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How to upgrade the 27-inch 5K iMac (2019) with a massive 128GB of RAM [Video]

Apple’s long-awaited refresh of the iMac lineup finally happened, and it brought about incremental, but nonetheless worthwhile, enhancements to the lineup. Along with new 6-core and 8-core Intel options for faster CPU performance, new Radeon Pro Vega GPUs provide faster graphics.

In addition to the CPU and GPU, there’s another key upgrade element that got some love this year: Memory, and lots of it. For the first time, it’s now possible to upgrade the 27-inch 5K iMac with 128GB of RAM, although you’ll need to do so using third-party memory suppliers.

The good news is that even if you’re not interested in maxing out to 128GB of RAM, it’s incredibly easy to upgrade your 5K iMac’s memory, and you can save a whole lot of money in the process of doing so. Watch our video tutorial for a step-by-step 5K iMac memory upgrade guide.


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How-To: Decode Apple’s Tech Specs pages before buying a new Mac (Part 1)

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Buying a Mac is designed to be easy. Apple has a handful of different models, each generally available in good, better, and best configurations. You’re supposed to start with the specific Mac model that fits your needs, pick a configuration that has the price and features you want, and walk away happy with your purchase. (Better yet, do your research online and save money after ordering from Amazon, or use the product guides off to the bottom right of this page.)

One thing Apple tends to downplay are tech specs — important numbers and acronyms that nonetheless confuse many people. Look carefully on Apple’s web site and you’ll find that there’s a Tech Specs page for every Mac Apple sells; they’re the keys to making an informed Mac purchase that will be right for your current and future needs. My latest How-To is here to walk you through each of Apple’s specs with clear explanations, so you can understand what you’re about to buy. This Part 1 discusses the “big 5” Mac specs you need to know about, and Part 2 tackles the rest


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PSA: You can still upgrade the RAM in the Retina iMac, save hundreds over Apple’s price

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Yesterday Apple released a new version of the Mac Mini that no longer features user-servicable RAM, but thankfully the new iMac with Retina 5K display still allows users to upgrade memory through an access door on the back, just like previous models. The new machine houses four memory slots.

9to5-image 2014-10-17 at 9.02.54 PMApple’s BTO Prices

If you want to upgrade your memory, you can get 16 GB of DDR3 1600 MHz RAM for $136.50 (about $30 off) at Amazon (below). The kit comes with two 8 GB modules, meaning you can grab two of these kits for a total of 32 GB for around $270. Not a bad deal at all, given that some outlets are charging just under $400 for the same memory—never mind the comical $600 Apple is asking. (Comical in that the 1st 2x8GB kit costs $200 and the second one costs $400 more :/)

The Crucial RAM at Amazon (or other upgrade kitss that are around) will also give you 2 extra 4GB Sims which you can sell or keep in case of emergency.

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OWC processor/memory upgrades available for the Mac Pro you’re still waiting to receive

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You may still be waiting for your Mac Pro to arrive, but OWC is ready to sell you a CPU upgrade once it does. The company offers a choice of four E5 2600-series processors, ranging from an 8-core 2.6GHz chip with 20MB cache for $950, to a 12-core 2.7GHz processor for $1480.

We first confirmed that CPU upgrades were possible last December. The company says the upgraded processors offer speed gains ranging from 25 percent to 46 percent over Apple’s base model 4-core 1600-series processor. You can get rebates of between $100 and $750 for trading in the processor supplied with your Mac Pro, and also have the option of boosting the RAM from Apple’s maximum of 64GB to 128GB … 
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Pixar dedicates tree on campus to Steve Jobs

Last year we posted a photo that originated from a Pixar employee showing the animation company had renamed its main facility “The Steve Jobs Building” in honor of its co-founder and former CEO. Today, PixarTimes points us to the image above showing a tree on the Pixar campus just outside The Steve Jobs Building that has been recently dedicated to Steve:

Dedicated With Love And Gratitude To

Steve Jobs

Our Partner, Mentor, And Friend

Pixar has honored Jobs’ contributions in others ways too, such as the credits of the 2012 film ‘Brave’ which happened to include the same text as the plaque above.

Steve Jobs was CEO of the animation studio until being acquired by Disney in 2006, in turn making Jobs the largest individual shareholder with a seat on the board of Disney. Jobs was also credited as an executive producer of the 1996 blockbuster Toy Story.

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OWC is announcing a sub $100 16GB RAM upgrade. We go even further…

OWC today announced 16GB RAM upgrades for Mac mini, MacBook Pro, and iMacs all for just under $100, around a 66 percent savings compared to Apple’s own factory upgrade options. Full details on the new OWC upgrades are below, but we recently found a 16GB RAM upgrade for $60 on Amazon that will save you almost an extra $40 on top of OWC’s prices.

OWC is also offering Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac for $39 with the purchase of 16B Memory Upgrade Kits:

OWC Certified 16GB Memory Upgrade Kits:

Upgrades for all Mac mini models from $15.99
16GB Kit (8GB x 2) from $99.00 for maximum memory

Upgrades for all MacBook & MacBook Pro (non-Retina) models from $29.99
16GB Kit (8GB x 2) from $99.00 for maximum memory

Upgrades for all iMac models from $11.99
16GB Kit (4GB x 4) for 2009 models for $97.99 for maximum memory
16GB Kit (8GB x 2) for 2010(i5/i7) & 2011 models for $99.00 (can add to existing)
32GB Kit (8GB x 4) for 2010(i5/i7) & 2011 models for $197.99 (double the factory
offered maximum)

Upgrades Qualify for Special Parallels Offer
With the purchase of OWC 16B Memory Upgrade Kits, customers qualify to purchase
Parallels Desktop 8 for Mac for only $39.00…a savings of $40.00 off retail.