2019 27" iMac SSD Upgrade
Discussion
I have a 2019 27" Core i5 3.0Ghz iMac. It only has a 512GB SSD drive in it and I'm reaching the point where I need something bigger. I'm already using an external SSD to store work files, it's helped a bit, but I really need to increase the system storage as I'm running at over 80% capacity and I know that isn't good for solid state drives.
Ideally, I'd like to replace the internal drive with a bigger one of the same type, I think they are NVME rather than 2.5" drives? The problem is, I can't find any concrete information online as to what drives are compatible.
If the price is right, I'm happy to send the iMac away to have the upgrade done, but at the same time I'm capable of doing the upgrade myself.
I'm just wondering, does anyone know what drives are compatible? I had read somewhere that Apple doesn't use the standard connector for these drives, so you need an adapter?
Ideally, I'd like to replace the internal drive with a bigger one of the same type, I think they are NVME rather than 2.5" drives? The problem is, I can't find any concrete information online as to what drives are compatible.
If the price is right, I'm happy to send the iMac away to have the upgrade done, but at the same time I'm capable of doing the upgrade myself.
I'm just wondering, does anyone know what drives are compatible? I had read somewhere that Apple doesn't use the standard connector for these drives, so you need an adapter?
Buy from these people - always good service.
Download the app to scan your computer
It will tell you the products that are guaranteed to work.
https://uk.crucial.com
There will be plenty of youtube videos showing how to do it.
Download the app to scan your computer
It will tell you the products that are guaranteed to work.
https://uk.crucial.com
There will be plenty of youtube videos showing how to do it.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Monday 26th October 10:29
Troubleatmill said:
Buy from these people - always good service.
Download the app to scan your computer
It will tell you the products that are guaranteed to work.
https://uk.crucial.com
There will be plenty of youtube videos showing how to do it.
I'd already checked with Crucial, but sadly they only offer 2.5" SSD which is way too slow.Download the app to scan your computer
It will tell you the products that are guaranteed to work.
https://uk.crucial.com
There will be plenty of youtube videos showing how to do it.
Edited by Troubleatmill on Monday 26th October 10:29
alorotom said:
OWC are who you want for mac upgrades ... I use them for my MacBooks and iMacs - never been steered wrong and their products are great and not badly priced.
In the end, I ordered the Aura Pro X2 1TB PCIE kit from OWC. Fits into the iMac without an adapter and the whole process of taking the iMac apart and putting it back together again took 45 minutes to an hour. I've always used time machine, so backed up my system from that. Total cost was around £250.I may even be able to sell the SSD that came out for £100, and if so, that brings the cost down to around £150.
TheBinarySheep said:
In the end, I ordered the Aura Pro X2 1TB PCIE kit from OWC. Fits into the iMac without an adapter and the whole process of taking the iMac apart and putting it back together again took 45 minutes to an hour. I've always used time machine, so backed up my system from that. Total cost was around £250.
I may even be able to sell the SSD that came out for £100, and if so, that brings the cost down to around £150.
How did you find removing and reinstalling the screen ... I’ve been thinking of doing mine but a tad nervous about cracking it or not getting it completely aligned when reaffixing it?I may even be able to sell the SSD that came out for £100, and if so, that brings the cost down to around £150.
I’ve watched the upgrade video guide/tutorial/teardown a few times and it looks easy enough but I’ve been caught out like this before!
alorotom said:
How did you find removing and reinstalling the screen ... I’ve been thinking of doing mine but a tad nervous about cracking it or not getting it completely aligned when reaffixing it?
I’ve watched the upgrade video guide/tutorial/teardown a few times and it looks easy enough but I’ve been caught out like this before!
After watching the video I was concerned, but I need not have been. I went around the edge with the tool, each time getting a little deeper until it was in as far as it would go. The thing you have to be careful with is not putting too much weight on a single part of the screen when trying to lift it or transport it. The screen is heavier than you would imagine, so try to distribute it's weight as much as you can rather than pulling or holding it up from a single location.I’ve watched the upgrade video guide/tutorial/teardown a few times and it looks easy enough but I’ve been caught out like this before!
As for re-fitting. I just made sure to align the bottom of the screen first, then gently lower it down making sure to keep pushing the screen toward the chin at the bottom and keeping an eye on the left/right edges.
I preferred the old iMacs where the screens were held in with magnets, but this wasn't that bad.
As long as you can think logically, it's a pretty straightforward job.
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