iMac's latest 27-inch iteration requires special parts for your own SSD in second drive bay

One of the few highlights of the refreshed 27-inch iMac is the new SSD option for its second drive bay. This sure is good news for performance addicts carrying some spare cash, but with the 256GB SSD addition costing from $750, some may prefer the DIY route to save a few pennies for that gold iPad. Sadly, it won't be as straight forward as sliding in a new drive -- e-tailer OWC noticed in its teardown that you'll be needing a mounting bracket and a couple of cables that are only supplied with Apple's own SSD. That said, if you can find a way to secure the drive in the bay, all you'll need are a SATA male-to-two-female splitter plus a left-angled SATA connector cable, and then a way to partially remove the logic board to access the free port. Yup, it's as easy as really complicated pie.

[trippedout Posted Jul 29th 2010 11:42AM]

those dirty bastards.

[SolidSnake Posted Jul 29th 2010 11:48AM]

Thanks Apple. Making our lives easier.

[Herman Melville Posted Jul 29th 2010 11:53AM]

@trippedout hush, it's the part of their campaign to make everything "magical" and "revolutionary" for their customers.

[yeoldgreat1 Posted Jul 29th 2010 11:53AM]

@trippedout
Next they'll design their own usb connector, meaning you'll have to buy an apple adaptor just so you can use your own usb sticks. Except they'll call their design revolutionary and magical and the next step in bus connector design.

[Pryomancer Posted Jul 29th 2010 11:58AM]

@trippedout This is why I don't like Apple. "Do it our way or we'll do everything possible to stop you doing it yours."

[Sbrocket Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:05PM]

@trippedout Yes, because it sure makes a whole lot of sense to include the parts for a second drive bay in a build-to-order machine that doesn't need another bay.

Don't try explain with malice what you can explain with either cost-savings (this) or incompetence (iPhone 4, App Store rejections, etc).

[Robhimself Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:21PM]

@trippedout Sweet jesus. Last night I took my keyboard apart on my netbook cause a button was sticking. I fixed it without having to unscrew anything. On the same net book I replaced the ram, and SSD and put 2 different linux distros as well as windows 7. I didn't need a genius or some hipster in skinny jeans to direct me to a bar. Thank fucking god I am a responsible computer owner and I don't need a shiny happy company to make my decisions for me.

[fourthletter Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:22PM]

@Sbrocket Does it make sense to charge double for RAM and SSD upgrades ?

[SLINC Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:25PM]

@trippedout

MAC user will now know what it's like to buy / upgrade a DELL!

[Schmich Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:26PM]

You guys just don't get it...this is a feature! I mean do you want silly unoriginal standard items for your SSD? I thought not.

[Coach George Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:29PM]

@Robhimself Language.....

[gavmiller Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:35PM]

@Robhimself

So, what do you want? A cookie?

[High Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:37PM]

I'll give it a week before some 3rd party has an adapter and cable kit available.

[Seven2k Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:40PM]

@trippedout

I can do it in less than hour. Proud to say i was in the first Apple group to disassemble this machine when it was introduced years ago. Actually 30 minutes after steve finished the keynote we had it across campus.

[rakeshin Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:41PM]

@trippedout come on.. they gave us the easy option to upgrade the mac minis ram.. /s

[Hobsie Posted Jul 29th 2010 12:42PM]

@yeoldgreat1

Not to sound like the mac fanboy I am but wasn't the first iMac one of the first ever pre-built consumer pc's with USB and thus helped it become popular in the first place?

Ignorance is bliss and all but...

[Jack Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:04PM]

@trippedout

So many little crying babies. What's the matter babies, I thought the only way a computer was good is if you had to get in there and make everything work yourself? Isn't that why you hate Macs, because they come preassembled?

Pussies. Go to monoprice and buy a couple of cheap cables OMG PROBLEM SOLVED. Or just cry about it some more, that works too.

[Cold Dead Fingers Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:10PM]

@Pryomancer It's a fucking All-in-one computer!!!!!! Who the fuck is going to expect anything more than a simple RAM upgrade?!?!?!

[jonnypage Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:13PM]

@yeoldgreat1 Have you seen their extension cords for the keyboards? They have a little notch in them so you can't use them as regular usb extension cords, but only with the keyboard. Not even their mice are compatible with it.. *sigh*

[Taller Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:14PM]

@Hobsie IBM made some of the first commercial computers with a floppy on it...so implementing I/O somehow gives you street cred now? Wtf cares about that.

You do sound like the mac fanboy. Just the fact that you freaudian slip stating you don't want to look like one makes the case for it.

User yeoldgreat1 just projected the hypothetical introduction of proprietary connectors by apple, wich happened many times before and you get your fanboy panties all mangled and come to the "rescue" with that pearl of "one of the first to introduce". WTF?

You end the post by calling him an ignorant...classy. Apart from your post being non-related topical information.

USB was by Compaq, DEC, Microsoft, Intel, NEC and Nortel in 1995. To put it in a computer...even to be "one of the first", wich really adds to nothing, it's the same as saying you were one of the first to get the claps, want a trophy for that fanboy. F'ing grow a pair and you won't be looking like moron so often.

[JesperA Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:24PM]

@fourthletter Damn, you have seen a 256GB SSD for 300 bucks, show me where and i buy 50 of them

[Sbrocket Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:24PM]

@fourthletter No, did I claim their prices were reasonable? I don't seem to see that mentioned at all in my comment. Maybe you're assuming a bit too much?

[JesperA Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:27PM]

@fourthletter So you have seen a 256GB SSD for 300 bucks, show me where and i buy 100 of them!

[KAL326 Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:36PM]

@Sbrocket So you should only be able to use a second drive bay if you buy it with the configure to order setup? Whats next you can only use sockets if you buy the machine with them prepopulated with memory?

I have a better idea, how about not require a proprietary mounting kit for the second drive in general.

[tikigawd Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:57PM]

@fourthletter

Uhh, hellOOOO, if they're magical then YES.

What kind of question is that?

[Mike10010100 Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:57PM]

@Jack

"What's the matter babies, I thought the only way a computer was good is if you had to get in there and make everything work yourself? Isn't that why you hate Macs, because they come preassembled?"

Hahahahaha! What a maroon! Creating a straw man argument that nobody has stated! Hahahaha.

No. We've always stated that Macs were overpriced and unable to be upgraded easily. And this only FURTHERS our point. You must use only the connections and mounting bracket that Apple gives you! Rofl.

Just get some cables? And have the drive flapping around inside the computer? WTF? You're such an iFanboy, it hurts.

[tikigawd Posted Jul 29th 2010 1:58PM]

@SLINC

This is true. Apple is not the only culprit of this kind of crap.

[Mike10010100 Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:02PM]

@JesperA

And $300??? No way! They're raping your wallet by selling you a $600 SSD!

[tikigawd Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:03PM]

@JesperA

Half of $750 is actually $375.

That said, you can get a 256GB Crucial SSD on PC Rush for $459

So I guess instead of double he should have said 1.6 times.

[daytripper Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:14PM]

@trippedout
Apple, nickle and diming iDIOTS since 1976.

[Jack Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:17PM]

@Mike10010100

So what you're saying is that you're not technically skilled enough to mount an SSD? Maybe you haven't gotten my point yet. Crybabies like you are whining and bitching about how amazingly difficult an SSD installation is here, despite the fact that by comparison building an entire PC from scratch is much more difficult.

The point, which I'm sure I'm going to have to explain to you because you're not too bright, is that NEITHER of them are difficult. So why are you crying about this again? Oh, because you're an idiot? That explains it.

[tobsmonster2 Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:23PM]

@Pryomancer
Who the hell upgrades their iMac HDD them selves anyway? Why complain if you don't own or plan to buy an iMac? Its not like they're charging more for an empty slot then stopping you from using it so what's all the bitching for? Explain.

[Mike10010100 Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:35PM]

@Jack

"So what you're saying is that you're not technically skilled enough to mount an SSD?"
You know, as much as I'd like to fabricate my own mount with my sheet metal arc cutter, I'd rather not. I'd rather just have it included in my case, like every other computer in the universe, and not be nickel and dimed to death.

"Maybe you haven't gotten my point yet. Crybabies like you are whining and bitching about how amazingly difficult an SSD installation is here, despite the fact that by comparison building an entire PC from scratch is much more difficult."

Everything is included in a built-from-scratch PC. The case has all the parts necessary to mount every internal piece. This computer DOESN'T HAVE A BRACKET, therefore CANNOT BE MOUNTED. Apple is making it difficult to install anything that they don't sell by not including a necessary bracket and cables.

"The point, which I'm sure I'm going to have to explain to you because you're not too bright, is that NEITHER of them are difficult. So why are you crying about this again? Oh, because you're an idiot? That explains it."
Wow. Seriously? The point keeps going over your head. It's a PROPRIETARY BRACKET and cables. It should have been included in the case, just like every other computer in the world, but Apple doesn't want people to install aftermarket stuff.

Wrong, and an asshole to boot.

[Sbrocket Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:38PM]

@KAL326 The difference is that this is like expecting a computer to come with the cables (and already in the case, no less) required for you to make your own modifications to the machine. Why would they include cables that many people simply aren't going to use?

Is it really that difficult to get a SATA data cable and a split SATA power cable? That's really all that's required here, aside from the issue of how to mount it securely. Its as if people expected the engineers to design the whole machine around the minority of people who might want to add their own drive. Yes, a minority - you aren't going to be buying an iMac (or any all-in-one, for that matter) if you plan to make regular modifications. Most of the people bitching here aren't the customers for this type of machine anyway.

[Mike10010100 Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:45PM]

@Sbrocket

"Its as if people expected the engineers to design the whole machine around the minority of people who might want to add their own drive."

A $5 mounting bracket and $3 cables. The cables aren't even that big of a deal, although every other pre-built computer has cables for extra drives and accessories that weren't pre-installed. But the proprietary mount? There's literally no reason not to include it other than that Apple doesn't want anyone installing cheaper and better components. Apple just wants to overcharge for everything again.

[Jack Posted Jul 29th 2010 2:49PM]

@Mike10010100

In other words, you're too stupid to figure out how to mount an SSD. Got it. For those of us who are not mentally challenged, it's nothing as spectacularly difficult as you would like us to believe. It's an SSD, not a platter based hard drive. No moving parts. Figure it out.

This install would take me 10 or 15 minutes. How long does it take to put a PC together from scratch again? Is it longer than 10 or 15 minutes? Yeah. Again, figure it out.

Or just keep on crying. Those of us who are not as narrow minded and dense as you are aren't going to have any problem installing an SSD into an iMac.

[tikigawd Posted Jul 29th 2010 3:01PM]

@Jack

"Go to monoprice and buy a couple of cheap cables OMG PROBLEM SOLVED."

I'm guessing you can get the proprietary Apple mounting bracket at "monoprice" too? Otherwise, you would have missed the point that normally yes, this would be a piece of cake upgrade, but thanks to Apple it's not.

In contrast, and for example, changing the hard drive on my PS3 is a piece of cake. It takes 1 minute. I appreciate that Sony designed its computer to be easily upgradable in regards to storage, and doesn't force me to buy some sort of proprietary hard drive or kit to do so.

[Mike10010100 Posted Jul 29th 2010 3:09PM]

@Jack

You are SUCH a friggin moron, it's just not even funny any more. Seriously, get it through your head. THERE IS NO WAY TO GET THE MOUNTING BRACKET OTHER THAN GETTING IT BY DEFAULT FROM APPLE.

The cables are not a big deal, nor has anyone ever made it a big deal. IT'S THE PROPRIETARY MOUNTING BRACKET, YOU IDIOT. Nobody wants to have a hard drive flapping away in their computer whenever they adjust the monitor angle. It could damage other internal components.

Sorry that I had to go all caps lock on everyone, but you seriously don't get it.

[SirNoDroin Posted Jul 29th 2010 3:12PM]

@Hobsie no windows 98 SE is what made USB popular.

[DefPoet Posted Jul 29th 2010 3:15PM]

@Jack
god your a total nincompoop

[Exodite Posted Jul 29th 2010 4:13PM]

@yeoldgreat1

I believe that particular design is called 'Firewire' or possibly 'Displayport'.

[JojoMojo Posted Jul 29th 2010 4:15PM]

@iHaters... go away. This is an Apple post. You will never buy an Apple product anyway. Who cares about your ignorant hate-filled Don't read Apple related posts. It will be good for your blood pressure.

[tekdemon Posted Jul 29th 2010 5:13PM]

@trippedout Don't worry, I'm certain that somewhere in Shenzhen someone is already working to KIRF the insane Apple connector you'll need.
And if they're not just send them an e-mail.

[jedi Posted Jul 29th 2010 5:38PM]

@Hobsie

No. Apple only forced the issue.

What they were first at was shipping a machine that ONLY had USB. USB was actually fairly common PCs as Intel was heavily pushing it and it was on all of their motherboards and chipsets.

"Legacy Free" is highly overrated. It's a solution in search of a problem.

[Seven2k Posted Jul 29th 2010 5:48PM]

@Jack

"10-15 minutes" i bet 100 dollars you cant. If you are So. Cal. let me know i would gladly take that challenge.

[asgiov Posted Jul 29th 2010 5:53PM]

@trippedout

It could just be me... but I think that there probably weren't any good "Industry standard" mounting parts to be able to fit into the iMac. I'm sure cramming two drives into the thing wasn't super easy.

It would have been nice if the mounting bracket was pre-installed, though....

[Seven2k Posted Jul 29th 2010 5:54PM]

@Seven2k

Wonder why i was downranked wasnt offending anyone and it is true. We were number in repair turn around time. Sorry if y'all took offense.

[jrm125 Posted Jul 29th 2010 6:27PM]

@Jack

I am Jack's raging sense of stupidity.

Seriously dude...did you read the article or grasp the point at all?

[P2 Posted Jul 30th 2010 5:11AM]

@Hobsie

Yeah, because Apple was pushing the hell out of firewire and look how much it's used today...

[Dmpltr Posted Aug 17th 2010 5:56AM]

@Cold Dead Fingers
Me