Q: I want to install an SSD but then change current drive to just normal storage
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Apr 4, 2016 10:25 AMby Eric Root,install all my necessary apps again
Not sure what you mean by the above. Are you not going to keep the Applications folder on the SSD? If you reformat the 1 GB drive, you will lose all your data. Hopefully you have backups.
Other than the above, that should work. I'd download El Capitan before starting.
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Apr 5, 2016 1:57 AMby BobHarris,HelpfulYou will need the suction cups to remove the glass cover over the screen. If you do not have them you can get the tools from iFixIt.com or MacSales.com.
Make sure you watch several YouTube videos for you specific Mac. When you start lifting the screen, there are going to be several cables you need to disconnect before you can lift the screen too far.
I suggest printing out the iFixIt.com instructions and having them handy before you start.
I converted my Late 2009 27" iMac to an SSD. I choose to remove the DVD (I never used it) and use a DVD to SSD conversion kit to put the SSD where the DVD lived. I use a kit from MacSales.com
But you can also just replace the 1TB disk with an SSD, but you will still need a mounting bracket as the SSD is much smaller than the 1TB disk.
If you decide to remove the 1TB disk, then you can put it in an external enclosure and hook it up using a USB cable.
Both iTunes, iPhotos and Photos all you to set application preferences that point to where you keep your library, so it will be fairly easy to keep your music and photos on another disk (whether you keep the 1TB internal with the SSD in the DVD location, or with the 1TB in an external enclosure).
Crucial.com and MacSales.com are well respected Mac RAM vendors. (just ordered a 32GB RAM upgrade for my iMac from MacSales.com).
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Apr 5, 2016 1:57 AMby Old Toad,HelpfulI have the same iMac: a mid 2011 27" iMac12,2 which came from Apple with two, separate internal drives, a SSD drive and a regular HDD drive. So there must be space and available in there to add another inside drive.
Just be sure to get an SSD that include the necessary thermocouple. I suggest you look at otherworldcomputing.com for their SSD drives. They have excellent customer support and can help you with the selection and installation.
