Is memory user upgradeable in my iMac?

[Jayhawk Raven]

I am confused about whether I can upgrade the memory in my 2017 iMac with a 21.5 inch Retina display. It shipped with 8 GB ram (2 X 4BB 2400 MHz DDR4).

I did an online chat with Apple, who directed me to this webpage:
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201191#install1

That page states:

*Memory isn't 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 to be replaced, contact an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider. If you’d like to upgrade the memory in one of these models, an Apple Authorized Service Provider can help.


The online chat buy said: "Yes you can add more memory up to 16gb."


Before I bought it I thought I read that I could upgrade the memory.

 

[fwh32720]

I'm pretty sure only the 27" can have memory upgraded by user. Is it too late to return?

 

[NoBoMac]

The 21.5 can be upgraded, BUT, not easy. And can get a major jolt when coming in contact with the capacitors on the power supply.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+Retina+4K+Display+(2017)+RAM+Replacement/92288

 

[nambuccaheadsau]

Unless you are a very competent amateur, very is stressed, give it a miss. The screen as you see is glued. I have a friend who is an Apple Reseller in Sydney, Australia, and after his Apple trained technicians broke five screens atv $500 a pop, he packs them in the back of his courier van and sends them direct to Apple HQ here in the city for Apple to work on directly.

 

[Fishrrman]

The simple answer is: NO.

However, the memory -is- located in removable DIMM slots on the motherboard.
But to replace it, you'd have to pretty much disassemble the entire iMac.
Not something you want to attempt.

Either keep what you have and be satisfied with the RAM you have,
or
Return it. I'd get a 27"...

 

[iGeek2014]

The memory IS upgradable but only by Apple themselves and/or an Apple Authorised Reseller.

On one hand it's great Apple saw sense and removed the onboard RAM as found in the 2015 4K models but it's a shame that sense didn't go one step further and make it user accessible!