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New iMac Unboxing Video and Teardown Photos
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It is probably more precisely "No, not right now". With 16GB so-DIMMs you probably can. There's just aren't appropriate 16GB so-DIMMs on the market right now. In 2 years, there probably will be. Just like how Apple's specs said 2011 couldn't go to 32GB but several 3rd party kits do (with 8GB so-DIMMs).
So anyone who selected 8GB now, could in a couple of years jump to 32GB for probably as much money at Apple wants for the 16GB now ($200 ).
How? AFAIK all Sandy/Ivy Bridge Macs support maximum 8GB DIMM. There are no consumer/Unregistered non-ECC 16GB memories availableeither.
If you're looking at the close up picture of the Nvidia Chip and the Hynix RAM chips there those are VRAM not the CPU RAM.
The so-DIMM RAM shows up in other pictures.
Yeah looks like a significant difference between 21.5 and 27 models is 2 versus 4 so-DIMM slots.
The VRAM and GPU are soldered on. But yes the so-DIMM assembly is close to the CPU. In the assembled system, it appears that ends up right of the "Apple" on the back that Wifi etc. goes through.
What hardware does an optical drive need to be replaced with?
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Don't buy one then.
None! They could have just kept the goddamned optical drive!!
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My point is, in the case of the optical drive, they removed practicality (however negligable for some people) for the sake of thinness and lightness.
Intel CPUs and chipsets? (When a microarchitecture change occurs like has happened between the 2011 and 2012 models.)
well in that case, people use the Super Drive as much as they lift the iMac, which still makes my point valid.
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then get the custom build...what's so hard about that?
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-no, people don't need super drives. get an external. plug it in when you RARELY use it. then put it away.
-of course super drive doesn't weigh 8lb.
-i know exactly what fusion is.
Eh, I thought it was OTT. Way too many shot changes, looked a bit odd but the quality was excellent.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'sending all data through the SSD.' Some files are kept on the SSD, some on the HDD, and they are periodically rebalanced based on usage frequency. If a file is living on the HDD, it is dealt with on the HDD - it doesn't go 'through' the SSD as far as I'm aware.
As for wear, what about people who go SSD only?
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I'm pretty sure it's been an overgrown laptop for a while, really. It's never been a 'performance' system.
you might as well put a mac pro behind a monitor then.
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then why aren't you complaining that iMac uses laptop components? why don't we have a 30 lb. iMacs using desktop components. get a freakin mac pro if you want extra weight.
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get an external drive. last time my family used a cd or a dvd was 1.5 years ago. they're over 50 years old.
plug in the external for that 1 time you actually use a DVD drive, and remove it when you're done.
simple as that.
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I got my external drive for $12. burns dvd/cds. guess what? I never used it.
In terms of weight, why aren't you complaining at the fact that the iMac could have been extremely faster if they used a DESKTOP graphics card then? the iMac sacrificed performance so that they can fit all of the components right next to the monitor by using laptop components.
"Yes, people do use the Super Drive, otherwise it wouldn't have been there in the first place and Apple wouldn't still be selling an external version.
The fact that a few people still use the Super Drive once in a while doesn't mean it's worth packaging it with every iMac. If you really do use it, just buy an external. These days most people probably don't need or want one.
And you speak for most people? Here's a clue as to the persistent popularity of optical drives. 99% of new desktop PC's OEMs still come with one, 99% of new midtower ATX cases still come with ODD bays. PC's still have 90% of the desktop market. iMacs account for less than 10% of total desktop hardware user base.
So just zip it about what you think "most people" want or need, k? Unless you're talking about "most people" in your household. Your argument about buying external components could also apply to the iSight camera, SD card slot, or built-in speakers. Apple might as well get rid of those too.
conventionally the CPU (and for embedded GPUs) are mounted on the motherboard front side. The issue is much more so that the front side of the motherboard faces the back of the case.
That is actually a good idea not to have two large heat sources CPU and GPU not directly face the back side of the LCD panel. This way there is also the motherboard between them and much more reasonable thermal elements facing the LCD panel.
The quirk though is that you enter the case from the LCD panel direction (front of the case).
But then the board would leak more heat toward the LCD panel. Not so good. The exit (vents ) out of the iMac are on the back. You want to put "hot" stuff near the exit so it can directly blow that heat straight out of the box.
If they made it so the whole Apple logo popped out they might have been able to do it for the 21.5" model. The RAM sits that high up on the back of the case. The board layout for the 27" is substantially difference. It is probably a wider board so they could move the so-DIMM assembly (and likely the CPU ) down lower. Therefore, they could "hide" the door lower down behind the bracket.
That could have been put on the HDD assembly but this way is one less cable. But again... it is the board's front that is facing to the rear of the system.
Actually you proved his point. Apple uses four 8GB dimms to get 32GB, not 16GB.
no i didn't prove his point
his rhetorical question was how do you get 32GB inside an iMac. i gave him the answer. simple as that
i never said 2x16gb. all i said was, can you have more than 16GB of total installed ram inside an iMac, and I said yes. what are you thinking?
The 21.5" model appears to be limited to just two so-DIMM slots. So the 8GB limit is a problem (at least for now). There is really no difference between the older 2011 and 2012 designs when have four so-DIMM slots available. Both cap out at 32GB with 4 8GB so-DIMMs. It really isn't an "improvement" ( nor is it a backward slide ). "Thin case" really has had no impact here in capacity.
Apple could have tweaked the 21.5's board slightly to allow for 4 slots. They probably have stats though that indicate vast majority of folks with smaller screen tend not to "max out" memory though. If they can afford that much memory, they can probably afford the 27" model. But it is one of those annoying differentiators like "one vs two" Thunderbolt ports were on the 2011 models.
Too bad I now have to spend ~$20 to buy an external drive for that one in 1.5 years occasion I need to rip or create a CD. The price of my next CD just went from $10 to $30.
I'm not saying everyone needs a CD drive. Some people do, some people need it quite rarely, and some more than others. The unavoidable fact of the matter is that they removed it for no reason, other than to make the edge of the computer 5mm. It was a purely form over function decision.
Their reason was probably profit more than form. Saves them cost of drive plus warranty service on faulty drives. Most folks won't care, those that care will spend more for the external drive.
In case you need more power, I doubt you do, buy the MacPro.
In case you don't notice, MacPro was crippled down to the point its basic quadcore line is incapacitated on all sides compared with top end iMac with upgraded graphic and cpu.
It's silly to say, if you want more power get a MacPro.
6 core and above cost beyond of what common users would need or pay for. Yet graphically it's no better than top end iMac.
if you REALLY need to save $20 (which is baffling since you're considering the latest gen iMAc), use remote disc. I'm sure you have a computer with a cd drive somewhere.
That plastic wedge is extremely likely a thermal zone channel. And yes modern design do use them. HP uses them in their HP workstations. For example the z820
http://www.hp.com/united-states/cam...pid=ex_r11260_go_z820&aoid=35252#.ULkvdkKmDj-
Or take a peak inside the Dell T7600
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=JpJ30U3erkI#t=91s
Again plastic wedges in places to channel air flow.
Underneath those plastic wedges in 21.5 teardown are probably more fans. At least two more along with some speakers and perhaps some power supply componets (on the shorter side). And yes... more fans (used all the time ) is better than a ODD ( likely unused by many and at best relatively part time used by more than a few . )
What???
Not a good video at all! They don't show any shots of the CPU... only the screen! They could've easily shot some under-the-desk video of the dang CPU.
Dude messed up my weekend!
Not a good video at all! They don't show any shots of the CPU... only the screen! They could've easily shot some under-the-desk video of the dang CPU.
Dude messed up my weekend!
It's not the cost, it's the principle. Just an extra thing needed ontop of the iMac to have a full computing experience.
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This makes a lot of sense actually, thanks.
right on the money! apple gives you the bezel of the future today! dare i say the profile of near future imacs is pretty obvious? also, it gives clues to what a couple of groundbreaking products said to be in the works will look like can't wait for 2013!