iFixit dings new 21.5-inch iMac for low repairability as shipping times increase - Page 2

Originally Posted by Andysol 
A side note- Wouldn't a higher rating give self confidence to people to repair it themself and then buy the parts- even if they can't do it Ifixit makes a sale? If anything- they only lose out by rating low.

This is, of course, pretending that resellerratings.com (and related sites) doesn't exist.

Of course it's serviceable - you take it to the Genius Bar and they either fix it for you or give you a new one.

I'm too old, too busy and make too much money to waste my time effing with a busted PC.  I have people to do that.  I'd no more screw around with a broken computer than I would with a broken washing machine.  And I'm certain that 99% of the people who can afford an iMac feel the exact same way.

But it's always nice to hear from the pocket-protector wearing, "I'm 35 years old and haven't figured out how to brush my teeth yet" set.

Originally Posted by sunspot42 

But it's always nice to hear from the pocket-protector wearing, "I'm 35 years old and haven't figured out how to brush my teeth yet" set.

"I take my teeth out individually and put in a new one when they're bad. Preventative maintenance? Teeth are cheap!"

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Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


Odd that Island Hermit and you disagree with me (Island Hermit even given you a thumbs up saying "Exactly!") despite you repeating what I said except switching out user-accesible for user-serviceable. AI has altered the text to reflect iFixit's findings that it's possible but not easy to do, unlike with the MBAs and RMBPs where it's not possible.

As I said... the number of people who will be willing to take off the display, remove the motherboard and void the warranty to replace/ install some ram makes the point that its user replaceable irrelevant.

Originally Posted by Phone-UI-Guy 
That is awesome! This should be in the AI newsfeed as its own story!

It probably will be… on Monday.

Screw your melodrama. You want something easily reparable, make your own computer. All I see is a whiny bunch of tools.

I wouldn't use that except for the humor of the double entendre.

Not being able to upgrade RAM wouldn't be that big of a deal if Apple didn't rape you on RAM upgrade prices. Do they really need to charge about 2x retail value on RAM for the 21"? They include 8GB but want to charge $200 for an extra 8GB vs half that 3rd party. I can see an extra $100, but that is just too much.

And for the 27" iMac it is even worse at $600 extra for 32GB vs. OWC (which is not even the cheapest) for $195. No reason why Apple couldn't lower RAM upgrade prices given their already high margins on the machines. It is fine when they make it easy to upgrade but when they make it very difficult to do then that almost forces you to pay through the nose for Apple RAM. 

Originally Posted by Proximityeffect 
Built to order items are often marked US.

But this is the base model.

Wonder where they're assembling them.

Apple has come down in prices for BTO upgrades over the years. Yes, it used to be WORSE than now! Maybe they will nudge down further over time, which would be a good thing. As others have cautioned, however, make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Apple uses high quality RAM and they will ask you if you replaced/upgraded/installed more ram when you call them to diagnose a wonky machine. Often, it's the cheap ram that's the culprit.

I hear people complaining, but I have never bought a computer that I upgraded. I buy the most I can afford at the time, paying attention to RAM and HD size, in that order. If I keep the thing for 5 years, the extra cost is trivial over time and I have a machine that's faster, more useful, and has higher resale.

If you're opening your machine to upgrade hard drives and ram, you aren't being careful enough when you purchase. The other benefit is Apple will cover any BTO option under warranty.

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Originally Posted by Lord Amhran 

The heck is THIS thing?

I'm not sure, but it probably never leaves its mom's basement.

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Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


I cant fathom why you think a lack of distinction between RAM in the RMBP and iMac is irrelevant for would be tinkers.
I'm wondering why I need to point out this is a tech site detailing the findings of a company who markets by showing DIYers how to disassemble their electronics thus making the distinction exceedingly relevant.

I can't understand why you cant fathom that .001% of all iMac buyers is quite irrelevant.

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Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


You should consider who iFixit's target audience is before posting. Based on your comment they shouldn't offer any tear downs, not parts for sale in assisting upgrades and repairs, and sites like AI shouldn't bother posting it, nor should you bother commenting on it because you think it's irrelevant whether the RAM is or is not soldered to the motherboard.

You should consider that iFixit gave the 21.5 iMac a 3 out of 10 for repairability.

[... and I'd like to know how the f*ck the fact that it's iFixit makes my point any less relevant]

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Originally Posted by bugsnw 

[...] If you're opening your machine to upgrade hard drives and ram, you aren't being careful enough when you purchase.

Or your hard drive failed two months after the AppleCare expired.

For me the benefit is not so much the money saved through DIY as the TIME. The lazy and "oh-so-WEALTHY" contributors to this thread don't factor in the cost of taking that machine to a service facility and waiting two or three days to get it back.

I love iFixit and really appreciate their work. Their guides have saved me from running into hidden whoopsies when performing routine repairs.

As for iFixit selling parts, thank dog they do. When I couldn't find an optical drive for a particular MacBook Pro anywhere at any price, iFixit came through with stock.

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Originally Posted by JeffDM 

I think it's pretty clear the rating is needlessly harsh. OWC showed the double sided tape is easily defeated without needing a heat gun or a special tool, and I'm certain the material is easily replaceable should it be damaged in the process. The biggest down side in my mind is the possibility of losing warranty for doing so. Legally in the US, warranty can't be denied unless your repair is what resulted in failure, but in practice, it's not a fight worth taking up.

Oh great, now iFixit is irrelevant...  

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Originally Posted by SolipsismX 


The very fact that you are on this site arguing about iFixit is proof that it is highly relevant if the RAM (or any other component) is soldered to the motherboard or can use 3rd-party components if the customer wishes to take his machine apart. The display is harder to remove since it uses adhesive instead of magnets but that doesn't mean that the RAM is not capable of being accessed and removed by those who would seek out iFixit.
Let's also note they gave it a 3 out of 10. Now let's compare that to the RMBP where they wrote, "MacBook Pro with Retina Display 15" Mid 2012 Repairability Score: 1 out of 10 (10 is easiest to repair) [...] As in the MacBook Air, the RAM is soldered to the logic board. Max out at 16GB now, or forever hold your peace—you can't upgrade." Now which one of these machines has RAM that can be upgraded with 3rd-party RAM? Hint: there is one correct answer.

Yes... all .001% of those customers.

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Originally Posted by johndoe98 


Hermit, tell me, what would you realistically be changing on your Mac? You won't upgrade the screen or wifi chip, that's hardly if ever done by anyone. The RAM and HD say you? Well, as far as the RAM goes, so far as I know, Ivy Bridge maxes out at 32gbs and Apple does allow you to upgrade to 32gb on the 27, and presumably will allow it once there are 16gb modules on the 21, so if you can foresee needing that in the future, just max it out when you buy and be done with it, no tinkering needed. Oh, but Apple's prices are too high? Well then you have a problem with their pricing structure not the design of the machine.
So really, the complaints are about the HDs? With Thunderbolt's speed, external drives can put that one to rest. Just tape it to the back of the machine, it'll probably still be less bulky than the older generations, that the HD replacement looks all that difficult in the first place.

Hell, I used to change almost everything... but I sure as hell won't be pulling off my display, my motherboard and voiding my warranty just to upgrade the ram. Like you say, I can just order it that way.

This is aint your Grandpa's Apple...

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Originally Posted by johndoe98 


Compare Apples to Apples please. Who is the RAM manufacturer that Apple uses? How much does that part cost via third-parties? Or perhaps you're saying you'd like to see Apple use OWC as their RAM provider? Surely there are reasons they use other brand names?

Have you ever gone to an automobile dealer's parts store? I can remember having to buy a rear tail light assembly. Cost from dealer was $295.00. Same assembly from a NAPA store or from an internet parts store was just about half of that.

The fact is that Apple uses and sells the same memory modules that you and I can buy from Crucial and OWC. Some folks may feel more comfortable about buying extra memory from Apple and have them install it but don't kid yourself into thinking Apple memory is anything special. Of all the bad memory I have had over the years nearly all of it was Apple RAM. (not made by them but installed with computer). They could be more generous with RAM upgrade prices and it wouldn't hurt their profits at all. Few if any bother upgrading by BTO due to their extremely high prices. More RAM would also tend to make happier customers since they would get a better experience.