December 31st, 2007
Just what's so special about Apple RAM to justify the crazy price?
Sheesh! What is it about Apple RAM that makes it so ridiculously expensive. $700 to upgrade a 2GB iMac to 4GB. What is this, RAM for millionaires? Is it coated with precious metals and stones and come in a box lined with albino tiger cub fur or something?
Seriously, when Dwight Silverman said that Apple charges $850 to upgrade an aluminum iMac to 4 GB when configuring a new unit, I thought he’d had too much mulled wine over the Holidays, but no, he’s right - an upgrade will set you back $850 notes. Then I thought that this must be some kind of mistake, and that other systems are offered with more sensibly priced RAM upgrades - nope.  It doesn’t matter what you seem to start with, memory upgrades are insanely priced compared to what they should be across the board. For example, 4GB of iMac compatible RAM from Crucial is a reasonable $150. There’s cheaper RAM available, but I’ve leaned that when it comes to RAM, buy cheap usually means buy twice.
But if you think that’s insane, check out the Mac Pro. An 16GB Mac Pro costs a whopping $4,500 above the base price of $2,499. The same amount of RAM from Crucial is only $1,420. Sure, 16GB of RAM is a bit extreme, but I really can’t for the life of me figure out what the extra $3,000 buys you (factoring in $80 for fitting the RAM, with again, is crazy).  Â
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I’ve taken a quick look at the prices that Apple charge for other upgrades, and while they’re high, they’re the usual “OEM high” that you expect, but nothing else seems as stratospherically priced as Apple RAM.
Ridiculous.
Adrian is a technology journalist and author who has devoted over a decade to helping users get the most from technology. He also runs a popular blog called The PC Doctor. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations
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