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Model A1312 / Mid 2010 / 3.2 GHz Core i3 or 2.8 & 3.6 GHz Core i5 or 2.93 GHz Core i7, ID iMac11,3

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What is the replacement for the original Hitachi 2TB hard drive?

My original Hitachi 2TB hard drive is showing signs of instability and I would like to replace the drive before it fails as the disk utility is indicating its inability to fix the disk. The problem is iFix it is very clear that the drive should be replaced with one by the same manufacturer. Unfortunately Hitachi no longer exists. I need to find a suitable replacement that satisfies Apple's requirements especially the heat sensor issue. Is there a simple and sensible solution?

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There is an option here to put in what you want for a HD but you will need to replace the thermal sensor cable harness with the correct cable for your new HD (i.e. Hitachi for Western Digital).

Here's the rundown of the different temp cables:

922-9223 - Hitachi

922-9224 - Seagate

922-9225 - Western Digital

If you want to add some zip to your system please look at replacing your old HD for a SSHD unit (HD-SSD hybrid drive) they really do improve performance!

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Hitachi drives are currently being sold as HGST drives, which is now a division of Western Digital.

I'm unfamiliar with the issue iFixit notes with 2009-2010 iMacs, and I wish the product pages had a description of the issue (replace drives with same brand as original or else! ), or at least a link to an explanation. It's possible that different drive manufacturers used different connectors for the thermal sensors, and iFixit is trying to ensure that you don't buy a replacement drive that won't fit your current sensor cable. As iFixit doesn't stock drive sensor cables for aluminum iMacs at all, they may just be trying to prevent further trouble.

This eBay search brings up a variety of different sensor cables; only one retailer is specifying the drive brands to which they connect. To my eye, one connector on each of the cables looks identical, while there appear to be small variations in the others. In the closeup photos, the connectors look like they attach to the jumper blocks.

One solution would be to buy an HGST drive that fits your requirements, and see if your current sensor cable fits. Another solution would be to pick the drive you prefer, regardless of who makes it, and then find a sensor cable that fits. My theory is that Apple uses only one connector for the logic board, and uses a matching cable to whatever drive happens to get installed.

It is annoying, though. This is really something the manufacturers should have standardized. I'd really like to see iFixit's product pages explaining why you need to do this.

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The issue here is this is the first generation of iMac's to leverage the internal thermal sensors in the HD's the manufactures put in for QC control during the HD's manufacture. Apple had to make different cable harnesses to access the sensor as each vendor it was buying drives from used different pin assignments.

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