drive, and sticking a SSD in it. I have done this on a few Lacie Rugged drives that I found cheap on eBay.
If you want to go as cheap as possible, you can probably fine a USB3 enclosure for less than $15 and just stick your choice of SSD drive in it.
While I have not done one on the Mid-2014 iMac, if you have any experience working on Macs, I suspect it shouldn't be too hard.
iFixit has a how-to on the 2012-2019 iMacs and a tool kit you can buy. The part that people probably find the most difficult is cutting away the adhesive hold the glass and display in. IIRC, you have to be careful when cutting around the camera and mic so you do snip em.
I would suspect that putting the glass back perfectly aligned might be an issue too, well if it your first time. Maybe buy double the glue strips just in case you screw up the first time.
Other options:
If you want an SSD, but not the hassle of getting into the iMac, you can always use an external SSD.
A Thunderbolt would probably be best, as it can have TRIM enabled on it, but a USB3 drive would be an improvement over your HDD even without trim.
I would suggest finding a cheap Thunderbolt external enclosure, like the Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt drive, and sticking a SSD in it. I have done this on a few Lacie Rugged drives that I found cheap on eBay.
If you want to go as cheap as possible, you can probably fine a USB3 enclosure for less than $15 and just stick your choice of SSD drive in it.
Thanks vertical smile. After I posted this I did a YT search and found some videos which describe exactly how to do it. I'm pretty sure I can pull this off. I've done some delicate work before, so removing the glass and re-attaching it doesn't worry me. But how can I transfer all my old emails in my Apple mail program, to my new SSD? Also my photos? I don't have that many documents, so I can transfer them with a thumb drive. I do have iCloud, but truthfully I don't know the capabilities of iCloud.
There are many ways to do this, if you get an enclosure or USB to SATA adapter, you can format, install the OS, and migrate all your data over to your new SSD externally before even start dismantling your iMac.
Apple has a migration assistant that works well, although it can be slower than cloning.
Once your OS is installed on your (external) SSD, you can boot from it, and when setting up the OS, it will ask if you want to migrate your data from another location, such as another Mac, PC, or back up.
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Btw, that is just one if many approaches to migrate your data.
Thanks! I'll keep all this so I can refer to it when I'm doing this. I expect to do this fairly soon, as my 'puter is 5 years old, and I do not want my HD to crash on me.
I just read your signature. You have ELEVEN iPhones?!?!! Not to mention all the other hardware? WOW. Yes, I just shouted that.
I just read your signature. You have ELEVEN iPhones?!?!! Not to mention all the other hardware? WOW. Yes, I just shouted that.
What OS are you currently using?
You can use something like this to set up your SSD before opening your Mac:
I would reformat it, install the new OS, set up the new OS, migrate all you data using the migration assistant, and after everything is set up with it, open your Mac to do the SSD swap.
I still have almost all of my old iPhones, with the exception of my 6s Plus, which I sold to a friend, and my 4s (also my favorite design), which my daughter lost.
I still have almost every Mac listed in my signature, with the exception of the iMac G5, the original iPad, and one of the Performa models. My daughter lost the iPad. The iMac G5 had some caps blow on the power supply, I took it apart to replace the caps, but lost interest after dismantling everything, and ended up trashing it. I forget why I got rid of one of the Performas.
Everything else still works with the exception of the Power Mac G5, I think it has some type of logic board issue if I remember correctly. I was trouble shooting it like 10 years ago, and can't remember exactly what happened, but I remember that after doing a fresh install of the OS, after a few times booting, it wouldn't boot anymore. Just a white screen. I think there was a LED light for trouble shooting on the logic board, and the number of flashes said that there was a problem with the logic board.
I might end up just gutting it one day and make a Hackintosh.
You can use something like this to set up your SSD before opening your Mac:
EYOOLD SATA to USB 3.0 Adapter Cable for 2.5 inch Hard Drive HDD/SSD Data Transfer, External Hard Drive Converter Support UASP (Black)
Do you have a hard time accessing your own old data stored in your old Mac or Windows laptop? Well here’s a solution to that problem. The SATA to USB adapter cable supports 2.5 inches external SSD HDD hard drive. It has a 22-pin adapter. This hard drive adapter will help you to gain access to you...
www.amazon.com
I would reformat it, install the new OS, set up the new OS, migrate all you data using the migration assistant, and after everything is set up with it, open your Mac to do the SSD swap.
Yeah, I might have bought another one since I last updated my signature.
I still have almost all of my old iPhones, with the exception of my 6s Plus, which I sold to a friend, and my 4s (also my favorite design), which my daughter lost.
I have been using Macs and Apple products for a while now, since 1994 or 95.
I still have almost every Mac listed in my signature, with the exception of the iMac G5, the original iPad, and one of the Performa models. My daughter lost the iPad. The iMac G5 had some caps blow on the power supply, I took it apart to replace the caps, but lost interest after dismantling everything, and ended up trashing it. I forget why I got rid of one of the Performas.
Everything else still works with the exception of the Power Mac G5, I think it has some type of logic board issue if I remember correctly. I was trouble shooting it like 10 years ago, and can't remember exactly what happened, but I remember that after doing a fresh install of the OS, after a few times booting, it wouldn't boot anymore. Just a white screen. I think there was a LED light for trouble shooting on the logic board, and the number of flashes said that there was a problem with the logic board.
I might end up just gutting it one day and make a Hackintosh.
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This style of Mac is not difficult to open. Buy the right tools and the right tape. You can have it done in one half hour. An extra set of hands will help to hold the screen as you disconnect the monitor cable. Clean the old tape off really well with +90% isopropyl alcohol.
Yosemite 10.10.5
So I could just buy the USB 3.0 to Sata and transfer everything before I even put the SSD in? Amazing.
Actually now that I think about it I've got 3 other Macs on a desk in a storage barn that I don't use anymore but don't want to throw away. One is the upside down salad bowl design, with the chome neck that holds the screen, the other is the next newer model--don't know what that one's called. And an ancient Mac laptop that's blue and transparent plastic.
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I took a single edge razor blade and ran it between the glass and the case for a few inches just to see if I could--it was EASY.
So I could just buy the USB 3.0 to Sata and transfer everything before I even put the SSD in? Amazing.
Actually now that I think about it I've got 3 other Macs on a desk in a storage barn that I don't use anymore but don't want to throw away. One is the upside down salad bowl design, with the chome neck that holds the screen, the other is the next newer model--don't know what that one's called. And an ancient Mac laptop that's blue and transparent plastic.
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I took a single edge razor blade and ran it between the glass and the case for a few inches just to see if I could--it was EASY.
If you think your HDD can take it, I would upgrade your OS to at least 10.13 before swapping the drive.
I ran into an issue in the past doing a SSD swap on a Mid 2011 iMac. The iMac was on 10.10 prior to me messing with it. The swap went fine, but I was unable to install High Sierra on the SSD.
There was Firmware that needed to be installed on the Apple HDD before letting me install 10.13
I had to swap the SSD for the failing HDD, install 10.13 on it which updated the firmware, then swap the SSD again. Everything worked fine then.
I am not saying that would happen to you, but better safe than sorry.
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Also, enable TRIM in terminal after the SSD swap, there are plenty of sources on the web to show you how.
There is a thread on that: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/do-i-need-a-thermal-cable-if-i-add-an-ssd.1832421/
I've just ordered an SSD (for my mid 2015) from OWC which comes with a sensor: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/S3DAPT4MA20K/
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Ok. Thanks.
What is the difference between the SSD that Benjamin links to: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC...n=cj&cjevent=ef41070f47b511ea83e801390a24060c
for $490, and this one: https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultr...75-20&linkId=61ee3fd0682169609f044a46d4527858 for $80. Is the $490 one that much better?
What is the difference between the SSD that Benjamin links to: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC...n=cj&cjevent=ef41070f47b511ea83e801390a24060c
for $490, and this one: https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultr...75-20&linkId=61ee3fd0682169609f044a46d4527858 for $80. Is the $490 one that much better?
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I just installed my SSD. Everything went well but the taping and replacing of the screen was a bit annoying. And as ThugFreak said the tape sticks like crazy and it's bad if you make a mistake. But you just have to take your time. It was really dusty inside; some compressed air would have been good. I did vacuum though.
btw, The SSD I bought was 2TB as opposed to 480GB that you linked to. I'm sure that accounts for much of the price difference. I didn't compare other specs between them, you can check. This is the one I purchased: https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/K27IM12HP2TB/ Did I pay too much? Maybe. The OWC kit that came with the drive had everything required (bracket, cable, screws, Torx-screwdrivers, tape...) and when I contacted them re a problem (my problem) migrating data from the old drive they guided me through the issue and all is good. Also their installation video is excellent. And yes the iMac is snappier. Not a technical term and I can't quantify but there is a noticeable improvement. Bottom line is, I'm happy with the outcome. Good luck.
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So I'm still a bit confused about the thermal sensor cable. I just ordered a SunDisk Ultra II, 480 GB Internal, 2.5" SSD. My current understanding is I might, maybe, could be, need a thermal sensor cable, but maybe not. Can anyone shed some light on this?
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Also, any USB 3.0 to 2.5" SATA III hard drive connector will work to transfer data to the new SSD, correct? Or do I need a special one for my OSX which is currently 10.10.5
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Also, any USB 3.0 to 2.5" SATA III hard drive connector will work to transfer data to the new SSD, correct? Or do I need a special one for my OSX which is currently 10.10.5
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Regarding the sensor. I think there could be an issue with the fan staying constantly on if there's no sensor; I'm not sure. II\II above thinks it's required for the 27'. A sensor came with the kit I bought from OWC so I installed it. It would be a pain if you had to re-open to put the sensor on.
The connector will fit but it's not the OS version that's the issue. From B&H:
Convert an Old Hard Drive into an External Unit
"You need to buy a hard-drive enclosure that matches the size of the drive you have; a 2.5-inch enclosure for a 2.5-inch drive and a 3.5-inch enclosure for a 3.5-inch drive. Keep in mind that 2.5-inch enclosures are usually bus powered, meaning that they pull power from the port they’re plugged into and they don’t come with a power adapter; this makes them completely portable. On the other hand, 3.5-inch hard drives need more power than can be pulled from a computer port, so the 3.5-inch enclosures usually come with an AC power adapter and they are not portable—meaning that they won’t work if there’s no AC outlet available."
I used my backup from time machine.
My Wife has a 2012 21.5 iMac and started to act up and run slow really slow. So I had a crucial SSD 256GB popped it into a 2.5 USB 3.0 box and installed OSX Mojave... Changed the start up disc to the EXT SSD and done! Now she can use the internal HD 1TB for storage.