Replacing the hard drive in these macs requires separating the display. Possible but a delicate operation. https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Di...
I’d just throw a thunderbolt or usb3 SSD in a port instead. I boot off a USB3 SSD on my Mac mini and that seems to work fine, despite not being quite as good as an internal or TB drive would be.
Re:Apple updates its iMac line
by xavieralexandre on Tuesday March 19, 2019 @12:04PM
(#19432108)
I boot off a Nvme SSD in an usb-c (https://www.delock.com/produkte/S_42600/merkmale.html) enclosure on my 2017 27" iMac. I do manage 1000 MB/s. Popping off the screen and using the right adapter and SSD you may be able to reach 2500 MB/s.
Re:Apple updates its iMac line
by brandon272 on Tuesday March 19, 2019 @01:26PM
(#19433090)
I recently replaced the drive on mine. The most annoying part of the process is the fact that you have to purchase adhesive strips to be able to re-seat the display.
Re:Apple updates its iMac line
by xavieralexandre on Tuesday March 19, 2019 @09:32AM
(#19430612)
Getting max performance is not that obvious. You'll want to go through the the PCIe port and find a M2 NVME/PCIe Mac adapter.
Sure. But the drive that is inside is listed as being SATA. I haven’t seen a tear down but it’s not soldered or proprietary at least.
Re:Apple updates its iMac line
by xavieralexandre on Tuesday March 19, 2019 @12:10PM
(#19432170)
The spinning disc drive is SATA and non proprietary (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2546+Bla...). The SSD is not and use a proprietary PCI-e connector (https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2546+Bla...). You can find adapters though (https://www.amazon.de/Sintech-M-2-PCIe-2280-SSD-Karte-MZ-JPU...).
A bit like buying an OS-less PC. But I agree full-heartedly that it's counter-intuitive to the brand.