We purchased an iMac 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo at the end of last July, soon after we realized that another iMac, iMac G5 2 GHz (Ambient Light), was near-dead. In fact, the latter machine doesn’t turn on itself any more.
Anyhow, we were quite happy with the latest model of iMac till about four days ago. Apple sometimes calls this model iMac (Early 2008). The official name is MB325. The machine comes with 2 GB of memory, which we thought was sufficient for the moment. We regret that we didn’t upgrade the video card to NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS graphics processor with 512 MB. But people have unlimited wants with limited resources.
Several days ago, we decided to increase its RAM size to the maximum. iMac 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo comes with 2 GB of RAM. And we wanted to increase it to 4 GB so that we could create game play movies and video tutorials with Final Cut Pro more swiftly.
 Screenshot 01 – Source: computermemoryoutlet.com |
RAM cards are quite cheap these days. For example, if you visit an online store called Computer Memory Outlet (computermemoryoutlet.com), it looks like you can buy 4 GB of RAM (for iMac Core 2 Duo) for $46.20. (See Screenshot 01.) This is not where we actually bought our RAM cards. And we don’t necessarily recommend people to buy RAM at this online store. In fact, you probably want to be careful with it because I don’t think the photo is a right one. It shows that there are two splits. The right chip model should only have one split.
Our initial plan was to buy a 2-GB module to increase the RAM size to 4 GB. I picked an online store and almost placed an order. But I decided to locate the memory compartment of the machine beforehand. That’s when I found out an interesting structure of this computer. This iMac is built like eMac. I initially expected that iMac (Early 2008) was built like iMac G5 2 GHz, which allows the owner to remove the back panel very easily by loosening three bottom screws and access a hard disk drive, RAM modules, CD/DVD drive and so forth. (See Screenshot 02-3.)
 Screenshot 02 – Source: MacHouse |
 Screenshot 03 – Source: MacHouse |
 Screenshot 04 – Source: MacHouse |
In order to install a new memory module in iMac (Early 2008), you need to flip the computer upside down and remove the memory access door by loosening a small screw. That won’t be hard to figure out. When I removed the memory access door, I found out that Apple has inserted a 1-GB module to each of the memory slots. (See Screenshot 04.) That’s another unexpected punch. iMac G5 (Ambient Light) has an empty RAM slot. (See Screenshot 05.) It’s true that if you check Apple’s website for iMac technical specifications, it says iMac (Early 2008) comes with two 1-GB modules. (See Screenshot 06.)
 Screenshot 05 – Source: MacHouse |
 Screenshot 06 – Source: Apple, Inc. |
 Screenshot 07 – Source: MacHouse |
Screenshot 07 compares the default RAM module from iMac Core 2 Duo (Early 2008) and the one from iMac G5 2 GHz (Ambient Light). iMac G5 2 GHz comes with one RAM card manufactured by hynix. The RAM modules used by iMac Core 2 Duo also come from the same South Korean chip company.
So if you have an iMac Core 2 Duo (Early 2008), you have three options in expanding its RAM.
- Buy a non-hynix 2-GB RAM card to expand the RAM size to 3 GB.
- Buy a hynix 2-GB RAM card to expand the RAM size to 3 GB.
- Buy two 2-GB RAM cards to expand the RAM size to 4 GB.
Since RAM cards are nowadays very affordable, we recommend other iMac owners to install two 2-GB modules to avoid a RAM conflict.
 Screenshot 08 – Source: MacHouse |
But how come Apple won’t simply install one 2-GB module in iMac? Apple calls the latest line of MacBooks the world’s greenest family of notebooks. (See Screenshot 08.) iMacs are not very green, are they?
By the way, the main reason why I wanted to see the memory compartment of iMac Core 2 Duo is to open the back panel of the computer and see the motherboard. But if you check the entire body, there is no screw to loosen off except the one used for the memory access door. So how are iMac Core 2 Duo users supposed to replace hard disk drives? It looks like one needs a special tool just like for Mac Plus, Classic and other old one-body models. It’s very inconsiderate of Apple to build computers this way, isn’t it?
 Screenshot 09 – Source: MacHouse |
Screenshot 09 shows how inconsiderate Apple is in designing a wireless Mouse. What’s wrong with Apple’s Wireless Mighty Mouse? The USB cable is about 1-foot long. It’s short. You can pull the keyboard with it if you are not careful enough. Some Mac users are forced to throw away the Wireless Mighty Mouse and buy a better one. I’m forced to use a 5-year-old Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer. Again, Apple is not a very eco-sensitive company, is it?