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How much RAM can I put in this machine?

I have purchased this machine:

Apple iMac 21.5-inch 2.8GHz

Quad-core i5 (Late 2015) MK442LL/A


I is advertised as having 8GB RAM.

How much can I put in this machine?


I don't have the machine yet, so the

above is about all I can provide at this

time.


I bought it because none of my other machines

have USB 3.0 and I bought a USB - HDMI video

capture dongle that need USB 3.0.

Thank you for time and attention

JK

iMac 21.5″, macOS 10.13

Posted on Jun 10, 2020 10:00 PM

Reply
14 replies

Jun 10, 2020 10:30 PM in response to anotherJeff273

As stated you cannot add RAM to that machine, if you need more RAM then you need to buy a new 21.5" model as they do not have upgradeable RAM. This should be no surprise as Apple has been selling that way since 2012. However, that being said you can learn to manage the RAM you have with Activity Monitor and Activity Monitor to read System Memory and determine how much RAM is being used.


If you decide to buy another 21.5" iMac, I would recommend a bare minimum of 16GB of RAM. If you decide to get a 27" you can get one with 8GB of RAM as these machine can easily upgrade the RAM.


Also, I'm going to parrot babowa about the HD, only get a 21.5" model with a SSD. NEVER buy one with a hard drive.


Finally if you are going to buy used, consider buying from Apple's refurbished store. There is no downside to buying an Apple refurbished Mac, they are identical to new, have the same warranty as new, they are eligible for AppleCare and finally you can save hundreds of dollars!

Jun 10, 2020 10:55 PM in response to anotherJeff273

Really.


With all due respect, there are different models, some with an access door and some without. This is one without. Scroll down to the RAM section of the specs of your machine here and you will note that it is soldered on. But, if you'd like to try, go ahead. Good luck.


https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-i5-2.8-21-inch-aluminum-late-2015-specs.html

Jun 13, 2020 7:41 PM in response to babowa

Well, I don't know that anyone is going to follow up on this.

This question is similar but probably should be a new thread.


I just broke down and decided to go the new machine route and

ordered a Macbook Pro:

Apple - MacBook Pro - 16" Display with Touch Bar - Intel Core i7 -

16GB Memory - AMD Radeon Pro 5300M - 512GB SSD (Latest Model)


I don't see specs for whether or not the RAM can be increased on

this machine by me ( I usually install the RAM in my machines when

I can).

While 16 BG is enough for what I want to do, can I install more RAM in

this machine?


Also picking up from a post from some months ago I was inquiring

about AVX-2 instruction set, as specified by Corel Painter application.

I remember having gotten a response to the effect the the i7 processor

possibly might. Corel has responded saying that all the latest Macs

ACCEPT Mac pro should have it. I have Corel Painter installed on an

iMac and it runs, but some features will not function to full potential

without AVX-2 instruction set.


How much RAM can I put in this machine?

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