Upgrading RAM in Macbook Pro

[Atty]

First off, how hard is it to change/upgrade memory on a Macbook Pro?

Second, void warranty?

Third, how much more performance would I get out of OS X with 4GB? Where would I notice is the most? Worth while?

With RAM prices as cheap as they are (4GB kits of DDR2 800 Laptop mem are 50 bucks on NewEgg...) I figure, why not, btu I want to make sure it's worth while before doing so.

Any help guys? Thanks!

 

[randomlinh]

which macbook pro, the new one or the old one? I don't have an answer for either, but it would be helpful to clarify =)

As for performance.. what do you do? That will largely determine if the extra ram is worth it.

 

[TheStu]

For the older MacBook Pro, you remove the battery and then undo 3 screws.
For the newer MacBook Pro, you remove the battery cover, and battery and then I think 8 screws.

To the best of my knowledge, neither of these actions will void the warranty.

 

[secretanchitman]

how hard? if you can remove 3 or 8 (depending on which model you have) screws, you're fine - aka, its easy.

no, it definitely doesnt void the warranty. heck, i even changed out my hdd in my old mbp and apple didnt even care about warranty issues then. you're totally fine.

while ddr2-800 will work just fine in those mbps (i had some ocz 2x2GB ddr2-800 in my old one), it'll only go up to ddr2-667 in osx.

 

[Kmax82]

As for the old MBP, they do check for damage. I've replaced my HDD in mine as well, but they definitely check for any damages when I bring it in. So you have to be careful there. And you could still get a Genius that doesn't want to issue a repair.. so becareful if you want to replace the drive. I think it's worth it to pay the extra $100 and have a certified repair technician take care of it, if you want to be 100% sure you will still have AppleCare.

As for the RAM, that is without a doubt user replaceable on both the old MBP and the new unibody. The HDD is user replaceable on the new Unibody which is nice and I'm heavily contemplating that as my photo library continues to grow and grow.

As for performance, do you run any applications like, Aperture, CS3 or CS4, 3d rendering, VMWare or Parallels, etc.. ? If no, then I don't think you'll notice much of a difference.

 

[Chris27]

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
while ddr2-800 will work just fine in those mbps (i had some ocz 2x2GB ddr2-800 in my old one), it'll only go up to ddr2-667 in osx.

I have an early 2008 MBP and it will NOT boot unless at least one stick is rated at ddr2-667...

 

[TheStu]

Originally posted by: Chris27

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
while ddr2-800 will work just fine in those mbps (i had some ocz 2x2GB ddr2-800 in my old one), it'll only go up to ddr2-667 in osx.

I have an early 2008 MBP and it will NOT boot unless at least one stick is rated at ddr2-667...

Well that is bizarre. I wonder if there is some other software/hardware problem there then.

 

[KeithP]

Other World Computing has some installation videos if you want to take a look.

-KeithP

 

[Redfraggle]

Apple has set parameters for DIY upgrades, and memory is one of them. As for upgrading to 4GB just because it's cheap...that's kinda silly. What do you do with your laptop? Unless you're using memory intensive apps, I don't think it's really going to help you much. If you run a lot of apps at once, it could keep things flowing, but I have plenty open and still don't tax my 1GB in my older Powerbook -- even photo editing.

 

[mmntech]

MacBook Pro 15'' Core 2 Duo RAM replacement guide
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Re...-16-2-33-GHz-RAM/452/1

Process is the same with the Core Duo model.

 

[secretanchitman]

Originally posted by: TheStu

Originally posted by: Chris27

Originally posted by: secretanchitman
while ddr2-800 will work just fine in those mbps (i had some ocz 2x2GB ddr2-800 in my old one), it'll only go up to ddr2-667 in osx.

I have an early 2008 MBP and it will NOT boot unless at least one stick is rated at ddr2-667...

Well that is bizarre. I wonder if there is some other software/hardware problem there then.

whoa what? that IS weird...i promise you that my santa rosa 2.2Ghz mbp (late 2007) worked just fine with the ocz ddr2-800 sticks. of course it only read at ddr2-667, it downclocked just fine.