[itsjose]

Might pick up the 15.4" MacBook Pro model with 4 GB Memory.
Figured I would just upgrade the RAM myself. but I've never really messed with replacing parts on a computer before.
The process seems to be pretty simple but don't know if I should worry bout brands and such.

any recommendations?

[Fausty82]

Might pick up the 15.4" MacBook Pro model with 4 GB Memory.
Figured I would just upgrade the RAM myself. but I've never really messed with replacing parts on a computer before.
The process seems to be pretty simple but don't know if I should worry bout brands and such.

any recommendations?

RAM is cheap and very easy to install... as long as it’s not soldered in place (this is only done on the MacBook Airs and the Retina models of the MBP). Basically, remove the 10 screws on the back (bottom) of the MPB, disconnect/remove the battery (so nothing gets shorted out by changing the RAM with battery power applied), and add/replace RAM in the available sockets. Then reverse the steps to reassemble.

Buy the 4GB version and upgrade it yourself.

Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Late 2011 RAM - iFixit

[jclisenby]

Might pick up the 15.4" MacBook Pro model with 4 GB Memory.
Figured I would just upgrade the RAM myself. but I've never really messed with replacing parts on a computer before.
The process seems to be pretty simple but don't know if I should worry bout brands and such.

any recommendations?

Yep. Just get ram yourself and save a few hundred bucks off the Apple premium price. I would max out the processor as fast as you can afford, those things tend to get outdated quicker than anything.


Tappin and Talkin from my iPhone 5

[itsjose]

RAM is cheap and very easy to install... as long as it’s not soldered in place (this is only done on the MacBook Airs and the Retina models of the MBP). Basically, remove the 10 screws on the back (bottom) of the MPB, disconnect/remove the battery (so nothing gets shorted out by changing the RAM with battery power applied), and add/replace RAM in the available sockets. Then reverse the steps to reassemble.

Buy the 4GB version and upgrade it yourself.

Installing MacBook Pro 15" Unibody Late 2011 RAM - iFixit

I appreciate the link!
Would the RAM brand have anything to do with it? or are is it all more or less the same?
Apple's website states that it only supports up to 8GB of RAM. Would I be okay if go up to 16GB?

[kch50428]

Crucial is good... OWC is good too... and only buy what the specs say your machine will support...

[warcraftWidow]

A current 15" MBP will support 16 GB despite what the apple support page says.

[CG68]

There are plenty of vids on YouTube that show you how to replace the ram in a MBP. It's a pretty simple process. Just make sure you have the correct screwdriver (Phillips 00 I believe) to remove the bottom plate.

[anon(4698833)]

Unless you are doing graphics intensive projects or gaming, 8GB of RAM will be sufficient for just about any other user.

Replacing RAM is one of the easiest upgrades there are for these machines.

[Fausty82]

I appreciate the link!
Would the RAM brand have anything to do with it? or are is it all more or less the same?
Apple's website states that it only supports up to 8GB of RAM. Would I be okay if go up to 16GB?

Any quality brand RAM is fine. Crucial, OWC... Ive had good luck with Corsair, too. The key is to match the specs... and if youre getting a 4GB machine, youre gonna have to toss out 2 sticks of 2GB RAM... so just get 4 matching sticks... (correction) get 2 sticks of 8GB RAM for 16 total.

As for the 8GB max, what year is the MPB? You should be able to go to 16GB with no problem.

[itsjose]

Any quality brand RAM is fine. Crucial, OWC... I’ve had good luck with Corsair, too. The key is to match the specs... and if you’re getting a 4GB machine, you’re gonna have to toss out 2 sticks of 2GB RAM... so just get 4 matching sticks...

As for the 8GB max, what year is the MPB? You should be able to go to 16GB with no problem.

I'm sure its the 2012 model.
https://forums.imore.com/e?link=http...token=IsSM2UXU

I appreciate all the help so far everybody! thank you.

[Fausty82]

I'm sure its the 2012 model.
Apple, Inc MD103LLA - Best Buy

I appreciate all the help so far everybody! thank you.

That one can do 16GB for sure... but I was wrong about the 4 sticks. MBP only have 2 slots. The iMacs have 4... so for the MBP, you’re buying 2 sticks of 4GB (for 8GB total) or 2 sticks of 8GB (for 16GB total).

[Easy-G]

You're looking for DDR3-1600 Mhz memory, like the stuff found here MacBook Pro Memory for Models 9,1 and 9,2 | Ramjet.com

[itsjose]

For the record, I picked it up and loving it. :] Going to upgrade the RAM soon as well as a larger HDD. thanks y'all <3

[kch50428]

You'll enjoy it.

[warcraftWidow]

For the record, I picked it up and loving it. :] Going to upgrade the RAM soon as well as a larger HDD. thanks y'all <3

Thanks for reporting back and if you have any questions, there's lots of folks here who can help. Enjoy!

[Fausty82]

For the record, I picked it up and loving it. :] Going to upgrade the RAM soon as well as a larger HDD. thanks y'all <3

Congrats... enjoy your new Mac!