The SSD knows where all your data is instantaneously. With an SSD, there is no waiting, this is because your data is effectively in a spreadsheet. A traditional hard drive is like a record player, when you send data from the HDD to the CPU the computer has to find it, it hunts around the platters/disc looking for all the data. It is not the raw speed of the SSD, it is how it works. It is stuck on an older OSX, so it can not run Sierra or be used for any power applications, but it does show what an SSD can do to make an iMac more usable. It can perform moderate tasks with ease, browser, mail, word processing. The start time went from 2 minutes to 15 seconds.
How fast can it perform? The results even surprised us.
We have a 2006 iMac in the Upgradeable office and we decide to upgrade the hard drive to an SSD to see the effect. A RAM upgrade is easy, a iMac SSD upgrade is a bit harder, but after reading this guide you'll be an expert with all the knowledge to make an SSD upgrade simple.įor general use, most iMacs have enough CPU power. Replacing your mechanical hard drive with an SSD, and you will experience an incredible increase in speed. Applications will open quicker, starting up is snappy, and the overall result is extending the life of your Mac. Upgrade to an SSD and you can make your Mac run like new.
How to clone your Crucial SSD with AcronisĪfter you have upgraded the RAM the only other speed bottleneck is the mechanical hard drive.How To Upgrade Your Mac Mini with an SSD.How To Upgrade Your Macbook Air with an SSD.
How To Upgrade Your Macbook Pro with an SSD.The price on these drives continue to fall and it can recharge your Mac, old or new. This was prior to my installing Trim enabler. I thought, uh oh, what did I do (and here we go), but it has not happened since. I had a never before experienced crash via a kernel panic while viewing a somewhat shady (no not that kind) website with all kinds of pop ups and those annoying "install this to protect your Mac" messages - of course I did not. Later I downloaded and installed Trim Enabler and it is fine. Whew! Second, I used a set of terminal commands to turn on Trim, but after checking in System profiler it was not on. The first boot up was terrifying in that I had a grey screen for what seemed like way too long, then the old Apple popped up and boot up was fast. I had no surprises, except one annoying thing - I wanted to replace the clock battery, but realized I needed a BR2032 and had a CR2032 - apparently there is a difference, so I didn't chance that.Ī few things. My advice, find the right video for your Mac, watch it a few times until you can practically recite the steps, then make sure you have the right tools and you will be fine.
The OWC install video was crucial (for me). Not sure if anyone is paying attention, so I leave this either for myself or the future, but the upgrade is well worth the cost and effort. Or am I being too nostalgic? I have owned at least 15 Macs and this one has really stood the test of time. I am skeptical about fusion drives and, as I understand it, am unable to install 3rd party SSDs in new iMacs unless I have an electronic degree and am willing to void the warranty.
I could relegate the old gal to full time duty as a music server, but with a new iMac I am not happy with drive options (cost as well). Would upgrading the 2009 iMac with an internal SSD give me a "wow" difference in boot ups and loading some of these heavy hitting apps like Logic or Ableton. I can afford that, but it would hurt am not exactly thrilled with the idea since the old iMac seems quite capable. I have thought about upgrading to a new Retina iMac, but that would entail many upgrades including new faster external drives (Thunderbolt would be nice), a new Ergotech arm (old mount/adapter won't work) not to mention the cost of an internal SSD and more RAM. I also have it on a ErgoTech swing mount (so cool). I have 8 GB RAM (max) and a 650 GB internal drive, but only use about 300 GB as I have all my media and other files (including a 1 TB iTunes music repository) on a few external firewire drives. The old gal hums along great, though can be a little slow on start up (DropBox.) and starting things like Logic. I use it for everything from R and some web dev stuff to Final Cut Pro and tons of music software including Ableton Live, Logic and different guitar amp modeling software. Hello, I have 4 Macs, but my trusty go to home desk/office machine is the oldest, a 2009 27" iMac.