Comments on: 27” Mid 2010 iMac Disassembled.

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 11:42:32 +0000

The original OWC SSD was an EXTREME 3G model.

By: Alejandro

Alejandro — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:16:30 +0000

are there extreme 3g model?

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Thu, 16 Aug 2012 14:27:38 +0000

You are correct – the SATA Revision 2.0 system bus would limit the Extreme or Electra 6G models to the same speeds as the Extreme or Electra 3G models.

By: Alejandro

Alejandro — Wed, 15 Aug 2012 01:16:53 +0000

You talk about upgrade the iMac middle 2010 model with an OWC Mercury Extreme SSD, but the iMac controller is a SATA Rev 2.0, not 3.0, The speed is the same with Extreme or Electra because of that, right?

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Tue, 08 May 2012 12:25:35 +0000

No, the Mid 2010 model is the first to feature that bay.

By: Agustin

Agustin — Tue, 08 May 2012 04:20:14 +0000

Hello there,
Your solutions are awesome…
However, is there an extra SSD bay in late 2009 iMac 27″?
Thanks.

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 17:33:14 +0000

Yes, there is the main hard drive bay and an SSD bay in the 21.5″ Apple iMac 2011.

By: Rodin

Rodin — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 16:48:30 +0000

Hi, is there an extra SSD bay in mid 2011 iMac 21.5″? I am planning to install one or have it installed. Another option that I consider if there is no extra SSD bay is to replace the optical drive with a SSD bracket mimicking the optical bay.

Thanks.

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:26:43 +0000

We suggest going with the OWC iMac Turnkey Upgrade service for adding SSDs to your iMac - in no configuration is the original optical drive removed from the iMac to add a hard drive.

By: Nicolaj

Nicolaj — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 21:38:28 +0000

Important: be aware that you’ll NOT be able to install Windows on your SSD, if it’s located where the optical drive used to be. Unlike Mac OS X, Windows does NOT support installation from an external drive. I’ve tried every imaginable fix for this, to no avail. This includes Refit. Apple firmware makes this impossible as well (its even mentioned in the Boot Camp documentation).

By: Julian

Julian — Mon, 11 Jul 2011 02:47:24 +0000

Will this method work for the 2011 21.5 inch iMac?

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Mon, 09 May 2011 13:43:29 +0000

The architecture is very similar to the 2010 iMac 27" and we're currently working on adding that model to our Turnkey Upgrade Program for aftermarket installation of our SSDs.

By: Kubajzs

Kubajzs — Mon, 09 May 2011 11:49:02 +0000

Hi, how it looks with iMac 27″ 2011 its possible install sdd non from apple? Thank for your answer.

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:29:00 +0000

No, the 2008 iMac is a different architecture inside and does not have the additional SATA port available for adding more than one SATA hard drive internally. For additional hard drive space, your best bet would be an external solution.

By: ore

ore — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 18:08:39 +0000

Hello,I have a 20 inch imac from 2008 and i have already replaced the standard hd with an ssd.Everthinhg’s working fine but i have one question.In this 20 inch imac is it possible to put a second hard drive or a second ssd?? my concerns are regarding cables and connections! nice work, from Greece.

By: GatorTPK

GatorTPK — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 04:05:57 +0000

This is fantastic. I have a free External SATA connection option!

I’ll just run one of my $2 SATA cables from the back of the logic board and out through the Memory cover on the bottom. Then I’ll use one of my $5 SATA power supplies and connect a $139 3TB External HD that’s already sitting next to my iMac. (It’s a GoFlex drive, so there’s already the SATA connections on the bottom) Then I’ll have 3TB external HD connected at internal HD speeds! Then I can use my FireWire 800 for my other 2TB drive with TimeMachine. I suppose it’s not the prettiest solution, but I won’t see the missing memory cover (it’s not necessary) or the cable hanging out.

I do have one question, I’ve replaced the HD on my 24″ iMac and there wasn’t anything to void the Warranty. Does the same hold true for the 27″ iMac?

(If I want to use my 3 year AppleCare Protection Plan, I can always take the cable out and put the SODIMM Memory cover back on.)

Is there any problem with this proposed solution?

Thanks for any feedback!

By: Fat Johnnie

Fat Johnnie — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 21:04:17 +0000

Hi Micheal, thanks

I will review that to see if it shows me WHERE the eSata plughole is. Thanks!

As I said we are IN EUROPE, and unfortunately you have not opened here yet. So I have to DYI.

EVERYONE in the USA should send their machine to you to have an eSATA socket added. It costs almost nothing and with an SSD (or any good drive) it’s a stupendous speed upgrade over the garbage drives apple supplies.

Anyway like I say we’re in europe so it’s DIY fun. Cheers Fat Johnnie

By: OWC Michael

OWC Michael — Mon, 14 Mar 2011 12:42:57 +0000

I believe most of your questions will be answered by reading this post and watching the accompanying video. However, while we are big proponents of people upgrading their Macs themselves, due to the complexity of this upgrade, we highly recommend sending your iMac through the OWC 27" iMac Turnkey Upgrade Program over attempting yourself.