I wondered if anyone had had a look at adding a blade type SSD (i.e. those from/compatible with the new MacBook Air) into the empty space in a 2010 27" iMac that only came with a single HDD? I know that they're not really available for sale yet, but was wondering what the issues with doing this might be? I guess you'd need an adaptor from the blade to the spare SATA cable, are there any issues with the controller used in the Toshiba blade SSD or others and the iMac?
The advantage over buying the iMac with SSD from Apple is obviously cost. It's a shame Apple don't offer a smaller SSD option, as the main difference for most people is probably user interface speed increases, so only the OS and most often used software applications need to be on the SSD, most media can be on the HD unless you are actively accessing huge amounts of it for i.e. video editing or processing. I'd imagine you could get away with a 64/80GB model, lots of people have modified iMacs to fit 100/128G SSDs and like them just fine.
Compared with doing the modification yourself with a 2.5" SSD, the advantages would presumably ease of fit into the spare space, as currently you either have to do a DIY bodge in the existing space (velcro etc), or buy brackets from Apple or others and change that too. The blade is presumably small and light enough that it could be very easily attached. Some Apple resellers will already do the 2.5" addition, it might be easier for them to do this one too.
Disadvantages to DIY 2.5" SSD would I guess be SSD speed, lack of large capacity options, possibly controller incompatibility (but I think I have read that most SSDs and controllers are fine in the 27" iMac), and potentially price (though probably still a lot cheaper than buying the 256Gb option direct from Apple).
Anyway, interested in any thoughts on this, will be looking at an i7 27" iMac pretty much at the same time as the blade style SSDs come on the market and wondered about saving a lot of money and possibly difficulty by going with one.
The advantage over buying the iMac with SSD from Apple is obviously cost. It's a shame Apple don't offer a smaller SSD option, as the main difference for most people is probably user interface speed increases, so only the OS and most often used software applications need to be on the SSD, most media can be on the HD unless you are actively accessing huge amounts of it for i.e. video editing or processing. I'd imagine you could get away with a 64/80GB model, lots of people have modified iMacs to fit 100/128G SSDs and like them just fine.
Compared with doing the modification yourself with a 2.5" SSD, the advantages would presumably ease of fit into the spare space, as currently you either have to do a DIY bodge in the existing space (velcro etc), or buy brackets from Apple or others and change that too. The blade is presumably small and light enough that it could be very easily attached. Some Apple resellers will already do the 2.5" addition, it might be easier for them to do this one too.
Disadvantages to DIY 2.5" SSD would I guess be SSD speed, lack of large capacity options, possibly controller incompatibility (but I think I have read that most SSDs and controllers are fine in the 27" iMac), and potentially price (though probably still a lot cheaper than buying the 256Gb option direct from Apple).
Anyway, interested in any thoughts on this, will be looking at an i7 27" iMac pretty much at the same time as the blade style SSDs come on the market and wondered about saving a lot of money and possibly difficulty by going with one.
