Baymowe335
Suspended
Why do you think Apple wouldn't allow it? You really think they are dumb? It's clearly a business decision.
iMac Pro's RAM Can Only Be Upgraded by Apple or Authorized Service Provider
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PickUrPoison
macrumors G3
I have no idea why the headline for this article is so wrong.
1) RAM in an iMac Pro is upgradable. It’s not cheap, 32GB sticks are about $400 each and it takes 4 of them if you want 128GB.
2) The RAM can be upgraded by Apple.
3) The RAM can be upgraded by an authorized service center.
4) The RAM can be upgraded by your local chop shop.
5) The RAM can be upgraded by you yourself. No, it’s not as simple as opening a hatch and putting in sticks.
So in other words, the RAM is upgradable. Do it yourself or pay someone else to do it. In the US, it doesn’t void you warranty, though Apple could require that you replace the original RAM if you need service. Not sure if they would.
That said, the target market for the iMac Pro will order it configured as they need it from Apple on day one.
1) RAM in an iMac Pro is upgradable. It’s not cheap, 32GB sticks are about $400 each and it takes 4 of them if you want 128GB.
2) The RAM can be upgraded by Apple.
3) The RAM can be upgraded by an authorized service center.
4) The RAM can be upgraded by your local chop shop.
5) The RAM can be upgraded by you yourself. No, it’s not as simple as opening a hatch and putting in sticks.
So in other words, the RAM is upgradable. Do it yourself or pay someone else to do it. In the US, it doesn’t void you warranty, though Apple could require that you replace the original RAM if you need service. Not sure if they would.
That said, the target market for the iMac Pro will order it configured as they need it from Apple on day one.
Oh no, not at all. I don't think Apple is dumb. They are making a product and pushing as much profit out of it as they can. The fence builder is quite clever actually.
ackmondual
macrumors 68020
I'm sure my timeline is off, but wasn't Steve Jobs highly in favor of Apple having end-to-end control? (Sharp contrast to Steve Wozniak who wanted the end user to be able to customize their Macs). Wasn't the Mac Pro around Job's time?
Correct, Jobs was always in favor of less moving parts that the user interacted with for less support costs and better user experience. I always felt Woz was a good balancing agent for him to keep things in a nice middle ground. Now Apple is going the full on Jobs direction. Everyone obviously has their opinion on this direction.
charlituna
macrumors G3
honestly i wonder how many 'techie pros' actually give a F about this. i mean didn't they all turn their noses up at Apple years ago cause they can make a better machine with a couple of Raspberry Pi?
Macboy Pro
macrumors 6502a
This is ABSOLUTELY FALSE. If you do it on your own, you do NOT void any warranty except for anything you might break while doing it. If you read the warranty, it say that any damage as a result of third party upgrading would not be covered. Key words are "any damage"
In the US, it is the law that a warranty can not be voided for any reasonable replacement of parts on a computer. This is why Apple solders the RAM. It is a complete money grab by Apple and this is why I moved away from Apple Hardware.
PickUrPoison
macrumors G3
You’re right about the warranty but wrong about the reason why Apple solders RAM.
Apple uses LPDDR3 RAM in its MacBooks (and Mac mini, which is a re-packaged 13” MacBook Pro), for a good reason—it uses up to 80% less power than DDR4. But LPDDR3 must be soldered, it is not available in a socketed form.
That’s an engineering trade off, not a money grab. Incidentally, this also imposes a 16GB limit on the MacBook Pro. If Apple had used DDR4, they could have had a 32GB maximum—and charged a lot more for it. But with LPDDR3, the limit is 16GB.
This is not true. Apple cannot upgrade the RAM and you will have a very difficult time finding an authorized service provider who will do it. I'm in the process of trying to do this now. I took my iMac pro to the apple store and they said they do not do it. I've called 3 authorized service providers and have yet to find one that will do it. It is a major headache. Just be aware of this. Apple CANNOT upgrade the RAM for you
Standard 27-inch iMacs have a small hatch in the back that allows the RAM in the machine to be upgraded after purchase, but the iMac Pro does not have that feature.
There is no rear hatch because the RAM in the iMac Pro is not user upgradeable following purchase, but there's good news -- an Apple Store or an Apple Authorized Service Provider is able to open up the iMac Pro and swap out the RAM.
iMore's Rene Ritchie spoke to Apple and learned that any service center is able to upgrade the RAM on an iMac Pro following purchase.
At Apple Stores, iMac Pro users will likely only be able to upgrade to Apple-provided RAM, but third-party service providers will be able to offer non-Apple RAM and might even allow users to bring in their own RAM. Policy will undoubtedly vary by location, however.
The entry-level $4,999 iMac Pro ships with 32GB of 2666MHz ECC RAM, but up to 128GB RAM is supported. Apple charges $800 to upgrade to 64GB RAM and $2,400 to upgrade to 128GB RAM. Upgrading RAM after purchase in eligible machines is often more affordable than purchasing Apple's RAM upgrades at checkout.
There are no post-purchase options for upgrading the SSD, processor, or graphics card in the iMac Pro.
Apple began allowing customers to purchase the iMac Pro this morning. 8 and 10-core machines will begin shipping out this week, while 14 and 18-core options won't be available to ship out for 6 to 8 weeks. While the entry-level iMac Pro is priced at $4,999, there are a number of upgrades available. A maxed out 18-core machine with 4TB of storage and a Radeon Pro Vega 64 is priced at $13,199.
Article Link: iMac Pro's RAM Can Only Be Upgraded by Apple or Authorized Service Provider
Juicy Box
macrumors 604
This was probably true when the article was posted a year ago, but there has been a lot of other threads since stating that many Apple Stores and authorized third-part repair shop haven't been trained/certified to repair iMac Pros. I would guess this includes RAM upgrades.
There has been a lot of stories out there with people having service and repair issues with the iMac Pro. A couple come to mind, like the Linus tech Tips one, where Apple refused to fix the screen (that his team damaged), or even sending him the repair parts. Apple damaging this guy's iMac Pro trying to install a VESA mount is another one that comes to mind. This was due to a design issue with the screws, and lack of training I think.
Are you trying to get the to do third-party RAM? or are you saying they won't upgrade even Apple provided RAM?
Thanks for letting us know, as this article is clearly outdated, unless you are trying to use third-party RAM for the upgrade.
I wonder if you call around to different Apple Stores, you might find one that will do the upgrade for you?
Are you trying to get the to do third-party RAM? or are you saying they won't upgrade even Apple provided RAM?
No. In fact both apple stores I went to didn't even carry the RAM. However, they were able to recommend me a brand. Which wasn't really helpful cause I already knew what type of RAM was compatible. Apple doesn't manufacture the RAM and they told me it doesn't matter which type of RAM you choose. As long as it's compatible, it can be upgraded. But they couldn't tell me which specific service providers could do it. I've called 3 stores now and none of them can. I even had one guy tell me even though they don't advertise that they do it, he can fix anything and would be willing to fix it "off the books". What the heck? LOL. I'm definitely not going to void my warranty by doing that.
I wonder if you call around to different Apple Stores, you might find one that will do the upgrade for you?[/QUOTE]
It doesn't seem like this is the case. They said even if I brought my own RAM they couldn't do it
No. In fact both apple stores I went to didn't even carry the RAM. However, they were able to recommend me a brand. Which wasn't really helpful cause I already knew what type of RAM was compatible. Apple doesn't manufacture the RAM and they told me it doesn't matter which type of RAM you choose. As long as it's compatible, it can be upgraded. But they couldn't tell me which specific service providers could do it. I've called 3 stores now and none of them can. I even had one guy tell me even though they don't advertise that they do it, he can fix anything and would be willing to fix it "off the books". What the heck? LOL. I'm definitely not going to void my warranty by doing that.
I wonder if you call around to different Apple Stores, you might find one that will do the upgrade for you?[/QUOTE]
It doesn't seem like this is the case. They said even if I brought my own RAM they couldn't do it
Juicy Box
macrumors 604
This sounds like similar stories about Apple Store not able to get iMac Pro parts. Not sure why Apple dropped the ball on this.
The iMac Pro was suppose to appease the Pro community until the new Mac Pro came out, but it seems like Apple just doesn't care about it enough to supply replacement parts and to train their employees to service it.
If you are in the US, it shouldn't void your warranty for this. Apple and some other tech companies have been in a little bit of hot water because of this issue.
It would actually be illegal for Apple to void it just for the repair, but if the "off the books" repair caused damage, the damage might not be covered under the warranty.
Almost all Apple computers last 7 or 8 years you couldn't upgrade the RAM. The RAMs are soldered into the board when you ordered it from them.
Juicy Box
macrumors 604
It is true that many Macs have had soldered RAM in them lately, but not all of them and it has only been the past half decade or less for most of them.
IIRC, the MBA has always had soldered RAM, the 2014 Mini and the 2012+ 21” iMac, have soldered RAM. I forget when the MacBook and MBP switched to soldered RAM, maybe 2012?
But the are models that don’t have Soldered RAM, such as the 27” iMac, MP, new Mac Mini, and the iMac Pro.
@sballay has the iMac Pro, and the RAM is not soldered, so it is not unreasonable to think that Apple or an authorized service shop would install new RAM.
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Kier-XF
macrumors regular
Just an update to this - my recent experience is that no Apple Store I have questioned is able (or prepared?) to upgrade RAM on an existing iMac Pro. They will replace dead RAM (probably with a complete machine replacement) but they absolutely won't entertain an upgrade.
One went so far as to say that they don't even have model numbers for suitable SIMMs (yes, SIMMs... doesn't exactly inspire confidence that they are talking about memory modules from two decades ago...)
Victor Mortimer
Suspended
Oh good grief. You apparently talked to an idiot. They should know exactly how to look for those part numbers, they're readily available in the service docs.
RAM part numbers for iMac Pro:
661-08891, 8GB, DDR4 ECC, 2666MHz
661-08892, 16GB, DDR4 ECC, 2666MHz
661-08893, 32GB, DDR4 ECC, 2666MHz
661-12559, 64GB, DDR4 ECC, 2666MHz
That said, don't even think about taking your iMac Pro to an Apple Store for an upgrade. The OEM RAM prices are absolutely insane, they'll charge you more for one 32GB DIMM than you'd pay on Amazon for a set of four, and that doesn't include labor. The 64s are close to $1500 each if you buy them from Apple.
You're going to be MUCH better off going to either an unauthorized service provider or an authorized service provider who is willing to break the rules and use non-Apple RAM. (And since Apple doesn't actually make any RAM at all...)
And of course saying it can only be done by Apple or AASPs is a lie, you can even DIY it (but if you do, be VERY careful, the display is fragile once it's no longer attached to the enclosure, and it's also stupid expensive to replace. The cables that connect it to the logic board are also fragile). See the iFixit teardown to get a good idea how: https://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac+Pro+Teardown/101807
The VHB strips and VHB cutter are readily available from many sources. Do not screw around and use a knife, the cutter is cheap and is designed not to damage anything. Oh, and get the foam service stand that holds the unit in place, it'll make your life easier. A strip of shipping tape across the bottom of the display to hold it in place is your friend too. The display cables are not long enough to allow you to move the display very far, they must be disconnected with it open just a bit, you won't have much room to get your hand in there. It's not the easiest disassembly ever, so be very careful and take your time.
Oh, and be sure you're static strapped up, and DO NOT open it with it plugged in, parts are live at full line voltage if it's plugged in.
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Kier-XF
macrumors regular
Thanks for the part numbers. For what it's worth, I'd be perfectly happy to install the replacement RAM myself, I'd only be concerned with invalidating the warranty and AppleCare Plus that's been paid for.
PickUrPoison
macrumors G3
Instead of checking at the store, you might want to try contacting Apple support. Some Apple stores and Apple authorized service providers offer RAM upgrades for the iMac Pro; support should be able to help you find the nearest one.
https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208377
btw it’s a somewhat challenging upgrade, but doable if you have the skills. In the US (and some other countries), the warranty will not be affected by you or even a local independent shop doing the work. However, any damage that might inadvertently be caused would not be covered through warranty/AppleCare, which is reasonable. Also, if you need warranty work done in the future, you could be required to replace the original RAM before they’ll accept it for repair.
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Kier-XF
macrumors regular
Final update - Apple Support told me that their retail stores will not perform the upgrade and referred me to a local AASP - who wanted crazy prices to fit the precise RAM parts that I could source myself for 30% the price they were asking, along with a relatively reasonable labour charge.
I bought the RAM myself and fitted it myself. No big deal with the right tools, it took under an hour. I made sure to buy two sets of adhesive for the screen, as I will need to replace the original RAM if the machine ever goes into Apple for service.
I bought the RAM myself and fitted it myself. No big deal with the right tools, it took under an hour. I made sure to buy two sets of adhesive for the screen, as I will need to replace the original RAM if the machine ever goes into Apple for service.
