Retina iMac RAM is user upgradable, reveals iFixit

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Photo: iFixit
Photo: iFixit

The folks at iFixit have already gotten their hands on a new 27-inch Retina iMac, and their teardown reveals everything you need to know about the machine’s innards.

Thanks to a rear access door, the RAM in the new iMac remains user upgradable without needing to open the case. Most of the iMac’s internal design has stayed the same from last year’s model.

“Given its industrious reuse of an old design, the iMac Intel 27″ Retina 5K Display earned the exact same 5/10 Repairability Score as its predecessor,” according to iFixit. “And for the exact same reasons: user-replaceable RAM, hard drive, and CPU are all positives, but a fused LCD and taped-down display glass hinder the would-be repairer.”

The machine’s hard drive and CPU are accessible with some adhesive cutting, which is only recommended for more experienced repairers. “You’ll have to masterfully peel off the old double-sided sticky tape and apply new tape in order to reseal this iMac into original condition,” notes iFixit.

Other tidbits from the teardown:

  • LG makes the 5120 x 2880 5K display panel.
  • The custom timing controller Apple detailed in its keynote video is a modified Parade Technologies DP665 controller.
  • Most components are modular and “fairly easy to remove” once the the adhesive is out of the way.

You can check out more details from the teardown, including the tools you need to do it yourself, over at iFixit.

Source: iFixit

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