HDD upgrades?

[The JTizzle]

About to get my 1st iMac, (i7 27er) but they only have 1TB models in the local store.

Are these machines not to bad to get into and do a manual upgrade in the future if I find I need a 2TB drive or bigger?

 

[spinnerlys]

Look here for instructions:
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-iMac-Intel-27-Inch-Hard-Drive-Replacement/1634/1

You can always get an HDD and put it into an enclosure with Firewire 800 ports.

 

[rkaufmann87]

About to get my 1st iMac, (i7 27er) but they only have 1TB models in the local store.

Are these machines not to bad to get into and do a manual upgrade in the future if I find I need a 2TB drive or bigger?

Rather than risk your warranty by attempting to do a HD replacement simply purchase from Apple's online store and get the 2TB option. Other than RAM doing iMac upgrades are not for the faint of heart. If you are comfortable working on the internals of a notebook computer (this is what an iMac is like internally) and don't mind risking your warranty then you could probably do it.

 

[The JTizzle]

Yah I have upgraded my MPB like 6 times now so that doesn't scare me, I just wasn't sure if Apple built in like a hot swap system for them or something. I'm trying to avoid the whole BTO option as I want to boot it up and check the screen in store before buying.

 

[danny_w]

I just had to replace the drive on my 24" aluminum and it was a real pain. Doable, but a pain, and definitely not intended to be user upgradeable.

 

[thewright1]

I have a 24 and I'm interested in upgrading my HD to a 2TB. I read somewhere that it could lead to overheating problems but I wanted to get a second opinion. Has anyone successfully done this upgrade to that high of a drive. Looking forward to your feedback.

 

[C. Alan]

As others have said HDD upgrades are possible, but they are a PIA. I did my 2006 Imac a few years ago, and I don't think I would do it again. External drives work pretty well for most uses.

 

[thewright1]

As others have said HDD upgrades are possible, but they are a PIA. I did my 2006 Imac a few years ago, and I don't think I would do it again. External drives work pretty well for most uses.

I've been reading that it's a PIA but my main concern is on the size of the HDD itself. I don't think I've read about anyone putting a 2TB drive into their iMac (not unless it came with it to begin with). So I was just trying to see if there was some kind of issue with that if I was attempting to do it.

 

[tjcad]

I am in the same situation as the op.

Can you bring it in at an Apple Genius and have them upgrade for you? (for a price or free)

 

[thewright1]

I am in the same situation as the op.

Can you bring it in at an Apple Genius and have them upgrade for you? (for a price or free)

It might cost you a little more than free but if you have money, take it to Apple, if you have time, take it to Best Buy. By time, i mean about a week to two weeks AFTER they say they will have it done.

The cheapest route (other than doing it on your own) would be to take it to a Mac authorized repair facility.