My iMac's hard-drive (2010 - 21.5") is only 500gb and I know I'am going to need more than that when I download movies and music & create and upload videos to Youtube. So how much is it to upgrade to maybe, 1 or 2 terabytes, or at-least possible?
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Upgrading iMac hard-drive?
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Yes, you can upgrade it to 2tb. It's not too hard to do yourself if your reasonably handy and have the right tools.
instructions here: http://gigaom.com/apple/how-to-replace-your-imacs-hard-drive/
instructions here: http://gigaom.com/apple/how-to-replace-your-imacs-hard-drive/
It's a lot easier to connect external HD's. I keep all my media (Movies, Music and Photographs) on external FW800 drives. Been doing that for several years and love it, my Mac is older than yours with only 320 GB drive but that still has 250 GB available! The only data files I keep on my internal drives are basic MS Office type files.
However how much it will cost is up to you, if you do the work yourself then only the cost of a drive, if you have an AASP do it costs will vary by location. Also you need to be extremely careful what drive you buy because beginning in 2009 Apple began using drives with integrated heat sensors, if you get one that doesn't have that it could overheat. I would speak to the people at www.macsales.com as to which drives they recommend.
I'm pretty sure all of the current iMacs can take the the 3 tb drive without any mods or funky partitioning schemes.
An external drive enclosure with FW800 will plug straight into the back of your iMac easily and you will be able to fit the SATA/300 drive of your choice (say a 1Tb or 2TB WD Caviar Green drive). You could also have a look at the Apple Time Capsule for wireless backup or storage.
Do you have a backup in place, such as Time Machine? If not, you should consider getting one. All hard drives fail, it's just a matter of time.
Replacing the internal drive is possible, but not easy on an iMac. A lot of disassembly required but if you take your time and go over it slowly you should be able to do it.
Replacing the internal drive is possible, but not easy on an iMac. A lot of disassembly required but if you take your time and go over it slowly you should be able to do it.
Guides here : http://www.ifixit.com/Browse/iMac_Intel
Make sure you get a compatible 7200rpm drive with internal temp sensor.
Make sure you get a compatible 7200rpm drive with internal temp sensor.
Isn't there something different about the new 21.5" & 27" iMacs in that the temp sensor is removed and they now use the drive's sensor so only certain drive upgrades work because w/o the correct pins active in the drive the iMac fans run all the time?
Annoying Apple crap once again. The little external sensor worked with any drive, now we have to worry about buying the correct upgrade drive. Just one more way Apple tries to discourage user upgrades.
Cheers,
EDIT: ^^ yep I just saw he confirmed it.
Annoying Apple crap once again. The little external sensor worked with any drive, now we have to worry about buying the correct upgrade drive. Just one more way Apple tries to discourage user upgrades.
Cheers,
EDIT: ^^ yep I just saw he confirmed it.
Isn't there something different about the new 21.5" & 27" iMacs in that the temp sensor is removed and they now use the drive's sensor so only certain drive upgrades work because w/o the correct pins active in the drive the iMac fans run all the time?
Annoying Apple crap once again. The little external sensor worked with any drive, now we have to worry about buying the correct upgrade drive. Just one more way Apple tries to discourage user upgrades.
Cheers,
EDIT: ^^ yep I just saw he confirmed it.
Does anyone know if this one is compatible with the new iMacs?
Seagate Barracuda XT 7200.12 2TB
My personal opinion is that Seagate drives are junk ever since they took over Maxtor. I prefer Western Digital Black drives. I'm sure with some digging you'll find one with the sensor although I doubt they would be incompatible since they are all high end drives to begin with.