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2017 iMac 21 inch memory upgrade question

S

starkmj

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 18, 2007
101
27
So, with my tax return, I think I'm finally gonna pull the trigger and get a new iMac. My Early 2009, while running ok, is really starting to feel it's age.

I've come to the conclusion that I really don't need the 27 inch. As beautiful as that screen is, my computer room is tiny, and I don't see the need for a screen the large.

So, I've decided to get the 21 inch, but it really bugs me that the memory is not easy to upgrade. The ONLY reason I was considering the 27 inch is because of the user-accessible memory slots.

So, I think I may have to just pay Apple the extra $200 to upgrade the machine to 16GB when I buy it, which just seems like such a shame, because i'm not sure i'll NEED 16GB. I'm just afraid if I don't buy it, I will need it and regret it.

So, my question is this, what if I just get the stock 8GB, and it does me fine for a few years, and I decide to upgrade in the future? I am NOT willing to open up the iMac myself, so does anyone know how much the Genius bar charges to upgrade the memory in a 21 inch iMac?

Is it the same ridiculous price for the RAM, PLUS a service fee? I know it might not be the best decision price-wise, but knowing this now, will help make my buying decision easier.

Thanks for any and all help.
 
What do you use it for? For most people, 8gb is enough.

If you decide to buy it with 8gb and later need to upgrade, I think you should instead contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider. That way I don't think you'll need to purchase the Apple branded RAM so you will save money. Even if they charge for the upgrade you'd still get a better deal.
 
You’d better check the current price of 16GB RAM.
Not much cheaper than what Apple is asking.:(
 
Oh, you're right!

Still it's probably best, depending on OP's needs, to purchase 8gb now and upgrade if needed in a few years.
 
Glmnet1 said:
What do you use it for? For most people, 8gb is enough.

If you decide to buy it with 8gb and later need to upgrade, I think you should instead contact an Apple Authorized Service Provider. That way I don't think you'll need to purchase the Apple branded RAM so you will save money. Even if they charge for the upgrade you'd still get a better deal.
Click to expand...

Well, I mostly use it for web surfing, microsoft office, email, and as my iTunes and plex server for all my movies. However, my daughter is dabbling in video editing, and I may want to install Premiere or Final Cut on it for her to start learning. She's way past iMovie.
 
I think that if you aren't willing to open up the box yourself, you might be better off by buying the extra RAM now. The ultimate price difference isn't going to be all that much, I suspect, and you'll have the peace of mind no matter what you decide to do with the computer going forward.
 
So just forget the 21" and get a 27" which is easy to upgrade RAM. So then you won't have a problem. So then you won't have to contact Apple, so then you won't have to buy Apple's RAM so you can buy any old RAM chips that fit and bung them in yourself. So job done. So-so.
 
OP wrote:
"I am NOT willing to open up the iMac myself, so does anyone know how much the Genius bar charges to upgrade the memory in a 21 inch iMac?"

The genius bar WILL NOT DO that "upgrade".
You either need to buy it with the 16gb of RAM, or be prepared to completely disassemble the iMac and "do it yourself" (not a very good idea).

My advice:
GET THE 27" iMac.
Once you have it, you will NEVER regret having bought the larger size.
 
Fishrrman said:
OP wrote:
"I am NOT willing to open up the iMac myself, so does anyone know how much the Genius bar charges to upgrade the memory in a 21 inch iMac?"

The genius bar WILL NOT DO that "upgrade".
You either need to buy it with the 16gb of RAM, or be prepared to completely disassemble the iMac and "do it yourself" (not a very good idea).

My advice:
GET THE 27" iMac.
Once you have it, you will NEVER regret having bought the larger size.
Click to expand...

Are you sure they won't? Saw this right on the the apple website:
"Memory can only be upgraded by an Apple Authorized Service Provider if you choose to upgrade at a later date.".

Isn't the Apple Store Genius bar an Apple Authorized Service Provider???
 
You ain't listening.

Just get a 27". Said it before. ave a friend who is an Apple Reseller in Sydney and he does not allow his technican s to crack the 2012+ models because of the instances of broken screens at $500 a pop. Trucks off the Apple for them to do the work.
 
If you are getting the 21", just get the 16 GB.

You kept your last iMac from 2009 until now, 9 years later. Right now, 8 GB is the sweet spot for a lot of people at the lower end, but that won't be true 5 years from now, and your needs might also increase. It might be 12 GB then, but since you can't spec it with 12 GB, just get 16 GB.

FWIW, my 2009 iMac came with 4 GB, which I upgraded to 8 GB, and then to 12 GB in the 2010 replacement I got for my broken 2009. I spec'd my 2017 iMac with 24 GB, which should last me the lifetime of the machine. 12 GB was usually fine, but not 100% of the time.

OTOH, my 2009 MacBook Pro came with 2 GB, which I then upgraded to 4 GB, and then to 8 GB. Although 8 GB is usually fine for me, when I got a new 2017 MacBook, I spec'd it with 16 GB because I intend to keep it for more than 5 years.
 
starkmj said:
Are you sure they won't? Saw this right on the the apple website:
"Memory can only be upgraded by an Apple Authorized Service Provider if you choose to upgrade at a later date.".

Isn't the Apple Store Genius bar an Apple Authorized Service Provider???
Click to expand...

Yes they are an Apple authorised service provider but they will not add ram at all they will only fix or service a machine to the specs that you bought it with, currently the only exception to this is the iMac pro as far as I can discover.

Yes a third party Apple authorised service may well do a ram update but you only have 2 ram slots in the 21 inch so you’ll be basically throwing out 2x4gb and replacing with 2x8gb in the future.

To be honest I think i’d Just pay Apple and buy with 16gb to start if the 21 inch was what I wanted. RAM is in short supply and is very expensive at the moment can’t see tha changing anytime soon either.
 
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