Add RAM to iMac

[Clix Pix]

When exactly did removable RAM stop being a thing on the 21.5" iMac? Wasn't it when they changed design in 2012? Or was it with the move to the 4K panels? If it was the design change, the new one is thinner. If it was with the 4k panels, the screens and components related to screen control produce slightly more heat. I'm not saying the business aspect didn't play into it, as is obvious with the Mac Mini. However, in defence of the Mini, I wager that has more to do with production optimisation than it does requiring consumers buy RAM directly from Apple, since I wager most people did that anyway. Even though swapping RAM is extremely easy and trivial, most consumers don't even bother with the easy. And if all the other computers used soldered RAM it's easier to move more of the production over to a similar style.

It was with the late 2012 21.5" iMacs that memory was no longer removable and consumer-replaceable. I know because I had one (purchased in 2013) and it was really frustrating not being able to upgrade the RAM myself. It also maxed out at 16GB RAM anyway, even if ordered BTO from Apple.

 

[tubeexperience]

It was with the late 2012 21.5" iMacs that memory was no longer removable and consumer-replaceable. I know because I had one (purchased in 2013) and it was really frustrating not being able to upgrade the RAM myself. It also maxed out at 16GB RAM anyway, even if ordered BTO from Apple.

Check again.

That memory on that model is upgradable.

Obviously, that doesn't matter since you already have 16GB.

 

[casperes1996]

It was with the late 2012 21.5" iMacs that memory was no longer removable and consumer-replaceable. I know because I had one (purchased in 2013) and it was really frustrating not being able to upgrade the RAM myself. It also maxed out at 16GB RAM anyway, even if ordered BTO from Apple.

As of right now, my 27-inch is 16GB too and I must admit, I've only been low on RAM a single time, thanks to FCPX. 16GB for most, even relatively high end workloads, I'd say is a decent spot to be. Especially considering the rest of the hardware that can be fitted in the 21.5-inch model. Not to say the option for 32 wouldn't be nice of course.

 

[Clix Pix]

Check again.

That memory on that model is upgradable.

Obviously, that doesn't matter since you already have 16GB.

Ahem. Why don't YOU check again -- try the Apple Support Document HT 202625, which is where I verified the information from in the first place......

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202625

"iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computers have two internal SDRAM slots inside the computer. The computer comes with at least 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM installed as two 4 GB DIMMs into two slots. The maximum amount of RAM the computer supports is 16 GB (an 8GB SO-DIMM in each slot).

You can configure your iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) with the amount of SDRAM you'd like when you're ordering it. Installed RAM module sizes can be 4 GB or 8 GB in each slot.

The memory DIMMs for iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computers are not user-accessible. Visit an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider if you need to replace your iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computer's DRAM."

Aside from that, since I had and used one of these late 2012 iMacs for nearly three years I think I would know what could or could not be done with it. I no longer have the machine because I became frustrated with the slow 5200rpm hard drive and the inability to increase the RAM. Once I saw the specs being offered for the 2015 iMac with retina screen, a machine I'd been eagerly anticipating, and was disappointed by what I saw, I sold my late 2012 iMac and purchased a 2015 rMBP instead, one which had the specs I wanted, including a 512 SSD and 16 GB RAM.

The 27" iMacs have always had user-accessible RAM slots. The 21.5? No.

 

[tubeexperience]

Ahem. Why don't YOU check again -- try the Apple Support Document HT 202625, which is where I verified the information from in the first place......

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT202625

"iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computers have two internal SDRAM slots inside the computer. The computer comes with at least 8 GB DDR3 SDRAM installed as two 4 GB DIMMs into two slots. The maximum amount of RAM the computer supports is 16 GB (an 8GB SO-DIMM in each slot).

You can configure your iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) with the amount of SDRAM you'd like when you're ordering it. Installed RAM module sizes can be 4 GB or 8 GB in each slot.

The memory DIMMs for iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computers are not user-accessible. Visit an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider if you need to replace your iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) computer's DRAM."

Aside from that, since I had and used one of these late 2012 iMacs for nearly three years I think I would know what could or could not be done with it. I no longer have the machine because I became frustrated with the slow 5200rpm hard drive and the inability to increase the RAM. Once I saw the specs being offered for the 2015 iMac with retina screen, a machine I'd been eagerly anticipating, and was disappointed by what I saw, I sold my late 2012 iMac and purchased a 2015 rMBP instead, one which had the specs I wanted, including a 512 SSD and 16 GB RAM.

The 27" iMacs have always had user-accessible RAM slots. The 21.5? No.

I was repairing Macs in the back of a hair salon when I was in high school.

Do you really think that I don't know what I am talking about?

 

[DeltaMac]

Correct. There's a difference between "not user-accessible", and "not upgradable".
The thin design of the 21.5-inch between 2012 and 2014, although a challenging upgrade, does have memory slots, but access to those slots is best left to a real need, and the willingness to do the tricky job. (Slicing the case apart is not for everyone.)
The 21.5-inch iMac, since late 2014, has no slots, the memory is soldered in, no memory upgrade is possible.

 

[casperes1996]

I was repairing Macs in the back of a hair salon when I was in high school.

Do you really think that I don't know what I am talking about?

With all due respect, isn't that a bit arrogant to say, when you already replied to him as if he didn't know what he was talking about? If you expect people to treat you with respect, treat them with respect first, and don't say you're knowledgable. Prove it.
It seems a simple point of miscommunication regarding user accessible vs. possible to upgrade RAM.

 

[Clix Pix]

Indeed, a matter of semantics and miscommunication -- the subtle difference between user accessible and possible at all upgradeable (removable, non-soldered) RAM. I was focusing on the user accessibility aspect, missed the other aspect...... Through the years I had no problems with adding more RAM into various computers as needed -- both desktops and laptops -- and I truly did find it frustrating when I purchased the late 2012 iMac to realize that this was one machine I wasn't going to be able to do that. Sure, I could have hung on to the machine and once the AppleCare had expired, take it take my chances with a tech being able to successfully and carefully open up the thing and replace the HD with an SSD and the RAM with greater capacity RAM, then get the screen back on just right again, but it was a whole lot easier and less risky to simply sell that machine and buy myself something else instead!