iFixit Tears Down New iMacs, Finds Soldered CPU on 21.5" Model

[Ubele]

I may want to consider buying a new iMac soon. Not because I like these models but because the old ones with the optical drive might be leaving the refurb store soon as more of these nonsensically thin models are released. I don't care if I use the optical drive often, I want it there because its a desktop and I don't care if it is thin or light

Are you sure you want to buy two-year-old tech just to have an integrated SuperDrive? I was among those who griped about Apple's removing the optical drive from its computers, as I still need one from time to time. I bought the current Mac mini earlier this year, and I bought a third-party external Blu-Ray burner for $80. Despite my initial grumbling about it being a less-elegant solution, it hasn't been an issue in practice. I don't sit at my computer fretting about the fact that the drive is external (it would be sad if I did), I like having the option of Blu-Ray (something Apple was never going to give us), and I can take the drive to other computers.

 

[Kirb112]

I think it's pretty rediculous that Apple keeps making the iMac computers thinner and thinner at the expense of simple do-it-yourself upgrades like adding RAM. It's a desktop computer for crying out loud. It doesn't have to be as thin as my Macbook Air!

 

[The-Pro]

at least they didnt take away the socketed cpus on the 27". That would've caused some rageing here

 

[FirstNTenderbit]

When my customers talk about not being able to get inside their Macs, or Windows users give this as a reason not to buy them, I always ask them if the first thing they do with a new car is open the bonnet and tinker with what is underneath. You buy a car to reliably and comfortably get you from A to B. It is a tool created to do just that!

You wouldn't buy a car that just meets current emissions requirements and expect it to still meet relative future requirements.

iMac is a consumer product. I would guess that over 90% of users will seldom, if ever, make full use of the base installed RAM.

The remaining 10%? They bought the wrong Mac. Hoping to transport their family of 6 people in a car with only 5 seats.

You have used 2 car analogies thus far and, forgive me, neither are apropos. True, on a new car, not many are looking to tinker. But cars don't stay new and when the time comes, some like the option of being able to repair their cars (and computers) instead of buying a new one. I think that's most people. Then there's that group called GearHeads. They do want tinker. Having that option available is a plus. Same goes for the Geek.

Emission standards? All new cars meet current emission standards. You can't buy a car today in hopes that it will meet future standards b/c you don't know what they will be. You can upgrade your current car in the future. I think that's what some would like to do to their iMacs.

Bad car analogy: RAM = Horsepower

90% don't need nor make use of the base installed HP. That doesn't stop them from being able to immediately going out to add more through the aftermarket. It's the choice. To be fair, Apple will give you that choice to upgrade. You just have to pay them more money for that choice.

Disclosure: '65 Mustang Fastback is my dd

 

[Kirb112]

iMac is a consumer product. I would guess that over 90% of users will seldom, if ever, make full use of the base installed RAM.

I don't know if I agree with this. Apple computers, just like every other computer comes underpowered in the memory category. Sure, they will work ok on less intensive applications for a year or so, but after that, they will become sluggish when doing basic tasks.

 

[Cheffy Dave]

Does this mean no user upgradable RAM, too?

NO!

 

[Cheffy Dave]

I think it's pretty rediculous that Apple keeps making the iMac computers thinner and thinner at the expense of simple do-it-yourself upgrades like adding RAM. It's a desktop computer for crying out loud. It doesn't have to be as thin as my Macbook Air!

Who says you can't upgrade/add RAM?

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Who says you can't upgrade/add RAM?

Thin is in, its the way :apple rolls, deal with it!

 

[iGrip]

ifixit do beautiful tear downs but they really have a bug up their ass about some stuff lately.

Why do they think that people who cannot even deal with using the filesystem would want to repair or upgrade a computer? The consumer has no business doing that!

 

[PDXoPDX]

I'd give it a 10/10 repairability. If it breaks, which in my experience is unlikely, take it to an Apple store or have AppleCare mail you a box to send it in. Repaired/replaced with minimal effort!

Sorry iFixit, most people don't really care about DIY repairs these days.

 

[milo]

Who says you can't upgrade/add RAM?

You can't on the 21.

 

[0098386]

Because they are dinging the new iMac for the inability to do an upgrade that nobody ever does anyway. They might as well critique it for not being able to levitate (another feature much in demand).

FWIW, two mid-2007 iMacs over here. Never repaired or upgraded, except for RAM.

I found them useful when my iMacs HDD was failing, but Apple didn't repair it even though it should have been covered by my AppleCare. Ther guide was useful in installing an SSD and HDD.

 

[Commy1]

My guess is that the main reason is that SMT lowers manufacturing costs. Just stick all of the components on the board and run it through the oven.

Yeah... I can understand that but I don't agree with it. I'm going to stick with my 2011 iMac for as long as I can.

 

[steveh]

Hi quick question. Are we still forced to purchase the RAM through Apple or can we upgrade via a 3rd party?

Just how long has it been since you last upgraded RAM on a Mac?

You haven't been restricted to Apple RAM for a decade or more.

 

[fixmymac]

I'm not so sure. If that were the case, then there wouldn't be such a big selection of aftermarket RAM products for iMacs.

There is a big selection of RAM products, yes. But none of them are iMac specific. They are simply products compatible with the iMac. They don't exist solely for upgrading iMacs. Do you get what I mean?

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I don't know if I agree with this. Apple computers, just like every other computer comes underpowered in the memory category. Sure, they will work ok on less intensive applications for a year or so, but after that, they will become sluggish when doing basic tasks.

One of the words I used a couple of times in my post was 'relative'.

Sluggish compared to what?...When it was new? Compared to the newer iMac? Compared to the older version of OSX or 3rd party software?

 

[RMo]

I may want to consider buying a new iMac soon. Not because I like these models but because the old ones with the optical drive might be leaving the refurb store soon as more of these nonsensically thin models are released. I don't care if I use the optical drive often, I want it there because its a desktop and I don't care if it is thin or light

I just checked now, and all I see are the nonsensically thin October 2012 models without a built-in optical drive. It may be too late (although, of course, they do often refresh the available inventory).

 

[Parasprite]

If your the kind of person that upgrades cpus, your not in the normal demographic for someone buying pre-built computers.

FTFY

Honestly, I never really had luck with upgrading CPUs except ones where I ordered the mobo separately. RAM/HD access is a must to me because they are easy upgrades (Limit of 2GB drove me crazy with 1st gen MBA) but even lowest-end CPUs are still pretty good all things considered.

 

[MacGeek1987]

Does this mean no user upgradable RAM, too?

Not on the 21.5 inch. The 27 inch has an access panel on the back, near where the power cord plugs in. Very simple to upgrade the RAM on a 27 inch.

 

[CoMoMacUser]

There is a big selection of RAM products, yes. But none of them are iMac specific. They are simply products compatible with the iMac. They don't exist solely for upgrading iMacs. Do you get what I mean?

Right, but those vendors and dealers wouldn't be spending so much money marketing them to the Apple community if iMac owners weren't buying a lot of them. I doubled the RAM in my early 2008 iMac about a year ago.

 

[Jimmy James]

I may want to consider buying a new iMac soon. Not because I like these models but because the old ones with the optical drive might be leaving the refurb store soon as more of these nonsensically thin models are released. I don't care if I use the optical drive often, I want it there because its a desktop and I don't care if it is thin or light

I couldn't agree more. This is my thought process exactly.

 

[mdelvecchio]

What happened to the Easy to Fix Macs?

It used to be easy to fix, sometimes very easy to fix, even easier then PC's of time.

when was this?

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Did that quite a few times, even on a few laptops.
PowerBook 500 and Pismo series CPU on daughter card, easy to update.

you are the 2%. (tho i reckon even smaller than that)

 

[the8thark]

I think it is very clear that Apple don't really give much consideration to how accessible the insides are. I am not sure they should.

I think Apple care a lot about how repairable something is. But Apple are looking to have things less repairable / upgradable. Apple would you rather just upgrade the whole machine and not just one part from a 3rd party seller. They only keep the Mac Pro upgradable as that is the whole point for the mac Pro's existence.

Also 99% of the non Mac Pro Apple customers have zero want to tinker with the internals of their Macs. Why work in more internal upgradability/repairability for 1% of customers? Does not make financial sense.

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21.5":
I didn't see it explicitly stated that there was an access panel, but the pictures do show 2 removable SODIMMs on the logic board. I don't remember if the last gen had soldered memory, or removable SODIMMs.

27":
Same as last gen. 4 SODIMM slots, PC3-16000, accessed by a panel on the back.

Both sizes have changeable ram. The difference is the 21.5's ram is under the logic board etc etc therefore not really user replaceable. The 27's ram is user replaceable.

 

[IJ Reilly]

I found them useful when my iMacs HDD was failing, but Apple didn't repair it even though it should have been covered by my AppleCare. Ther guide was useful in installing an SSD and HDD.

I'm sure they have some value, but their repairability scores are a joke.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

You are right on the money with both points. It would be nice to be able to upgrade the RAM and HDD/SSD on iMacs but like the rMBP that seems to be going away permanently.

iFixit has been pretty self righteous. I do understand they are looking out for consumers but they are so aggressive about it that it seems like it's more for garnering attention for themselves.

That is a very decent call, I've had the same concerns with the two aspects of an upgrade most look into being RAM and HDD Apple is slowly chipping away at making it impossible to update without buying a new machine.

I'm guessing it's a reason now to maxout the build upon purchase for pseudo future proofing.

 

[scottsjack]

Right, but those vendors and dealers wouldn't be spending so much money marketing them to the Apple community if iMac owners weren't buying a lot of them. I doubled the RAM in my early 2008 iMac about a year ago.

Exactly. I upgraded RAM twice in my MBP, once in my mini and twice in my MP. You do not need to use HP RAM in an HP nor Apple RAM in a Mac.

 

[ApfelKuchen]

There's one phrase I haven't seen here: manufacturing costs.

There's always a trade-off between accessibility/reparability and manufacturing costs. The more sockets, slots, hatches, and screws there are, the higher the manufacturing cost, and manufacturing cost has a significant impact on selling price. If you're selling industrial equipment, its likely the customer will appreciate accessibility/reparability, and pay for it. In consumer products (and iMac is definitely a consumer product, even when it sits on an office desk)… nope. You don't make millions of customers pay for something that thousands of customers want or care about (especially when your product is already more expensive than the competition).

So… The current (soon to be old) Mac Pro is built with all the things a tinkerer/gearhead wants. Yes, it also has better tech specs, but a substantial part of the higher price is in the package, not the specs.

Farther, there's reliability. A manufacturer has to think about warranty repair costs. If the product is sufficiently reliable, then repair costs fall by the wayside, and lower-cost and reliability-improving manufacturing techniques (like glue) will trump reparability.