Can iMac 21.5 Inch 2017 4k (MNE02LL/A - iMac18.2 - A1418) Hard Disk be upgrade?

[imrellik]

Hello to every body in the Forum, I'm an International Customer and we don't have the option to upgrade the iMac while purchasing like in USA, So I had this Doubt with iMac 2017 4k (MNE02LL/A - iMac18.2 - A1418) I know that this Model comes with 1TB Fusion Drive but what i want to know, like CPU and Ram which can be easily upgradable. Can some one also upgrade the Hard Disk to SSD 2TB or 3TB Fusion Drive? on iMac 2017 4k.

Also can some guide me the best place online to buy Original Apple SSD (PCI) Blade which are compatible with iMac 2017 4k and 5k

I don't know whether this question is already been posted or not if it is then kindly guide me to the Post, Thanks in advance.

 

[Raz0rEdge]

Find the guide you want to follow from the list of iFixIt guide for the iMac. The RAM and CPU upgrades, while possible, require a near complete disassembly of the iMac to accomplish. The iMac doesn't use a SSD blade but rather a regular 2.5" drive..

 

[lclev]

This will get you started as you have a bunch of upgrade questions and ifixit.com is the place to start:

https://www.ifixit.com/Device/iMac_Intel_21.5"_Retina_4K_Display_(2017)

As for any apple parts that will be guaranteed to work with with your iMac - I can recommend Mac Sales - OWC but I am not sure they will ship to where you are. I am unfamiliar with what is available in your area. Maybe someone else will have some information.

Lisa

 

[harryb2448]

Rather than cracking open your glued iMac, which is a very difficult task, consider purchasing a TB3 SSD and hook it up via TB. Clone the boot drive to this after formatting Mac OS Extended (Journaled) via Disk Utility, go into System Preferences > Startup Diskand choose the TB SSD as the boot drive by highlighting.

Remember if you crack the iMac yourself, you void the warranty.

 

[pigoo3]

...like CPU and Ram which can be easily upgradable.

Remove the word "easily" and then this is a true statement. Lol

Can some one also upgrade the Hard Disk to SSD 2TB or 3TB Fusion Drive? on iMac 2017 4k.

Well...if you already have it opened up to do that hypothetical CPU and RAM upgrade...then yes...you can upgrade the internal storage.

As harryb mentioned...these iMac's are glued shut. So once you have it opened up...do all the upgrading you want so you don't have to "unglue" things a 2nd time!

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

Various comments and links to "upgrades" and recommended sources for that specific iMac can be found here:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...e-i5-2.3-21-inch-aluminum-mid-2017-specs.html




- Patrick
======

 

[imrellik]

Thanks for replying Guys! I just want to make things clear 1st I'm still using my iMac Mid 2011 21.5 Inch and I think its been a year since i have replaced my 3.5 Inch 500GB 7200RPM Internal Slim HDD with Seagate 3.5 Inch 7200RPM 2TB Hybrid SSHD connected with OWC Digital Thermal Sensor to my iMac Mid 2011 21.5 Inch.

I'm going to keep using this iMac for next 2 to 3 years and I'm quiet happy with the Storage and the Speed I'm getting with this Hybrid SSHD.

I'm thinking of upgrading my iMac 2011 with either iMac 2017 4K or iMac 2017 5K i.e. 27 Inch but all the Models which I'm interested comes with 1TB Fusion Drive.

Fusion Drive consist of 2 hard disk right? One 32 GB SSD and other 1 TB hard drive. So let's assume if i purchase iMac 2017 4K use it for 1 to 2 years then want to upgrade the storage to 2TB HDD or SSD then I would also have to upgrade 32 GB SSD PCIe to 128GB or more with 2TB Hard Drive or 2TB SSD, right? and I would need apple SSD PCIe or any third party SSD PCIe card will work on iMac.

I just want to understand the storage upgradation for iMac 4k or 5k so is there any post or website where i can learn and understand how to upgrade the storage in iMac 4k or 5k and also understand compatibility for iMac.

 

[pigoo3]

I'm going to keep using this iMac for next 2 to 3 years and I'm quiet happy with the Storage and the Speed I'm getting with this Hybrid SSHD.

I'm thinking of upgrading my iMac 2011 with either iMac 2017 4K or iMac 2017 5K i.e. 27 Inch but all the Models which I'm interested comes with 1TB Fusion Drive.

Always great to do research ahead of time...but isn't 2-3 years in advance a bit much? Lol

In 2-3 years there will be a 2019 or 2020 iMac available...and by that time maybe you'll want that instead (but of course who knows how upgradeable these will be). Unless your plan is to purchase a 2-3 year old used 2017 iMac in 2-3 years.

- Nick

p.s. By the way. The thread title says you wanted a 21.5" iMac. In your last post (thread post #7) you mentioned a 27" iMac. There are some major differences between 21.5" iMacs and 27" iMac's (more than just a bigger display). The RAM in 27" iMac's is considered user upgradeable (just remove a panel...very easy). Upgrading the RAM in 21.5" 2017 iMac's is NOT considered user upgradeable (not easy). But as we mentioned above...if you open the 21.5" iMac up...you can upgrade the RAM.

 

[harryb2448]

Do not buy a 1GB Fusion Drive period.

The 32GB Flash SSD is simply too small even for the operating system. Go to a 2TB Fusion Drive and get 128GB of Flash SSD.

 

[imrellik]

@pigoo3 - Yes 2 or 3 years is too much but who knows whether apple will release New iMac every year or maybe they will release only 1 new iMac after 2 or 3 years then if the prices of SSD are affordable maybe apple will offer more storage in iMac, The Future is SSD.

I need at-least 2TB or 3TB Internal storage for Bootcamp as i also like to play games sometimes.

@harryb2448 - I'm also thinking of buying 27 Inch iMac 2017 5K which has 2TB internal storage but the price at which it is available here in my country is too expensive, iMac is a computer which you use for 5 to 10 years or more if its still running fine, So that's why i wanted to learn, understand the process of storage upgradation for iMac.

iMac 21.5 Inch 2017 4K Model has 32GB Flash SSD (PCIe) with 1TB Hard Drive (Fusion) so can i use any third party 128GB or 256GB Flash SSD (PCIe) in iMac 2017 4K Model and will it work properly or do i need apple original Flash SSD (PCIe) I've read somewhere one can not use third party Flash SSD in iMac as they don't have the apple Firmware in it so the Fans rotate fast and you get the message to shut down the Mac.

Is this true? and same goes for 1TB Hard Drive?

 

[harryb2448]

If you go that way buy Apple compatible flash drives from OWC. The range that suit MacBook Pros works in iMacs.

 

[pigoo3]

@pigoo3 - Yes 2 or 3 years is too much but who knows whether apple will release New iMac every year or maybe they will release only 1 new iMac after 2 or 3 years...

Who knows??...I and others know! Apple has released a new iMac model at least once/year since 1998 (that's 19 years)! And sometimes 2 new iMac model releases in the same year.

- Nick

 

[imrellik]

@harryb2448 - Nice to know that Flash Drive for Macbook can also be used for iMac's

@pigoo3 - Well in that case then I should just wait till better storage option is provided in iMac, My iMac 2011 is still working fine I'm in no hurry!

If I may ask a Stupid Question what is the need for Flash SSD in iMac can't we just replace the 1TB Hard Drive with 2TB/3TB SSD Connected with OWC digital thermal sensor to iMac.

 

[pigoo3]

@pigoo3 - Well in that case then I should just wait till better storage option is provided in iMac, My iMac 2011 is still working fine I'm in no hurry!

Exactly. Apple will very very likely release at least one new iMac model each year (just like in the past). When the cost of solid state storage goes down...very likely that cost in the iMac will go down too.

If I may ask a Stupid Question what is the need for Flash SSD in iMac can't we just replace the 1TB Hard Drive with 2TB/3TB SSD Connected with OWC digital thermal sensor to iMac.

I think that you're still stuck on the 2009-2011 era. I don't believe newer iMac's (2017) have that issue. And if they still do...it's really not a big issue for most owners...since most owners of newer iMac's aren't upgrading them (much too difficult).

In regards to the 2TB/3TB SSD question...you would first need to find a compatible storage product that would fit into a 2017 iMac.

- Nick

 

[imrellik]

@pigoo3 - Thanks for replying but for the record I'm not stuck in 09-011 era, that your's opinion it may look like that way but it's not, any way Thanks for sharing and clearing my doubts regarding iMac.

For now I'll keep using my iMac till it stops working or if i find iMac which suits me. Thanks Guys!

 

[pigoo3]

@pigoo3...but for the record I'm not stuck in 09-011 era, that your's opinion it may look like that way but it's not...

I think that you took that statement too broadly! When I said "stuck in the 2009-2011 era"...I was ONLY ONLY referring to what you mentioned about the OWC thermal sensor product. The OWC thermal sensor product is NOT necessary for 21.5" iMac's after 2010. Since the thermal sensor product is not sold for 21.5" iMac models after 2010...that's why I said you're stuck on the 2009-2011 era. It's great that you are familar with this product (not many users are)...it's just not applicable for 21.5" iMac's after 2010.

I'm sure your knowledge of shoes, clothing, automobiles, entertainment, current events, food, language, etc. is not still stuck in the 2009-2011 era (or at least let's hope not)! Lol

- Nick

 

[imrellik]

Hello! again I just came across an article Today about how to upgrade the Mac Old HDD to SSD, so it though sharing the link with everybody here in the forum who might be interested in reading this article and improve there knowledge. I hope this article help people understand the process and also improve there knowledge about the process.

The article is for iMac, Macbook, MacMini etc... it's quiet good article i hope people like it, so here it is

https://9to5mac.com/2015/02/16/macbook-mac-mini-mac-pro-ssd-swap/

https://9to5mac.com/2015/02/13/how-to-swap-imac-hard-drive-for-ssd/

Regards