Third-Party RAM for 27-inch iMac Still Far More Affordable Than Apple's Checkout Upgrade Options

[MacRumors]

Apple yesterday announced a new 27-inch iMac with faster 10th-generation Intel Core processor options, next-generation AMD graphics, and up to a whopping 128GB of RAM.

To max out the RAM at checkout, Apple charges an additional $2,600, which is like buying another whole iMac. Fortunately, the memory in the 27-inch iMac is user-replaceable thanks to the easily-accessible memory backdoor slot, and there are far more affordable options available from third parties.

OWC offers 128GB of DDR4 PC4-21300 RAM that's compatible with the 27-inch iMac. The total cost on Amazon is $599.99, or $2,000 less than Apple charges its customers. These are the OWC memory upgrade kits available, compared to the prices that you'd pay when purchasing an iMac from Apple:

• 128GB (4 x 32GB DIMMs) – $599 at Amazon ($2,600 at Apple checkout).
• 64GB (4 x 16GB DIMMs) - $269 at Amazon ($1,000 at Apple checkout).
• 32GB (2 x 16GB DIMMs) - $135 at Amazon ($400 at Apple checkout).

Apple provides instructions for users wanting to install memory in an iMac. Note that the RAM in the 21.5-inch iMac models, which were not updated yesterday other than a change to the base storage configuration, is not user-accessible.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Article Link: Third-Party RAM for 27-inch iMac Still Far More Affordable Than Apple's Checkout Upgrade Options

 

[wubsylol]

No surprises there.

 

[plek]

This has always been the case.

It would be a massive shame if they take away the ability to upgrade the RAM yourself in future iMac re-designs.
😬

 

[ajguckian]

Do we know why they are so ridiculous, aside from the fact they are Apple?

 

[jwhite9185]

I want that wallpaper!

 

[Michael Scrip]

<Reads headline>

Duh....

 

[WannaGoMac]

I bet user upgradable ram is gone in arm iMacs.

 

[David1964]

I want that wallpaper!

You can get it with a simple Google search.I already have it.I have the iPhone and iPad version too.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

The fact that Apple can charge these markups is why they are the most valuable company in the world.

 

[Donnation]

I bet user upgradable ram is gone in arm iMacs.

This is entirely possible, and would be a real shame.

 

[Wokis]

Yeah I was expecting RAM upgrade prices to be high but they were truly ridiculous given the current prices of the DIMMs. Not a good look tbh.

 

[matt_and_187_like_this]

I bet user upgradable ram is gone in arm iMacs.

Tim Cook is heavily innovating in new soldering techniques and glue chemicals.

 

[laz232]

It's this kind of stuff - especially in the laptops where this is not an option, that really sours me on Apple. It's profiteering (hey, I run a business too - but I run a "reasonable" profit and do things pro bono when I feel it's right)

 

[BoyRacer]

Do we know why they are so ridiculous, aside from the fact they are Apple?

I clicked the comments for this article in the hopes that someone would have explained this!

No-one has explained yet so I googled it and found this informative Reddit thread:

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/ednogq

I hope that helps you as much as it helped me!

 

[itsmilo]

This is exactly why Apple is just like any other company and they can shove their fake „environmental friendly“ agenda. Profit it obviously more important. Next one will probably have everything soldered

 

[Warped9]

Although RAM on the 21.5 is not easily user accessible it’s still likely cheaper to install your own third party RAM by opening up the computer much like those who have installed SSDs on older iMacs.

 

[vmistery]

If only we could have a door for ram on the MBP.

 

[ph001bi]

I want that wallpaper!

I just got it for my iPhone. It looks great.

 

[LiE_]

Although RAM on the 21.5 is not easily user accessible it’s still likely cheaper to install your own third party RAM by opening up the computer much like those who have installed SSDs on older iMacs.

Users just aren't going to open up a 21.5" iMac, I wouldn't and I've built tons of custom PCs (custom loops as well).

Apple have priced the RAM because they know people will just do it themselves, it's very easy. If someone does decide to pay Apple prices for RAM, then Apple are laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[ph001bi]

Do we know why they are so ridiculous, aside from the fact they are Apple?

The modules are installed by Swedish virgins during the full moon. It's really hard to get clear sky and full moon in Sweden. Even harder to find virgins.

 

[LeeW]

Do we know why they are so ridiculous, aside from the fact they are Apple?

You must be new.

 

[ResEdit_ResEdit]

Is it known which CPUs are built into the new iMac? I suspect it's these:

3.1GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 10th generation (Turbo Boost 4.5GHz) i5-10500
3.3 GHz 6-core Intel Core i5 10th generation (Turbo Boost 4.8 GHz) i5-10600K
3.8 GHz 8-Core Intel Core i7 10th Generation (Turbo Boost 5.0 GHz) i7-10700K
3.6 GHz 10-core Intel Core i9 10th generation (Turbo Boost 5.0 GHz) i9-10900K

The i5 CPU is designed for DDR4-2666, but the i7 and i9 are designed for DDR4-2933, so it would be interesting to know if you can use the faster RAM for the new iMacs with i7 and i9. For example, my iMac 2017 (designed for DDR4-2400) has RAM from the 2019 model (DDR4-2666) and I can confirm that this has a positive effect on speed.

 

[ts1973]

32Gb for only $400, a bargain compared to European prices

Furthermore : 8Gb in a 2020 machine This is the top spec 27" by the way.

Edit! Just saw on the Apple US page that it's not $400 but $600 to go from 8 -> 32Gb. Explains the Euro prices (a bit) but is another 50% more for the US as well...

 

[Warped9]

Users just aren't going to open up a 21.5" iMac, I wouldn't and I've built tons of custom PCs (custom loops as well).

Apple have priced the RAM because they know people will just do it themselves, it's very easy. If someone does decide to pay Apple prices for RAM, then Apple are laughing all the way to the bank.

Most users won’t, but for some it’s an option particularly if you wait one year for the manufacturer’s warranty to expire.

 

[George Dawes]

When do we expect a radical redesign?