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PSA: You can still upgrade the RAM in the Retina iMac, save hundreds over Apple’s price

Yesterday Apple released a new version of the Mac Mini that no longer features user-servicable RAM, but thankfully the new iMac with Retina 5K display still allows users to upgrade memory through an access door on the back, just like previous models. The new machine houses four memory slots.

Apple’s BTO Prices

If you want to upgrade your memory, you can get 16 GB of DDR3 1600 MHz RAM for $136.50 (about $30 off) at Amazon (below). The kit comes with two 8 GB modules, meaning you can grab two of these kits for a total of 32 GB for around $270. Not a bad deal at all, given that some outlets are charging just under $400 for the same memory—never mind the comical $600 Apple is asking. (Comical in that the 1st 2x8GB kit costs $200 and the second one costs $400 more :/)

The Crucial RAM at Amazon (or other upgrade kitss that are around) will also give you 2 extra 4GB Sims which you can sell or keep in case of emergency.

 

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Comments

  1. princereborn - 9 years ago

    The link in this article doesn’t actually show the 27″ Retina iMac in the list of iMacs with serviceable RAM.

  2. Taste_of_Apple - 9 years ago

    Did this last year for my older MacBook to double the RAM. Definitely a good way to go if you don’t mind doing it yourself.

  3. Ian Cutress - 9 years ago

    “Comical in that the 1st 2x8GB kit costs $200 and the second one costs $400 more”

    You mean the 2x8GB kit costs +$200 over the 2x4gb kit, rather than an absolute $200. If the first 2x4GB is $200 of the cost anyway, there’s nothing comical – they’re keeping the cost per GB the same.

    Nevertheless, any other SO-DIMM kit should suffice. I wonder if we can install the 2133 C11 modules from G.Skill/Corsair and get full speed on those.

  4. harmsi (@0quchen) - 9 years ago

    “Comical in that the 1st 2x8GB kit costs $200 and the second one costs $400 more”
    No you got it wrong. Both 2×8 GB Kits cost $400. The default 2×4 GB Kit isn’t for free you know, it’s just already included int the price and is probably $200 (apple logic). So when you do the first upgrade, apple takes out the $200 RAM and puts in the $400 RAM, so you have to pay only an additional $200. When they would put the 2×8 GB next to the 2×4 GB to give you a total of 24 GB it should be $400 too.
    As you said it’s not just cheaper to do it yourself, it also leaves you with additional RAM to use or to sell. Same goes with SSDs: I always buy the cheapest configuration of a Notebook without SDD and then replace the harddrive myself which leaves me with a HDD I can put in an external case.

  5. Udo Heib (@4uHyper) - 9 years ago

    I think the Apple offers are to expensive no question!
    But the prices are not “comical” but logic: per 8 GB 200 $! From 8 to 16 is +8GB = +200$.
    From 8 to 32 GB is +24GB = 3*8GB more, so logical 3*200 = 600$.
    I’m sure if you select the 16GB the price for 32 GB will come down to 400$ (+2*8GB+2*200$).

    But Mike from a professional commentator like you I expect more in depth thinking, sorry!

    • Max Mars (@devianter) - 9 years ago

      you’ve got problems with logic my friend. 2x8gb is 200, 4×8 is 600. should be 400. it’s not different, not even different single ram sticks. 2×8 or 4×8. it’s like buying 2x8x2. apple prices are LAUGHABLE and straight ROBBERY.

      • harmsi (@0quchen) - 9 years ago

        Apples prices are laughable and close to robbery, but you have problems with logic bro.
        2×4=8 GB: $200 (already included in base price, so +$0)
        2×8=16 GB: $400 (+$200 because you already paid the 2×4 GB you won’t get)
        4×8=32 GB: $800 (+$600 because you already paid the 2×4 GB you won’t get or +$400 when you already purchased the first 2×8 GB Kit)

      • Klaus Dietrich Lange - 9 years ago

        Hi Max, Udo is right, think again.
        The prices shown are for UPGRADES, not for additional RAM. You either get 8 GB, or 16 GB or 32 GB, not 8 GB + 16 GB or 8 GB + 32 GB.

        8 GB are always included.
        8 GB additional RAM (16 GB – 8 GB) cost $200.
        24 GB additional RAM (32 GB – 8 GB) cost $600.
        So the upgrade cost is always $200 per each additional 8 GB, no matter if you chose 16 GB or 32 GB.

        So while additional RAM may be expensive, I don´t see anything “comical”.

      • Max Mars (@devianter) - 9 years ago

        doesn’t matter, i can buy 32gb for ±350$ instead of 600. and i will STILL have the original 8gb to put somewhere else. If 2X price is not comical to you i don’t know what to say to you.

      • Actually, part of what you’re paying for is Apple’s global parts and service warranty, which usually solves the problem within a week. When compared to what you get when you try to do sort out a defective product with an individual manufacturer, the cost of the unit + the warranty isn’t so bad.

        Not saying that I disagree with buying the additional RAM through an outside source though.
        Just saying that if you look at Apple’s business model, there’s a reason behind the high price.

      • David Dwyer - 9 years ago

        for the one who is saying your paying for apples support when you upgrade the ram. that is false because upgrading the ram in your computer does not void your warranty. simply if the ram sticks are bad when you take your computer to apple they will tell you that. may not replace what you have but you will have your problem and get it fixed in the same amount of time.

    • standardpull - 9 years ago

      I haven’t looked into Apple’s pricing model for RAM for the new iMac, but I can say with confidence that buying 3rd party RAM is a royal pain. I run a shop with over a hundred computers and often buy 3rd party RAM. There is a significant challenge to buying 3rd party RAM that properly meets its specification claims. I have bought many a bad stick, which generally has to be shipped back or eaten, and it a pain in my rear at best. I -hate- buying RAM. I like buying aftermarket hard drives more than I like buying RAM. That’s sad.

      For those that can deal with the occasional bad stick, buying and installing your own RAM is a great solution.

      For those that have ever considered going to the BestBuy GeekSquad for help: Just pay Apple.

      • harmsi (@0quchen) - 9 years ago

        Just buy the same 3rd party RAM that apple is buying.

      • Hobbsy - 9 years ago

        Just use Crucial – never had a problem with their RAM, great price and they have a tool on their website to ensure you get the correct sticks you need for your model.

      • Graham Banzer - 9 years ago

        I have upgraded RAM on many different machines, including both Windows and Mac. As long as you know the speed of the RAM and the number of pins, in addition to the form factor (SODIMM etc.) you cannot go wrong. I have also used many different RAM vendors, to name a few, Crucial, Samsung and Kingston – and never had an issue with any of them.

        As Hobbsy said, use Crucial’s system scanner tool to identify your specific ram specifications and you can save a nice packet by shopping around – especially with value brands like Kingston.

      • TechPeeve (@TechPeeve) - 9 years ago

        I’ve installed a ton of RAM on macs and PCs and bad sticks of RAM are very rare. The stuff Apple sells is as likely to be bad as any other. It’s not better RAM from Apple, just somebody’s stuff marked up 400%

  6. pdoobs - 9 years ago

    Can you access the hard drive easily? I’m more offended by the “upgrades” for that.

    • Graham Banzer - 9 years ago

      As mentioned in the guide, only the RAM is accessible from the rear panel. This has long been a philosophy of Apple Designers/Jony Ive. RAM should be upgradable by the user but anything else should be taken to an Apple Store for a premium pricetag of upgrading. It ensures people don’t touch the logic board with exposed fingers, damaging the components with static.

      That said, the hard disks are replaceable by prying away the screen, however ensure you have adequate double sided sticky tape of a suitable strength to hold the large screen in place afterwards – the last thing you want is the screen falling off.

      • Graham Banzer - 9 years ago

        oh and the design of not allowing user upgrades on the HDD, CPU etc are also a self-protection methodology from Apple and select windows manufactuers – it ensures you continue to get what you paid for when you bought the hardware. It’s sort of a screw you, you should have paid us more when you bought the machine. Savvy computer users can get around this easily, however Apple are well aware by now that many computer users don’t know how to, or care to pull their machines apart – either from fear of causing damage or that they just plain don’t want to.

    • liquidwolverine1 - 9 years ago

      I’m also looking at the processor chip…they say that is not soldered on either.

  7. bersaelor - 9 years ago

    Or you just add the Amazon 16GB Kit to the already installed 2x4GB.
    The 24GB result should be enough for everything you may do, I’m having this setup in my iMac for years.
    The rumour that you should always have the same RAM-Chips in your banks is only true as far as they should have the same 1600Mhz.

    • Frank YesIhaveone - 9 years ago

      So you have had the 24GB in and running well does the Mac see all the modules? I have always wondered why everyone talks in the format of 8, 16, 32 I just want to add 16 to the 8 in there and as you stated 24GB thats plenty for just about anyone. In the past I’ve had to throw away or just leave ram out doing nothing just to increase and it really ticks me off.

      • bersaelor - 9 years ago

        The 24GB work perfectly, no problem so far :)