Is it possible to upgrade memory and SSD on a 2021 27" iMac?

[ZillaG]

I want to buy a used 2021 27" iMac with 8GB memory and (only) 256 GB SSD, and for my needs, I need to upgrade to at least 16GB memory and 1TB SSD. I've been reading that it's not possible to upgrade these anymore. Is this true?

 

[wilberforce]

There is no such thing as a 2021 27" iMac.
There is a 2021 24" iMac, which you cannot upgrade memory or SSD (they are soldered to the logic board).
There is a 2020 27" iMac, which you can upgrade the memory easily, but not the SSD (soldered to the logic board).

Check this page:

Identify your iMac model - Apple Support

Use this information to find out which iMac you have, and where it fits in the history of iMac.

support.apple.com

You can of course use an external SSD in addition to the internal SSD.

 

[ZillaG]

Thanks. Yeah I asked the seller to send me a screen shot of the "About this Mac" window and it's a 2020. They bought it in 2021.

 

[joevt]

For the 2020 iMac or any Mac, you can go to www.macsales.com, click "My Upgrades", Select your Mac model, then check the types of upgrades that are available. For the 2020 iMac, there are memory options but there's no internal storage option.

everymac.com says the storage is soldered.
https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...-3.8-8-core-27-inch-retina-5k-2020-specs.html

 

[jz0309]

Thanks. Yeah I asked the seller to send me a screen shot of the "About this Mac" window and it's a 2020. They bought it in 2021.

RAM is upgradable to 128GB I think, SSD is soldered on but there’s plenty external and fast options to increase disk space, eg Samsung T7 plugs right in or you can go fancy and fast with a Thunderbolt, but those are getting pricey…

 

[wilberforce]

+1 for the Samsung 1TB T7. I think price is very reasonable, and I get 800 MB/s write and 900 MB/s read speed on my 2020 iMac

 

[ZillaG]

I'll mainly be using the iMac for Photoshop and Logic Pro X applications. Would the Samsung T7 be fast enough for those applications to directly use it? That is, both Photoshop and Logic Pro X to work on projects that are directly on the Samsung T7 without having to transfer files between it and the iMac?

 

[Fishrrman]

2020 iMac.
RAM -is- upgradeable.
SSD is soldered in and IS NOT upgradeable.

If you need more storage, add an EXTERNAL SSD.

Dem's da rules...

 

[wilberforce]

I'll mainly be using the iMac for Photoshop and Logic Pro X applications. Would the Samsung T7 be fast enough for those applications to directly use it? That is, both Photoshop and Logic Pro X to work on projects that are directly on the Samsung T7 without having to transfer files between it and the iMac?

I don't use Logic Pro, and for Photoshop I usually work directly on files in my 2TB internal SSD.
However I did just try some photoshop adjustments of a large (180MP) photo file on the T7, and it seemed fine.
Afaik PS loads the workspace into RAM, so plenty of RAM would be important (I have 32GB, which I recommend as minimum, you can get 2x16GB sticks for ~$120).

Of course, have the PS app on the internal SSD, and only the project files on the external SSD. Keep the PS "scratch disks" on the internal SSD, which is the default.

However, it would be best if you hear from someone who regularly works from an external SSD like the T7. I don't want to say it seems fine, then you try it and are disappointed