Chosen Solution
Hi, I figure this would be the right place to ask a question that doesn’t seem to be answered anywhere. I have some ideas and want to know if there are possibilities to customize. I am leaning to my first IMAC 21 and want to buy aftermarket memory (32gb) and at least an SSD or HDD to install. So I am looking to buy a bare bones system, been looking at refurbished Apples too. As the years go by Apple is restricting customization. Which model and release year would be best to allow these changes. Would it be easier to buy one with a HDD and then add the SSD of your choice or vice versa. Could I choose the type of M.2 NVMe SSD to install Could I install 3rd party memory and will the memory have booting problems on Apple of my choice of M.2 NVMe SSD, am I restricted in anyway on the choice of hardware by software. Is there any advise anyone could give me on the choices and direction I should take will be so very much appreciated. The year models really sound confusing. Would I need a technician to change things for me or could I do it. Who else would know more about Apples then the people who get to core of it.
IMHO Others here may have better suggestions On selecting an upgradable Mac and also the last economically repairable one, you need one before the fused glass on the display. That’s going to be approximately the Model A1311 / Mid 2011. This one was the educational model and might be great for CPU , RAM and hard drive upgrades but be basically a low end machine to start with: Apple iMac “Core i3” 3.1 21.5-Inch (Late 2011) Specs Identifiers: Late 2011 (Edu) - MC978LL/A - iMac12,1 - A1311 - 2496 http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im…
Here are the upgradable iMacs 2009 ~ 2011:
- 21.5"
- 27" Anything from 2012 onward are much harder to open and service. The SATA drives can be replaced, the blade SSD’s are custom (not M.2) and difficult to get to and get.RAM is replaceable via a door in the 27". In the 21.5 you need to take the whole system apart. I would stick with the 2011 models unless you need the horsepower then buy a MacPro (new or old)
