- you can open the iMac without heat gun, using just Plastic Playing Card (poker-like) instead of guitar picks, same results, easier and faster
- you can mount any 9.5mm x 2.5" (or little heigher, there is plenty of space inside) disk - any SSD should work (using Vertex 4)
- any RAM 1600MHz, CL11 should work (using ValueRAM 2x8GB CL11 1600MHz here) and... you don't need to unscrew nor remove the logic board - just unscrew fan, then use toothpicks (yeah, or something sturdier) to unclip RAM, mount new RAM, screw fan and you're done
- removing old tape is simple, it peels off easily, i used 3M 5915 6mm 16mil tape, results are almost perfect, you may find other thin (14mil would be the best) tape with strong glue and foam
you can replace with any HD, remove fan, then you can replace ram without removing LB - done myself
For anyone who's wondering...
- you can open the iMac without heat gun, using just Plastic Playing Card (poker-like) instead of guitar picks, same results, easier and faster
- you can mount any 9.5mm x 2.5" (or little heigher, there is plenty of space inside) disk - any SSD should work (using Vertex 4)
- any RAM 1600MHz, CL11 should work (using ValueRAM 2x8GB CL11 1600MHz here) and... you don't need to unscrew nor remove the logic board - just unscrew fan, then use toothpicks (yeah, or something sturdier) to unclip RAM, mount new RAM, screw fan and you're done
- removing old tape is simple, it peels off easily, i used 3M 5915 6mm 16mil tape, results are almost perfect, you may find other thin (14mil would be the best) tape with strong glue and foam
Have fun!
Amadeusz
PS 7/10 repair score
Isn't that dock connector more like service connector - for flashing firmware, bootloaders etc.. like in other iOS devices?