DIY iMac RAM Upgrade

Trasmc

Well after 5+ years on an old PC, I've decided to go back to my Mac roots and buy one of the new iMacs. The fact that I only currently have enough power to run PSE 2.0 should be telling.

Here's my question - it seems a bit much to pay on the order of $800 to increase the RAM from 1 GB to 4 GB - is there any way to purchase the RAM after market, and then self install?

I used to work at a computer reseller, and understand the "voided warranty" aspect of doing certain things to Apple's products, and the form factor of the iMac seems intimidating to do any DIY work as well.

Any thoughts, or should I just bite the bullet?

DavidTO

It's easy as pie. Two screws, pop out the old, pop in the new. I recommend crucial.com.

DavidTO

Sorry, ONE screw!

Lovesong

Upgrading your RAM does not void your warranty, as Apple considers it a "user accessible" part. Crucial is pretty good, as DavidTO suggested. Ramjet is another good option. One thing about putting in that RAM is that it takes a little more force than you would expect to snap the new modules in, but it's not hard at all.

Trasmc

Thanks for the info. I've checked your recommendation as well as the Apple support files (found the iMac user guide - makes me want it even more) and it does look relatively simple.

Thanks again!

Scott

mrbill62

I've had no problems with OWC ram or from DMS.

pathfinder

Trasmc wrote:

Well after 5+ years on an old PC, I've decided to go back to my Mac roots and buy one of the new iMacs. The fact that I only currently have enough power to run PSE 2.0 should be telling.

Here's my question - it seems a bit much to pay on the order of $800 to increase the RAM from 1 GB to 4 GB - is there any way to purchase the RAM after market, and then self install?

I used to work at a computer reseller, and understand the "voided warranty" aspect of doing certain things to Apple's products, and the form factor of the iMac seems intimidating to do any DIY work as well.

Any thoughts, or should I just bite the bullet?

Does the "glossy screen only" of the iMac give you any pause with regard to photo editing? I will probably not purchase an iMac for that reason.... Otherwise it seems like a great computer.

It certainly has been a topic of some discussion by some shooters on the web.

Trasmc

I've given it some thought - most of the reviews I've read had this as a concern as well, but after using the reviewers didn't notice considerable glare. I'll do a search here and in a few other forums to read the comments from dedicated shooters. Where I have my desk there isn't obvious sources of glare, but that's also from a standard 17" monitor.

Thanks for the concern - I appreciate it.

Scott

EDIT: After doing some more reading, I'm going to have to do some more reading. And some more hands on at the apple store before I make a decision. Thanks again for the heads up - it might change my decision.

wxwax

Yeah, glare's not the issue, it's the extra saturation and contrast the glossy imparts. Buy a second monitor just for the photos and you're set.

pathfinder

That is certainly cheaper than a new Power Mac and a new LCD.

Will the video card in an iMac support a 30 inch display or a 23 in display?

wxwax

pathfinder wrote:

That is certainly cheaper than a new Power Mac and a new LCD.

Will the video card in an iMac support a 30 inch display or a 23 in display?

From Apple's site:

Support for external display in extended desktop mode

* Digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200
* Analog resolutions up to 2048 by 1536

Does that rule-out the 30"?

CatOne

wxwax wrote:

From Apple's site:

Support for external display in extended desktop mode

* Digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200
* Analog resolutions up to 2048 by 1536

Does that rule-out the 30"?

Yes. No 30" as external display for the iMac. You need a Mac Pro for that, as the video card has to push double-bandwidth DVI (I forget the fancy name ;-)

Poseidon

Joining the party late, but I too can recommend Crucial RAM, but buy it from Newegg, cheaper then from Crucial directly.

I bought 2 GB for my MacPro, and it really made a HUGE difference. 3GB RAM is by far the most RAM I have ever used, but now I can have CS3, Lightroom, Word, and Excel open all at the same time! Heck I even add FF and Mail too, and all is good!