Hey everyone, I am planning on upgrading the HDD in my 2011 iMac to a new SSD. I want to install a clean version of high sierra onto the new SSD. After that, what is the best way to move everything from the old HDD to the new SSD.
Thanks.
The easiest method is to create a bootable clone of the internal HD using either SuperDuper! (free version) or Carbon Copy Cloner. Once you have the clone made on an external HD, boot from it to test it by holding down the Option Key on startup and select the clone and let it boot. If you select a USB enclosure this will be a slow startup but don't worry.
Once you have verified the clone works, then install the SSD in your iMac and then boot again from the bootable clone, format the SSD and then restore your data from the bootable clone to the SSD and you are done!
I strongly recommend using OWC (www.macsales.com) kits for buying your SSD, they provide complete kits and have video instructions for doing this install. They can also coach you on backing up to a clone and restoring through the support. If you are not aware of OWC, they specialize in Macs and provide excellent support, prices and overall service. Their SSDs work perfectly in Macs too, whereas some have trouble. You can learn about their kits at https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-27-inch/2011
If you happen to have a 20" 2011 iMac they have a page for those too.
You do not need a Thunderbolt connection for an external drive. What I recommend is the OWC Mercury Elite Pro Series. After you are done using it to transfer data you can use it as a backup EHD. You can use the cloning app or you can also use it for a Time Machine backup
BTW, I do not recommend the previous posters recommendation to use Time Machine, as Time Machine is not bootable. This would be a serious problem once you have the SSD installed and want to restore, the ONLY way you could do that is from a Snow Leopard DVD or the original install disc that came with the computer. A 2011 iMac is likely too old to support Internet Recovery!!!! My 2011 27" is. If you create a bootable clone you just boot & restore from that!
Here is the link to the Mercury Elite Pro series: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-mercury-elite-pro/usb-3.1
Yes, you could use an SSD in an enclosure however not the one you are selecting. You would need a Thunderbolt Enclosure because your 2011 does not support USB 3 speeds. So if you bought the enclosure you have found in Amazon, it would only boot in USB 2 which would defeat the purpose of a SSD, it would be dead slow.
The trick is finding an enclosure that supports Thunderbolt that you can install your own SSD in or something like https://eshop.macsales.com/item/AKiTiO/NEUGTU3AS1S/
In your case, you also may want to just buy the OWC kit and take the computer to your local Apple Authorized Service Provider (AASP) and ask them to install the SSD to replace your HD and ask them to set it up so the Mac boots from the SSD and has all of your data. My local AASP does all this for only $100.
Thanks, would it be easier/faster to just use the new ssd in an enclosure (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014LQOG58/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=gunnertierno-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B014LQOG58&linkId=ebff08079ee5e5991b66a7fcfe4fa138 ). First formatting it, then cloning it, boot from it to verify all works then installing it permanently into the iMac ? But if I do this will it eliminate my ability to have a clean install of OS?
hey thanks for the quick reply. I have come across a few threads touching on "trim" is that a concern I should look into after the ssd is installed?
Also any recommendations on a good external hard drive? Should I look into something with thunderbolt connection to take advantage of the speed or is it not worth it?
If you buy a OWC SSD, no this is of no concern. If you buy something else, then yes it is something to be concerned about.
If you have an external USB drive available the most straight-forward solution is to:
This will actually give you a clean version of your macOS. The Time Machine backup, FYI, is not a traditional bit-for-bit copy/backup of your system. Rather by doing this you will get a fresh copy of macOS installed via the Internet then your "backup" which only contains apps, data, and settings, will be re-integrated into this freshly installed copy.
ALSO: If you are doing this SSD replacement yourself you will really want to get a new thermal sensor that plugs into the power cable since you are replacing the Mac-specific drive with a generic SSD. Otherwise, you're system will run in full-speed fan mode 100% of the time:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIDIMACHDD11/
So this is the best way for sure, but an alternative way would be to:
Back up your Mac with Time Machine - Apple Support
How to reinstall macOS from macOS Recovery - Apple Support
How to move your content to a new Mac - Apple Support (if you do the 2nd method)
Transferring data from old HDD to new SSD
