Apple 27" iMac (Mid 2011); iMac12,2 Installation Guides and Specifications
Upgrading the Apple 27” iMac (Mid 2011) RAM is very easy. Other upgrades or repair like the Hard Drive or the Optical Drive are a bit more advanced but still manageable. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.
Please see our Apple RAM Memory for iMac 27" (Mid 2011) page to locate your Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your Mac
Please see our Hard Drive for iMac 27" (Mid 2011) page to locate your Apple compatible Hard Drive upgrades for your Mac
Apple User Guides for the Apple iMac 27" (Mid 2011)
iMac: How to remove or install memory. Learn how to remove or install memory in your iMac computer on the Apple support page.
OWC Video Installation Guide for Apple 27” iMac (Mid 2011):
Memory Install Video
Recommended Tools for the RAM upgrade:
Add a second hard drive or SSD easily with the OWC Data Doubler. Here's an instructional video from OWC:
OWC Data Doubler Install Video
Skill Level: "Easy" | Duration: 1:56 |
Recommended Tools for the Drive install into a Data Doubler:
Use the Optical Drive install videos below for iMac 27" (Mid 2011) to install a DataDoubler mounted drive:
Optical Drive Install Video
Recommended Tools for the Data Doubler/Optibay upgrade:
- Heavy-duty Suction Cups
- Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here is how to fix or upgrade the main Hard Drive:
Hard Drive Installation Video
Before you replace your original Hard Drive you need to be aware of the heat sensor issue, if you're not have a look at this website.
As explained you have 2 options to fix this:
- Software fix with HDD Fan Control
- Hardware fix with a OWC Heat Sensor DIY kit
Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:
- Heavy-duty Suction Cups
- Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
- 2.5" to 3.5" adapter - for SSD installation only
- External Hard Drive Enclosure - Convert your existing drive into an external one
First make sure you understand the heat sensor issue mentioned above.
Here is some detailed specifications as well as direct link to available upgrades:
| Apple 27" iMac (Mid 2011) | |
| OVERVIEW | |
| Introduced | May 2011 |
| Discontinued | October 2012 |
| Model Identifier | iMac12,2 |
| Model Number | A1312 |
| EMC | 2429 |
| Order Number | MC813LL/A (2.7 GHz), MC814LL/A (3.1 GHz) |
| PROCESSOR | |
| Processor | Intel Core i5 (2500S, 2400) or Core i7 (2600) ("Sandy Bridge") |
| Processor Speed | 2.7 or 3.1 GHz (Core i5) 3.4 GHz (Core i7) |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 4 |
| Cache | 6 MB (2.7 and 3.1 GHz) 8 MB (3.4 GHz) on-chip shared L3 |
| System Bus | Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) at 2.5 GT/s |
| STORAGE AND MEDIA | |
| Standard Storage | 1 or 2 TB (7200-rpm SATA) and/or 256 GB (SSD) |
| Link to upgrade tool & kits | Heat sensor kit |
| Link to internal HDD | Upgrade to a new 3.5” HDD |
| Link to internal SSD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD |
| Media | Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) |
| Link to external optical drive | Get an external burner here |
| PERIPHERALS | |
| Peripherals | Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse or Magic Trackpad |
| RAM | |
| Built-in Memory | |
| Maximum Memory | 32 GB (Actual) 16 GB (Apple) |
| Memory Slots | 4 - 204-pin PC3-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
| Link to RAM upgrade | Upgrade your RAM here |
| DISPLAY | |
| Built-in Display | 27-inch (viewable) LED-backlit glossy widescreen TFT LCD |
| Resolutions | 2560 by 1440 pixels |
| GRAPHICS | |
| Graphics Card | AMD Radeon HD 6770M or Radeon HD 6970M |
| Graphics Memory | 512 MB GDDR5 (Radeon HD 6770M) 1 or 2 GB GDDR5 (Radeon HD 6970M) |
| Display Connection | Thunderbolt digital video output (Support for up to two Thunderbolt displays) |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended, video mirroring, AirPlay Mirroring, and Target Display |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels |
| Camera | Built-in FaceTime HD |
| CONNECTIONS | |
| Wi-Fi | Built-in AirPort Extreme card (802.11a/b/g/n) |
| Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | |
| USB | 4 - 480 MBit/s |
| FireWire | 1 - 800 MBit/s |
| Thunderbolt | 2 - up to 10 Gbps |
| Display | Thunderbolt digital video output (Support for up to two Thunderbolt displays) |
| Infrared | 1 - For Apple Remote only |
| Audio In | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo input jack, Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo output jack, Built-in speakers |
| EXPANSION | |
| Slots | 1 - Secure Digital (SDXC) |
| Hard Drive Interface | 2 - 6.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| Optical Drive Interface | 3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |