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Upgrade MacBook Pro to 4GB of RAM for under $100
When I first purchased my MacBook Pro back in April of this year, I really wanted it to have 4GB of RAM, but couldn’t swing the extra $400 it would cost to purchase this upgrade. Settling on only 2GB of RAM at the time of my purchase really wasn’t that big of a deal though because I had heard how great and powerful the latest MacBook Pro models performed.
Fast forward to several months later and my MacBook Pro system was now loaded with all of the applications that I use for website design, internet marketing and search engine optimization. These applications include many RAM intensive programs such as Photoshop Elements, Premier Elements, Dreamweaver, Screenflow, and VMware Fusion. Because I’d sometimes noticing a bit of sluggishness when running many of these programs at the same time, I finally decided that I needed to upgrade my MacBook Pro to 4 GB of RAM.
Being the frugal/savvy type, I did a bit of online research and ended up finding a way to upgrade my MacBook Pro to 4GB of RAM for under $100.Below, I’ve detailed exactly how I did it so that others in a similar situation as myself could upgrade their MacBook’s too without spending a fortune.
(Disclaimer – My understanding is that if you do not use memory supplied by Apple, you may void your warranty. For me, I was willing to risk that in order to save $300)
First things first, you need to determine the specs for your specific MacBook Pro so that you can be sure you purchase the right type of memory. You can find this out by clicking on the Apple icon on the top left of your desktop, and then clicking on “About This Mac”. A window will open that shows the current Mac OS version you’re running, processor speed, and the current amount and type of memory you have installed. Clicking on the “More Info” button will provide you with even further details.Another method of determining what type of RAM your system has, as well as determining what type of RAM you need to purchase for an upgrade, is to use the System Scanner Tool that Crucial.com offers online. This tool scans your system, gathers the necessary information, and then shows you their inventory of RAM products online that would work with your system. (When I ran this tool, it correctly identified my system components and displayed the correct RAM upgrade modules.)
The Crucial Memory Advisor™ Select your system and press go!
For my particular system, which at the time already had both memory slots used up with 1GB of RAM in each bank, I knew that I had to purchase 2, 2GB RAM cards in order to achieve my 4GB goal. The System Scanner Tool also told me that I needed to find RAM that had the following specs:
- DDR2-667
- PC2-5300
- 200-pin
- SODIMM
- Unbuffered
The very first “suggested” item that the Crucial.com website showed me as being compatible after it scanned my system was part number CT791065. This was a 4GB kit (2GBx2) for $81.99 and included free shipping.
Update – You can now save 5 percent on an order placed through Crucial.com. To activate the 5% savings, just click here. This will cause the crucial.com website to load in another window and you’ll see where the special 5% offer has been activated.
Now that I knew exactly what type of memory to purchase, I then searched online at several other well-known stores to see if I could find an even lower price. Most of the other sites had very similar pricing, so I decided to buy from Crucial.com because of the positive comments I had heard about the quality of their memory. Even though they offered free standard shipping, I paid for Fed-Ex 2nd day delivery, which only cost me an additional $3.99. The total of my purchase, including shipping and tax, was just over $90.00.
Should you want to shop around yourself, links that lead directly to pages showing compatible MacBook Pro memory modules at the other places I searched are: Buy.com | Newegg.com | Amazon.com You might also want to view the latest specials that Crucial.com is currently running. You can access the latest specials page here.
2 days later, my memory arrived and I immediately began the installation process. The entire process from start-to-finish took about 5 minutes and was incredibly easy to do. The only tool that you’ll need is a small, number 0, phillips screwdriver so you can unscrew 3 tiny screws that hold a cover into place on the back of your MacBook Pro. (If you have a screwdriver set that you use to adjust eyeglasses, it most likely has the size screwdriver you need.)
Step 1 Turn your MacBook Pro off and allow it to cool for at least 10 minutes before you begin. Have your number zero phillips screwdriver out and ready. 
Step 2 Flip your laptop over on its back and lay it down on top of a desk or table. Then, remove the battery by sliding the two tabs forward. 
Step 3 Remove the 3 screws that hold the cover in place above where the RAM is installed. 
Step 4 Lift the cover up and off of the laptop. You will now see the underlying RAM Modules. Before proceeding to Step 5, you need to be sure to discharge any static electricity from your body. The easiest way to do this is simply touch something metal not attached to the laptop. 
Step 5 To remove each module of RAM, you need to first depress the two release tabs on top of each side of the bay. Depress the left & right tabs and tilt the top module of RAM to about a 25 degree angle. Then, simply pull the RAM towards you to remove. 
Step 6 Remove the bottom module of RAM by repeating Step 5, except this time you’ll need to depress the bottom-release tabs. These tabs are the ones closer to you. Again, once depressed, tilt RAM to a 25 degree angle and then remove by pulling the RAM towards you. 
Step 7 Take the new memory modules that you purchased and install them, by first inserting the bottom module and then the top. When inserting each module, you will again need to first tilt them to a 25 degree angle, insert/snap them into place by pushing forward, and then press down until the release tabs “click”. (Don’t forget to discharge any static electricity before handling the RAM as well as before touching any part of the module bays.) And finally, replace the cover, screw back in the 3 screws, and replace the battery. That’s it…you’re done!!! Once I started my computer again, I immediately noticed a significant increase in performance. Now it didn’t make Adobe Photoshop Elements start up any faster, but it did allow me to run many, many programs all at the same time without any lag whatsoever. This was especially evident when running VMware Fusion. Previous to upgrading to 4GB of RAM, any time I’d run Windows XP via VMware Fusion, both Windows XP and my Mac OS would lag quite a bit. Now, I can run both and experience absolutely no slowdowns at all. Overall, I was extremely impressed with how simple and inexpensive this upgrade was and I’m extremely satisfied that it didn’t cost me $400.
In case you’re curious, this is how I currently have my MacBook Pro setup on my desk. It sits atop an Elevator Stand, and powers pretty much everything on my desk. 
Great tutorial. Simple and easy.
I had the same thought when buying my MAC and am now noticing some signifcant slowing. Time to order and install. Thanks for saving me $300 bucks Scotty.
annemarie
Hi AnneMarie,
I’m glad you enjoyed the tutorial. Let me know if you have any additional questions and I’ll do my best to answer them for you.
Good to know before purchasing the newest MBP coming out on Oct. 14. I’m not going to drop $400 on 4GB of RAM when there are companies selling 4GB Apple RAM for less than $100.
Also: Swap the HD of a MBP
http://www.laatedaa.com/2008/07/09/how-toswapping-the-hdd-of-a-macbook-pro/
Scott-
Very well done, and exceptional detail. Smart move on posting the disclaimer. Anyone reading this has to love the easy to read illustrations.
Keep it up!
-Travis
You can do this for just about any computer now adays.
Warning to you though.
Your warrenty is still good.
But if something went wrong with your computer, remember to take out the additional memory and there is really no way of them saying you had it in there to void your warrenty.
That pretty much goes for any addon.
Not to mention most computer part you buy have thier own warrenties.
I think there are many people who upgrade using crucial memory. I really don’t think it will void your warranty unless you did something in the installation phase to damage the computer. Its hard to imagine damaging a computer during the install, but never underestimate the ability of the general public to screw something up in new and amazing ways.
When I purchased my last Mac, the sales guy mentioned crucial to me when I balked at paying Apple prices for memory. I think I’m going to check out some new mem for my iMac.
A realtor that uses a Mac. Very unusual. My Dad is a broker in Texas and was a realtor for a while. Had a hard time because the MLS client was only windoze. This was a few years back, it might be completely different now.
Hey Scotty Thanks soooo much for this Tutorial. I am going to order my 4GB ram ASAP! I really appreciate all your help! THANKS!
thanks Scotty, I’ve been looking around to figure out the right ram and right price for a long time and just couldn’t choose. This really helped! thanks again!