There's no point putting an SSD into this enclosure, because you'd need to get an adapter for the SSD to fit inside, it would be powered by mains power instead of bus power and you'd have a 3TB bare hdd to put into another case...
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SSD Upgrade for 2011 iMac, Model 12,2
- Thread starter wacomme
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There's no point putting an SSD into this enclosure, because you'd need to get an adapter for the SSD to fit inside, it would be powered by mains power instead of bus power and you'd have a 3TB bare hdd to put into another case...
I have several of the refurbished LaCie "Rugged" Thunderbolt/USB 3.0 enclosures converted to SSD using 500GB Samsung 840 EVO drives. They are super easy to open and replace the drive, the orange "lifeboat" rubber shock shell can be left off if desired, and you can repurpose the 1TB hard disk or sell it to reduce your costs. They do come with both cables.
You can also get a refurbished 2TB "Rugged" in the new style case (pendent Thunderbolt cable) if you have more use for a 2TB hard disk for backup ($132). Not much more than the cost of a bare 2TB drive.
You can also get a refurbished 2TB "Rugged" in the new style case (pendent Thunderbolt cable) if you have more use for a 2TB hard disk for backup ($132). Not much more than the cost of a bare 2TB drive.
I have used a Lacie Rugged 250 GB Thunderbolt in my mid-2011 iMac for a couple of years and it made a world of difference. Cables are included. Don't worry about TRIM, 10.10.4 supports it. I paid $349 a few years ago, now I have seen the drive for about $250-$279. The 500GB model is down to $349. Macworld had an article showing how to set it up as a boot drive for OS and programs, then use the internal drive as storage for data.
It is at the bottom of the same page as the 1TB, but I will post a direct link below. Just as easy to open ... stretch the orange sleeve and slip it off, then remove 4 small phillips-head screws and pop off the end cap. Swap drives, and put it back together again. I see current price is $139.99 and it is in stock. The Thunderbolt cable is permanently attached and folds around the case and into the end plug to make it more waterproof. See the pictures on the link.
http://www.macmall.com/p/LaCie-Exte...uct~dpno~13552330~pdp.jcbafcj?rec_ref=9597442
The drive removed from the Rugged Thunderbolt enclosure is 2.5", same as the SSD you would be replacing it with. Installing the 2.5" drive in a 3.5" enclosure would require an adapter such as this one:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/NewerTech/ADPTADRV/
Keep in mind that this is a 5400 rpm drive. You could also put the hard disk in a $20 USB 3.0 UASP bus-powered enclosure (no adapter required) and use it for archive data storage or as a backup drive tucked up behind the iMac stand.
Since I already have 1TB drives (7200 rpm) in two OWC Mercury Elite-AL Pro enclosures with Firewire connections, inserting a 2TB 2.5" 5400 rpm drive (with adapter) into one of the drives isn't all that enticing. I already have good backup. So, the $80 1TB LaCie Thunderbolt enclosure is probably my better option. Or, can I sell the 2TB drive on eBay for more than $60?
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OP wrote:
"I ask because I don't know if the 250GB SSD in the LaCie can be replaced with a bigger drive in the future."
I've heard of others doing this. You have to remove the "rubber bumper covering" from the case, then you can get inside the case and do the swap. Disclaimer: I don't own one of these drives myself -- that's just what I've read from others.
"Also, I've read the USB3 port on the LaCie isn't the best."
The important factor is whether or not the LaCie enclosure has UASP support. (USB attached SCSI protocol). A USB3 enclosure NEEDS THIS in order to run at the "full speeds" that are possible with USB3.
"And do newer Macs have Thunderbolt connections? Or is Thunderbolt a dying breed?"
Right now, all new desktop Macs and most MacBooks still have the thunderbolt port. I sense that in coming years, we are going to see thunderbolt eclipsed by future versions of USB (USB3.1 will be arriving soon).
But this isn't pertinent to YOU right now.
Your original question asked for the best way to get a new drive working with an iMac that had thunderbolt but NOT USB3.
I believe your best course of action would be to connect a thunderbolt-based external drive -- quick and easy, and you don't have to mess with "going inside".
You should be able to get at least 2 more years of "good use" from the existing iMac this way, and I wouldn't be surprised if adding the thunderbolt external drive really "perks the machine up" speed-wise.
And sooner or later, you're going to get another Mac. If the LaCie drive has both thunderbolt and USB3 ports, it's coming with enough "forward-facing insurance" so that it will remain a useful peripheral with the newer Mac, as well...
"I ask because I don't know if the 250GB SSD in the LaCie can be replaced with a bigger drive in the future."
I've heard of others doing this. You have to remove the "rubber bumper covering" from the case, then you can get inside the case and do the swap. Disclaimer: I don't own one of these drives myself -- that's just what I've read from others.
"Also, I've read the USB3 port on the LaCie isn't the best."
The important factor is whether or not the LaCie enclosure has UASP support. (USB attached SCSI protocol). A USB3 enclosure NEEDS THIS in order to run at the "full speeds" that are possible with USB3.
"And do newer Macs have Thunderbolt connections? Or is Thunderbolt a dying breed?"
Right now, all new desktop Macs and most MacBooks still have the thunderbolt port. I sense that in coming years, we are going to see thunderbolt eclipsed by future versions of USB (USB3.1 will be arriving soon).
But this isn't pertinent to YOU right now.
Your original question asked for the best way to get a new drive working with an iMac that had thunderbolt but NOT USB3.
I believe your best course of action would be to connect a thunderbolt-based external drive -- quick and easy, and you don't have to mess with "going inside".
You should be able to get at least 2 more years of "good use" from the existing iMac this way, and I wouldn't be surprised if adding the thunderbolt external drive really "perks the machine up" speed-wise.
And sooner or later, you're going to get another Mac. If the LaCie drive has both thunderbolt and USB3 ports, it's coming with enough "forward-facing insurance" so that it will remain a useful peripheral with the newer Mac, as well...
Thanks for the reaffirmation. And $258 seems to be a good bang/buck upgrade to my iMac for another two years of use.
There are new SanDisk Z400s 256GB SSDs selling for $85 on MacMall. Get one of them and a decent thunderbolt or USB 3 enclosure? Pretty cheap!
http://www.macmall.com/p/Sandisk-Po...oduct~dpno~13555710~pdp.jcbjfbf?store=macmall
http://www.macmall.com/p/Sandisk-Po...oduct~dpno~13555710~pdp.jcbjfbf?store=macmall
Nice price. How does the SanDisk Z400s compare to the Samsung 850 EVO, both for speed and compatibility within a LaCie Rugged enclosure?
I have recently done this exact same job on not one but two mid-2011 21.5" iMac's.
When I got the screen off my first attempt I will be honest, I thought to myself 'oh sugar!' why have I started this. However, if you plan right and make sure you don't rush then it will be okay.
One of the things I did was use small containers for the screws you will remove. I used a post-it for each container showing where each group of screws had come from. Make sure you have the tools for the job including a good pair of tweezers.
Having done one previously when I came to do the second machine I found it much easier.
Take your time and you will be okay.
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I don't know - it's a new product and I haven't seen any tests yet. It's created as a low-cost option, and maxes out at 256GB...
This SSD is enticing for the price, and thanks for the suggestion, but I'll probably go with the 500GB Samsung 850 EVO and refurb LaCie enclosure. I'm fairly certain that these two items will work well together, and the 500GB will allow my entire HD to fit on the SSD.