Upgrades to Late 2011 MacBook Pro (RAM, etc.)
I have a new, late 2011 MacBook Pro, and I was wondering about certain upgrades...namely, RAM and graphics.
To start off, here are the specs:
2.5 GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7
4 GB 1333MHz DDR3 SDRAM
750 GB Serial ATA @ 7200 rpm
AMD Radeon HD 6770M
Intel HD Graphics 3000
I run some pretty resource-intensive programs like Photoshop, Logic Pro, and Final Cut Pro X. Programs like iTunes, Chrome, and Transmission are almost always running too.
I also do some gaming like Starcraft 2, which as some of you may now, is very demanding at high settings (when I do run SC 2 though, or other games, I shut down all other applications).
You may be thinking that if high-end performance is my main concern, a Mac Pro would be more appropriate. And I agree. But this new computer however, is a CRU. It's a long story, but Apple basically gave it to me (early xmas gift, I guess!), so I'm trying to see what I can get out of it.
I know that the 2011 MBP's are capable running 16GB of RAM, and OWC offers this upgrade for a reasonable price. Now, this upgrade doesn't void warranty, correct (my cursory research shows that it does not) ? Secondly, do you think this upgrade is worth it? I know that in Logic Pro, for example, DSP plug-ins and such can eat up RAM, so I certainly wouldn't mind more resources at my disposal in that regard.
As far as gaming is concerned, my understanding is that RAM upgrades will not help much, but then again, it certainly won't make it worse (By the way, do RAM upgrades increase virtual memory?). I believe that gaming performance is very often bottlenecked with the graphics card(s). Can those be upgraded on a MacBook Pro?
Thanks
we are not allowed to speculate much if any in this forum
Actually, the Terms of Use really only prohibits the following with respect to speculation:
Speculations or rumors about unannounced products.
Discussions of Apple policies or procedures or speculation on Apple decisions.
At some point, folks just started saying that "speculation" in general is not permitted, but they actually have only a fairly narrow area that they don't want us to discuss.
Similar Messages
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Memory upgrade on late 2011 MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Mountain Lion 10.8.2
I just opened my Laptop and saw that they have hynix memory installed 2X2 GB I am trying to buy hynix 8X2 to make it 16GB as i was told that MacBook Pro can acomedate 16GB of memory and will be faster.
I am writing deferent suppliers and so far no luck,One told me that they can get it but they are out of it , so i am waiting.
Here is the right memory for it:
8GB DDR3 PC3- 10600 1333MHz 204 PIN.
204 -PIN SODIMM
DDR3-PC3-10600.CL9
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DDR3-1333.1.35V . 1024MEGX64
Any one correct me if i am wrong I did a lots of research to get this info.
Hope it helps othrs.You do not need to use Hynix; Apple use several brands and as long it's good quality RAM you'll be fine.
Try OWC for starters - they proved the 16GB installation for those models.
http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?sort=pop&model=440&type=Memory
Their support is excellent and the memory is warranted for life. -
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Hi,
i just ordered a new iMac yesterday,basically i wanted to know if A) i can use my time machine backup to restore the the mac (is this possible?) or B is there some other way to copy everything across (user accounts and files etc)
Regards,
DarrenDr Rocket wrote:
... One of my main concerns is itunes ...
From your OLD computer...
Copy your ENTIRE iTunes FOLDER to an External Drive... and then from the External Drive to your New Computer..
Full Details Here > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1751
An Added Bonus is that you will have a Backup of iTunes.
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Upgrading graphics card and ram on late 2011 macbook pro?
Hi. I have a late 2011 macbook pro, and I wanted to know if i could upgrade my graphics card and ram for better performance while gaming. I play WoW and diablo 3 and often notice lag and can only run on low settings. So my graphics are Intel HD 3000 which is integrated, and i was wondering if i could upgrade to a graphics card like AMD or nvidia. Also, would upgrading from 4 gb of ram to 8gb of ram help my performance? Thanks.
You cannot upgrade the graphics card on your MBP. It is soldered to the logic board.
RAM can be increased to 8 or 16 GB. The correct specifications are; 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM.
The best vendors for Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.
Ciao. -
Upgrade to SSD or HDD? Late 2011 MacBook Pro
Hi,
I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro, running Yosemite with 500GB hard drive & 4 GB of RAM.
I'm going to upgrade the RAM to 16GB regardless to speed things up a little.
I'm a very basic level user. Mainly use it for web surfing, watching movies, downloading music etc.
I don't think I want to lose the SuperDrive as I burn cd's to play in my car.
Reckon an upgrade to an internal HDD should do the trick. Looking to get 2TB at least. Can anyone recommend anything to me please & explain to me how I go about transferring data from current HDD to the new 1?
Thanks!Vendors to check are OWC, DataMem, and Best Buy. I would recommend Seagate, HSGT, and Toshiba. The latter now makes a 2 TB notebook sized drive you can use in that model. I believe this is the largest capacity for a notebook drive.
Adding RAM only makes it possible to run more programs concurrently. It doesn't speed up the computer nor make games run faster. What it can do is prevent the system from having to use disk-based VM when it runs out of RAM because you are trying to run too many applications concurrently or using applications that are extremely RAM dependent. It will improve the performance of applications that run mostly in RAM or when loading programs. -
MacBook Pro 10.7. 5 late 2011 next upgrade
Another upgrade which may come first if not already, is to RAM with an increase in total capacity.
Maximum Memory 16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots 2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM
•MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory - Apple Support
An example of reputable upgrade RAM source of matching spec to Late 2011 MacBook Pro:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_133 3MHz_SDRAM
Given Mavericks OS X 10.9.5 is said to no longer be available, you may wish to try your luck first
with Mountain Lion 10.8.5 just in case your older computer does not like Yosemite 10.10.1. From
what I understand, you'd likely pay a fee to get & use Mt Lion. That may be worth it, if the unit
does not prefer Yosemite; and it may be difficult to revert to an older one after installing 10.10.
Good luck & happy computing! -
My daughter's 13" late 2011 MacBook Pro has frozen (null sign displays) after Yosemite installation. I can, however, boot from a clone of my MacBook Air that is on an external drive. I reinstalled Yosemite on the MBP HD, but it still hangs in mid install. Despite the fact that I can boot from the external, could it be the RAM that's the problem? I'd happily put 8 GB in if it seems probable that would solve the problem. I've tried all the suggested procedures that I've seen posted here. Disk Utility, and my older version of DiskWarrior indicate the HD is OK. I have DiskWarrior 5 on order.
Boot the MBP with the OPTION key down. If successful, you should see two HDD icons, Select the recovery partition (on the right).
From the 4 option menu select Disk Utility.
Run Disk Utility>First Aid, Verify and Repair.
If the disk cannot be repaired, it will have to be replaced.
Ciao. -
Can a late 2011 Macbook Pro (Sandy Bridge, not Ivy Bridge) utilize 1.35 volts Ram or will the Pro run it at 1.5 volts? Is there anyway in OS X 10.8 to determine what voltage the RAM is running at?
Thanks again wjosten.
Do you know of any third-party software titles that can provide the RAM's voltage? I ask because others have made unsubstantiated claims of using 1.35V ram with a late 2011 MacBook Pro and because Crucial's website suggests the use of 1.35V with a late 2011 MacBook Pro. Unless it is a mistake, I do not know why Crucial would suggest this:
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=MacBook%20Pro%202.5GHz%20Intel %20Quad-Core%20i7%20(15-inch%20DDR3)%20Late-2011 -
crucial memory co says that you can put 16 g ram memory in the later 2011 macbook pro 17" 2.4 i7 quad core, True?
DDR3 PC3-10600 • CL=9 • Unbuffered • NON-ECC • DDR3-1333 • 1.35V • 1024Meg x 64 • • Part #: CT3327381nope - no difference than running with 4GB......Apps however, open much faster with 16GB....
you'll also have 0 page outs and 0 swap used...
see image... -
What is the maximum amount of RAM I can install in a late 2011 Macbook Pro 17"?
What is the maximum amount of RAM I can install and will be suported in a late 2011 Macbook Pro 17"?
Thank you,
Patricehttp://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/macbook_pro/specs/macbook-pro-core-i7-2.4- 17-late-2011-unibody-thunderbolt-specs.html
Although Apple states a maximum of 8 GB, OWC (macsales.com) has tested 16 GB, so if you want to install 16 GB, I'd go with OWC as they tested it and do guarantee their RAM to work with Macs. -
I have an apple TV 2 which mirrors my ipad and iphone beautifully. I want to do the same with my 'later 2011' macbook pro but there is no option I have checked firewalls and done all updates etc but no joy...PLEASE HELP!
According to:
http://www.apple.com/uk/osx/specs/
Your MBP should be compatible, BUT it needs to be running Mountain Lion.
AC -
I have a mid 2009 and a late 2011 MacBook Pro, they both have the latest upgrade of Lion. Neither of them can "see" each other in AirDrop. I have reset the apple ID on both. Is there any way I can make them "see" each other?
As far as I know the older mac is compatible with AirDrop.
ThanksSo by dual-signal, are you referring to 2.5Ghz/5Ghz signal?
I'm pretty sure my Mac mini 2011 has that but for whatever reason I cannot send via AirDrop to the mini. The mini can see other computers like my 2010 MacBook Pro and send files to it, but not in reverse. The MBP is unable to see or send to the mini unless the mini has engaged it to send a file to MBP. Even then it's temporary and the mini will disappear from the MBP's AirDrop radar upon completing the delivery of its file.
So I'm a bit perplexed on how the Mac mini has AirDrop, can see other AirDrop computers and send files to them, but cannot be seen on other Macs to reciprocate. -
Late 2011 Macbook Pro green pixels on the screen where dark colors should appear.
I have a late 2011 Macbook Pro I bought it new with 4 gb of ram. About 4 months ago i purchased 8 gb of pny ram for this model and upgraded the ram. I followed all of the safety precautions and discharged my static electricity before upgrading. It increased the speed of my mac and helps with certain tasks. About 2-3 weeks i notices my mac froze and strange green black and pink bars appeared on the screen so i hold the power button to shut it down and it solves the problem this will happen about once a month but otherwise my mac works perfect. Now about a month ago I powered my mac on and low and behold The screen was covered in green pixels. I tried rebooting twice and it didn't do anything then i let it sleep for about 5 mins opened my mac and the green pixels were gone. Now my mac is still usable and everything works its just sometimes like once in a while ill get a few pixels and closing and opening my mac fixes it. I was curious if this was related to one another or is my mac just starting to die....
I have been getting green pixels/boxes the last while...
I have noticed it after waking the machine from sleep. Not 100% sure if that is the only time it happens. It goes away after a few seconds, typically.
Any idea what is going on? -
What external drives work well with a late 2011 MacBook Pro (I7, Lion OS) apart from my Kingston flash and USB drive, and the SD drives that I use in my cameras and recording devices? I ask because I just found out the hard way that a Samsung EVO 840 does not. Also, should I avail myself of something that works with the Thunderbolt or Firewire connections? I'm looking to back up music and video files created and/or processed in Logic Pro and the Adobe Production Premium software suite (Premier Pro, After Effects, Audition, etc).
Hmm, not sure what problems you had installing this drive. The review here gives it good marks for Mac:
http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Electronics-EVO-Series-2-5-Inch-MZ-7TE1T0BW/produc t-reviews/B00E3W16OU
There does seem to be a lot of prep to make it work:
"1. Preparation to install your new shiny SSD
1.a You will need a migration tool (I used the Sabrent kit USB 3.0 to Sata that was suggested in these review) see link http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DQJME7Y/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i01?ie=UTF8&p sc=1
1.b You will need to download a trim enabler (mid 2012 macbooks only support native trim with apple brand ssd's) I recommend going to cindori.org and downloading trim enabler version 3.xx. You can do this step before or after the OS migration
1.c You cannot use the Samsung SSD migration software *don't worry Mac has its own imaging/migration utility*"
Also in those reviews:
" Only down side when using this product in a Mac Mini is you will be required to download and install Trim Enabler so that your drive performs optimally on your Mac device. This is an Apple issue, not Samsung, but it is an extra step you will have to take after you install the hard drive, and any time you perform an OS upgrade." He rant's on.
Personally I only deal with OWC:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/SSD/OWC/
They are very knowledgable and if there's a problem they will gladly take back the item. (Never happened to me yet - 8 years and counting).
Just upgraded my 13" MBP 2011 to 120 GB for $79. Adobe CS 6 opens in 3 seconds! Awesome!
When I was in Chicago I had a pro photographer for a client. She wound up with 4 internal drives in her Pro, 4 external drives and an dual array locked in a steel vault in the basement. All from OWC. OK she was a bit paranoid. Great client though.
As far as value for price:
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MES3FH7500G/
500 GB for $130.
However as far as reliability is concerned:
http://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2014/01/30/are-ssds-reliable/
http://www.extremetech.com/computing/173887-ssd-stress-testing-finds-intel-might -be-the-only-reliable-drive-manufacturer
So sudden power loss is an issue with SSDs.
Personally I'd go with a moderate sized SSD internally and a conventional external for backup. An array would be the most reliable. -
Hi, I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro but cant get the mirroring function to work with Apple TV. I've got the most recent Software 10.7.5 but cant see the mirroring icon or turn this on. I'm able to mirror from my Ipad but not my Mac, any thoughts?
Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
AirPlay Mirroring is supported on your Mac, but it needs OS X Mountain Lion (10.8). See > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5404
You have two possibilities:
1. Make a backup, open App Store and purchase Mountain Lion to upgrade to this OS X. Then, you will find the AirPlay Mirroring icon at the top right of the display, on the menu bar, or on System Preferences > Displays.
2. Keep OS X Lion and use AirParrot > http://www.airparrot.com
Both options work properly, but I recommend AirPlay Mirroring as it doesn't need a third-party program
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