Apple’s new iMac Pro is upgradable – if you can take it apart

Apple systems are not known for their upgradability, often utilising directly soldered components or unique form factors to prevent end-users from upgrading their PCs after the time of purchase.  

The reasoning behind this decision is obvious, as it ensures that almost all Apple systems utilise Apple validated hardware and forces users to either overspend at the time of purchase or buy new systems more frequently. 

 

With the iMac Pro 2017, users will be glad to know that Apple is using a lot of off-the-shelf hardware, giving users a lot of room for potential modification, be it upgrading the dual M.2 SSDs for increased internal storage capacities or faster operation, higher RAM capacity or even replace the device’s CPU. At this time it is unknown if the device has firmware limitations to prevent CPU upgrades, as the iMac Pro uses a Xeon processor rather than a standard desktop-grade X299 CPU. 

Those who are interested in upgrading their iMac Pro will have to deal with a difficult upgrade process, with the system requiring a lot of disassembly to access the device’s upgradable components. This procedure will include the removal of the device’s 5K display, speakers and cooling system, none of which is easy to remove.   

Apple systems are not known for their upgradability, often utilising directly soldered components or unique form factors to prevent end-users from upgrading their PCs after the time of purchase.  

The reasoning behind this decision is obvious, as it ensures that almost all Apple systems utilise Apple validated hardware and forces users to either overspend at the time of purchase or buy new systems more frequently. 

 

With the iMac Pro 2017, users will be glad to know that Apple is using a lot of off-the-shelf hardware, giving users a lot of room for potential modification, be it upgrading the dual M.2 SSDs for increased internal storage capacities or faster operation, higher RAM capacity or even replace the device’s CPU. At this time it is unknown if the device has firmware limitations to prevent CPU upgrades, as the iMac Pro uses a Xeon processor rather than a standard desktop-grade X299 CPU. 

Those who are interested in upgrading their iMac Pro will have to deal with a difficult upgrade process, with the system requiring a lot of disassembly to access the device’s upgradable components. This procedure will include the removal of the device’s 5K display, speakers and cooling system, none of which is easy to remove.