How is RAM updated on MacBook Pro models "Mid-2009" to "Mid-2012"? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM does each model really support?

Please note that these questions and answers are up to date and cover MacBook Pro "Unibody" models prior to the Retina.

The RAM update procedure for MacBook Pro models "Mid-2009", "Mid-2010", "Early 2011", "Late 2011" and "Non Retina Display" Mid-2012 "is quite simple. It's not that easy as it is for MacBook Pro systems before "Unibody", since these later models require a screwdriver, but it is still simple and straightforward.

Identification help

If you are not sure what MacBook Pro has, these models can be identified by the Model Identifier "close enough" for an exact match in order to update the RAM. In turn, each model can be uniquely identified by a model identifier and one or more secondary identifiers (such as processor speed and / or processor type).

To locate the model identifier in the software, select "About this Mac" in the Apple menu of your computer and click on the "More information ..." button. If the MacBook Pro is running OS X 10.7 "Lion" or later, you must click on the "System Report" button after clicking on "More information ..." also AleluÁ has carefully documented each model identifier for your convenience.

The model identifiers for each of these models are as follows:

RAM types and actual maximum RAM capacities

All these systems have two memory slots that can be accessed by removing the lower case, but the type of RAM, as well as the actual maximum capacity, vary by model.Apple formally recommends that you "fill both memory slots and install an identical memory module in each slot" for all these systems.

The MacBook Pro "Mid-2009" and "Mid-2010" models support 1066 MHz PCDR-30085 DDR3 SO-DIMM and officially and unofficially support a maximum of 8 GB of RAM with a strange exception.

Specifically, the 13-inch MacBook Pro models "mid 2010" (and only 13-inch models): the MacBook Pro "Core 2 Duo" 2.4 13 "mid 2010 and" Core 2 Duo "2.66 13" Mid 2010 identified by MacBookPro7.1 - can support up to 16 GB of RAM with dual 8 GB memory modules if they are running OS X 10.7.5 or higher, have been updated to use the latest EFI and equipped with memory modules of appropriate specification Yes Run a Mac OS X 10.6 "Snow Leopard" version, these models can only use 8 GB of RAM.

The MacBook Pro "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" models use the fastest 1333 MHz DDR3 PC3-10600 SO-DIMM. Officially they support 8 GB of RAM, but in reality they support 16 GB of RAM regardless of the operating system installed, although only MacBook Pro models "Early 2011" are able to run a Mac OS X 10.6 version "Snow Leopard."

Finally, MacBook Pro models without a "mid-2012" Retina display use 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3 SO-DIMMs even faster and also officially support 8 GB of RAM, but can actually support up to 16 GB of RAM. These models do not run versions of OS X prior to OS X 10.7 "Lion."

Like identification help, these details are easier to visualize as a graphic:

† Officially, these two models support 8 GB of RAM, but can actually support 16 GB of RAM. However, this is if and only if they are running OS X 10.7.5 or higher, they have been updated to use the latest EFI and are equipped with appropriate specification memory modules.

* Officially, all these models support 8 GB of RAM, but in reality they support 16 GB when running any compatible version of (Mac) OS X.

RAM update instructions

Apple explains how to install the memory from page 35 of 13 inches, 15 inches and 17 inches "Mid 2009", 13 inches, 15 inches and 17 inches "Mid 2010", and 13-MacBook Pro user guides "Early 2011" of 15 and 17 inches, respectively, and this provides most of what you need to know to update the pre-installed memory.

The "End of 2011" MacBook Pro models are so similar to the "Early 2011" models that Apple did not bother to release an updated instruction manual. For the MacBook Pro "Mid 2012" line, Apple's "Quick Start" Guide does not cover the installation of RAM, but the procedure is the same as the previous models. MacBook Pro RAM purchase options

The fact that RAM meets the minimum criteria listed does not necessarily mean that it works as intended on a particular Mac. Be sure to buy from a quality provider that has tested your RAM with your Mac to ensure full compatibility.

In Spain (and in many other countries), AleluÁ sells memory and storage for all MacBook Pro models so you can update the ram of your computer at home.