2011 27" iMac - BTO w/SSD and then adding SATA HDD afterwards

[patp77]

Just curious... I've heard of a few people asking about adding an SSD drive to their 27" iMacs that were ordered with a 1TB drive but I haven't seen anyone ask whether it is possible to add a 2TB drive after selecting an SSD drive as your primary drive.

Where do they put the SSD drive? In the spot where the 1TB drive was supposed to be or in the spot where the SSD drive would go if you had ordered both the 256GB SSD and the 1TB SATA HDD?

I'm contemplating buying the 256GB SSD and then adding a 2TB drive on my own. Anyone have pictures of an iMac with just the 256GB SSD drive in it?

 

[panzer06]

Just curious... I've heard of a few people asking about adding an SSD drive to their 27" iMacs that were ordered with a 1TB drive but I haven't seen anyone ask whether it is possible to add a 2TB drive after selecting an SSD drive as your primary drive.

Where do they put the SSD drive? In the spot where the 1TB drive was supposed to be or in the spot where the SSD drive would go if you had ordered both the 256GB SSD and the 1TB SATA HDD?

I'm contemplating buying the 256GB SSD and then adding a 2TB drive on my own. Anyone have pictures of an iMac with just the 256GB SSD drive in it?

Aren't the SSD based BTOs back-oredered, so no one has one?

Cheers,

 

[spacepower7]

Just curious... I've heard of a few people asking about adding an SSD drive to their 27" iMacs that were ordered with a 1TB drive but I haven't seen anyone ask whether it is possible to add a 2TB drive after selecting an SSD drive as your primary drive.

Where do they put the SSD drive? In the spot where the 1TB drive was supposed to be or in the spot where the SSD drive would go if you had ordered both the 256GB SSD and the 1TB SATA HDD?

I'm contemplating buying the 256GB SSD and then adding a 2TB drive on my own. Anyone have pictures of an iMac with just the 256GB SSD drive in it?

Don't think that it was possible/recommended in the 2010 models. On the 2010 27" models, if you ordered just the SSD, it would be put in the 3.5" area, not the special SSD area. Therefore if you order the way you are suggesting, there will not be a mounting bracket for your 3.5" HDD. I think it's the worst possible situation, no chance of HDD in the future.

I could be wrong but you can search last year's posts.

 

[Badger^2]

did you even look on the first page before posting?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1150900/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1148641/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1147069/

 

[Dresevski]

I get that you want the fabled SSD mount that one must deal with if he didn't order the SSD from the factory but that would definitely not be the case:

1) Apple will install it where the HDD usually goes, thus not achieving what you want
2) You're not going to have the necessary HDD "stuff" in there, so install isn't easy anyway
3) You're paying the extra cost to get the SSD from Apple

Just order it with the 1TB. Then tear it all apart and install your 2+TB HDD and SSD, sell the 1TB or use it elsewhere, then get pumped about your beast machine!

 

[patp77]

did you even look on the first page before posting?

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1150900/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1148641/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1147069/

I think you misinterpreted my thread title. None of the threads you posted apply to my question. I am not asking if it's possible to add an SSD drive after buying an iMac with a SATA drive, I am asking how difficult it is to add a SATA drive if you initially purchase just the 256GB SSD drive.

Next time, how about saying "I think these threads answer your question" instead of "Did you even look on the first page before posting?".

 

[patp77]

@spacepower7 and Dresevski:

Thanks for your comments. Based on what you said, I'm guessing the same thing will be the case with these 2011 models. I was hoping they might come with the special mounting brackets and leave the 3.5" bay empty for an easy HDD install but I guess not. I'll likely take Dresevski's advice and just upgrade both drives after the fact.