iMac SSD upgrade
Does your iMac start up painfully slowly, with the spinning beach ball at every click? Many iMacs still have a hard drive or Fusion Drive, and that's usually the culprit. An SSD fixes that: smooth startup, programs that load instantly and more room again for your photos and projects.
Choose your iMac above for the price for your model. Below you'll find when an SSD makes sense and how we go about it.
Choose your model
iMac 24" M4 (2024)from € 249
iMac 24" M3 (2023)from € 249
iMac 24" M1 (2021)from € 249
iMac 27" (2020)from € 249
iMac 27" (2019)from € 249
iMac 27" (2017)from € 249
iMac 21.5" (2019)from € 249
iMac 21.5" (2017)from € 249Recognize this?
Check for yourself
- Starting up takes forever, the beach ball everywhere
- Photoshop or Lightroom loads painfully slowly
- The drive clicks or rattles audibly
- The drive is nearly full and updates no longer work
- It still has a hard drive or Fusion Drive
An SSD has no moving parts and is much faster. For an Intel iMac that otherwise works fine, this is the most worthwhile upgrade. Not sure? We'll test your drive; if the issue lies elsewhere, we'll tell you honestly.
Which SSD fits your iMac?
That depends on the model year. Intel models have a drive bay and often a separate slot for an Apple blade SSD. Replacing, adding, or both is possible; keeping your old drive as extra storage works on many models.
Note for Apple Silicon
- On M1 and later, storage is soldered onto the logic board
- An internal upgrade is then usually not possible
- We'll help you find an alternative, such as an external Thunderbolt SSD
How the upgrade goes
Diagnosis
We check your drive and how much data is on it. You'll know upfront where you stand, and we only start after your approval.
Backup
No recent backup? Then we make one first, especially with a drive that's already showing errors.
Opening and fitting
On most models the screen is glued in place. We cut it loose with special tools, work dust-free and reseal it afterward with new adhesive strips.
Transferring data
macOS, programs and photos are all carried over: your iMac starts up the way you know it, just faster. Prefer a clean install? Just say so.
Testing
Startup, speed tests, Time Machine, cooling fan. Only when everything checks out do we let you know your iMac is ready.
Why this isn't a kitchen-table job
- The screen is glued in, the parts are packed tightly
- One wrong move costs you a display
- Dust behind the glass shows up immediately
Original Apple part or high-performance alternative?
Both are possible, depending on your model. Where Apple parts are available, we use them. For many iMacs, SSDs from reputable manufacturers also exist: just as fast, more affordable. You choose what fits your budget.
One detail we check as standard: TRIM. With a non-Apple SSD, that sometimes needs to be enabled manually, otherwise the drive gets slower over time. We set it up correctly before your iMac leaves our workshop.
How to keep your SSD in good condition
A few habits that help
- Leave some space free: a nearly full SSD gets slower
- Turn on Time Machine; no drive is infallible
- Defragmenting is no longer needed and even shortens lifespan
- Lots of video or photos? Consider an external SSD
Why choose FIXNOW for your iMac upgrade
We do this work daily, with the right tools and parts. Customers rate FIXNOW 4.9 on Google and especially praise the friendly help and skilled work. For an upgrade with data migration, we schedule a bit more time.
You'll find us in Antwerp and Wolvertem: book an appointment online or walk in. Live further away? You can mail in your device. If we run into something unexpected, we'll call you first: you decide, not us.
Frequently asked questions
Most repairs are ready usually within 60 minutes. You can wait in the store or pick up your device later — you'll get a message as soon as it's ready.
Our stores
FIXNOW Wolvertem
Wilgenlaan 19 bus 2, 1861 Wolvertem
Today: 10:00–14:00
+32 472 29 15 53