Teardown of Apple's iMac Pro shows RAM upgrades possible - with extreme difficulty

One of the first teardowns of Apple's iMac Pro shows that it is in fact possible to upgrade the RAM on the computer, though all but the most experienced people will probably want to pay a specialist.

The iMac Pro uses four quad-channel modules, in 8-, 16-, or 32-gigabyte assortments depending on whether buyers pick a 32-, 64-, or 128-gigabyte machine, a video by upgrade firm OWC reveals. While it's possible to boost RAM by swapping in new modules, as on a Windows PC, doing so requires disassembling virtually the entire computer, including a risky process to remove the display.

In its default $4,999 configuration with 1 terabyte of storage, the Pro actually uses two compact 512-gigabyte SSDs joined together in a RAID configuration, something presumably needed because of the minimal space available. These can be unscrewed and removed, though finding replacements is unlikely, at least for now.

OWC said that it will be selling RAM installations and even a do-it-yourself kit in the near future, but that given memory and labor costs — and the trade-in value of the 32-gigabyte option — it's best for most people to buy a Pro with sufficient RAM from the start.

The company's teardown also offers a glimpse at the Pro's elaborate cooling systems, needed to cope with workstation-level hardware being compressed into the body of an iMac.

The first iMac Pro shipments began arriving earlier this week. Check out AppleInsider's unboxing video, as well as our benchmark tests.

29 Comments

MplsP 4028 comments · 8 Years

About 6 years ago

Well, good that the memory can be upgraded, but total fail by the design team for making it so difficult to do, as Memory is the one thing a significant number of people are likely going to want/need to do. Would it have killed them to make an access hatch like other iMacs have?

Rayz2016 6957 comments · 8 Years

MplsP said:

Well, good that the memory can be upgraded, but total fail by the design team for making it so difficult to do, as Memory is the one thing a significant number of people are likely going to want/need to do. Would it have killed them to make an access hatch like other iMacs have?

Who do you think has more accurate figures for the number of people who buy machines with the memory maxed out, as opposed to people who upgrade later? You, or Apple?

These are machines for people who make their living from them. They’re not for hobbyists.

mikethemartian 1488 comments · 18 Years

Given that OWC has opened it up I would be interested in knowing if they think there is a mechanical/heating issue that precluded an access panel.

neilm 1000 comments · 16 Years

Rayz2016 said:

MplsP said:

Well, good that the memory can be upgraded, but total fail by the design team for making it so difficult to do, as Memory is the one thing a significant number of people are likely going to want/need to do. Would it have killed them to make an access hatch like other iMacs have?

Who do you think has more accurate figures for the number of people who buy machines with the memory maxed out, as opposed to people who upgrade later? You, or Apple?

These are machines for people who make their living from them. They’re not for hobbyists.

I buy and install Macs for our 40 person company. Where possible I have always bought minimum RAM configurations and upgraded them either on arrival or later in their lifetime, as required. With our increasing laptop usage in recent years that's not always been feasible, but our 27" inch iMacs were all upgraded in-house.

mikethemartian said:

Given that OWC has opened it up I would be interested in knowing if they think there is a mechanical/heating issue that precluded an access panel.

I doubt it. Unlike the regular 27" iMac the Pro's RAM slots are right above the row of ports on the back, nowhere near the cooling path.