Last year, iFixit released a kit to install a second hard drive inside the 2011 Mac Mini. The install was fairly straightforward, but some Macs are a lot trickier to upgrade.

imacdriveinstall
The company has now released a hard drive install kit for the mid-2011 21.5" and 27" iMacs.

We’ve combined all the components you need and set the price at $69.95. And you’ll be able to use the clearest, bestest instructions on the planet to perform this install –– for free. Check out the 21.5" iMac and 27" iMac dual hard drive installation manuals to get a feel for the install process; the instructions are as clear as can be, but the procedure is still pretty involved since you have remove the LCD to get inside.

The kit includes the required SATA cables as well as the appropriate mounting hardware to install the second drive. As the LCD needs to be removed to access the interior of the iMac, the install isn't for the faint of heart, though iFixit does include suction cups to pull the glass off.

The kit is available for $69.95 from iFixit in 21.5" and 27" varieties.

Top Rated Comments

nagromme Avatar
nagromme
143 months ago
Just duct tape it on the back, and put the iMac against a wall. Nobody will know.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
baryon Avatar
baryon
143 months ago
I always thought it's weird that the iMac, being a desktop computer, is much more difficult to upgrade than the MacBook Pros… I mean taking the screen off, with the possibility of getting dust underneath, is quite a big thing, you shouldn't have to do that to change the HD. And taking it to Apple each time is stupid, since it's a heavy machine and it costs more that way too.

I'm waiting for the time when SSDs will be cheap enough, and they'll be the size of a CF card and you'll just pop it into a slot next to the RAM. Will that ever happen?
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tony hatbasket Avatar
tony hatbasket
143 months ago
Just duct tape it on the back, and put the iMac against a wall. Nobody will know.

Or go for the slightly fancier option and use one of these:

http://twelvesouth.com/products/backpack/

If I had an iMac with an external drive I'd get one
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
iSayuSay Avatar
iSayuSay
143 months ago
Cool concept, ugly computer!
Well yes, it's a plasticky computer as usual from HP. But at least iMac could be designed like that while keeping the great design and aluminum. Easy to maintain, upgrade, disassembly like a DESKTOP computer should. And that HP use 2560x1440 27" display too, so no reason for .. "Uugh iMac use a professional grade display resolution, HP not" anymore.

But no Steve wouldn't want customers "mess up" with the inside. It's a piece of art, not a computer .. right? :rolleyes:
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
gnasher729 Avatar
gnasher729
143 months ago
This is what an iMac should be like. . .

//www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=7OAji8R-_jQ&vq=medium

Not a shipping product. Wait until this ships, and I'd love to see a price list.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nsfw Avatar
nsfw
143 months ago
Imagine bringing your 27" iMac into the Apple Genius Bar for repair with a second hard drive custom installed! :eek:

Do you think anyone who does this mod would need a "Genius"?
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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