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: 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)
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.
