How difficult is it to upgrade RAM?

[slrman]

I have a new 20" iMac on order. It only comes with 2 GB of RAM. My understanding is that it will make good use of up to 4 GB. How difficult is this to install? I lve in Brazil and Mac techs are scarce on the ground, so to speak. I have a good deal of computer repair experience (13 years with IBM, 7 in field service) and have done memory upgrades on PCs with no grief.

The iMac almost looks like a sealed system so I am not sure how to open it. I laso understand that doing so would void the warranty. But I may want to do this a few months down the road anyway. First, I want to get a feel for performance with 4 GB. But I also know you can't be too thin, too rich, or have too much RAM. LOL

Any help is always greatly appreciated.

 

[ElDiabloConCaca]

Upgrading the RAM in your iMac will not void the warranty.

Disassembling the iMac will void the warranty. You do not need to disassemble the iMac in order to upgrade the RAM.

Here are some videos which will walk you through the process:

http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/installation_2.cfm

Simply locate your model, and select what quality of video you'd like to view.

 

[slrman]

Obrigado, ElDiablo. I am going to bookmark that page and be sure to watch it several times before I try it. I don't plan on doing anything immediately anyway. Memory prices here are going down faster than a "Value-priced lady of easy virtue". LOL So waiting is the right thng to do.

 

[ora]

Just to add I upgraded the ram on a new iMac a couple of weeks ago and it is very easy, you just need a small Phillips screwdriver. Just makesure not to touch anything but the edges of the ram boards and ground yourself first by touching something grounded like a radiator.

Ora

 

[slrman]

Just watched the video and this is way easier than I expected. Nothing at all to this. If it were any easier, Apple would send a tech to your house to do it for you. Now, I'll just have to shop around to find some really good prices on memory.

Thanks again, I doubt this could have been answered any better.

 

[fryke]

Just don't forget to touch a radiator. A DIMM is destroyed much quicker than most want to believe.

 

[slrman]

fryke, good advice, and how very true! I have all the anti-static stuff, like a grounding wrist strap. But here, there are no radiators! In fact we have no facilities for heating at all. But the year-round temperatures never vary more than about 22°C to 30°C so even a/c isn't needed most of the time.

Where I am is about 450 statute miles south of the equator (7°S) and a few blocks from the beach so there is always a nice breeze. Furthermore, we have never had any violent weather, no hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, or volcanic eruptions. In fact, in six years, I have only seen one thunderstorm and may have heard thunder in the distance two other times. Yes, I live in paradise. I know I don't deserve it, but someone has to do it!

 

[fryke]

If you have a grounding wrist strap, you're okay, even under such extreme weather conditions.