On the new iMacs and RAM expansion

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John Brownlee for Cult of Mac notes that Apple’s tech specs page for the new iMac indicates that memory on the 21.5-inch iMac model is “configurable” up to 16GB, while the 27-inch model sports “four user-accessible SO-DIMM slots.”

An important consideration for anyone weighing the differences between the two machines. You’ll be stuck with what you get on the 21.5-inch model, while you’ll be able to expand the 27-inch iMac to up to 32GB as you need it.



  • gjgustav

    Good to know. I’d go for the 27″ with minimum RAM and buy it from third party at half the price. (Plus you get to keep the RAM that came with the iMac).

    On average, Apple (and other PC vendors) charge twice the market price and keep the old RAM.

    • http://twitter.com/forty2j Jim McPherson

      One site (Ars Technica?) noted that it was possible to replace the RAM on the 21″ with the same effort required to replace the HDD.. e.g. difficult to get to, but not soldered on.

  • http://twitter.com/RMMRDenver Rocky Mtn Mac Repair

    The RAM in the 21-inch is replaceable (per the image Apple used in the keynote). You will, however, have to remove the screen. Apple doesn’t have any external pictures of the 27-inch iMac on their site that shows the consumer where the RAM access panel will be. I hope it’s truly there… but I’m not seeing it.