[kevdawg86]

I agree with everyone else. Drop an SSD in it.
The internal HD that comes with it is 5400 rpm. Very slow and just get worse over time.
Be careful if you plan to do it yourself. Go slow, use a ground strap.
A static free mat wouldn't be a bad idea.
OWC is awesome. I have bought from them many times. Great customer support too.

Where do you recommend attaching the clip to stay grounded? I was reading online and a few people said the ground peg of the iMac plug. Is this what you'd recommend?

[robertk328]

So do you recommend cotton gloves over rubber gloves?

I actually thought about that, because rubber gloves might help with grip on the side when you move it. However I don't know how the rubber would do on the glass (probably ok) but I do know cotton gloves were what we wore back in the day with sensitive film negatives, slides, etc., to keep fingerprints off of them when handling.

[robertk328]

Almost forgot!

You'll need a way to get the old drive data to the new one. If you're using a Time Machine backup, this will be simple. If not, you'll want a drive caddy for the old drive. You can clone the drive to the new one before installing. Or boot from the old drive (connected externally in the caddy) and clone it over then. OWC sells those, too.

[labcabin]

I have the 2011 iMac, and know how you feel. Adding an internal SSD is a great idea, but I didn't wanna risk the screen or messing with the internals, so I used a different solution. Im using a 256GB Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD external drive connected to a Thunderbolt port. I installed a new image of the latest build, el capitan, and it runs like butta. No taking off the screen, and you still have the 1tb internal which you can access the data from. The internal Drive I have a Bootcamp partition and a mac partition for data storage. Good luck.

[timelady]

I have the 2011 iMac, and know how you feel. Adding an internal SSD is a great idea, but I didn't wanna risk the screen or messing with the internals, so I used a different solution. Im using a 256GB Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD external drive connected to a Thunderbolt port. I installed a new image of the latest build, el capitan, and it runs like butta. No taking off the screen, and you still have the 1tb internal which you can access the data from. The internal Drive I have a Bootcamp partition and a mac partition for data storage. Good luck.

Huh. I may try that first. Thanks, I've just made the decision to out he grunt in what is still a magic desktop device, just slowed. I was going to take out the HDD and put it where the DVD drive is as a secondary storage. I am assuming you went into rescue mode and just changed the boot order? Any gotchas you can point to?

[robertk328]

Huh. I may try that first. Thanks, I've just made the decision to out he grunt in what is still a magic desktop device, just slowed. I was going to take out the HDD and put it where the DVD drive is as a secondary storage. I am assuming you went into rescue mode and just changed the boot order? Any gotchas you can point to?

Here's how to choose a start up:

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204417

Going external may be a good option. I didn't do it because I wasn't worried about a screen (Mac Mini) and I already use the Thunderbolt for a second monitor. So I had no choice.

I don't think the Thunderbolt is as fast as internal but I'd have to look up the numbers. Should be close if it isn't. And still leaps and bounds above the internal.

[kevdawg86]

Almost forgot!

You'll need a way to get the old drive data to the new one. If you're using a Time Machine backup, this will be simple. If not, you'll want a drive caddy for the old drive. You can clone the drive to the new one before installing. Or boot from the old drive (connected externally in the caddy) and clone it over then. OWC sells those, too.

Yeah I just started running time machine a couple weeks ago to an external hard drive just in case. In that case I can just use that correct?

[anon(9602380)]

I have the 2011 iMac, and know how you feel. Adding an internal SSD is a great idea, but I didn't wanna risk the screen or messing with the internals, so I used a different solution. Im using a 256GB Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD external drive connected to a Thunderbolt port. I installed a new image of the latest build, el capitan, and it runs like butta. No taking off the screen, and you still have the 1tb internal which you can access the data from. The internal Drive I have a Bootcamp partition and a mac partition for data storage. Good luck.

I made this same suggestion in another thread for someone wanting to change their hard drive in a late 2012 iMac, which is by far a lot harder to do than on earlier models. Awesome suggestion by the way.

[MaxSmarties]

I have the 2011 iMac, and know how you feel. Adding an internal SSD is a great idea, but I didn't wanna risk the screen or messing with the internals, so I used a different solution. Im using a 256GB Lacie Rugged Thunderbolt SSD external drive connected to a Thunderbolt port. I installed a new image of the latest build, el capitan, and it runs like butta. No taking off the screen, and you still have the 1tb internal which you can access the data from. The internal Drive I have a Bootcamp partition and a mac partition for data storage. Good luck.

what about performance ? I don't have very good experiences about external storage

[Richard Schembri]

Hi.

I was having the same problem so I fitted a Silicon Power T11 Thunderbolt SSD, I now boot from this.
My iMac now boots up in around 10 seconds.

[robertk328]

what about performance ? I don't have very good experiences about external storage

For a device that age you should use thunderbolt not USB.

[MaxSmarties]

For a device that age you should use thunderbolt not USB.

Even with TB, I found performance to be much worse than internal storage.

[kevdawg86]

I think I'm leaning towards an internal drive. I really don't want to invest in an external and have an issue with the internal HDD and have to invest more.

[Darth_Bane]

I have the 2011 iMac, and know how you feel. Adding an internal SSD is a great idea, but I didn't wanna risk the screen or messing with the internals,

What about finding an apple authorized shop to do the work, I don't mean an apple store because they may not be keen on the idea, but a third party place may - provided they're experienced with Apple.

I'm kicking around the idea of upgrading my iMac's storage when the time comes. Its virtually brand new and I'm really happy wiht the 2TB Fusion drive, but I figure after 3 years, the cost of higher capacity SSDs may make it worthwhile.

Personally, I doubt if I'll try this myself, so it would have to be someone who does it for a living.

[robertk328]

I think I'm leaning towards an internal drive. I really don't want to invest in an external and have an issue with the internal HDD and have to invest more.

On a model that makes this relatively easy, I think it's the right call.

[robertk328]

What about finding an apple authorized shop to do the work, I don't mean an apple store because they may not be keen on the idea, but a third party place may - provided they're experienced with Apple.

I'm kicking around the idea of upgrading my iMac's storage when the time comes. Its virtually brand new and I'm really happy wiht the 2TB Fusion drive, but I figure after 3 years, the cost of higher capacity SSDs may make it worthwhile.

Personally, I doubt if I'll try this myself, so it would have to be someone who does it for a living.

Newer iMac the screen is glued on, you'll need a putty knife/spudger of some sort to get around the edges to loosen it. That's definitely not for the faint of heart. On kevdawg86's iMac, it's a different process and not as difficult. YouTube and some of the other sites that sell upgrade tools have lots of resources to make it easier to decide if it's something you can tackle.

[Darth_Bane]

On kevdawg86's iMac, it's a different process and not as difficult.

You're right, my bad on projecting the difficulty of newer iMacs onto the older model.

[robertk328]

You're right, my bad on projecting the difficulty of newer iMacs onto the older model.

No worries! Still something to consider with the screen

[quakerotis]

Create another user. L>go in with that user. If the problem persists, you may have hardware issues.

Look any the Activity Monitor. What are the dominant processes? SSDs are nice. Just be sure that your problem is really in your mass storage.

[kevdawg86]

Create another user. L>go in with that user. If the problem persists, you may have hardware issues.

Look any the Activity Monitor. What are the dominant processes? SSDs are nice. Just be sure that your problem is really in your mass storage.

So part of the problem was a corrupt OS. I reinstalled the OS and it sped it up quite a bit. My main issues now are slow start-up and opening programs. I've been told that a SSD would help with this. It would also help the IMac last a few extra years which is important since the church isn't able to make a huge purchase.

[timelady]

Thanks! I have a 500gb external Samsung EDO. But it needs drivers, so not sure....I may have to go internal. I do change cracked iPhone and iPad screens for the kids, and have been building computers since this side of forever. As long as I get the tools I can manage this. I just don't want the hassle if I can avoid it

[mayconvert]

They are 7200 platters in the 2011. They went to the 5400 with the fusion drive in late 2012.

They are always 5400 RPM, even a new one, today if its the 21.5" iMac. Only the 27" model uses 7200 RPM.

This clips shows it. go to apple.com and look at specs.

[mayconvert]

27" specs on apple.com

[anon(9602380)]

They are always 5400 RPM, even a new one, today if its the 21.5" iMac. Only the 27" model uses 7200 RPM.

This clips shows it. go to apple.com and look at specs.

The OP posted they had a 2011 27" iMac which is what my response was based on. That and the fact I owned the same iMac. The platter speed was 7200.

[kevdawg86]

They are always 5400 RPM, even a new one, today if its the 21.5" iMac. Only the 27" model uses 7200 RPM.

This clips shows it. go to apple.com and look at specs.

My imac is a 27" model.