Hi, What does it cost to upgrade my current memory 8 GB(4GB x 2) 2133 MHz DDR4 on iMac (21.5-inch, 2017)? I know i would have to take it to apple just wondering cost and if its worth it as well? Thanks!
iMac 21.5″, macOS 12.4
Apple only replaces "in kind; they won't upgrade.
With 21.5-inch iMacs made between 2012 and 2019, the operative question when someone comes here shopping for RAM is "why do you need it?"
That's important because in that series of iMacs, "slow" is almost always due to the the under-spec factory mechanical hard drives Apple used. Our 2011 iMac 21.5" with a proper 7200 rpm desktop-class drive accesses data 30 percent faster than 2012-2019 models with the entry-level drive.
The case design makes that model hard to open for service. Some Apple Authorized Service Providers will not work on them. Those that will told me that they figure two hours of labor alone at US$70-80/hour to change the RAM. Accessing the RAM slots requires a nearly total gutting of the computer. So, whatever the RAM costs, you already have maybe US$160 additionally invested plus the cost of the case reseal kit.
Here's why we ask "Why": Adding all the RAM possible to those models will NOT make the computer faster if the HD is the issue.
So a quick test consists of three questions:
Three "Yes" answers are pretty condemning of the known slow HD issue.
If you wish us to do make specific and data-supported recommendations for your computer, please post a system config snapshot. Fortunately there is a safe, secure way to do that without our playing a protracted game of "20 Questions" that could go on for days.
We can quickly and within the confines of these text-based forums help you determine what issues are at play if you use EtreCheck Pro, available here:
The free version will do nicely for this purpose, although the app is worthy of our financial support.
We can see hard data about drive performance, software issues, and RAM usage. Etrecheck is the development of a long-serving and trusted contributor here expressly for displaying information in these forums to help us help you. It will not reveal any personal or secure information.
See this excellent user tip on posting long text reports like EtreCheck:
How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community
Apple only replaces "in kind; they won't upgrade.
With 21.5-inch iMacs made between 2012 and 2019, the operative question when someone comes here shopping for RAM is "why do you need it?"
That's important because in that series of iMacs, "slow" is almost always due to the the under-spec factory mechanical hard drives Apple used. Our 2011 iMac 21.5" with a proper 7200 rpm desktop-class drive accesses data 30 percent faster than 2012-2019 models with the entry-level drive.
The case design makes that model hard to open for service. Some Apple Authorized Service Providers will not work on them. Those that will told me that they figure two hours of labor alone at US$70-80/hour to change the RAM. Accessing the RAM slots requires a nearly total gutting of the computer. So, whatever the RAM costs, you already have maybe US$160 additionally invested plus the cost of the case reseal kit.
Here's why we ask "Why": Adding all the RAM possible to those models will NOT make the computer faster if the HD is the issue.
So a quick test consists of three questions:
Three "Yes" answers are pretty condemning of the known slow HD issue.
If you wish us to do make specific and data-supported recommendations for your computer, please post a system config snapshot. Fortunately there is a safe, secure way to do that without our playing a protracted game of "20 Questions" that could go on for days.
We can quickly and within the confines of these text-based forums help you determine what issues are at play if you use EtreCheck Pro, available here:
The free version will do nicely for this purpose, although the app is worthy of our financial support.
We can see hard data about drive performance, software issues, and RAM usage. Etrecheck is the development of a long-serving and trusted contributor here expressly for displaying information in these forums to help us help you. It will not reveal any personal or secure information.
See this excellent user tip on posting long text reports like EtreCheck:
How to use the Add Text Feature When Post… - Apple Community
Hello!
+1 to Allan Jones.
8 GB of Memory is sufficient for most users. However, if you're looking to gain system performance, the hard disk may be the culprit. However, please provide an EtreCheck report so we can provide suggestions.
Jack
Apple Stores will not do upgrades.
You will need to contact a local Authorized Apple Service Provider like BestBuy and check with them.
to start go to > Find Locations - Apple and click on Explore Service Locations.
Macsales is a great place to find model-specific RAM upgrade info including pricing and how-to.
on running Etrecheck.
iMac 21.5-inch, 2017 Memory
