memory & harddrive user update capability?

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plew@csus_abcdefghij.edu - 25 Jan 2006 02:44 GMT

Should have said user ("non-expert").....

Can an average user add memory and/or change the hard drive relatively
easily in that an iMac doens't need to be dismantled to do so?

For memory, can one just "open a door" & add 1 gig.

Don't have an imac yet but do intend/hope to add 1 gig myself & possibly
upgrade the hard drive in the far future....

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Clark Martin - 26 Jan 2006 05:40 GMT

> Should have said user ("non-expert").....
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> Don't have an imac yet but do intend/hope to add 1 gig myself & possibly
> upgrade the hard drive in the far future....

It depends on the iMac. AFAIK the tray loaders are all harder to work
on. They require the bottom case to be removed to upgrade memory or HD.

The Slot loaders do have a door on the bottom through which you can
install RAM. But you still need to remove the bottom case half to
change out the HD. I'm currently about 1/3 through changing out 90 HDs
on iMacs.

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Clark Martin
Redwood City, CA, USA Macintosh / Internet Consulting

"I'm a designated driver on the Information Super Highway"

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plew@csus_abcdefghij.edu - 26 Jan 2006 17:23 GMT

>> Should have said user ("non-expert").....
>>
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> change out the HD. I'm currently about 1/3 through changing out 90 HDs
> on iMacs.

Thanks for the info. The iMac would be the new intel iMac & probably
have the "ram door" since it is new & so would be a slot loader.

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Mike Rosenberg - 26 Jan 2006 21:27 GMT

> Thanks for the info. The iMac would be the new intel iMac & probably
> have the "ram door" since it is new & so would be a slot loader.

Clark was referring to the old G3 iMacs. Yours will come with
instructions how to loosen three set screws, remove the entire back of
the computer, and install RAM.

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Mike Rosenberg
<http://www.macconsult.com> Macintosh consulting services for NE Florida
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Pete Verdon - 29 Jan 2006 03:08 GMT

>>Thanks for the info. The iMac would be the new intel iMac

> Clark was referring to the old G3 iMacs. Yours will come with
> instructions how to loosen three set screws, remove the entire back of
> the computer, and install RAM.

Actually, the latest G5 iMac has gone back to being non-user-servicable
(no idea why - being able to open the case and replace faulty assemblies
was a great idea) with just a RAM door. The Intel iMac is, as far as I
know, the same.

So, RAM is very easy to replace, such that I don't recommend anyone buy
more than the minimum from Apple - buy and install Crucial RAM (often
what Apple use anyway) for a fraction of the price. Replacing the hard
drive, if necessary, will be harder, though possible for those confident
with opening non-user-servicable machinery. If this is not you, either
pay someone to do it or just get a USB/firewire external drive. These
days that's pretty much the typical way, especially on Macs, of
expanding capacity. A bit of a pain to carry with a laptop, but no
problem for an iMac.

Pete

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Mac Forum / General / Hardware / January 2006

memory & harddrive user update capability?