Boot Mac OS From External SSD HD Enclosure on Older iMac

This video shows you how to upgrade a 2011 iMac to run on an external ssd hard drive using a Lacie Thunderbolt 1 external enclosure. This is 2018 but you can purchase a 2011 iMac and upgrade to run like a new iMac. This process can increase your hard disk speed from 70 MB/s to over 380 MB/s making your entire Operating System and iMac computer seem like brand new.

Watch this video with step by step instructions. In this video we purchased a 2011 iMac for $280 and are using a Lacie Thunderbolt 1 external hard drive enclosure with a Samsung Evo 860 EVO SSD hard drive to boot the OS. The entire process takes about 30 minutes and we will take you though the entire process of replacing the HD in the Lacie enclosure all the way to installing the new Operating System (Mac High Sierra) on the External SSD. You don't need to be technical and in about 30 minutes you will have an iMac that seems to run up to 500% faster than the stock hard drive. If you want to make a bootable mac external hard drive watch this video. Watch the video to find out the entire process step by step. Backup your system before starting. Thank you.

[qsam]

This is exactly what I was looking for! I just recovered my 2011 iMac. It was sitting in a corner collecting dust. I decided to make some use of it as a hobbyist. Currently running 4GB RAM and a 500GB HDD on High Sierra. It’s barely operable. I didn’t want to take my iMac apart to install an internal SSD so this is a great alternative. I’m surprised at the speeds you got. Redditors say that external SSD speeds would still be slow but this proves otherwise!

[psulion]

This was just what I was looking for! My 2011 iMac had a hard driver failure (after 12 years of service). After watching your video I picked up the SSD and Lacie external drive you mentioned and after restoring from time machine, I was floored by the performance improvement! Your guidance gave my iMac a whole new life. Seems faster now than what I remember when it was new back in 2011! THANK YOU! 😊

[swinksstuff]

you are a life saver - 2012 hard drive packed it in and this allowed me to get up and running again - still using the spinning hard drive but I will get a SSD in soon, thank you

[PeteMOBie]

Just bought a 27 inch 2011 i5 3.1 GHz Quadcore machine for £136 (included next day delivery via courier). Your video has given me an alternative way to run the iMac from an SSD without the hassle of opening up the mac to replace the conventional hard disk drive. Thanks

[mind-numbingtasks]

So, I have a mid 2011 27" in which the internal HD failed, then, I stumbled across this video. I have since purchased a Lacie Thunderbolt external 500 GB SSD for $130.00. I installed High Sierra 10.13 from disk on the new drive and I was simply amazed how easy it was and how fast the system runs now. The hardware is still outstanding. Thanks so much for this video because I did not want to do the tear down to install it internally. I realize it would probably work a lot faster installed on the internal bus so might do it later on.

[AGR]

Thanks again just finished setting up my 2011 iMac following your guide using the same modded ssd lacie drive and can confirm it's worked wonders running Monterey via OCLP, boot time down from 1 min 20 to 30 seconds and everything just seems a lot quicker. Cheers 👍

[hollywoodheiner]

I just upgraded my old 2011 iMac exactly how you described: My SSD is now running 3, 2x as fast as my old HD! Thank you so much for this awesome and detailed tutorial!!  ❤️

[mikegord]

I did this minus the Thunderbolt enclosure - just an old USB 2 enclosure I had in a draw and a old 120GB SSD. Dramatic improvement in boot and program response times. Hands shake from CHOP in 2003 and 2012 so no iMac surgery for me on my 2009 iMac.

[paulychannel]

Great information! I was about to buy a new computer when I stumbled upon your video. My 2011 Imac still works well but is So.... instead of paying $2000 or more for a new Imac I have managed to procure the lacie thunderbolt enclosure & samsung 860 evo 500gb SSD for AUD $250. I also decided to upgrade the RAM from 4gb to 12gb with 2 new modules ( cost AUD$80), which I'll do first when they arrive. ... Looking forward to making this all happen when my new parts arrive !
I'm not a computer geek so didn't want to pull the Imac apart just to install a new SSD ! So.... THANKYOU me a LOT of money & I'll post an update when I've successfully installed everything.

[ryanransom]

Life saving video! I have a 2015 IMac with a badly damaged fusion drive. I’m in the process of rebooting it with the external SSD drive, so hopefully it’ll run like new again.

[christophergribbin]

Great tutorial. Just upgraded my 2012 Mac Mini using an external LaCie Thunderbolt SSD and some more ram. Seems like a world of difference.

[mrbourru]

I got the same equipment and followed the instructions and it worked like a charm! It's really like having a brand new iMac. I even used the 2 TB drive as a secondary drive where I put my iTunes library. Thanks a lot for the video, I really appreciate it. Cheers!

[keithrodgers]

Great video, I did an upgrade to a 2nd hand late 2009 Imac. Removed the 1TB internal hard drive and replaced it with 1TB ssd. While I had the display out I also removed the dvd data drive and installed a 250gb ssd in that bay. Installed OSX on the smaller drive and partitioned the big drive. Intention is to install windows 10 on one partition when I get chance. Removed the video card and heat sink and rebedded the heat sink too. The machine is fast when I put larger ram chips in it finished the upgrade off. Worth doing if you have the patience.

[songkrodubonsathit]

Thanks this video is what i searching for two months to find the way to upgrade my 2011 imac very informative and already subscribed your

[k.b.woodworker]

This is remarkable! This opens many possibilities. I'm going to look at your other video(s) about doing this for a usb3 connection. This way I can have an external drive for my Mac mini 2012. I know you can stack 2 drives internally, but it looks like a tricky business. I can put a new ssd in place of the existing spinning drive and make an external ssd drive using a standard enclosure. Wonderful ideas on your channel, always useful. Thanks.

[newbeginnings]

Excellent, useful video..
I've seen most people velcro these modules to the Imac stand at the back - everything, near and hidden .. Also without the shock rubber mounting is best..

[fakingfrench]

Thanks this was extremely helpful! My imac hd was failing and now I can bring it back to life.

[arty]

Craig,
One of the BEST instructional videos I’ve seen.
Found your channel because of problems installing Samsung 860 as external boot and storage.
Talked w mfr and apple and other you tube authors.Do you think tats a workable solution. but still no success.
What I did pickup was from your great video is to step back from MOHAVE and reinstall another version of SIERRA.

[UltraKryptonian]

Great video! I have that same model of iMac and I use it for the majority of my video editing. This would be a worthwhile upgrade for my system and I really appreciate your tutorial. Your teaching technique is great - Not too fast and to the point. Excellent!!

[AGR]

Thanks for this video was looking for a external solution as didnt fancy opening up the imac to replace the internal drive, just picked 2 of these Lacie drives up for a great price on ebay looking forward to this upgrade