02-13-2021, 12:29 AM
Wouldn't boot from an external on a 2011. USB 2.0 is just not fast enough to justify it.
That being said, taking apart a 2011 is easy. Swap out the boot drive for a cheap SSD.*
You'll need a drive cable with the temp sensor and a couple of suction cups:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMACHDD11/
Double-sided tape works to hold the 2.5-inch drive in place. Otherwise, you need a basic 2.5-inch/3.5-inch mounting bracket, typically $5-10 bucks each on Amazon.
*Cheap because the 2011 is long overdue for a fatal hardware failure.
That being said, taking apart a 2011 is easy. Swap out the boot drive for a cheap SSD.*
You'll need a drive cable with the temp sensor and a couple of suction cups:
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/DIYIMACHDD11/
Double-sided tape works to hold the 2.5-inch drive in place. Otherwise, you need a basic 2.5-inch/3.5-inch mounting bracket, typically $5-10 bucks each on Amazon.
*Cheap because the 2011 is long overdue for a fatal hardware failure.