Mid 2011 iMac 2.7 core i5 external options

[Spiff]

So my iMac is really getting quite slow. I was wondering how things would be if I ran it from an external SSD hooked up to the USB 2.0 port on the back. Not work it? Too much of a bottle neck to notice any speed benefit? Should I bit the bullet and get it internalized? I am holding on until I see what the new iMacs are offering. This is a work computer so I don't do a lot of heavy lifting with it. Mainly music, web and microsoft office (2011 version). At times, if I can, I will modify a pic or 2, but I've been busy these days. That's why I'm trying not to invest TOO much in this computer, but it is getting slow.

Thoughts?

[mattkime]

Its up to you. You could put an SSD in / on that machine but a new machine would be dramatically faster.

[clay]

I installed an SSD in my wife's instance of this same computer about 3 years ago. It is quickly approaching vintage/obsolete status for her basic usage needs, but it keeps on trucking. I can't imagine using one of these machines without an internal SSD. If you're looking ahead to redesigned iMacs with M1 CPUs, I'd probably not want to put too much $$ into this machine. Even if you have a spare SSD in an external USB case, that might speed things up a bit. I might not bother doing the internal install for just a few months of usage.

[Numo]

I recently installed Catalina on an external SSD for my 27" 2013 iMac. It was practically useless before but now more than adequate. I want to try to hang on for a year or two until I can get an M1 iMac to replace it when they become available.

[jdc]

Id do it. No, its not as fast as adding internal.. but even via USB 2 its a bit snappier. Les lag on the drive.

Id prob do just an OS drive, something 128-256 GB, maybe. This would be good as anything, $34 for 240 GB https://www.amazon.com/ADATA-SD600Q-Ultr...4?dchild=1&keywords=256+ssd+external+hard+drive+adata&qid=1613158714&sr=8-4

Its really not that hard to install internally. Far far easier than later models with glued on sccreens. Id replace the main drive. OWC has excellent videos.

Ammo wrote:
I recently installed Catalina on an external SSD for my 27" 2013 iMac. It was practically useless before but now more than adequate. I want to try to hang on for a year or two until I can get an M1 iMac to replace it when they become available.

Thats a good upgrade since it was only running a spinner -- and it has USB 3.

[freeradical]

Doesn't that machine have FW 800? My 2010 iMac does.

[Lew Zealand]

As long as you have enough RAM installed (8GB?) so it doesn't need to spool memory to the disk, even USB2 will do fine with an SSD. FW800 would be better but a bus power FW800-SATA cable is exceedingly rare.

I used to have 2 of them but lost track of one years ago and the second... It's around here somewhere and IIRC, it topped out at ~68MB/sec Reads and 55MB/sec Writes, so not even 80/80 which FW800 can do with the right chipset.

[anonymouse1]

If you want to spend a few extra dollars, you can buy this enclosure from our sponsor, which has a FireWire 800 connection, hook it up to the FireWire port on your iMac, and get speeds about 50% faster than USB 2.0.

The enclosure also has a USB 3.0 port, so you can use it later with a newer Mac.

I guess the extra value of the extra cost depends on how long you anticipate hanging on to this iMac.....

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MSTG800U3K/

[modelamac]

You have not said why it is getting slower. Do you want to treat the symptom or the disease?

[rich in distress]

Hey Spiff!
Best bang for the buck, do a clean install.
You will need to clean your act regarding backups and prioritizing your app install, but that’s a good thing these days.