I believe it was reported that OWC (blade) drives were not working, so that leaves Apple OEM blade SSDs as your only option. It needs to be the one used in the Retina MBP. The Macbook Air drives don't work.
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Rip Those Macs Open
- Thread starter Kirkle
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I believe it was reported that OWC (blade) drives were not working, so that leaves Apple OEM blade SSDs as your only option. It needs to be the one used in the Retina MBP. The Macbook Air drives don't work.
Ohmyggg, do you know if there is room to leave the standard 1TB drive in as well as the apple style blade? and is there a wire and/or mounting hardware you need to purchase to install it?
There's only the one SATA connector, so you'd have to put the SSD in place of the drive already there. Or get an Apple blade-style SSD for the blade connector which is on the other side of the Motherboard (you have to remove the MB to get to this connector).
Yes. The blade style drive mounts to the logic board. The SATA Hard drive is mounted on it's own and connected to the logic board via a SATA cable. They are completely separate.
Today after not seeing the previous post that OWC drives did not work, I prepared to mount and does not work effectively. My unit was a 240GB and when you press start, the mac will not start.
I have proceeded to buy the unit on ebay Apple 240GB SSD. Hope it works for that cost quite expensive.
I have the iMac disassembled, if you want a picture of something special or you have any questions, do not hesitate.
I have proceeded to buy the unit on ebay Apple 240GB SSD. Hope it works for that cost quite expensive.
I have the iMac disassembled, if you want a picture of something special or you have any questions, do not hesitate.
Did you look at post #42 earlier by R.OG in this very discussion thread?
There is also another tear-down thread here with some excellent photos, and I recall iFixit has a tear-down of the 2012 iMac.
This is amazing. Thanks dude.
Very generous offer, I appreciate it and I will definitely take advantage if you dont mind... a series of questions to follow and if you could take some pictures of the install, such as ssd/sata drive placement + how your mounting and what wiring your using for the secondary hard drive.
How much did you pay for the ssd?
Can you provide specifics about exactly which blade you purchased?
What other then the drive did you purchase (if anything) and from where?
Any specific tips or recommendations for the tear down or re build?
Finally, does the new drive work as expected?
The SSD cost me 307 = 400.54 U.S. $ on ebay specifically this:
http://www.ebay.es/itm/121093900939?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
The disc has to be one taken from some MacBookPro Retina.
My recommendation for removal is primarily a lot of patience, the screen is very well attached and you have to remove it very calmly.
As for conctores cable, do not pull on the cables, but disconnect the connector itself.
Also bear in mind that it is not necessary to remove the iMac speakers or circuitry, you can see it well in the pictures.
It's not complicated if you are you realize PC used to remove, especially laptops.
I encourage everyone, will try to upload images of the assembly process.
If you have purchased a non fusion equipped iMac then you will need buy a Apple torx screw to keep the ssd firmly in place. These can be found here iMac Torx Screws I think that every 27 inch iMac comes with the blade SSD connector but only the high end 21.5 inch iMacs come with this connector.
You can see in the images above where Apples SSD connector is placed on the Logic board. You will also see where the lug for the screw is positioned. If you know what you are doing here you can very easily save yourself a few hundred dollars off Apples SSD prices depending on what blade you go for. For me the 128GB SSD is a bit of a joke for $250.
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Adhesive tape kits available to reseal your iMac!
21.5-inch iMac Tape eBay
27-inch iMac Tape eBay
Just ordered a new imac! 3.4 27", 1tb fusion, 2gbvfx for 2200 refurb!!
First order of business is to replace the hdd with a proper 512gb ssd. A few questions:
1. Will a normal blow dryer work to get the screen off?
2. Because this is a fusion imac, after I replaced the hdd with ssd and boot, I should see my new ssd and the fusion 128gb flash module as two normal drives correct? Go I need to do any fiddling to ensure the Mac does not do any fusion foolishness?
3. I have some great 3m carpet laying double stick tape I plan to use to reattach screen. Any reason not to go this?
Thanks all
First order of business is to replace the hdd with a proper 512gb ssd. A few questions:
1. Will a normal blow dryer work to get the screen off?
2. Because this is a fusion imac, after I replaced the hdd with ssd and boot, I should see my new ssd and the fusion 128gb flash module as two normal drives correct? Go I need to do any fiddling to ensure the Mac does not do any fusion foolishness?
3. I have some great 3m carpet laying double stick tape I plan to use to reattach screen. Any reason not to go this?
Thanks all
1. A blow dryer is absolutely unnecessary. All you need is a thin guitar pick that's pointy enough to get between the glass and the aluminum and then just a little bit of patience to work the guitar pick around the entire edge to separate the double sided foam tape that secures the screen to the chassis. You're essentially slicing through the foam tape as you work it around the edge. Just be slightly careful around the webcam and don't push in too far. Getting the glass completely separated should not take you more than 3-5 minutes.
2. Can't help on this one.
3. It might work, but the thickness of the tape needs to be right. If it's too thick, you will be left with a gap between the screen and chassis, and that will make your $2,500 machine look ugly. You might also have to do a lot of trimming to get the width correct. I would advise that you buy the official Apple OEM tape on ebay. I purchased two sets from this guy and I can highly recommend him.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=161002634284
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
Multiple people in this thread reported that theirs did not.
Maybe yours has a newer firmware or something?
This sounds easier than I thought, and the photos of this guys make it seem much easier than forking on my 2010 imac was!
I didn't realize the tape kits were so cheap on eBay. Thanks, I will be ordering one..
I didn't realize the tape kits were so cheap on eBay. Thanks, I will be ordering one..
the little wheel that comes with the OEM tape kit works perfectly without the handle tool. no guitar pick needed.
RAID 0 with SSD and Blade
Guys,
not sure whether this has been said before, but keep in mind that a RAID 0 (basically turning two drives into one larger one) not also magnifies capacity, but also the risk of failure. Usually, you try to get redundancies by combining drives into a RAID, like putting 4 2TB drives together to get a 6TB RAID 5. If one of the drives in this setup fails, the last three will be fine and you can change the defective unit.
If you buld a RAID 0 with the Blade and an SSD, and one of the two failes (double that chance, pretty much), EVERYTHING on that drive is lost.
s_s
Guys,
not sure whether this has been said before, but keep in mind that a RAID 0 (basically turning two drives into one larger one) not also magnifies capacity, but also the risk of failure. Usually, you try to get redundancies by combining drives into a RAID, like putting 4 2TB drives together to get a 6TB RAID 5. If one of the drives in this setup fails, the last three will be fine and you can change the defective unit.
If you buld a RAID 0 with the Blade and an SSD, and one of the two failes (double that chance, pretty much), EVERYTHING on that drive is lost.
s_s
Of course ... any drive can fail, whether single or in RAID. That is why we all keep backups, so we don't have to worry that our main drive will fail (which they don't all that often). Simply repair the drive and restore from your backup in the event that you have a failure. Meanwhile, enjoy the speed.
No big deal...
I'm seriously contemplating opening my 21.5
I'm looking at the samsung 500gb 840 series (non pro)
I've opened every Macbook pro I've owned since 2006, so I have experience repairing various things. I'll admit I never even thought about opening my 2012 iMac, but now it actually seems easier to open than replacing an iphone 4 screen.
How has the new adhesive worked for you all? does the screen sit flush like it used to? Is it slightly off?
I'm looking at the samsung 500gb 840 series (non pro)
I've opened every Macbook pro I've owned since 2006, so I have experience repairing various things. I'll admit I never even thought about opening my 2012 iMac, but now it actually seems easier to open than replacing an iphone 4 screen.
How has the new adhesive worked for you all? does the screen sit flush like it used to? Is it slightly off?