Once the SSD is in, macOS can be restored via Internet Recovery: If you want to keep any of the data that is currently stored on your HDD, I suggest you create a Time Machine backup to some external drive. You can take a look at the procedure of the SSD upgrade here: If you don't think that you can pull it off yourself, then consider letting a Mac repair shop or similar do it for you. it requires a partial disassembly of the device. Please take note of the fact that the HDD -> SSD upgrade, contrary to the RAM upgrade, is very hard to do. This OWC kit contains such a thermal sensor: The thermal sensor measures the temperature, and if you insert the SSD without also inserting a new thermal sensor, the fans of the iMac will be running constantly and at full speed, since the machine is no longer able to read out the temperature. The thermal sensor that is currently in your device is inseparably connected to the current HDD. SSDs are 2.5' in size, however, which is why such an adapter is needed: Furthermore, the iMac late-2009 will need an adapter, as it currently has a 3.5' HDD inside. Your iMac late-2009 supports any SSD that matches the following requirements:Ĭhoose a capacity that meets your needs. The RAM upgrade is very easy to do, you can take a look at the procedure here: Apple never went back to update their info, so the wrong 8 GB RAM figure still swirls around. When 8 GB RAM modules became available, users found out that the actual maximum RAM capacity this machine supports is 16 GB RAM, this is also being confirmed by the Amazon reviews of the modules I suggested. You may find information online which states that your iMac late-2009 only supports up to 8 GB RAM (2 x 4 GB RAM modules), but this is outdated information! As 8 GB RAM modules were not commonly available back in 2009, Apple could only test with 2 x 4 GB RAM = 8 GB RAM. Here are some examples of RAM modules that work flawlessly in the iMac late-2009: The iMac late-2009 needs RAM that matches the following specification: A higher total amount than 16 GB RAM won't work due to a limitation in the logic board. It has four RAM slots, meaning four RAM modules in total will fit in.

The iMac late-2009 with 3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo supports up to 16 GB RAM (4 x 4 GB RAM modules). Well, there are two upgrades you can add to the iMac: You can add more RAM to it and upgrade the internal HDD to an SSD.

Best ssd for imac late 2009