Upgrading an iMac Pro to 256GB of RAM Only Possible at Time of Purchase [Updated]

Update: Despite what Apple's internal document stated, OWC has released an aftermarket 256GB memory upgrade kit for the iMac Pro for $2,499.



Last week, Apple added a 256GB RAM configure-to-order option for the iMac Pro. Unfortunately, if you already purchased an iMac Pro with 128GB of RAM or less, upgrading to 256GB does not appear to be possible.

imac pro white background
The new 256GB RAM option consists of four 64GB memory modules, and in an internal document distributed to Apple Stores and Apple Authorized Service Providers, Apple states that the new configured-to-order ‌iMac‌ Pro is the only model designed to work with those 64GB memory DIMMs. No reason is provided.

This information suggests that Apple Authorized Service Providers will not be able to upgrade an ‌iMac‌ Pro to 256GB of RAM, nor will third-parties like OWC. In other words, purchasing an ‌iMac‌ Pro with 256GB of RAM will only be possible via the CTO option on Apple's online store during the checkout process.

256GB of RAM is a $5,200 upgrade option on Apple's online store, in addition to the ‌iMac‌ Pro's base $4,999 price.

The standard ‌iMac‌ is a bit more fortunate, as OWC has confirmed that the new 27-inch models released last week can be upgraded with up to 128GB of RAM, despite maxing out at 64GB on Apple's online store.

Related Forum: iMac

Top Rated Comments

PinkyMacGodess Avatar
65 months ago
Should Apple retire the 'Pro' name. It's obvious they can't deliver. Sad, really... And I cling to my Macpro4,1 hoping it lasts a few more years.

EDIT: My point is that 'Pro's' need flexibility. If there is no physical way to upgrade the system, then it's either buy top of the line, or look elsewhere. The closed agenda has to be costing them some users, one would think...
Score: 36 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bevel Avatar
65 months ago
Surprise! Who'd have thought Apple would pull more of this ****?!
Score: 29 Votes (Like | Disagree)
falainber Avatar
65 months ago
Oh no! Limited to a plebian 128GB of RAM on the most RAM-efficient OS available! What ever will we do? /s
In desktops, RAM is mostly needed for apps not OS.
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
PinkyMacGodess Avatar
65 months ago
"Pro" stands for "proficient"
Or 'PROfit' as people have to upgrade to get more memory?
Score: 22 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Plutonius Avatar
65 months ago
I'm not sure what professionals are in the market for an iMac Pro if they need 256 Gig. Until Apple comes out with a revised Mac Pro, I would probably looking at non-Apple solution for a lot less money.
Score: 21 Votes (Like | Disagree)
BaccaBossMC Avatar
65 months ago
Oh no! Limited to a plebian 128GB of RAM on the most RAM-efficient OS available! What ever will we do? /s
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iPhone Home Screen Gradient Blank Spaces 1

Sources: iOS 18 Lets Apps Be Placed Anywhere on Home Screen Grid

Sunday March 24, 2024 1:33 pm PDT by
iOS 18 will give iPhone users greater control over Home Screen app icon arrangement, according to sources familiar with the matter. While app icons will likely remain locked to an invisible grid system on the Home Screen, to ensure there is some uniformity, our sources say that users will be able to arrange icons more freely on iOS 18. For example, we expect that the update will introduce...
iPad Pro 2024 Landscape Camera Feature

New iPad Pro Again Rumored to Feature Landscape Front-Facing Camera

Monday March 25, 2024 5:43 am PDT by
The next-generation iPad Pro will feature a landscape-oriented front-facing camera for the first time, according to the Apple leaker known as "Instant Digital." Instant Digital reiterated the design change earlier today on Weibo with a simple accompanying 2D image. The post reveals that the entire TrueDepth camera array will move to the right side of the device, while the microphone will...
sonoma desktop wwdc

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 With Fix for USB Hub Bug

Monday March 25, 2024 10:10 am PDT by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.4.1, a minor update for the macOS Sonoma operating system that launched last September. macOS Sonoma 14.4.1 comes three weeks after macOS Sonoma 14.4. The ‌‌‌‌macOS Sonoma‌‌ 14.4‌.1 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. There's also a macOS 13.6.6 release for those who...
iPhone 15 General Feature Green

Apple Says These New iOS Features Are Coming Later This Year

Sunday March 24, 2024 7:45 am PDT by
Apple has previously announced three new iOS features that it said are coming to the iPhone later this year, as outlined below. The new features include the ability to install iPhone apps on the web in the EU, RCS support in the Messages app, and next-generation CarPlay. Web Distribution Apple recently announced that eligible developers will soon be able to distribute their iOS apps to ...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Blue Face ID Single Camera Hole

Seven Reasons to Wait for Next Year's iPhone 17

Tuesday March 19, 2024 5:20 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models concurrently, which is why we sometimes get rumored feature leaks so far ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and already we have some idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you plan to skip...
maxresdefault

iOS 18 Rumored to Feature 'More Customizable' Home Screen

Sunday March 24, 2024 7:10 am PDT by
iOS 18 will feature a revamped Home Screen that is "more customizable," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. He revealed this information in his Power On newsletter today, but he did not provide any specific details. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Apple will announce iOS 18 at its annual developers conference WWDC in June. Other features and changes rumored for...
combine images

Top Stories: iOS 18's Generative AI Features to Rely on Google?, Latest on New iPads, and More

Saturday March 23, 2024 6:00 am PDT by
We're getting closer to the launch of new iPad Pro and iPad Air models, while rumors about iOS 18 are continuing to ramp up with this week's surprise revelation that Apple has been talking to Google and others about potentially helping power the generative AI features expected to be a major part of this year's update. Other news this week saw the release of iOS 17.4.1 and iPadOS 17.4.1...