Upgrading my late 2013 iMac!

This is my old family iMac- and it definitely feels its age thanks to the mechanical hard drive. So in this video, we try to open up the iMac and upgrade to an SSD!
500gb Samsung 860 EVO - amzn.to/2LTKxAy
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Music:
Miami Nights 1984 - Accelerated (intro music)
• Miami Nights 1984 - Ac...
HOME - Overflow
• HOME - Overflow
HOME - Sleep
• HOME - Sleep
HOME - If I'm Wrong
• HOME - If I'm Wrong
A-GON - Simplicity (outro music)
• A-GON - simplicity

[@91Tech]

Having an SSD in an old computer can completely breathe new life into it. I definitely recommend doing the upgrade if possible because trust me when I say you won't regret it.

[@venci005]

91Tech This is a great video 👍🏻 and btw, thank you for your hard work today.

[@nebulainfinite599]

91Tech love the shirt man

[@Luke_Official]

is the graphics card located under the display port connectors for the screen

[@roblox21242]

i have the same computer and i really need to upgrade the hard drive and ram, but im scared to break it :( this is the only computer i have to do school work and its so laggy and takes forever to load programs :(

[@danielk0106]

So what about this BS thermal sensor everyone says you need to keep the fans from spinning up?

[@MapleMilk]

Literally all you have to do to make some computers go from glacially slow to sonic speed is just switch out the hard drive It's crazy If you have a desktop, get an SSD If you have a laptop, get an SSD If you have an Xbox 360, play Dark Souls

[@Joro1738]

Wait Dark Souls? Never owned an Xbox 360 and have never played Dark Souls on that console (only tried Dark Souls 3 on PC once).

[@cunnyman]

Hotel? Trivago

[@cunnyman]

Also, not always. I tried using SSD on my 2009 budget laptop. Not even the grace of 4GB ram upgrade and SSD can save its ass.

[@Annette_Hons]

Just did this upgrade last night to my 2013 iMac.... all I can say is WOW! I am totally blown away! I swear my computer now runs better than it did when it was brand new!! Can’t thank you enough for this video! For under $90 total, I practically have a new computer!

[@deagle7602]

3 years later and ssds are super cheap now. $30 for 1tb. I can now finally upgrade this old iMac lmao.

[@RockResume335]

@@deagle7602if you would be so kind, provide a link.

[@lucapagano3685]

what screwdriver i need for doing this in the mac late 2013?

[@denizinan979]

I viewed several videos about this subject and yours was by far the best presentation. Instructions and steps were easy to follow. Thank you.

[@johnnyremac]

Man what a video. Thank you. I first dug into my Nitro 5 a few weeks ago and then wondered if I could upgrade my 27" iMac. You have given me the answer - a definite yes. Thanks again.

[@luisvazquez9153]

I just followed step by step this video and killed it! Although I used a Samsung SSD 850 Pro 256 gb, and now it runs way faster than I would've expected. Once again I can't say thank you enough!

[@cliess]

Great video. It's worth noting that these late-2013 iMacs can easily accept Big Sur (unofficially) and the performance is the same, if not better than Catalina was. Very much recommended!

[@ka-pop2243]

I know this is an old video but THANK YOU! I bought my mom a used iMac and had HD problems that I didn't even fully understand. But I had an old SSD I wasn't using and it appears you helped me solve the problem. I got the adhesive strips and a tool for removing the screen on eBay for about $7. Installing Catalina as I type this. Again, THANK YOU.

[@jordan_j_roy]

I love your videos. Tech is just so fascinating and amazing

[@powertripdc]

Thanks for the video! Did this yesterday. iMac is so much faster now!

[@flibbyflub8795]

I put an ssd in my MacBook Pro 2012 and a few more gigs of ram it’s feels soo much better

[@diegorojas7683]

Me too !!

[@CharliesLazy3DPrints]

Thank you so much for this!! Watching this gave me the courage to upgrade my late 2013 iMac from hdd to ssd. Its like I have a new computer. Super snappy and so worth it. The only criticism I have about your tutorial is that, when I booted up the iMac with the ssd, you made it seem like you went straight to downloading macOS. I did that and it didn’t read my ssd. I started to freak out but I later found out I have to click disk utility first and erase it and then go back of download macOS. Other than that thank you!!

[@Xenomorph358]

Agreed! although tbf he did say to search for more professional tutorials at the start but totally agree

[@challsism]

Hi, I want to do this on my late 2013 imac but have read that you have to do the thermal sensor also, I don't see that in this guide. Did you do it and if not do you any fan speed problems.

[@CharliesLazy3DPrints]

@@challsism I followed the video and did the extra step I commented about but I didn’t do anything that involved a thermal sensor. Once I changed the hdd to ssd i didn’t have to worry about anything else except the connection ribbon near the top. It is very fragile and a couple times I would connect it and the screen wouldn’t Turn on because it wasn’t connected correctly. That was my only issue. It’s the ribbon that has to be disconnected and tells the screen to turn on. My advice, don’t attach the screen on permanently until you test everything. I opened mine about 6 times because of that ribbon. Good luck. Seems scary but if I can do it so can you.

[@challsism]

@@CharliesLazy3DPrints Thanks for the prompt reply, I was not sure whether to order one or not just now but now i'm going to give it go (Famous last words) lol, thanks again mate.

[@CharliesLazy3DPrints]

@@challsism I was feeling just like that as well. But it’s so worth it. Before I upgraded it I would literally have to wait 5 to 8 minutes for a safari and zoom to open. I would get up and click them and then go to the bathroom because I knew it would take so long. But after the upgrade everything opens instantly! Please keep me updated! You got it haha. Have fun too. And dust it out since it’s gonna be open.

[@GarbanzoBeansFan]

Nice of you to add music links in description 👍🏽

[@erickborling1302]

Letting the adhesive cure to a clean surface is imperative. This can be aided by using some clear packing tape around some of the outer sides. If that's not an option make sure the monitor doesn't lean forward at all. If the screen falls off (I have experienced this), connectors will get tweaked and possibly damaged. Also, the screen can crack, so put pillow in front of your computer.

[@ranzbarron]

I am going to do this with my iMac. I already got the same SSD and just waiting for the LCD adhesives to arrive :) thanks

[@iflnr978]

thanks for the great video!

[@carlapplepro7989]

I love this 2013 iMac 21.7 love it I am going to buy me one

[@paulp3053]

awesome video, thanks for sharing!

[@CREEDFILMSMEDIA]

Thank you dude this really help me out thanks man.

[@anianii]

5:31 That side plastic piece is a speaker :D

[@mathesonstep]

My dad didn't feel like opening up his iMac Late 2012 so I got him a USB 3 adapter and a 1tb wd blue SSD and it has made a huge difference even though its not running at full speed

[@91Tech]

Definitely a good way to upgrade if you can’t open it up!

[@dannyliles2315]

That’s what I did

[@user-ss6zt2mo1l]

No. Open it up. Tell your wife it's broken and WE need to upgrade. Works everytime. 🤣

[@xandercalasahan1799]

I've read that it is not possible to install and run Catalina from an external SSD, anyone known to this wether it's possible or not?

[@yohaanpatel2736]

Xander Calasahan it is I did it myself

[@rpst39]

I upgraded to Samsung 860 evo and it felt amazing after that 14 year old 80gb hdd.

[@Patrikch100]

In my opinion this iMac is still great this days. We have it at home, The 27” version

[@GameRageSwear]

man ty so much for the video!!

[@john2820]

Mac is awesome. It indeed always works. I have an Macbook Air from 2017, a Macbook Pro from 2009 both with SSD. Super fast! Thanks for the video. Looking to buy a 2013 iMac and upgrade it with SSD. 😎

[@blakerala5732]

Hi I love your videos dude

[@craigdouglas9979]

Yes, great video!!!! THank you.

[@Ribvaren]

Great video. Thanks 🙏

[@ilikemyboxempty]

You should use the APFS file system when you erase the volume. It is better optimized for SSDs. You will get that option in disk utility once you have updated to High Sierra and after

[@rtcurtis5858]

I bought a 500 gb kit from OWC for 2012 21.5”. It came with an ssd interface box to clone copy from the HDD. Used free version of Carbon Copy. Had to do a Pram reset. Boots up in 10 secs. Perfect! Randy

[@benmiller4272]

My neighbors still have their 10 year old iMac.

[@signsofthetimes886]

What about the dementors? 👻

[@xander1980]

I have a macbook pro and my parents an imac from 2009, I had to change the harddrive in my macbook pro, but my parents imac runs somewhat smooth still.

[@JoseVGavila]

I got an identical unit recently for just 200€ and it is working nicely but, yes, an SSD woud boost it. Thanks for sharing this!

[@Computist40]

I've never upgraded a Mac before, but I did SSD my Asus notebook from 2012 and boy do i not regret it one bit.

[@AtomCoder]

Good job m8, thanks!

[@askhowiknow5527]

Installing the OS without a bootable drive is brilliant and I love Maca for it

[@uruniiversenumerologist1392]

thank you bro, it was helpful....✌️

[@Bigmojo75]

Thanks for this. Have a late 2013 iMac 27 and it’s getting unreasonably slow under Catalina. Useless in fact. Tried to buy ram but the guy at the local computer shop said upgrade the SSD. Searched YT and up came your brilliant video. Gonna pull the trigger and drop another 8 Gig of RAM in it.

[@rpallen58]

Thanks for that, Josh. It's funny...you seemed surprised about the excellent build and durability of Macs. We Mac folk say "Once you go Mac, it's hard to go back." I'm going to give this a shot. Good video. Well done :-)

[@lucidlifestyle8799]

That's for this. My late 2013 iMac is soooo slow I have to walk away from it in frustration. I'll give this a try. 👍

[@tomb.2896]

Props to u for not just going out and spending a ton of money on a new Mac

[@gamerrant]

You can also copy the original HD on an external drive (doesn't need to be SSD). Change the Mac to boot from the external every time and take apart iMac. Now add in new SSD turn on; it will boot from external drive and now copy (requires software both times) the external to the new internal SSD. You could also buy an accessory to make the internal SSD drive a external and than copy over.

[@dwaynepedals]

Thanks! Will this work with the iMac 27 Inch, Late 2012 models? I believe those have the fusion drive?

[@oristechreviews]

Amazinggggg Videooooo

[@milicitrus]

I did this (well i sent it to someone to do it) with my late 2012 imac. It is, to this day the computer i use, it runs wonderfully and it works for my 3d modelings and rendering

[@milicitrus]

I also upgraded the ram from 8 to 16gb

[@TheCrystalGlow]

I am really thankful that Catalina just works on a near 8 year old device. Kudos to Apple for supporting this device for so long.

[@ChiriTX]

You should keep making videos like this one

[@masinopablo]

Thank you so much for this video! What kind of tape did you finally use to reattach the monitor?

[@brayaneayala]

you can get it on amazon, specifically for your mac.

[@bennaambo2716]

tell that one of my macbooks using a mid 2010 15" MBP :D still running great on catalina. yes catalina

[@The19610211]

Great video. Would you recommend the Samsung over other SSDs?

[@Bernoeofficial]

”This side plastic piece...” it’s the speaker XD

[@mick6876]

My dad gave me his old 2010 MacBook Pro. I installed an SSD and 16GB of ram in it. I love it, it runs like a modern machine

[@Dimondgamer123]

Too right since I started using an ssd my pc has never slowed down it’s amazing

[@toddjohnson6672]

The thing that frustrates me about my iMac (which has the Fusion drive) is that my hard drive started going really slow so I assumed the hard drive was failing, but it turns out that the SSD part of it was failing....so much for lasting longer than the hard drive

[@alecsrobespierre]

I have a 2009 MBP since new and 2 years ago upgraded with 8gb ram and 512gb ssd and works incredible. I will keep it for another 5 years.

[@ps1kx]

Did the same with a 1 TB EVO 860 in summer 2018. It's a real shame it won't support Big Sur, because this thing is FAST !

[@billy4eyes512]

Watching this on a 2009 MacBook Pro, I replaced the ultra slow HDD with a 240 Gig SSD, doubled the RAM from 2 to 4 Gig, bought new (used) internal speaker , new battery. It"s a nice laptop to use for consuming media, web browsing and basic productivity tasks.

[@SwiftSilentRKS]

even though your tutorial isnt so in depth, its narrated better than most.

[@kevinleiver4696]

Epic. Wish me luck! :)

[@2gfstudios56]

I still use my 2012 27 iMac and it’s actually very fast since the fusion drive failed. The hdd in the fusion drive failed so while it only has 128gb its very fast. I love it and use it more than my 2017 MacBook pro

[@91Tech]

Ha that’s interesting. Bit of a blessing in disguise there

[@JeanSamyr]

I have a late 2015 5K i5 3.2ghz iMac, it came with a 7200rpm 1TB HD, recently on a sale i buyed a 480gb SSD and a External SATA3 to USB3 HD Caddy and installed Mac OS, on USB the SSD is 2X faster than the HD, I fallen in love with the SSD and buyed 1TB Sandisk SSD and opened my Mac and swapped the HD to the SSD, the best thing I did. I did it too to my old MacBook Pro mid 2012

[@Jimmy-eg1wc]

Mine is coming May 22! Got a Macally keyboard & mouse combo with it which is coming the same day.

[@Professorvapes]

thanks

[@mountman5386]

This was very useful. I would be glad to see more videos like this. I have an old iMac which we still use. Any idea how to find out when it was made to see if i can do this too?

[@mountman5386]

Sorry - should have Googeled it - About this Mac top left. Unfortunately mine is from mid 2011.

[@91Tech]

If I’m correct I believe this upgrade is even easier on the 2011! Definitely look for a tutorial, it’s 100% worth doing

[@blackmagnolia3373]

Hey did you need to upgrade the firmware for the ssd. People recommend it for dampening the fan noise, which seems to increase once you install an ssd?

[@ChrisLee-UK]

I have a 2013 27" iMac, Quad core i5 32GB ram etc, and it's slow! Watching this video has convinced me that SSD is the way forward. So now off to the stores to grab a 500GB Samsung SSD. Need to try this before I venture down the replacement iMac route. I have the iFix It tools and replacement strips, had those a while but needed convincing it was worth a shot. Will update when done, thanks for the video fella, very informative. Also confirms I don't need any fan or temp cables as with the earlier iMacs

[@ChrisLee-UK]

Okay so update. *On the 27" iMac, you will need a cradle adapter as these iMacs have a full size HHD*. Fitted a Samsung Evo 860 and all I can say is WOW! iMac is so so much quicker, at everything! A worthy upgrade for anyone considering it. Thanks again for the video 👊🏼😎

[@kevinnguyen9597]

@@ChrisLee-UK Do you know if I would still need a cradle adapter if I have a 21.5" instead? Thanks for review btw :)

[@ChrisLee-UK]

@@kevinnguyen9597 Hey Kevin, no adapter needed on the 21.5" as it's the same dimensions as the SSD :)

[@kevinnguyen9597]

Also, off-topic question. Do you think I would have to buy anything to deal with the sensitive thermal sensor for the fan? For an iMac Late 2013 21.5"

[@ChrisLee-UK]

@@kevinnguyen9597 Earlier Mac required a cable/harness thing to deal with the temp. sensor. I didn't have to use one on mine and have no issues at all :)

[@HatsuneMiku-lu4nw]

Thank you very much! you just confirmed that i didn't need to get a special catty to put an SSD in this system in case the Temperature sensor was mounted to it!

[@TheEmrickman]

I might upgrade mine now. Thanks. Maybe the gpu too.

[@stevejohnson1321]

I have a 2013 model, running Ubuntu because mac os dropped support. For those reading along, there's a wiring harness sold for about $39 U.S. This keeps the cooling fan from going full-boot. Often the cooling sensor is incorporated in the hard drive region. There's software that will control the fan, but not on all OS.

[@benji888578]

FYI: “recovery mode” ...easier to take the old hard drive, use a SATA to USB connector, boot from the old hard drive, format the new SSD (make sure to make it macOS bootable), install macOS from there or shut down, disconnect old drive and then go into recovery mode, and you should be able to recover right onto the new SSD. (if you don’t already have one, various types of SATA to USB connectors are available starting at cheap$, or put in old drive case, most older external USB drives have a SATA adapter on the drive itself).

[@MarcoElkes]

I have a maxed out one of these 21 inch 2013 iMacs with a quad core 4th gen i7, 16g of ram and an nvidia geforce 750m graphics card. The computer still is plenty powerful to this day and probably for years more to come.

[@gyoung7802]

you have last osx?

[@lorenzolamb6412]

How much all that came up to my guy

[@MarcoElkes]

@@lorenzolamb6412 that was over 4 years ago bro. In todays world I would get one of the 2019 4K Intel iMacs. I have one with 32gb ram and 4gb Radeon graphics card. You can pick one up in that spec if you’re lucky for around $300-400. It’s an absolute bargain.

[@muslihat2487]

wow thank you, please replay this , if do this then do i still need to put PCIe SSD on my imac?

[@tomlook3080]

I did this with an older 27" iMac The glass is held on with magnets, not adhesive. However, I used Disk Utilities to "restore" my HD onto the SSD using an external USB3 to SATA cable first that way I didn't lose any data or settings or 3rd party APPS .

[@tantratron]

I'm in the process to SSD upgrade my late-2013 but when removing its display, it seems the 2 ribbon connector falls vertical whereas yours horizontal. Same for the HDD installation, it is different than yours so do you happen to know if late-2013 have different motherboards layout ?

[@hakukuze7947]

You have a great presentation voice and enjoyed watching. The only suggestion I would make is to mention the stuff you need upfront, such as tape, type of SSD, and such. Good work though.

[@Anziio]

How did you managed the fusion drive? i can see that your new hard drive is 511 gb....did you fuse the two ssd??

[@erikaramosdiaz]

Hello, great video. I want to upgrade my mid 2014 iMac, the connection cables are just the same that your computer have or there is another specification that I need to have in mind when I buy the SSD? Thanks, so much¡

[@raghvendrarao7881]

Hello, I am also having an old imac 2014 mid. Did you do the upgrade? Is it working fine? Thanks

[@jefftansley]

4:10 there are tabs at the far left and right that you pull to remove the bottom adhesive - support the screen as it could fall BEFORE the last piece is removed

[@christopherjames9843]

It is just terrible engineering when you have to do these shenanigans just to upgrade a hard drive. Thanks Jonathan Ive.

[@burnsie6]

I think the caveat is that taking out the HDD bottleneck will allow your other components to sing. If your other components are muck then you won’t see the same benefit as this guy. But if you have an i5 and 8gb ram and you’re still running a HDD you will be amazed

[@NigelDream93]

Hi...one question..If i just replace my factory HDD for a SSD..and when i boot the mac with the SSS install...Mac it's gonna ask me to install catalina or high sierra that i have already install on my mac. I have a 21.5 Imac late 2013 @91Tech

[@metalmania707]

hey 91Tech, thanks for making the vid. Do you know if it's possible to upgrade the cpu in the late 2013 imac?

[@91Tech]

I’m not sure, if it is possible it would be a very difficult job though. You’d have to look it up

[@zaphodsbluecar9518]

A 'before & after' disk benchmark would have been good... BTW, I'm now looking to upgrade my iMac :-)

[@joesosa41]

Did you have to install the OS in the new hard drive before installing it in the Mac or was it all through recovery mode? I got a free, nicely kept iMac from my family that could use this upgrade.

[@chrisar5998]

Did the SSD Upgrade to my iMac 21,5“ from late 2012 earlier this year. Although I haven’t done anything like that before, I didn’t break it. And yes, it‘s fast again, also on macOS Catalina!

[@SKYELOVER]

Chris AR cat Alina 🐱 cat get it?😂

[@91Tech]

Congrats !

[@SKYELOVER]

91Tech do you get my joke?

[@Ne_Martin]

Switched to SSD from old HDD on my iMac 24” early 2009 and its bring the computer new life! Everything is so fast, every time I wonder is it my old iMac? I also have the same Samsung 860 evo 500GB. Tomorrow will change 4GB RAM to Max on my model- 8GB RAM.

[@drusillabarrientos1753]

From your experience does Catalina run smooth and everything works with no problems having a iMac late 2013?

[@mikegord]

Same iMac as I have. Did you install a OWC temperature sensor? Or is the need for one a load of bull***t? Has the screen fallen off yet?

[@user-hj1qg2gb5h]

or just use an external ssd (in my case Sandisk extreme) and u dont need all that, the results are great as well! used it on my late 2013 imac

[@user-hj1qg2gb5h]

@Gaz Snow kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXWZXmaFjJ5sa7s

[@brandon_nope]

You should be using iFixit's iMac cutting wheel to prevent the unlikely event of cutting any sensitive components

[@jimhill5996]

Surprised, in view that iFixit stuff was mentioned, also the adhesive tape kit for the screen wasnt mentioned

[@Charlie-qx4bb]

awesome

[@correctaperture]

Brilliant video, I will have to have a go at this on my late 2013 27" iMac would I be near the mark buying an SSD like this model...Samsung 860 QVO 1 TB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive (SSD) (MZ-76Q1T0)..?

[@dannyliles2315]

If your doing it, just boot through thunderbolt external ssd or even usb 3. I have the same one and I do and it’s absolutely rapid, and I haven’t took it apart once

[@zeetrain9625]

I have heard you can just add an external, this way you don't have to open anything. Do you have a link for that?

[@raider4394]

i bought my mid 2012 13" MacBook pro without a drive and installed a 480gb Kingston A400 SSD. I want a new SSD (a faster one) but it's honestly still a nice laptop. Definitely one of the best purchases i've made.

[@jillhenderson2184]

Hi! Hopefully you’ll see this. I have a late 2013 imac 21.5”. I know you used Samsung 860 evo but would the 870 evo work too? Also, is owc ram good? While I have it opened I want to upgrade the ram. I would like to update the i5 to i7 but seems like it’s hard to buy.

[@robbufford]

Did you repast the CPU and clean the fan while the imac was open ?

[@ipconfigearth102]

PLease can you do a follow up? What do you do with your Imac 2013 - Upgraded now? thinking if I should upgrade or not - Also should I do RAM as well?

[@bramvandenbroeck5060]

I bought a 2008 imac for 50 euro's which is a bargon! But the previous owner said it whas SO SLOOOOOW, i opened up the imac and it had the original 320gb mechanical hard drive in it! I replaced it with a (temporarely) 240gb ssd, it feels snappy as heck! It opens up apps in an instant! It has a core 2 duo, but it fast enough to do light work on it like webbrowsing and watch youtube! I have a m.2 msata drive lying around just doing nothing, my plan is to upgrade this imac with a m.2 to a classic 2,5 inch ssd adapter which costs 30 euro's online! 1TB may sounds overkill, but for loading the imac with movies and such and serving as a iPhone backup station, i think its enough!

[@mrrobvs]

OWC website has a power board in their SSD replacement kits. Is a power board replacement recommended for these models when you do the SSD? Or should it just be done like this? Or at least I think that's what I'm looking at on the OWC site. The parts they want you to put in don't look like a regular drive and they have you doing a much more elaborate disassembly.

[@rich8715]

Good video but the reason a lot of us are watching this is Macs do not just work. 27 2013 iMac replete with issues- hard drive, screen, graphics controller, etc all known issues. Even the screen suspension clip (cheap plastic) was subject to a free fix (had to bring it in an leave it with Apple of course and this is unlike most of the other issues which Apple just ignores.) Point is the mantra that Apple just works is simply false at this point. They break like everything else and now Apple has made their macs virtually immune to user fixes, unlike PCs. Still gave a like!

[@afzaalawan]

Great Video -- I am thinking to upgrade mine, does this iMAC 2013 support MSATA