Struggling with lag time on your computer can be incredibly frustrating, especially with a sleek and expensive MacBook Pro. In most cases, though, the slow and sluggish performance doesn’t mean that your computer is flawed or broken; it just means that your system needs a RAM upgrade! The following steps will help you add or replace RAM in your MacBook Pro so that it runs faster.
Step 1
Start by figuring out which model you have. The rules for changing out RAM vary depending on the MacBook Pro, with everything from size (13-inch vs. 15-inch) and manufacture date (2009 vs. 2012) making a difference. Go to the Apple logo menu in the upper left-hand corner of your screen, select “About this Mac” from the dropdown, and then click “More Info” on the box that pops up. This action will open a new box providing some specs on your machine, including memory.
Step 2
Most MacBook models come with two RAM slots. At purchase, most of these slots are filled at half capacity. Mac also recommends that you fill the slots with identical modules of RAM (e.g. two 4GB modules, not one 2GB module and one 4GB module). With this in mind, the most effective method is to double the capacity of your RAM. So if you have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro with two memory slots and two 2GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM modules, you should upgrade your system with a pair of 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM modules.
Step 3
The “Memory” page on your “About This Mac” menu provides a “Memory Upgrade Instructions” link in the bottom right-hand corner. This link will direct you to Apple’s website, which will provide specific instructions on how to open the case on your specific MacBook Pro model, take out the old RAM modules, and install new ones.
One of the common complaints about MacBook computers is that they aren’t as easy to upgrade and customize as PCs. However, with firm knowledge of your laptop’s specs and with Apple’s helpful support, you should be able to boost the memory on your system without too much issue.
Step 1
Start by figuring out which model you have. The rules for changing out RAM vary depending on the MacBook Pro, with everything from size (13-inch vs. 15-inch) and manufacture date (2009 vs. 2012) making a difference. Go to the Apple logo menu in the upper left-hand corner of your screen, select “About this Mac” from the dropdown, and then click “More Info” on the box that pops up. This action will open a new box providing some specs on your machine, including memory.
Step 2
Most MacBook models come with two RAM slots. At purchase, most of these slots are filled at half capacity. Mac also recommends that you fill the slots with identical modules of RAM (e.g. two 4GB modules, not one 2GB module and one 4GB module). With this in mind, the most effective method is to double the capacity of your RAM. So if you have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro with two memory slots and two 2GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM modules, you should upgrade your system with a pair of 4GB 1600 MHz DDR3 RAM modules.
Step 3
The “Memory” page on your “About This Mac” menu provides a “Memory Upgrade Instructions” link in the bottom right-hand corner. This link will direct you to Apple’s website, which will provide specific instructions on how to open the case on your specific MacBook Pro model, take out the old RAM modules, and install new ones.
One of the common complaints about MacBook computers is that they aren’t as easy to upgrade and customize as PCs. However, with firm knowledge of your laptop’s specs and with Apple’s helpful support, you should be able to boost the memory on your system without too much issue.
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