SSD Options for 2011 mid 21.5 iMac

[jeffsui]

I've got the bare bones base mid 2011 iMac 21.5. I did upgrade the ram to 12gb and I'm lately regretting not getting an SSD.

So I was thinking about an SSD Upgrade as I understand i have 3 options:

1) Open the computer up completely (lots of screws and possible annoyance) to add an SSD ( I believe I can keep the internal hard drive as well in this case?)

2) Open the computer (half way) and remove the optical drive and swap it with an SSD (i really don't ever use the dvd drive anyways)

3) Buy a thunderbolt SSD Enclosure and boot off of that

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I'm leaning towards #2 as it seems like less work than #1 but the same impact over all.

 

[jotap66]

I've got the bare bones base mid 2011 iMac 21.5. I did upgrade the ram to 12gb and I'm lately regretting not getting an SSD.

So I was thinking about an SSD Upgrade as I understand i have 3 options:

1) Open the computer up completely (lots of screws and possible annoyance) to add an SSD ( I believe I can keep the internal hard drive as well in this case?)

2) Open the computer (half way) and remove the optical drive and swap it with an SSD (i really don't ever use the dvd drive anyways)

3) Buy a thunderbolt SSD Enclosure and boot off of that

----------------------------------------------------------------

I'm leaning towards #2 as it seems like less work than #1 but the same impact over all.

Hi:

I chose the third option (for not opening the Mac). I bought a DELOCK SATA/TB adapter and a Samsung 840 EVO 500gb SSD. It is impressive. Its a new computer.

Moreover, it is very easy to change the SSD. In fact, I first bought a 250 Gb SSD and later, I changed it with the 500 Gb model.

JP