iMac Upgrade Guide

When is it time to buy a new iMac? When is it time to upgrade your iMac? Those are difficult questions because the right answer varies from individual to individual, depending on needs and wants. The first step in making the right decision about whether to upgrade or buy new is to become familiar with the upgrades that are available for your iMac.

Intel iMacs

iMacs have been available from Apple since the company introduced the first Intel iMac in early 2006.

iMacs are considered one-piece Macs, with few upgrades available. You may be surprised to discover that you have some upgrade options, from simple upgrades that boost your iMac's performance to advanced DIY projects that you may or may not be willing to tackle.

Find Your iMac Model Number

The first thing you need is your iMac's model number. Here's how to find it:

1. Select About This Mac in the Apple menu.

2. Click System Report to open the System Information window, which lists your iMac's configuration. (Click More Info instead on iMacs running older operating systems.)

3. Select the Hardware category in the left pane.

4. Make a note of the Model Identifier entry located in the right pane, which contains the Hardware Overview.

5. Close the System Information window.

If you aren't sure how much RAM is currently installed in your iMac, you can find the information by selecting About This Mac in the Apple menu and selecting the Memory tab to display the current configuration.

RAM Upgrades

Upgrading RAM in an iMac is a simple task, even for novice Mac users. Apple placed either two or four memory slots in the base of early iMacs and in the memory bay on the back of later models. The key to performing an iMac memory upgrade is selecting the proper RAM type. Check the iMac Models list below for the RAM type for your model, as well as the maximum amount of RAM that can be installed. Also, check to see if your iMac is upgradeable at all. You can also check out Apple's RAM upgrade guide for each specific iMac model.

Memory is not upgradeable by users on these iMacs:

• iMac 19,2 (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019)
• iMac 18,2 (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017)
• iMac 18,1 (21.5-inch, 2017)
• iMac 14,4 (21.5-inch, Mid 2014)
• iMac 14,1 (21.5-inch, Late 2013)
• iMac 13,1 (21.5-inch, Late 2012)

Internal Hard Drive Upgrades

Unlike RAM, the iMac's internal hard drive isn't designed to be user upgradeable. If you want to replace or upgrade an internal hard drive in your iMac, an Apple service provider can do it for you. Experienced Mac DIYers who are comfortable taking apart something that isn't designed to be easily taken apart can update the hard drive, but the process isn't recommended for most users. For an example of the difficulty involved, check out this two-part video from Small Dog Electronics on replacing the hard drive in the2006 first-generation Intel iMac:

• First-generation iMac hard drive replacement video part 1
• First-generation iMac hard drive replacement video part 2

These two videos are only for the first-generation Intel iMac. Other iMacs have different methods for replacing the hard drive.

Later-generation iMacs have displays that are laminated and glued to the iMac frame, making gaining access to an iMac's interior even more difficult. You may find a need for special tools and instructions like those available from Other World Computing.

Another option is to forgo upgrading the internal hard drive and add an external model instead. You can connect an external hard drive to your iMac by USB, FireWire, or Thunderbolt, as your startup drive or as extra storage space. If your iMac is equipped with USB 3, an external drive — especially if it is an SSD — can achieve speeds almost equivalent to an internal drive. If your iMac has Thunderbolt, your external has the potential to perform faster than an internal SATA drive could. 

iMac Models

The Intel-based iMacs predominantly use Intel processors that support 64-bit architecture. The exceptions are the early 2006 models with the iMac 4,1 or iMac 4,2 identifier. These models used the Intel Core Duo processors, the first generation of the Core Duo line. The Core Duo processors use a 32-bit architecture instead of the 64-bit architecture seen in later Intel processors. These early Intel-based iMacs are probably not worth the time and cost to update.