Adding RAM to Macbook Pro 15 inch
In reading about upgrade to Mtn Lion 10.8, there is recommendation for 4 GB of RAM. I have 2GB in my Macbook Pro. What is best approach to upgrade RAM? Must I go to Apple store or can this be done by someone with only mid-level technical skills?
You can do it yourself...
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1270
For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot.
It is Important to get the Correct and Matching RAM > http://www.macsales.com/
Similar Messages
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HT1270 adding RAM to Macbook Pro
Hi,
I have a mid-2012 15'' Macbook Pro that's going really slow.
Is there a point in adding more than the maximum RAM as quoted by you (8GB), as some RAM manufacturers recommend (e.g. 16GB)?
ThanksEven with 4 GB it should not be running slower than it used to. Is it significantly slower than it used to be? You could improve the speed with some software work but it could also be your disk is corrupt or failing.
Before proceeding you should make sure you have a current backup. If it has been getting slower over time your disk could be a failing slowly. SATA drives have two retry modes: short and long. They can continue operating as read errors are increasing. The long retry cycle is very long and can cause significant performance degradation. If it has started long retries then it is likely to get worse and eventually fail.
Run the Activity Monitor (found in the Applications folder) and check to see if there are any processes taking an inordinate percentage of processor time. If so, that is the problem. Post in a new thread with a title of “Slow Mac: Excessive Processor Usage" and others will help you. With no other application running check the memory usage. If it is near the 4 GB mark, post in a new thread with a title of “Slow Mac: Excessive Memory Usage" and others will help you. These problems are beyond my expertise to solve.
Run Disk Utility (found in the Applications folder):
-In Disk Utility look at the S.M.A.R.T. Status.
Does it report the disk is OK or does it say disk
has a hardware problem that can't be repaired?
- If so stop.
Your system would be in danger of failing at any time
and you need to replace the disk soon.
Back your system up twice.
(You will need a second external disk for the second backup.)
Consider using Carbon Copy Cloner or Super Duper!
for the second backup to clone the disk.
Post back if you need more information on cloning.
Jump to the hardware section and
consider the price of a new disk ($75) vs. an SSD ($200 or $400).
Repair Disk Permissions and Verify Disk. If Disk Permissions reports errors, don’t worry. That is normal. If Verify Disk reports errors then they need to be repaired. Otherwise skip to the reinstall OS X section.
Repairing disk permissions:
- Boot in recovery mode.
(Boot and when you hear the bong hold down the
Command and R keys until you see the recovery screen.)
- Select disk utility.
- Select your system drive.
- Repair Disk.
- Did it complete without errors?
If not you may need a new disk or SSD.
If it completed normally then reboot.
-Did it boot faster and is it more responsive?
If so you don’t need more hardware.
Reinstall OS X:
If it is still slow after Disk Utility > Verify Disk reported no errors of it repaired all the errors then you should reinstall OS X.
- Boot in Recovery Mode again.
- Follow the instructions to reinstall OS X.
- Now does it boot and run faster?
Hardware upgrade?
Hopefully by now your Mac is back to its normal speed. If not a disk replacement or SSD upgrade will probably do a lot of good in addition to an 8 GB RAM upgrade.
With 4 GB of memory and a disk and 200 GB of storage in use I recommend these there options in increasing price order:
$100: $100 for 8 GB of RAM.
$175 $100 for 8 GB of RAM and $75 for a new disk
(if the repairs above did not help.)
$300: $100 for 8 GB of RAM + $200 for a 240 GB SSD.
$500: $100 for 8 GB of RAM + $400 for a 480 GB SSD.
If you expect your storage use will grow then the 240 GB SSD might not be large enough. 200 MB is at the high end of what you should put on a 200 GB SSD. (If you choose the 240 GB option you can delete unneeded files or offload seldom used files to an external hard drive to gain more disk space.) If you can afford it a 480 GB SSD would be better given the amount of space you are using. You might want to try the RAM upgrade first and then if you want more speed and you can afford it, the SSD upgrade.
Good luck. May the software fixes do the trick. -
Possibly a dumb question, but here goes: How do I determine the maximum RAM capacity on a Macbook Pro(specs below). I'd like to max out the RAM.
Also-is it difficult to add RAM? Thanks.Hi Swami,
The Macbook Pro you have is capable of handling a 6GB Maximum amount of RAM. However officially Apple only recommends the installation of 4GB. The 4GB allows the memory to be installed in matched pairs as opposed to having a 4GB and 2GB chip. I have this exact same Macbook Pro and would recommend installing the 2 2GB chips.
Here is a link to the instructions to install new memory
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Repair/Installing-MacBook-Pro-15-Inch-Core-2-Duo-Mod els-A1226-and-A1260-RAM/652/1
Here is a link to the memory I would recommend purchasing
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/5300DDR2S4GP/
If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask. -
Will Windows 7 Pro run with 16GB of Ram in Macbook Pro Early 2011 13-inch?
Will Windows 7 Pro run with 16GB of Ram in Macbook Pro Early 2011 13-inch?, Does the brand of the Ram matter ?
I installed Crucial 16 gb and the Mac runs just fine but Windows won't start. It gets to the login screen then it turns white.I decided to make another try today after some reading and googling the internet.
I started windows with my old 4GB memory and changed the bootconfiguration with msconfig. I typed manually in max memory tp 16384 MB and saved the settings. Then I turned it off and inserted the 16GB ram again. Then it started really but when looking at the properties of my computer it says 16 GB installed but I can only use 2,16GB. So I opened msconfig again and changed the settings once more and restarted. Now it says 16GB installed but I can use 14,2GB so I guess it is ok now for some strange reason. I suppose the lost 1,8GB is for the system ?? Do I dare to turn it off again :-) what will it say next time ?
I am so happy and greatful for all your help, I really really appreciate it and I hope my solution will come to use for someone else with same problem.
Thank You all :-) -
Where can i buy ram for macbook pro
Where can I buy RAM for MacBook Pro 15 inch?
I brought December 2012
Do I need to upgrage for Srorage?See Apple Mac Memory Upgrades at OWC or Crucial
Both are reliable and offer memory known to work with Macs -
MAXIMUM RAM for MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo Mid 2010
What is the MAXIMUM RAM for MacBook Pro, 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Mid 2010 - 24MC374LL/A, running OS X 10.8.2 (12C60)?
I tried to search for this but was unable to find anything.
Apple Specs say 8GB, but I was just told by someone I THINK would know, that you can actually go up to 16GB.
This would be an enormous improvement to my workflow if true.
Anyone out there know for certain?
Making sure before I buy (or NOT!)
Thanks.
Jerry GI just found this post and I realize this is a late response but maybe it will help others.
Based on recent circumstances I just happened to have two 8GB DDR3 modules collecting dust. Having an old trusty MacMini as my media center, server among other things and whatnot, I was curious if I could bump this little thing to 16GB. In doing so I found this post and verified with OWC.
End result:
Booted with no issues, and is running nice and smooth. Should be noted that just adding 16GB of RAM to a Core 2 Duo will not make the machine lightning fast or become some amazing computing platform. It will just make the box run a bit quicker and give you the ability to have more applications open before you begin to note some lag.
However this is really nice to see: -
I have all my music on my external hard drive when I try to add it to iTunes it is automatically added to my MacBook Pro's hard drive. How do I stop this from happening? I just want the music to stay on the external hard drive. Thanks!
This is true of course, but doesn't cover the situation where some files are in the iTunes Media folder and others are on an external drive. In my case I keep my music in the Media folder and all my films on an external drive (there are too many to have on the internal drive). In iTunes 11, and before, it was easy to add those external files by holding down the alt/opt key while dragging to the sidebar. In iTunes 12 this is no longer possible. There are several workarounds: use TuneSpan to move the file after it's been added; delete the file from the Media folder and empty the trash then use iTunes Get Info which will report the file is missing and allow you to locate it; constantly switch the Add to iTunes toggle on and off as required. All of these require a lot more work than just holding down the alt/opt key while adding.
It constantly gets harder. -
Installing 8GB ram on MacBook Pro (Mid 2010)
Hi, I have bought 8GB(2*4GB) ram to install on my macbook pro, when I install both I get a black screen but when installing one or the other with one of the original ram they both work. What can I do to fix this problem??
Topher Kessler California
Re: Installing 8GB ram on MacBook Pro (Mid 2010)
Jun 1, 2013 8:00 AM (in response to emiliosh)
When you install RAM, reboot your computer with the "D" key held down (or the Option-D keys). These will load the Apple Hardware Tests.
With these tests open, check the box for the extended memory test, and then start the test. This will have the system thoroughly test the RAM for errors.
In your case, it appears you may have a bad set of RAM modules, but you can check them using the method above.
When you have them paired with your original RAM, how much memory does the system report as being available when you select About This Mac in the Apple menu? If you are using Lion or Mountain Lion, then in this panel click "More Info" and then select the "Memory" section, and see what the system reports as being installed.
Is this RAM test necessay with every upgrade of memory or just if you have problems after the upgrade
Thanks -
Should I buy a macbook air wid i7 and 8gb ram or macbook pro with 2.4ghz i5 and 8gb ram
Hii.i am planning 2 buy a macbook and i am confused between pro and air so should I buy a macbook air wid i7 and 8gb ram or macbook pro with 2.4ghz i5 and 8gb ram..I want it to be fast and my use is onli web surfing , word & excel, watching movies and loading photos....plss help its urgent
I have a 2 year old Air with 1.8 GHz i5 4 GB that is more than adequate and extremely fast for the uses you describe.
Is battery life a factor in your decision? If so, knowing that may help someone else give you some more input. -
Macbook Pro inch 13 (2011) graphic problem
Please Help me I dont stand why if I buy a MacBook Pro inch 13 (2011) the game "The Sims 3 Pets" have graphics problems, the horses look black and without form. Whith de previous Macbook pro inch 13 with nvidia graphics the game is perfect and now with the most modern the game dont also work. I dont know the problem is Lion SO
Thanks
AlejandroApparantly there were some compatibility issues with the Sims3 and Lion. I believe there is a Sims3 update available if I'm not mistaken.
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Is there anyway to view ALL 'things' added to my Macbook pro in chronological order?
Is there anyway to view ALL 'things' added to my Macbook Pro in chronological order?
From the Finder menu select View>Show View Options. Then check the Date Created box only.
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4GB RAM on MacBook Pro 15 ?
I can put 4GB Ram on MacBook Pro 15 even if Activity Monitor and other similar applications will reveal that only 3 GB of SDRAM has been addressed for use by the computer ? you see apple doc : http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304662
I would want put 4GB Ram on my new MBP.
TY, Max Vigilanteactually it's true. it's not the motherboard, it's the intel chipset. there was an interview with a tech spokesperson from apple about this on anandtech I believe.
while you can physically put 4GB into the slots, the intel chipset will only be able to address slightly more than 3GB of it. apple made the decision to be reasonable about this and state that the max RAM for these machines is 3GB so that customers are not wasting their money on buying 4GB. other manufacturers are either not being so honest about it, or they haven't even bothered to pay any attention to the intel spec on the core 2 duo chipset. if your dell is reporting that it actually has the full 4GB (and it is indeed a core 2 duo machine) then it's just giving you a reading of what chips are installed, nothing more. any system profiling app that can really look into what amount of RAM is actually addressable will show that the full real amount is less than 3.7GB (or less than that I can't remember). the information is all there at intel if you want to go get it from the horse's mouth.
there is absolutely nothing about OSX that limits it to less than 4GB. it makes no sense to assume that.. the OSX installed on MBPs is identical to the OSX on other machines like mac pros, which can support well and truly more than 4GB RAM as there is no chipset limitation in the xeons.
anyway as I said, this info is all out there in the public domain, you can even email support at intel and ask them to explain exactly why the core 2 duo chipset (in any machine, mac or PC or otherwise) has this RAM limitation. -
Hi Everyone I was searchinig for ram for MacBook Pro. I came accross this in the apple store online under ram - 15/17inch ram upgrade for macbook pro.
2Gb RamI wonder if anybody else is making 2Gb modules right
now...
Crucial does for one...only $3400.00 too...a bargain at any price lol.
http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=757E2C7CA5CA7304&WSMD=Satell iteP105+Series%28DDR2%29&WSPN=CT540589
Or for the budget minded there is the somewhat cheaper pairs at $3039.00
http://www.crucial.com/store/MPartspecs.Asp?mtbpoid=B8D9AD7BA5CA7304&WSMD=Satell iteP105+Series%28DDR2%29&WSPN=CT540588
I would say for now that unless your a wealthy individual with more money than sense 4GB in a notebook isn't going to be a reality for awhile. -
Kann man 16 GB RAM im MacBook Pro 13 Zoll von Early 2011 verwenden?
Kann man 16 GB RAM im MacBook Pro 13 Zoll von Early 20122 verwenden?
ja.
16 GB's of 1600MHz DDR3L SO-DIMM PC12800 204 Pin -
Adding 16GB Ram to Macbook Pro
I purchased a Macbook Pro and would like to add ram memory. I have recently read that the MacBook Pro 15-inch 2.5GHz quad-core Intel Core i7 is capable of having 16GB of ram added: CNET http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13727_7-20125391-263/add-16gb-ram-to-your-macbook-p ro/?tag=mncol;1n
Has anyone done this and what is Apples support policy?Maximum Memory
16 GB (Actual) 8 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots
2 - 204-pin PC-10600 (1333 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM
Many have done it. It is a permitted user upgrade. It does not void the warranty, although if you damage the computer in the process of installing the RAM that damage will not be covered under the warranty.
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