Filed under: Hardware, How-tos, iMac
Intel iMac: Easiest RAM install ever
So you
purchased a new Intel-based iMac and now you want to upgrade its RAM? Well don't worry about it. According
to Gear Live, it's easier than it has ever been on a Mac. The process amounts to no more than flipping the iMac
over, opening a very small panel and inserting the chip. Now installing RAM on an eMac is pretty easy, but this looks
even simpler. And to think of all the time I actually drew my own blood on a 7100.Thanks, Andru!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
YuKagi said 11:00PM on 2-07-2006
I've picked up my 20" iMac, and I'm loving it, but of course, it needs more RAM. I ordered some from Newegg (Crucial), and I'm wondering if there is going to be a problem with it not being from apple? Will I run into problems in reliability? Warranty?
Thanks guys
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djones said 9:21PM on 1-27-2006
This is very similar to installing RAM on the old "fruit" iMacs, and IIRC, the newer eMacs. On the G3 iMacs, you didn't even have to have a screwdriver--the plastic screw was made to accept any coin you had lying around to unscrew, and the RAM module went directly in as in the new intel iMacs.
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archie4oz said 9:51PM on 1-27-2006
Actually I think the G3/G4 towers would be considered simply the easiest Macs to upgrade... Pull the handle (assuming it hasn't been locked) and the whole side drops down, no tools or coins necessary.
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Kenny said 10:06PM on 1-27-2006
The iMac G5 is similar, but it uses standard-sized desktop DDR2 (240 pin?) ram.
you have to pull some rings to the side then just slip in the ram. It was nice.
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Dave Caolo said 10:09PM on 1-27-2006
archie4oz: I have to agree. Once that door is open, the whole thing is laid out and so easy to work with. A great design.
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Mike said 10:20PM on 1-27-2006
Its not just the intel iMacs, my G5 iMac w/ iSight has the same process to update the RAM. In fact, I just bought some on NewEgg.
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Virtuous said 10:56PM on 1-27-2006
Classic Apple simplicity!
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Don Wilson said 11:26PM on 1-27-2006
It uses laptop memory? Uhh..
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jeff said 11:40PM on 1-27-2006
Excuse my ignorance, but does Intel iMac use regular (PC) memory?
I don't know very much about hardware upgrades...
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Graham said 12:58AM on 1-28-2006
My iMac G5 is exactly the same process, except it uses 240-Pin DDR2 (PC2-4200) memory. It took me longer to figure out what the little circle things inside the memory cover were than it did to install the memory.
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Chris Meisenzahl said 1:17AM on 1-28-2006
Wow, very impressive! I don't mind installing RAM in my desktop PC, but when I put some in my iBook I felt like a bumbling neurosurgeon, luckily I didn't break anything.
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Felix Ekman said 7:31AM on 1-28-2006
This is just great, good work Apple!
http://www.technologysweden.com
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Marco said 9:40AM on 1-28-2006
@jeff: the intel Mac uses 200pin SO-DIMM memory. So not the standard PC DIMMs, but laptop RAM. Actually it's identical to the macbook RAM.
I have to agree, swapping the standard 512 with the 2 Gig was a piece of cake.
I'm just wondering if there'll be any 2 Gig PC5300 SO-DIMM DDR2 Slices in the near future? That would max out the RAM in the iMac at 4Gigs!
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Chris Coleman said 10:33AM on 1-28-2006
A bit on the eMac... yeah, it's easy... until you put the tilt and swivel stand on it. Luckily I bought the ram to put in mine before I even got the computer. To get the stand on, you have to use a tiny little allen wrench that they give you and stick the end into a hole, and hopefully you'll be able to hit the screw. Then, the wrench can only turn about a half turn before you have to take it out, reposition it, and start over. Needless to say, I'll be with 768 megs as long as the G5 in the next room doesn't spontaneously explode or anything.
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Tom said 1:04PM on 1-28-2006
Uh, this is really nice and all, it sure does make upgrading memory convenient, but...
1. Why in the world does it use SO-DIMM memory? Isn't it more expensive due to it's smaller size? I mean, I know the iMac crams a lot of computer into a little space, but I can't imagine that they couldn't fit normal RAM into it...
2. I work for the ResNet (residential networking) at my university, and we have decided to order about 40 of these computers for the computer labs next year. I am starting to get a bad feeling about the number of people who are going to try and steal the memory out of the bottom of the computers when no one is looking... maybe it's a bit TOO easy...
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Jay said 2:51PM on 1-28-2006
Tom:
There are companies who make various locks for iMac workstations etc (including securing the ram). By next year there will be the same for the intel iMac so you need not regret the purchase.
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Chris K said 3:30PM on 1-28-2006
Tom: If you ordered them with one DIMM installed, it will be installed in the OTHER DIMM slot, which is COMPLETELY buried inside the PC. i saw the instructions for upgrading THAT DIMM, and it's extremely involved. You have to take the entire chassis apart.
So, if you ordered it with, say 1GB on one DIMM (as I did), your easy-to-use second slot will be empty, waiting for a second DIMM.
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Tom said 12:56PM on 1-29-2006
Jay and Chris,
Thank you both for the info, I'm def. a lot less worried about it now.
I can't wait till we have a whole lab of these speed demons ;-)
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