ssd on late 2012 21.5 inch

[blackgnat]

hi
i'm going to receive an imac 21.5 late 2012, and i've got some doubt about this model..
I read, in this forum, a very long thread ( rip those macs open ) about ssd upgrade options on this model and this is what I've understood:

1) in the base model (21.5 inches without fusion drive) the ssd sata blade connector is present only in the models built after 4 january 2013

2)the ssd blade used in the late 2012 with fusion drive is the same used in macbook pro retina mid2012

3) the OWC sata blade compatible with MBP retina mid2012 doesn't work on imac late 2012

4) the only way to have an ssd in the base 21.5 late 2012 ( if the sata connectors aren't present ) is to replade 2.5 hdd with ssd one

5) there is no fan issues replacing the hdd ( like previous models )

Am I wrong ?

Thanks in advance

P.S.

excuse my english

 

[Kyle-K]

1. in the base model (21.5 inches without fusion drive) the ssd sata blade connector is present only in the models built after 4 january 2013

I'd want multiple sources on that as far as I'm aware the connector was missing on 2012 models but was present in all 2013 models. Doesn't mean in later versions of the 2012 models this changed.

2. The ssd blade used in the late 2012 with fusion drive is the same used in macbook pro retina mid2012

Not 100% sure, but 2012 and 2013 iMac models are not compatible with any SSDs are labelled "Blade SSD's".

3. The OWC sata blade compatible with MBP retina mid2012 doesn't work on imac late 2012

Correct, Currently there is no aftermarket replacement drives for the Apple SSD's in 2012-13 iMac models. You can buy genuine ones through apple parts suppliers online and find them on eBay.

4. The only way to have an ssd in the base 21.5 late 2012 (if the sata connectors aren't present) is to replade 2.5 hdd with ssd one.

Correct.

5. There is no fan issues replacing the hdd ( like previous models )

False but could easily be solved with an OWC external temperature sensor. This is only applicable for everything that is not using the slot on the main board that the Apple SSD would use.

 

[eda]

I bought this version of iMac just over a year ago and upgraded to an SSD a few months after I got it.

It was a fairly easy upgrade, all you need is something to slide between the screen and the outer shell to separate the adhesive and the display will be free. However, you'll need to buy some adhesive strips so you can put the display back to the main housing of the iMac; these were a bit difficult to get a hold of in the UK, but not too expensive.

I simply replaced the stock hard drive with a 2.5" Sandisk SSD. I didn't really poke around the machine so I couldn't say if it had a blade SSD slot. Maybe they were in the higher spec models (I have the base model).

As for fan issues, there are none. The SSD performs perfectly with no bad side effects!

Any questions, ask away!