Move SSD from MacBook Pro to iMac

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Move SSD from MacBook Pro to iMac

iMac running slowly. 14,1 late 2013 running 10.15.7 spinning HD (too slow for me atm)

Have a MacBook Pro. No longer needed but it has an SSD. 9,2 Mid 2012 running 10.13.6hysicall

Can I remove the SSD from the MB Pro and put it in the iMac.

I know that the removal is easy because I installed the SSD and I know that replacing any HD in a 2013 iMac is physically difficult but I'm happy to try.

I would like to know if the new SSD will work in the iMac.

Thanks for any help

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.12

Posted on Feb 18, 2024 8:46 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 18, 2024 9:07 PM in response to moo

MacBookPro9,2 is a MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012). There aren't any versions of that Mac that have blade SSDs, which implies that the SSD in there now must be a 2.5" SATA SSD.

You could theoretically open up the 21.5" Late 2013 iMac and install that SSD in place of the hard drive. But why go to all of that trouble? That iMac has four USB-A (USB 3.0) ports. You can get tool-free USB/SATA cases with UASP support on Amazon for $10 or so. Take the SSD from the MacBook Pro, put it in one of those enclosures, and use it as an external startup drive with the iMac. Or buy a new external SSD for the iMac and use it as an external startup drive. Avoids the surgery, and since you couldn't use anything faster than a SATA SSD inside of the iMac, you won't be losing very much speed by going the external route.

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Answer 2

Feb 18, 2024 9:10 PM in response to moo

Examples of external enclosures:

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=tool-free+usb+sata+usap+enclosure

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/owc-mercury-on-the-go-pro/usb-3.1

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Move SSD from MacBook Pro to iMac

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