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Replacing Fusion Dreive with SSD?
- Thread starter Oldmanmac
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Have you looked at the info and install video at OWC? https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/late-2013-late-2015
I've done that on my iMac 27" 2012. It had 1TB HDD (no FD). I bought a used OEM Apple SSD off eBay, opened the iMac and installed the SSD while keeping the original 1TB HDD.
The SSD is a 256GB unit, it's not configured as FD, so my OS runs purely from the SSD and I use the 1TB HDD for storage.
The SSD is a 256GB unit, it's not configured as FD, so my OS runs purely from the SSD and I use the 1TB HDD for storage.
I did it last week with my 2017 21.5 inch iMac. Took out the fusion drive and dropped in a 2TB Crucial SSD.
iFixit has a step by step guide (link below), and just as importantly, sells you the tools you need, including the replacement adhesive strips to re-attach the screen. Their price for all the tools you need is in the $60 range.
At any rate, as long as you're careful and patient, the upgrade is really not hard at all. And now I've got a wonderfully massive and fast SSD in my iMac and it's running great. I highly recommend it.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+(2017)+Hard+Drive+Replacement/92700
iFixit has a step by step guide (link below), and just as importantly, sells you the tools you need, including the replacement adhesive strips to re-attach the screen. Their price for all the tools you need is in the $60 range.
At any rate, as long as you're careful and patient, the upgrade is really not hard at all. And now I've got a wonderfully massive and fast SSD in my iMac and it's running great. I highly recommend it.
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+(2017)+Hard+Drive+Replacement/92700
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Hey robeddie, sounds like a fun upgrade, I've been thinking to do the same, as I have the late 2014 27" iMac, but fusion drive, and thinking of changing to the 21.5 inch 2017 4K one and do the upgrades myself.
Apple really charges a lot for the custom upgrades.
Can I ask, with the SSD upgrade, did you have the fusion drive prior? and does the 32GB NAND boot drive remain attached or does the OS boot off the 2TB Crucial SSD that you installed?
If it boots off the 2TB SSD, what's the process of reinstalling High Sierra to ensure the APFS is configured properly, as my fusion drive stopped playing HEVC in Photos since I upgraded to High Sierra.
Thanks a bunch for taking the time to answer my questions!
