Just picked up a free iMac...now what?

[Guy Clark]

The 2011 27" iMac is an awesome machine and Hard Drive replacement is relatively straightforward. I thoroughly recommend a Seagate SSHD. Hybrid Drives offer improved performance over a 7200rpm HDD whilst offering higher capacity than an SSD at a lower price
https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/solutions/solid-state-hybrid/

To fit the replacement Hard Drive follow this iFixit tutorial
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2429+Hard+Drive+Replacement/7555

 

[EugW]

Don't waste your time with an SSHD if you're going to go through all the trouble of disassembling an iMac.

SSD all the way. If you want more storage, you can add an external hard drive.

 

[weckart]

$369 for Transcend 512GB StoreJet 500. Really?

He should get a 500 GB SanDisk Ultra 3D for $109.99 (+ $39.99 for digital thermal sensor) and spend an hour installing.

Get a LaCie 1TB Thunderbolt Rugged external hard drive. Remove the spinner and put in an SSD of your choice. The LaCies go for about £60 used in the UK, so probably $60 in the US. Much cheaper than buying an SSD TB drive. But yeah, open the damn iMac replace the HDD to save even more money. It's not that difficult.

 

[Guy Clark]

Don't waste your time with an SSHD if you're going to go through all the trouble of disassembling an iMac.

SSD all the way. If you want more storage, you can add an external hard drive.

As stated before I one hundred per cent endorse Hybrid Drives.