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Teardown of New iMac Reveals Upgradable Processors, RAM (macrumors.com)
According to an iFixit teardown, Apple's new 4K 21.5-inch iMac has both removable RAM and a Kaby Lake processor that's not soldered onto the logic board. Whereas the previous models had soldered memory modules, the new iMac's memory sit in two removable SO-DIMM slots. MacRumors reports: iFixit made the discovery by disassembling Apple's $1,299 mid-range 3.0GHz stock option, which includes 8GB of 2400MHz DDR4 memory, a Radeon Pro 555 graphics card with 2GB of VRAM, and a 1TB 5400-RPM hard drive. After slicing through the adhesive that secures the 4K display to the iMac's housing and removing the power supply, hard drive, and fan, iFixit discovered that the memory modules aren't soldered onto the logic board like previous models, but instead sit in two removable SO-DIMM slots. Similarly, after detaching the heatsink and removing the warranty voiding stickers on the backside of the logic board, iFixit found that the Intel SR32W Core i5-7400 Kaby Lake processor sits in a standard LGA 1151 CPU socket, making it possible to replace or upgrade the CPU without a reflow station.
Yup, I was right, Slashdot readers would look for every possible reason to whine about anything and everything Apple does. If you don't like it, don't fucking buy one. Get over yourselves. This is actually a significant improvement over previous iMac models, but the haters will whine no matter what. As always, I'm right, and my prediction was vindicated.
1) Buy lower end system
2) Upgrade using cheaper 3rd party components
3) ???
4) Error 53
You aren't wrong, but here's the thing. When apple merely stops doing something insidious that most computer makers never do and never have done, that's not a plus for apple. That's one less negative at best. At BEST. I work as a video editor and I won't be paying for one of these. PCs are just more competitive. Companies have bottom lines and that's really the hard fact they can't solve.
Looks nice. Which 4K monitor did you get in this build?
"removing the warranty voiding stickers on the backside of the logic board"
We've got case law that explicitly forbids this. Quit spreading this fucking rumor.
Still waiting on Serviscope_minor to wake up to fucking reality and realize that Jessica Price isn't going to fuck him.
Why does theirs cost more? Off the top of my head?
- They include a 4K IPS monitor
- They weren't able to get a nerd to build it for free on his own time
- They warranty their work for a year
- They provide telephone, email, and in-person customer support
- They have fixed costs for scaling their operation so they can do more than one at a time
- They need a profit margin to stay in business
All-in-all, that's a pretty good deal for the $400 or so that you've said they're charging over you.
All of which is to say, you can build one-offs for cheaper than the big players if you're willing to work for free, disclaim any responsibility for problems, and keep no inventory on hand. They don't get to do those things if that want to stay in business.
No you won't.
The cost of the computer is a trivial expense in professional video editing. Less than 1% of the annual cost. So your company should simply be choosing is the best equipment, whatever it is.
Get a grip. There's nothing "insidious" about soldered RAM. It has its benefits and drawbacks just like everything else. By your logic it's insidious to solder _anything_ down, because someone somewhere might want to replace it. If you want to replace your RAM don't but a computer with soldered RAM and then complain about how you can't replace the RAM.
I'm not saying they should use obsolete components, just that they should allow components to be replaced. With your analogy, I can replace the battery, spark plugs, injectors, ignition units and ECUs on my car pretty easily. I don't need to cut the bonnet open and glue it shut when I'm done.
Yup, as predicted, there's a comment whining about Apple's significant upgrades to the iMac line. Grow up, kiddies.
Enough with the childish references. Finding 5400RPM spinning rust in 2017 Apple hardware is like buying a million dollar home and finding vinyl flooring. There is simply no other excuse other than being very cheap. I also wouldn't call 8GB worth of memory a 2017 "wow" factor either.
The actual significant event here was finding that Apple managed to get help for their solder addiction to revert back to the old way of building hardware. One hell of an "upgrade" path.
And everyone should be thankful Apple did this, for I can assure you the amount of obscene profit Apple was demonstrating with a sealed-box design full of solder was moving to become the standard for every other maker of hardware.
Now let's hope they continue to downgrade their laptops.
If you want to replace the hard drive, you're certainly able to do so.
After slicing through the adhesive that secures the 4K display to the iMac's housing and removing the power supply, hard drive, and fan... Similarly, after detaching the heatsink and removing the warranty voiding stickers on the backside of the logic board... making it possible to replace or upgrade the CPU ...
So you basically have to deconstruct the whole thing and lose any kind of warranty, but it is technically possible I suppose.
Wanna buy a shirt?
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