Third-Party RAM for 27-inch iMac Still Far More Affordable Than Apple's Checkout Upgrade Options

Apple yesterday announced a new 27-inch iMac with faster 10th-generation Intel Core processor options, next-generation AMD graphics, and up to a whopping 128GB of RAM.

new 27 inch imac 2020
To max out the RAM at checkout, Apple charges an additional $2,600, which is like buying another whole ‌iMac‌. Fortunately, the memory in the 27-inch ‌iMac‌ is user-replaceable thanks to the easily-accessible memory backdoor slot, and there are far more affordable options available from third parties.

OWC offers 128GB of DDR4 PC4-21300 RAM that's compatible with the 27-inch ‌iMac‌. The total cost on Amazon is $599.99, or $2,000 less than Apple charges its customers. These are the OWC memory upgrade kits available, compared to the prices that you'd pay when purchasing an ‌iMac‌ from Apple:

Apple provides instructions for users wanting to install memory in an ‌iMac‌. Note that the RAM in the 21.5-inch ‌iMac‌ models, which were not updated yesterday other than a change to the base storage configuration, is not user-accessible.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Amazon. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

Related Roundup: iMac
Tag: OWC
Buyer's Guide: iMac (Buy Now)
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Top Rated Comments

ph001bi Avatar
59 months ago

Do we know why they are so ridiculous, aside from the fact they are Apple?
The modules are installed by Swedish virgins during the full moon. It's really hard to get clear sky and full moon in Sweden. Even harder to find virgins.
Score: 39 Votes (Like | Disagree)
matt_and_187_like_this Avatar
59 months ago

I bet user upgradable ram is gone in arm iMacs.
Tim Cook is heavily innovating in new soldering techniques and glue chemicals.
Score: 38 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WannaGoMac Avatar
59 months ago
I bet user upgradable ram is gone in arm iMacs.
Score: 32 Votes (Like | Disagree)
plek Avatar
59 months ago
This has always been the case.

It would be a massive shame if they take away the ability to upgrade the RAM yourself in future iMac re-designs.
? ('https://emojipedia.org/grimacing-face/')
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ajguckian Avatar
59 months ago
Do we know why they are so ridiculous, aside from the fact they are Apple?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
wubsylol Avatar
59 months ago
No surprises there.
Score: 16 Votes (Like | Disagree)