Upgrade Mac RAM - Digital Scrapbooking Community

anxela · #1 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 09:18 AM

Have any of you upgraded your Macbook Pro memory? Did you notice a big difference in performance? I'm thinking about upgrading from 4 to 8 GB. Just found out that if you buy it outside the Apple store, the price is about the half of what they offer(!) Same manufacturer, just a better price.

anke · #2 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 10:17 AM

where? I would be very interested, my laptop seems like in slow motion at times. I would be interested to hear from others too

museumpiece · #3 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 11:57 AM

Haven't upgraded YET, looking into it, but it's on my Wish list! Anke here is a place that is worth having a look at - very user friendly site (for ludites like me anyway!) and it was ahem ...recommended by one of the guys in my local Apple shop!

Crucial Memory Upgrades for Macs - Apple Memory

Fiona

cstaff · #4 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 11:59 AM

Crucial has a very good reputation... I used them on several pc's and am in the process of trying to decide what to do with my macpro memory... came with 3 and I want MORE!!! According to apple, I can upgrade without voiding my warranty but if I do damage to any components... then it's my dime, not theirs. Time to pull the trigger...

anxela · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 03:20 PM

Anke, I just ordered the Crucial RAM for my Macbook Pro (but from a local store - about the same price as the Crucial web site). Be sure to use the helper to get the correct RAM for your machine!

akpatterson · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 04:11 PM

I have a MacBook Pro too. I don't know very much about the tech side of things, but I have a solid-state drive and I notice a HUGE difference in performance vs. my old Macs with hard drives. Granted this doesn't make a difference with how much memory the computer has (I have 4 GB), but it helps so much with performance!

iUma · #7 (**permalink**) 08-09-2010, 04:44 PM

Maxed out my older MBP at 4 and put it in myself. EASY. Wishing for a newer with 8 but the inputs I need are missing..... firewire, etc.

anke · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anxela

Anke, I just ordered the Crucial RAM for my Macbook Pro (but from a local store - about the same price as the Crucial web site). Be sure to use the helper to get the correct RAM for your machine!

Let me know what you think once you used it! If there is a big difference I might go for it...

maureenreynolds · #9 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 02:32 PM

I did it Heidi some time ago with Crucial memory modules as the Apple store didn't have any for my 2G iMac and they recommended Crucial's 2G modules. I watched a video on line on how to do it, and the only prob I had was shoving the bloody thing in hard enough. DH had to use his thumbs to get it in for me. Do I have weak thumbs?? I guess I do.

I did have a glitch about a year later, and one of the Crucial memory modules went bad. Oh the sound the computer made. A horrible fog horn noise. I had kept my original modules, and as my iMac was(is) still under warranty, they switched it out for me in the store. I told Crucial and returned the bad module to them which they replaced. Lazy me has yet to install it.

imho, I think when dh was fiddling with it, he did not follow the guides of when to turn off the iMac etc etc. This is my strong but unspoken opinion. Marriage you know...

When I went from 2-4GB I really did notice a speed difference in PSE. Then when I went to 3GB I didn't notice too much slowing down but once I upgraded to PSE8, I felt it was slower. (???) 4GB is the max my computer will hold and the extended warranty runs out in December. Once it gets cooler, I do plan to switch out the 1GB module with the replacement 2GB Crucial, and get going.

btw, since there were no Apple 2GB modules in the store, I think that allowed me to do this without invalidating my warranty. 2nd btw, total cost was ~ $99.

cstaff · #10 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 04:30 PM

I just got email from MacWorld Magazine with advertisement for OWC (other world computing) and their prices were substantially less than crucial. My "research" showed good reports on their product and service so I'm going from 3 GB to 12. Should be here by weeks end... free shipping but then nothing's free when spending that kind of money on memory. Hope I'm making a wise choice but then... life's an adventure and it's only money... right...

maureenreynolds · #11 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 08:31 PM

12G?!??!?! excuse me while I swoon......

anxela · #12 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

12G?!??!?! excuse me while I swoon......

LOL! Me too! (Don't know what swoon means, but it sounds appropriate.)

anke · #13 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 12:59 PM

12???? I don't think I could put that on my MacBookPro, could I??? Wow, I am green with envy!

anxela · #14 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anke

12???? I don't think I could put that on my MacBookPro, could I??? Wow, I am green with envy!

Maximum 8 on mine (bought late 2009). Depends on when you bought it. They can take more and more

Max 8 on the new one that came this spring too.

The new iMac can take 16, and the Mac Pro 32(!) Man.

anxela · #15 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstaff

I just got email from MacWorld Magazine with advertisement for OWC (other world computing) and their prices were substantially less than crucial. My "research" showed good reports on their product and service so I'm going from 3 GB to 12. Should be here by weeks end... free shipping but then nothing's free when spending that kind of money on memory. Hope I'm making a wise choice but then... life's an adventure and it's only money... right...

Can you see me drooling from where you sit?

maureenreynolds · #16 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 02:32 PM

"Bless me father for I have sinned. I have envied my friend's 12 GB."

Fortunately, I have left most of my Catholic guilt by the wayside, and can laugh at just WHAT I envy these days! Keep your house, keep your boat, keep your designer clothes...just don't remind me that you're quadrupling what I have on my iMac!

Really, I should only whisper because I don't want my dear iMac to feel inadequate and sulk.

anxela · #17 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

"Bless me father for I have sinned. I have envied my friend's 12 GB."

Fortunately, I have left most of my Catholic guilt by the wayside, and can laugh at just WHAT I envy these days! Keep your house, keep your boat, keep your designer clothes...just don't remind me that you're quadrupling what I have on my iMac!

Really, I should only whisper because I don't want my dear iMac to feel inadequate and sulk.

Maureen, you make my husband jump in his chair, because I'm laughing my butt off - our minds think alike! (That butt off-laughing wouldn't be all bad, really. I can do without some of that Bazzill orange peel cardstock-like area.)

In five years we will be laughing over 12 GB and enjoying our 100 GB beautiful Macs - that's how fast it goes.

cstaff · #18 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 03:58 PM

You girls are silly... I have a macpro that came with three singles (that's a very strange configuration if you as me)... when it came time to add more, the options were to fill the banks up to 16 (one supplier said I could have 32). I just decided to add what I thought what might be reasonable and still affordable (I keep the mastercard statements to myself... if you know what I mean

) so Carol's folly was to hit someplace in the "middle". Now Maureen, I think maybe buying more memory might be a mortal sin in it's own right. I'm on my knees right now... please no envy here girls... I know not what I do... on many levels

maureenreynolds · #19 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 04:39 PM

Carol, I know I have reached my max or will when I get around to finally replacing the 1G with the 2G to make 4G. I really don't feel like going through the fol de rol of a new machine...yet so I'll practice patience.

I'm curious about what configuration are you using to total 12 in three slots? I can see 3 @4G but I don't understand what would give you 16 or 32?!? had you really succumbed to the whole shebang.

I ask, because dh has given me his old MBP when he got a new one. I really don't know why he got a new one but as it's a work expense, it really doesn't affect me or OUR $$. kwim? I suspect he was buying before the warranty ran out. God forbid he be without for a day!!! I will have to look at the websites and see what his old one would take cause it would be nice to use that 17" screen sometimes on car trips.

btw, I do believe memory buying is a 2nd tier Mortal Sin, so if I die first I'll check out the Mac section in Hell and come back and tell you how it is....

anxela · #20 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

Carol, I know I have reached my max or will when I get around to finally replacing the 1G with the 2G to make 4G. I really don't feel like going through the fol de rol of a new machine...yet so I'll practice patience.

I'm curious about what configuration are you using to total 12 in three slots? I can see 3 @4G but I don't understand what would give you 16 or 32?!? had you really succumbed to the whole shebang.

I ask, because dh has given me his old MBP when he got a new one. I really don't know why he got a new one but as it's a work expense, it really doesn't affect me or OUR $$. kwim? I suspect he was buying before the warranty ran out. God forbid he be without for a day!!! I will have to look at the websites and see what his old one would take cause it would be nice to use that 17" screen sometimes on car trips.

btw, I do believe memory buying is a 2nd tier Mortal Sin, so if I die first I'll check out the Mac section in Hell and come back and tell you how it is....

I think the mac pro has four memory slots, each which can take 8 GB (Macbook Pro has two slots that can take 4 each)? Am I right, Carol? And can I come live with you? I can do the cooking! Not a very good one, but still...

You gotta love a man with a passion for Mac, Maureen! Especially when he hands over the old one to you!

anxela · #21 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstaff

(I keep the mastercard statements to myself... if you know what I mean

)

Hah! I know exactly what you mean!

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstaff

I know not what I do... on many levels

Oh, yes you do! You do indeed!

cstaff · #22 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 05:04 PM

Heidi... what are you cooking us for dinner tonight

Guest room is yours... macpro has 2 banks with 4 slots total.

anke · #23 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 05:26 PM

miserable little laptops!

maureenreynolds · #24 (**permalink**) 08-11-2010, 06:10 PM

Ah....4 slots. Why do I forget there is another kind of Mac!?!??!?! The MotherShip kinda Mac. Anke, haven't we all become greedy little scrappers!?!?? Color me green again.

anxela · #25 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cstaff

Heidi... what are you cooking us for dinner tonight

Guest room is yours... macpro has 2 banks with 4 slots total.

LOL! Malaysian soup with shrimps. Sounds ok?

I just put in my 8 GB - and it was like Patricia said - easy peasy! Just take care not to touch any sensitive parts.

anxela · #26 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 04:54 PM

...and yes, there's a noticable difference in speed! I haven't seen the spinning wheel since I put it in!

maureenreynolds · #27 (**permalink**) 08-12-2010, 07:02 PM

Heidi, did you document the process?

anxela · #28 (**permalink**) 08-13-2010, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maureenreynolds

Heidi, did you document the process?

No, I just followed the tutorial that was in the brochure that came with my mac; "All about your mac", is probably the translation to English. I'm sure I can come up with some shots and simple step-by-step if you've lost it.