The iMac is a popular computer for broadcasters but some limitations in the stock models can bite, and Apple has never been much on DIY customization and aftermarket products. One frequent problem is a stuffed internal hard drive.
One Mac aftermarket specialist, OWC, has developed a kit for solving that problem. Designed for 2011 iMacs and 27-inch 2012 iMacs, the OWC Hard Drive Do-It-Yourself Kit, allows for the installation of a new 3.5-inch SATA internal hard drive.
The problem that it solves is that third-party drives lack a specific Apple-approved firmware that communicates with the iMac’s System Management Controller on temperature and cooling fan issues. The OWC kit provides a thermal probe that can communicate with the SMC — voilà! — problem solved.
Drives up to 6 TB can be installed with the kit. The kit is available in two versions, with tools (including suction cups for handling the glass) — $64.79 and without tools — $47.99.
