What is a compatible SSD that can replace the HDD?
I have iMac Intel 20" EMC 2266
would like to speed up disk access by replacing with SSD
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There are a couple of things I would do in this order (some you may have already done)
- Add more memory (max of 8GB) also check the systems firmware follow this Apple TN: About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers.
- From an external bootable HD (FireWire being the best here) boot up with it and then run Disk Utility repairing the permissions & disk issues.
- Clean out any old log & cache files. If you go to the Apps store you'll find a ton of tools that will make quick work of this. Don't forget to leave at least 1/4 of the drive free is you have a smaller drive 1/3. Clean out any old stuff you can.
- Run a disk defragmentation app. I like this one: Drive Genius
Once you get to this point your system should be back to normal. If you want to still upgrade your HD I would recommend going with a SSHD as it will be cheaper and offer many of the benefits of what a SSD does. Here is the drive: Seagate Desktop SSHD.
Follow this IFIXIT guide: iMac Intel 20" EMC 2266 Hard Drive Replacement. Don't forget to put back the thermal sensor onto the drive!
While one can install a SSD in this system as well. I don't recommend it. The cost vs benefit limits its usefulness. The issue is the smaller cheaper SSD's often don't have enough storage space to make the system useful. As you go up with larger sized SSD's the costs get higher a 1TB drive is about $450 US. Now think about the lifespan this system has. Are you going to own it for another 4~5 years? Will it still be working and able to run the programs you want to use? These are risks one faces when putting to much into an older system. As an example a 2TB Seagate SSHD is about $90 US & a 1TB is $60 US would be a wiser investment.
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