This is 'USB Attached SCSI Protocol' which is based on the old SCSI standard and relieves the computer's CPU from dealing with USB transfers. When you shop for an enclosure, you want one with an 'ASMedia' chipset (1053e preferred), and be sure that it states that the enclosure supports 'UASP'. I've heard of guys attaching these to the back of the iMac stand with velcro tape.

(might be available in silver as well, to match the iMac) Not elegant, but it sits out-of-the-way on my desk behind the phone. USB3 is much cheaper, will run just as fast.įor my own setup, I use a 'lay-flat' USB3 docking station. Again, if you use USB3, you need to investigate and get the RIGHT enclosure or dock.īe aware that you will pay a premium to use thunderbolt, and most drive enclosures are not going to provide an extra 'pass-thru' thunderbolt port, so if you connect a thunderbolt external drive you probably won't be able to use the Tbolt port to connect a second display. Yes, you can boot and run the iMac just fine from either a thunderbolt or USB3 enclosure. I've been booting my 2007 iMac from a USB2 dock for years.įor the past year, I boot and run my late-2012 Mac Mini from a USB3 dock.Īs stated above, the enclosure or dock that one uses 'makes the difference'.

The poster who wrote the above -is- wrong.

How to buy a hard drive for imac 2007