Which 21,5'' iMac to buy (after new releases)?

Please read the apple support link.

Thank you for that suggestion. I am very familiar with it as I have read that several times. I have also referred posters to it many times.

This is what it says about the late 21.5" iMacs:

Memory replacement for these computers must be done by an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

May I suggest you ask Apple - either tech support or (most likely a better idea) their legal department - as to the exact definition of that sentence. You might also want to ask them if they routinely accept Macs for RAM upgrades (not replacements of defective RAM).

I am done here.

babowa wrote:

Please read the apple support link.

Thank you for that suggestion. I am very familiar with it as I have read that several times. I have also referred posters to it many times.

This is what it says about the late 21.5" iMacs:

Memory replacement for these computers must be done by an Apple Retail Store or Apple Authorized Service Provider.

May I suggest you ask Apple - either tech support or (most likely a better idea) their legal department - as to the exact definition of that sentence. You might also want to ask them if they routinely accept Macs for RAM upgrades (not replacements of defective RAM).

I am done here.

Yes, the 2012 + iMac 21.5 models are not user replaceable. on the apple support how to remove or install memory link they * all models post 2012 that you need to contact apple store or authorized service provider. as another forum user already correctly posted, the memory in 2012 models is soldered to the MB and would take an advanced user with computer HW skills to upgrade themselves. You can take your 8GB soldered in iMac to an apple store, they will un-solder it, and can replace the memory module with the 16GB module. this does not take an advanced degree in CIS to understand, and a textbook example whey forum rep needs to be removed from the face of the internet.

You can take your 8GB soldered in iMac to an apple store, they will un-solder it, and can replace the memory module with the 16GB module.

This is from the options/configuration page of the 21.5" iMac at the Apple store:

http://store.apple.com/us/buy-mac/imac?product=ME086LL/A&step=config

this does not take an advanced degree in CIS to understand, and a textbook example whey forum rep needs to be removed from the face of the internet.

You might want to read this:

Apple Support Communities Use Agreement

FWIW, there were no forums reps in this thread.

John0001 wrote:

You can take your 8GB soldered in iMac to an apple store, they will un-solder it, and can replace the memory module with the 16GB module.

Actually, the memory modules in late model 21.5" iMacs are not soldered to the motherboard. (See for instance this teardown of the Late 2013 model, which clearly shows in step 7 that the modules plug into edge connectors just like on the 27" models.) That would be the only reason an Apple Store would replace them -- they do not do any work requiring desoldering surface-mount components in house because that is difficult to do without damaging the circuit board, even with specialized tools.

But what they can do & what they will do are two different things, so at the least anyone contemplating this should call their local store & ask if they will perform this service ... & more importantly what they would charge if they are willing to do it. There is zero chance a memory upgrade on one of these models would be covered by the warranty, & I suspect the price would be substantially higher than the $200 it costs to order the iMac with 16 GB factory installed to begin with.

EDIT: note that this does not apply to the newest low end 21.5" model. Memory is soldered to the motherboard on that model & the chances that an Apple Store will do a replacement are essentially zero for that model.

agree, "you, " like many others I've seen around here with high forum rep, cannot replace it. but the apple upgrade memory page clearly show you can send it to apple for update...

WOW... Macs are great, but just recently getting into it and clearly see why they only have ~12% of the desktop/laptop market... you have to understand computer technology to give help folks... just owning a Mac does not count... Anyone have a degree or anything? or just a bunch of fanboys here??

Assumption is something you learn not to trust in an IT role =). you could be correct, but given the amount of folks looking to this site for advice, it would be nice if you had the experience. right now all we know it that is is possible to upgrade memory after the fact. In the Winders world, todays standard is 8GB and most average users can't use it. On mac, which is build off of Unix, 8 GB is overload for the "average" user, but we want them to last awhile.

I challenge anyone with forum rep above lvl 3 to show us you using over 7GB of memory under "normal" usage (spinning virtual box with a box using 5+ GB of memory don't count lol =)

<Edited by Host>

Earlier in this discussion, you said this in reference to "2012 + iMac 21.5 models":

You can take your 8GB soldered in iMac to an apple store, they will un-solder it, and can replace the memory module with the 16GB module.

Now you have changed that to this:

right now all we know it that is is possible to upgrade memory after the fact.

The memory is not soldered in on any of these models except the newest, low end model, something you obviously were not aware of at the time of the earlier post. So who is it assuming things in this discussion?

You obviously chose to ignore the screenshot from the Apple store configuration page - note the section in red. It very clearly states that the 21.5" iMac's RAM cannot be upgraded later. What exactly do you not understand in this sentence?

It is time to stop posting incorrect information and insulting people here. And, no one here has to prove anything to you - period.