upgrading to SSD on my iMac

[Michael Huntoon]

I've got a mid-2010 i5 2.8GHz iMac running 10.8.4 on which I've just upgraded the RAM from 4-12GB a couple of weeks ago. I'd like to now upgrade to an SSD.

This video (http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/imac_mid27_2010_ssddiy_m/) is excellent and makes the process look pretty simple, however it doesn't show anything about moving the data from the existing 1TB HDD to the new SSD. I know that the SSD should come with data migration software but is it easy to do? None of my programs are pirated, but I don't know that I have any discs, either. Most have been downloaded, if I remember correctly. I'm assuming that I can re-download them if necessary. I'd also want the iMac to boot to the SSD.

Like the video I referenced, I like to know everything I'm getting into before deciding to undertake something like this. This computer is my work and personal computer. If I mess something up and it's down for more than a day, I'm screwed.

Also, if I'm adding the SSD rather than replacing the HDD completely, which programs should I put on the SSD and which are fine leaving on the HDD?

I use the following programs regularly in addition to the OS and Chrome - Adobe Acrobat Pro XI, Microsoft Excel and Word, Skype, iTunes, Handbrake, Sparrow, Dropbox, Crashplan, and Transmission. As you can see, some of these are for work and some are for pleasure. I'm currently using 700GB of my 1TB HDD, but that includes my iTunes library, lots of movies, eBooks (which take up very little space), and tons of other files. I doubt that I need to put my iTunes library or the other files on the SSD, but I'll defer to the judgment of those who have done this before. I'm bouncing between a 128GB and 256GB SSD - the Samsung 840 250GB drive looks great and I can get it for less than $170 right now.

Would I just be better off removing the existing HDD, installing the SSD, and then using an external drive for everything else?

 

[The Kasafist]

Honestly iMacs don't offer much space and the more that gets taken up the hotter it gets if the mojority of your time spend ion it is work you really want the SSD on there. As for downloaded programs I hope you have kept records of all your product key codes or you'll e paying for them again or at least have discs that so that customer service from those companies can provide you with new key codes based on the discs serial number being a valid copy of the softare!

I keep them in my phone on my notes and put what program each key code belongs to just in case I ever decide to change out something down the road. In this case I would probably take the last option you mentioned. I would probably put all my work on the SSD and simply keep the entertainment on the HDD. iMacs get hot and an SSD would do it great justice. I would probably go with an external and keep the iMac from being that much more crowded. My personal opinion of course wold simply be back up all my files and such to an external HDD then install the SSD and my OS and drivers.

Reinstall all my programs and validate them with my product key codes freash starts are good for programs personally speaking. Then I would move all my save files for work and such to the SSD (categorize them as you see fit of course so its looks the way you had it before) then keep all the entertainment files externally. This is a good thing also anyhow since you can take you music, movies and photos with you down the road if need be!