iMac SSD install

Forums › Desktop computing › iMac SSD install

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

#100226 5-Apr-2012 14:08

Hi,

I'm looking to get an SSD put in my 2010 27" iMac. I've researched the process and it looks a bit technical (I'm fairly novice at IT servicing).

Yoobee quoted me $138 for the install, I would provide the SSD. They would charge an additional $30 for the SSD data cable.

What are your thoughts on the price? Seems a little steep to me, but they essentially have a monopoly in this sort of area.

kyhwana2

2566 posts

Uber Geek

#605721 5-Apr-2012 14:11

SSD.. data cable? Isn't it just a port that you plug the SSD into?

Is there some reason you can't do it yourself?

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13765 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#605724 5-Apr-2012 14:18

For piece of mind, the pricing looks OK - I dont work on Macs , but the one or two I have taken apart, Ive never managed to get back together again, so probably safer to let them do it as Apple dont seem to make things easy :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

MikeSkyrme

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#605725 5-Apr-2012 14:18

Sorry, do you mean you are installing the SSD in addition to the existing hard drive or as a replacement?

Michael Skyrme - Instrumentation & Controls

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

#605726 5-Apr-2012 14:20

Installing an SSD in addition to the current HDD (2TB 7200rpm). There is room for both a 3.5" HDD (currently in) and a 2.5" drive, in addition to the optical drive.

Multiple Youtube videos make the process look quite difficult and I wouldn't want to screw it up for being too scared to spend $130. Perhaps the price is justified since it's a lot harder than say working on a Macbook.

josephhinvest

1543 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#605727 5-Apr-2012 14:21

$138 would just be one hour labour, including GST.
This is the right amount for the job, is harder than it looks.
1. Remove glass panel, requires suction cups.
2. Removed LCD panel, requires EXTREME care not to damage it, even dropping say the end of a cable on it could scratch it.
3. Install SSD and cable.
4. Replace LCD panel.
5. Replace glass panel, this is extremely difficult to do well, to avoid getting dust between the LCD and glass panel.
I actually did two iMac hard drives this morning, it can easily take 15 minutes to get the glass on with no dust, in a clean environment with the right tools and cleaning roller, sticky pad etc.

I would probably just fork out unless you are very confident you could do it carefully enough.
Also they don't have a monopoly, any Apple Authorised Service Provider will be able to source the cable and will have the correct gear. I would expect you would be quoted the same price anywhere.

Cheers,
Joseph

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#605729 5-Apr-2012 14:24

Installing an SSD on an imac is a pig of a job, the price seems reasonable.

Doing it on a Mac Mini is bad enough...

@KnightNZ

josephhinvest

1543 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#605731 5-Apr-2012 14:25

Also you would need suction cups, t10 driver, t6, large Philips driver, nylon probe tool (aka black stick).
Then to clean you need very clean I.e. brand new cloths, silicone roller, sticky pad for cleaning the roller.

Equinox IT

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.

MikeSkyrme

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#605737 5-Apr-2012 14:27

maknz: Installing an SSD in addition to the current HDD (2TB 7200rpm). There is room for both a 3.5" HDD (currently in) and a 2.5" drive, in addition to the optical drive.

Multiple Youtube videos make the process look quite difficult and I wouldn't want to screw it up for being too scared to spend $130. Perhaps the price is justified since it's a lot harder than say working on a Macbook.

It looks like you have your answer....

If you do not feel confident doing the modification yourself, get Yoobee on to it.

Michael Skyrme - Instrumentation & Controls

oldmaknz

536 posts

Ultimate Geek

#605740 5-Apr-2012 14:29

MikeSkyrme:
maknz: Installing an SSD in addition to the current HDD (2TB 7200rpm). There is room for both a 3.5" HDD (currently in) and a 2.5" drive, in addition to the optical drive.

Multiple Youtube videos make the process look quite difficult and I wouldn't want to screw it up for being too scared to spend $130. Perhaps the price is justified since it's a lot harder than say working on a Macbook.

It looks like you have your answer....

If you do not feel confident doing the modification yourself, get Yoobee on to it.

Cheers :) I knew I wasn't going to end up doing it myself, more wanting opinions on price.

Thanks all for the advice.

gehenna

8497 posts

Uber Geek

Moderator

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#605741 5-Apr-2012 14:37

The data cable is just a regular SATA cable though, so presumably if you're replacing an existing drive with the SSD, the cabling will all be there.

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#605884 5-Apr-2012 20:31

Not that it matters too much when you are already spending $130 or so, but I just bought a sata cable for $3, so unless it needs a super duper odd one, just supply the cable too and save 25 odd dollars.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B