PUBLISHED: September 15, 2020
Deprecation Notice: This article was written more than a year ago which means that its information might no longer be up-to-date. We cannot therefore guarantee the accuracy of it's contents.

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Which components can be upgraded on my Mac?

Article updated: 2021-06-12

Is your old Mac running slow? Perhaps there is no need to purchase a brand new computer but instead upgrade what you already have? Navigating through Apple’s maze of replaceable parts can, however, be very daunting. We have done the hard work for you and have compiled a list of all available Mac models released in the past ten years and present them here in a quick and easy-to-read chart with components that can and can not be upgraded.

We have assumed that you are only interested to boost performance and have therefore only listed the most commonly used parts which you might want to replace, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Hard Disk Drive (HDD), Solid State Drive (SSD), Central Processing Unit (CPU) and Graphics Processing Unit (GPU).

We have further assumed that if a component is soldered onto the motherboard then it is not user serviceable.


Mac Upgrade Charts - iMac

iMac

Model Identifier RAM HDD CPU GPU
Every Apple Silicon Model No No No No
iMac (24-inch, M1, 2021)) iMac21,1, iMac21,2 No No No No
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2020) iMac20,1, iMac20,2 Yes No Yes ♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2019) iMac19,1 Yes Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2019) iMac19,2 Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac Pro (2017) iMacPro1,1 Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, 2017) iMac18,3 Yes Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, 2017) iMac18,2 Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (21.5-inch, 2017) iMac18,1 Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2015) iMac17,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 4K, 21.5-inch, Late 2015) iMac16,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2015) iMac16,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Mid 2015) iMac15,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (Retina 5K, 27-inch, Late 2014) iMac15,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2014) iMac14,4 No Yes ♦♦ No No
iMac (27-inch, Late 2013) iMac14,2 Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2013) iMac14,1 Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ No No
iMac (27-inch, Late 2012) iMac13,2 Yes Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2012) iMac13,1 Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ No
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2011) iMac12,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2011) iMac12,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦
iMac (27-inch, Mid 2010) iMac11,3 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦
iMac (21.5-inch, Mid 2010) iMac11,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦
iMac (27-inch, Late 2009) iMac10,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦
iMac (21.5-inch, Late 2009) iMac10,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦
iMac (24-inch, Early 2009) iMac9,1 Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦
iMac (20-inch, Early 2009) iMac9,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦♦ No
Difficulty

Easy:   Moderate: ♦♦   Difficult: ♦♦♦


Mac Upgrade Charts - Mac mini

Mac mini

Model Identifier RAM HDD CPU GPU
Every Apple Silicon Model No No No No
Mac mini (M1, 2020) Macmini9,1 No No No No
Mac mini (2018) Macmini8,1 Yes ♦♦ No No No
Mac mini (Late 2014) Macmini7,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
Mac mini (Late 2012) Macmini6,1; Macmini6,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
Mac mini (Mid 2011) Macmini5,1; Macmini5,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
Mac mini (Mid 2010) Macmini4,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
Mac mini (Late 2009) Macmini3,1 Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ No No
Mac mini (Early 2009) Macmini3,1 Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦ No No
Difficulty

Easy:   Moderate: ♦♦   Difficult: ♦♦♦


Mac Upgrade Charts - Mac Pro

Mac Pro

Model Identifier RAM HDD CPU GPU
Every Apple Silicon Model No No No No
Mac Pro (2019) MacPro7,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes Yes
Mac Pro (Rack, 2019) MacPro7,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes Yes
Mac Pro (Late 2013) MacPro6,1 Yes Yes Yes ♦♦♦ Yes ♦♦
Mac Pro (Mid 2012) MacPro5,1 Yes Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦
Mac Pro Server (Mid 2012) MacPro5,1 Yes Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦
Mac Pro (Mid 2010) MacPro5,1 Yes Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦
Mac Pro Server (Mid 2010) MacPro5,1 Yes Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦
Mac Pro (Early 2009) MacPro4,1 Yes Yes Yes ♦♦ Yes ♦♦
Difficulty

Easy:   Moderate: ♦♦   Difficult: ♦♦♦


Mac Upgrade Charts - MacBook

MacBook

Model Identifier RAM HDD CPU GPU
Every Apple Silicon Model No No No No
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, 2017) MacBook10,1 No No No No
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2016) MacBook9,1 No No No No
MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015) MacBook8,1 No No No No
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2010) MacBook7,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook (13-inch, Late 2009) MacBook6,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook (13-inch, Mid 2009) MacBook5,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook (13-inch, Early 2009) MacBook5,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
Difficulty

Easy:   Moderate: ♦♦   Difficult: ♦♦♦


Mac Upgrade Charts - MacBook Air

MacBook Air

Model Identifier RAM HDD CPU GPU
Every Apple Silicon Model No No No No
MacBook Air (M1, 2020) MacBookAir10,1 No No No No
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2020) MacBookAir9,1 No No No No
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2019) MacBookAir8,2 No No No No
MacBook Air (Retina, 13-inch, 2018) MacBookAir8,1 No No No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, 2017) MacBookAir7,2 No No No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2015) MacBookAir7,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2015) MacBookAir7,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, Early 2014) MacBookAir6,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (11-inch, Early 2014) MacBookAir6,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2013) MacBookAir6,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2013) MacBookAir6,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2012) MacBookAir5,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2012) MacBookAir5,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, Mid 2011) MacBookAir4,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (11-inch, Mid 2011) MacBookAir4,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (13-inch, Late 2010) MacBookAir3,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (11-inch, Late 2010) MacBookAir3,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Air (Mid 2009) MacBookAir2,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
Difficulty

Easy:   Moderate: ♦♦   Difficult: ♦♦♦


Mac Upgrade Charts - MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro

Model Identifier RAM HDD CPU GPU
Every Apple Silicon Model No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, M1, 2020) MacBookPro17,1 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro16,3 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2020, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro16,2 No No No No
MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) MacBookPro16,1 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro15,4 No No No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) MacBookPro15,1, MacBookPro15,3 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2019, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro15,2 No No No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2018) MacBookPro15,1 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2018, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro15,2 No No No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2017) MacBookPro14,3 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro14,2 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2017, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro14,1 No No No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2016) MacBookPro13,3 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Four Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro13,2 No No No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, 2016, Two Thunderbolt 3 ports) MacBookPro13,1 No No No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2015) MacBookPro11,4 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2015) MacBookPro11,5 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) MacBookPro11,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2014) MacBookPro11,3 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Mid 2014) MacBookPro11,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) MacBookPro11,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Late 2013) MacBookPro11,3 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Early 2013) MacBookPro10,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2013) MacBookPro11,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Early 2013) MacBookPro10,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, Mid 2012) MacBookPro10,1 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (Retina, 13-inch, Late 2012) MacBookPro10,2 No Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) MacBookPro9,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) MacBookPro9,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011) MacBookPro8,3 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) MacBookPro8,3 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011) MacBookPro8,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) MacBookPro8,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011) MacBookPro8,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) MacBookPro8,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) MacBookPro6,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010) MacBookPro6,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) MacBookPro7,1 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009) MacBookPro5,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) MacBookPro5,2 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) MacBookPro5,3 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz, Mid 2009) MacBookPro5,3 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) MacBookPro5,5 Yes Yes ♦♦ No No
Difficulty

Easy:   Moderate: ♦♦   Difficult: ♦♦♦


Summary

It does not take a genius to see that for each generation of Apple products, the hardware becomes less and less user serviceable. This is very disappointing both from an economic as well as an environmental point of view. It is only the Mac Pro range that seems to be going in the opposite direction. However, with its hefty price tag, it is not something a regular user would ever consider to buy. Finally, with the imminent launch of Apple Silicon, we believe that user upgrades will be even more a thing of the past.

We hope that you find these charts useful. However, if there is any information that does not look right, feel free to leave a comment below.


Further Information

We would also like to provide a link to our favourite Mac hardware upgrade site, iFixit, which contains the most comprehensive upgrade guides for all your Mac hardware upgrade needs.

https://www.ifixit.com

See Also

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How to compile OpenEmu for macOS
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How to install Gitk for macOS
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See also