iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015) memory upgrade

[lapotr]

Hi everyone , I like to know if I can upgrade my iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015) 8GB to 16GB.

My iMac has no memory slot lid at the back due to that I have to take the screen apart but I m a bit concerned that I don't have memory slot which will be waste of time and very risky.

I got a system report and under memory section it shows that 2 memory banks as in the attached picture, does this mean I have replaceable memories or my memories soldered? Any comments will be appreciated

.

thanks in advance

 

[Longplays]

You'll need to unseal your iMac. As it is a dozen years old I'd clean out all the dust inside it and reapply thermal paste on the CPU and possibly the GPU.

While inside you may want to consider replacing the dozen year old HDD with a fresh new SSD.

I'd use a 2TB Crucial MX500 SSD

I'd Time Machine Backup your current HDD, install the replacement SSD inside the iMac then restore your files to the SSD from the Time Machine Backup.

I'd use 2x8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SODIMM for a max total 16GB RAM

Be aware that your iMac is officially limited to macOS High Sierra that received its final Security Update nearly 3 years ago.

There are unofficial ways to get newer versions of macOS like Ventura and Sonoma but it will add complications to your life.

Considering your 2011 iMac 21.5" Core i5 32nm is a more than a dozen years old be aware that a 2023 iMac 24" M2 5nm that may sell for $1299 may be released in 2-4 months from now.

Any M1 or M2 Mac will outclass any Mac sold prior to COVID.

 

[lapotr]

You'll need to unseal your iMac. As it is a dozen years old I'd clean out all the dust inside it and reapply thermal paste on the CPU and possibly the GPU.

While inside you may want to consider replacing the dozen year old HDD with a fresh new SSD.

I'd use a 2TB Crucial MX500 SSD

I'd Time Machine Backup your current HDD, install the replacement SSD inside the iMac then restore your files to the SSD from the Time Machine Backup.

I'd use 2x8GB PC3-10600 DDR3 SODIMM for a max total 16GB RAM

Be aware that your iMac is officially limited to macOS High Sierra that received its final Security Update nearly 3 years ago.

There are unofficial ways to get newer versions of macOS like Ventura and Sonoma but it will add complications to your life.

Considering your 2011 iMac 21.5" Core i5 32nm is a more than a dozen years old be aware that a 2023 iMac 24" M2 5nm that may sell for $1299 may be released in 2-4 months from now.

Any M1 or M2 Mac will outclass any Mac sold prior to COVID.

Thanks for your reply but my iMac is late 2105 not 2011. And are you saying that my memory soldered not in slots? If it is soldered I won’t bother replacing it as I m not experienced on soldering things. Would Mac Mini M1 A2348 8 Core, 16GB RAM solve my speed problem?

 

[Longplays]

Thanks for your reply but my iMac is late 2105 not 2011. And are you saying that my memory soldered not in slots? If it is soldered I won’t bother replacing it as I m not experienced on soldering things. Would Mac Mini M1 A2348 8 Core, 16GB RAM solve my speed problem?

My apologies I got crossed eyed.

I think your RAM's soldered.

If you are comfortable with a soldering gun... here's the video on how it is done.

 

[lapotr]

My apologies I got crossed eyed.

I think your RAM's soldered.

If you are comfortable with a soldering gun... here's the video on how it is done.

Thanks again. I m not good at soldering. Do you know if Mac Mini M1 A2348 8 Core, 16GB is a better option speed up the iMac?

 

[Longplays]

Thanks again. I m not good at soldering. Do you know if Mac Mini M1 A2348 8 Core, 16GB is a better option speed up the iMac?

Any M1 Mac will outperform any Intel Mac except for the 20019 Mac Pro.

But TBH I'd keep your iMac until 2025. It still receives Security Updates if I am not mistaken.

 

[lapotr]

Any M1 Mac will outperform any Intel Mac except for the 20019 Mac Pro.

But TBH I'd keep your iMac until 2025. It still receives Security Updates if I am not mistaken.

Thank you for your time. At leats I know I won’t risk opening it. I will try M1 Mac option. It will be costly but I will see if I get second hand one.

 

[Longplays]

Thank you for your time. At leats I know I won’t risk opening it. I will try M1 Mac option. It will be costly but I will see if I get second hand one.

Glad I could help.

 

[Longplays]

Don't make it into e-waste Consider selling it as a basis for a down payment.

 

[lapotr]

Don't make it into e-waste Consider selling it as a basis for a down payment.

I think M1 Mac option is not bad solution my iMac has nice screen. With M1 I can make it work faster. It is cheaper solution selling and buying newer model

 

[Longplays]

I think M1 Mac option is not bad solution my iMac has nice screen. With M1 I can make it work faster. It is cheaper solution selling and buying newer model

The iMac cannot be used as the Mac mini's display.

 

[lapotr]

The iMac cannot be used as the Mac mini's display.

Oh isn’t that plug and play ? If I connect in the usb M1 mini won’t work?

 

[lapotr]

Oh isn’t that plug and play ? If I connect in the usb M1 mini won’t work?

Looks like I haven’t got a clue. I found this on the net “No, it is not possible to directly connect an M1 Mac mini to an iMac to speed up the iMac's performance. The M1 Mac mini and iMac are separate computers with their own independent hardware and processing capabilities.”

Thanks again.