Multiple eSATA ports on an iMac 27

[Zippin]

Hi all.

I have had an unconventional request from one of my customers which would consist in doing out with the internal HD and optical drive from his 2010 iMac 27, and instead he would like to have 2 extra eSata ports fitted on the side where the OD slot is, and feeding from the HD and OD sockets.
he already has an eSata conversion by OWC. He just needs more.
My idea would be, after sourcing the right bits, just a straight forward cable routing from the Hd Sata socket to where the interface is going to be, and the same with the one coming from the OD socket. The thing is that its going to involve some aluminium cutting, so there is no margin for error.

any ideas?

[anonymous Mac Tech]

Originally Posted by Zippin

any ideas?

Just one..Run like hell! Just off the top of my head, fans will run on full bore without any kind of pinned out terminator for the HDD/optical temp sensor cables (Removal of HDD and optical) to be plugged into. And that is just something that simply comes to mind without thinking about the major alterations.

Furthermore, if I had a dollar for every time someone installed some type of OWC kit onto a Mac and then brought their machine in expecting Apple to honor the warranty because ever since they installed the kit their machine is having problems or some weird issue, I'd be able to retire. That's why even if folks want me to install some OWC kit, I either flat out refuse, or make damn sure they know they are on their own if it doesn't act right. And this is besides me trying to cobble something together, selling and installing it, and supporting it for any unforeseen issues.

If they wanted all of these eSATA ports or an upgradable machine with additional PCIe slots, they should've bought a Mac Pro or a PC tower of some kind.

[Zippin]

Originally Posted by anonymous Mac Tech

Just one..Run like hell! Just off the top of my head, fans will run on full bore without any kind of pinned out terminator for the HDD/optical temp sensor cables (Removal of HDD and optical) to be plugged into. And that is just something that simply comes to mind without thinking about the major alterations.

Furthermore, if I had a dollar for every time someone installed some type of OWC kit onto a Mac and then brought their machine in expecting Apple to honor the warranty because ever since they installed the kit their machine is having problems or some weird issue, I'd be able to retire. That's why even if folks want me to install some OWC kit, I either flat out refuse, or make damn sure they know they are on their own if it doesn't act right. And this is besides me trying to cobble something together, selling and installing it, and supporting it for any unforeseen issues.

If they wanted all of these eSATA ports or an upgradable machine with additional PCIe slots, they should've bought a Mac Pro or a PC tower of some kind.

Its exactly what i would do in normal circumstances... However the customer is Dr Peter Zinovieff. The inventor of the sampler and someone who is part of the history of music. He also claims to have been the first person to have a computer in a private house. So when i met up with him yesterday, it just swiped through my mind how good a testimony written by him would look on my website , that i just though " Hell yeah! I'll do it!" and didn't even think about the temp sensors... Yes, he has got the wrong machine. I think he only got the iMac because the OWC conversion was available, but now he needs more eSaTA ports. Well, thats my celebrity customer gone...Thanks anyway Anon.

[Rodrick]

I'd pass on that job for all the reasons stated above. Instead I'd suggest that if he really needs that many eSata ports that he upgrade his iMac (offsetting the cost by selling his current iMac) to one with Thunderbolt. Then use the following: LaCie eSATA Hub - Thunderbolt™ Series. The Manufacturer states you can daisy chain them to get up to twelve eSata ports. All without breaking warranties. This is not an inexpensive solution however.

[Zippin]

Originally Posted by Rodrick

I'd pass on that job for all the reasons stated above. Instead I'd suggest that if he really needs that many eSata ports that he upgrade his iMac (offsetting the cost by selling his current iMac) to one with Thunderbolt. Then use the following: LaCie eSATA Hub - Thunderbolt™ Series. The Manufacturer states you can daisy chain them to get up to twelve eSata ports. All without breaking warranties. This is not an inexpensive solution however.

We did discuss thunderbolt solutions, in which he mentioned something about waiting for a new Mac pro. However given that he has got loads of eSATA exterior drives, your solution would be ideal. Besides, god knows when a new Mac pro will be released. Thanks Rodrick! i'll put your idea to him.

[300DDR]

FYI… I have 4 of those thunderbolt adapters, they rock! Highly recommend. Use two on two 24" imacs. Of course, I only found the Lacie hub after doing the esata port manually using the spare sata port. But, the hub is much easier, plus you get two esata ports, plus a spare thunderbolt port to connect more thunderbolt devices.

[Zippin]

Thanks guys!
Your contribution has helped me decide on this one. i will post back with the results.