2 ms·

isn't the RAM soldered in on iMacs?

by kmlx 8y ago

ineedasername 8y ago
I don't think so at least as of mid-2017, I just searched and found videos on how to do the upgrade. Basically turn the thing over, open a latch, and swap out the ram.
bluedino 8y ago
It's been user-replaceable on all but a very few models. Apple even puts a little panel on the 27" models that you can easily pop out to replace on your own OWC has been selling iMac upgrades for a long time, but you can use any brand memory.
cascom 8y ago
I don’t think so - but you used to have to separate the screen from the base of the computer which while very doable was much more involved than popping open a case and inserting an additional stick of of ram
geesejuggler 8y ago
The 21 inch model seems to have RAM slots, but not easily accessible like its larger sibling. The 27 inch has 4 user accessible SO-DIMM slots.
ceejayoz 8y ago
In most models there's a door on the back for a quick swap. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191#install1 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191#install1
vbezhenar 8y ago
In 2017 generation it was not soldered. It's soldered in 21" from 2014 and 2015 years. I think that even CPU is not soldered in latest generation.
dmitriid 8y ago
iMacs still have a latch to swap out RAM [1]. That, too, may soon be gone. Because on the iMac "Pro"s you have to disassemble the whole unit to get to RAM [2]. [1] https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Display+RAM+Replacement/30533 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Di... [2] https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Pro+Teardown/101807 https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Pro+Teardown/101807 and https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac-pro/imac-pro-faq/imac-pro-how-to-upgrade-replace-ram-memory.html https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac-pro/imac-pro-faq/ima...
kmlx 8y ago
thanks all for the answers. @vbezhenar posted a link to Apple Support in his comment: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191 right at the top, if you scroll past “27-inch” you’ll see this gem: “*Memory is not removable by users on iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014), iMac (21.5-inch, 2017), and iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017). If the memory in one of these computers needs repair service, contact an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.” i call this the “iMac pitfall”.

isn't the RAM soldered in on iMacs?

by kmlx 8y ago

isn't the RAM soldered in on iMacs?

I don't think so at least as of mid-2017, I just searched and found videos on how to do the upgrade. Basically turn the thing over, open a latch, and swap out the ram.

bluedino 8y ago

It's been user-replaceable on all but a very few models. Apple even puts a little panel on the 27" models that you can easily pop out to replace on your own OWC has been selling iMac upgrades for a long time, but you can use any brand memory.

cascom 8y ago

I don’t think so - but you used to have to separate the screen from the base of the computer which while very doable was much more involved than popping open a case and inserting an additional stick of of ram

geesejuggler 8y ago

The 21 inch model seems to have RAM slots, but not easily accessible like its larger sibling. The 27 inch has 4 user accessible SO-DIMM slots.

ceejayoz 8y ago

In most models there's a door on the back for a quick swap. https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191#install1 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191#install1

vbezhenar 8y ago

In 2017 generation it was not soldered. It's soldered in 21" from 2014 and 2015 years. I think that even CPU is not soldered in latest generation.

dmitriid 8y ago

iMacs still have a latch to swap out RAM [1]. That, too, may soon be gone. Because on the iMac "Pro"s you have to disassemble the whole unit to get to RAM [2]. [1] https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Display+RAM+Replacement/30533 https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+Retina+5K+Di... [2] https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Pro+Teardown/101807 https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Pro+Teardown/101807 and https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac-pro/imac-pro-faq/imac-pro-how-to-upgrade-replace-ram-memory.html https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac-pro/imac-pro-faq/ima...

kmlx 8y ago

thanks all for the answers. @vbezhenar posted a link to Apple Support in his comment: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191 https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191 right at the top, if you scroll past “27-inch” you’ll see this gem: “*Memory is not removable by users on iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012), iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013), iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014), iMac (21.5-inch, 2017), and iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017). If the memory in one of these computers needs repair service, contact an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.” i call this the “iMac pitfall”.