DIY: eSata connector to iMac

[pasinikkanen]

Just wanted to share my DIY eSata connector to iMac:
http://pasinikkanen.fi/2010/09/25/diy-esata-connection-to-27-imac/

This was quite easy and cheap (around 50EUR), of course there is no warranty and you can do it just the way you like. Just wanted to show it's doable, incase someone is interested .

 

[Hellhammer]

Great job man! Been wondering when DIY eSATA mod will be posted, looks like it took its time

 

[The.316]

Great job, and write up. Now if there was a way to do this for the late 09 models

 

[spinnerlys]

Nicely done. Now all you need is this backpack.

 

[macman05]

So simple. Nice job!

 

[Evo-L]

Why wouldn't this work on a late 09 model? Looks the same on the inside to me...

 

[symbology]

Why wouldn't this work on a late 09 model? Looks the same on the inside to me...

Does your '09 have the extra internal Sata connection?

 

[Maila87]

iMac 2009

2009 has just two connectors one for HDD and one for SuperDrive.

I'm curious if is possible to get cable trough SuperDrive slot? Don't want to drill and due to fact, that have 2009 model have to take out SuperDrive.

 

[Evo-L]

Does your '09 have the extra internal Sata connection?

Sorry, I was unaware that the newer ones had an extra SATA connection. I assumed he either removed the internal HDD or used the one for the superdrive.

I dont know much about SATA connections but can we just use a splitter on the Superdrive SATA connection?

 

[symbology]

Sorry, I was unaware that the newer ones had an extra SATA connection. I assumed he either removed the internal HDD or used the one for the superdrive.

I dont know much about SATA connections but can we just use a splitter on the Superdrive SATA connection?

You cannot split a Sata connection without a Sata Port Replicator. Not something that is going to work on the inside of an iMac I'm affraid.

 

[tears2040]

Is this possible with the 21.5" models?

 

[sushi]

Just wanted to share my DIY eSata connector to iMac:
http://pasinikkanen.fi/2010/09/25/diy-esata-connection-to-27-imac/

This was quite easy and cheap (around 50EUR), of course there is no warranty and you can do it just the way you like. Just wanted to show it's doable, incase someone is interested .

Cool. Nice mod to the iMac.

Nicely done. Now all you need is this backpack.

Nice idea. Definitely a good way to keep the desktop clean.

 

[Hellhammer]

Is this possible with the 21.5" models?

There is no extra SATA port in the 21.5"

 

[spinnerlys]

Nice idea. Definitely a good way to keep the desktop clean.

I like that thingy too, though I would need several of them to just hide some of my external HDDs. I'm eagerly awaiting LightPeak to cut down on cables.

 

[aliensporebomb]

!

2009 has just two connectors one for HDD and one for SuperDrive.

I'm curious if is possible to get cable trough SuperDrive slot? Don't want to drill and due to fact, that have 2009 model have to take out SuperDrive.

I also thought about this. Superdrive doesn't need Sata speed. Just put the superdrive in an external USB case.

 

[sushi]

I like that thingy too, though I would need several of them to just hide some of my external HDDs.

You could always get a larger external HDD.

I'm eagerly awaiting LightPeak to cut down on cables.

Not sure about LightPeak. Promises a lot. We'll see if it delivers.

But for now, this eSATA mod is pretty sweet -- well if you have a 27 inch iMac and can do it.

 

[Hellhammer]

Not sure about LightPeak. Promises a lot. We'll see if it delivers.

But for now, this eSATA mod is pretty sweet -- well if you have a 27 inch iMac and can do it.

eSATA can't carry power, that's one big con. It's still unsure will LightPeak carry power but Intel has said they are working on it. Would be amazing if it could power a 3.5" HD

 

[sushi]

It's still unsure will LightPeak carry power but Intel has said they are working on it. Would be amazing if it could power a 3.5" HD

I used to get exited about new interfaces. Now, while interested, I am more of the let's wait and see type crowd. LightPeak sounds good, but at the same time we don' t know about the power status, let alone when we'll see it available for the consumer.

On a side note, wish that FW would have been developed more. Image if we had seen FW1600 or FW3200 developed. That would have been sweet.

 

[Hellhammer]

I used to get exited about new interfaces. Now, while interested, I am more of the let's wait and see type crowd. LightPeak sounds good, but at the same time we don' t know about the power status, let alone when we'll see it available for the consumer.

Mm, I have to agree. Too many uncertain points about LP and now it was delayed to 2012

On a side note, wish that FW would have been developed more. Image if we had seen FW1600 or FW3200 developed. That would have been sweet.

They both exist, but only on paper The 1394 Trade Association announced FW1600 and 3200 in December 2007 but so far there has been zero consumer products using that interface. DapTechnology has been promising a commercial release of FW3200 during this year.