MacBook Pro Memory

Call me crazy, but I'm looking to get another gig stick for my macbook pro which would put me at 3 gb. Just wondering if anyone knows what the exact model/brand of the sticks that apple uses to ensure complete stability, and if upgrading this will keep my warranty intact?

Second question: Will adding the extra stick of memory increase system heat and drain battery faster, or is this a non-issue?



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FYI: Heads up for bootcamp users: I recommend using the ATI omega drivers for gaming in Windows XP for better performance over the outdated custom bootcamp installed ones. I have not overclocked yet, but PM me with your overclocks if you have tried.

 

Hrmm, what RAM configuration are you running in now? You mentioned adding another 1 gig stick to put you at 3GB total, but the only way I see this working is if you have a single 2GB RAM stick right now (which would be sort of an unusual and expensive configuration).

I don't think it's exactly known which brand Apple uses.

OWC (Macsales.com) at least sells Samsung and Techworks brands (as well as their own house brand), and should work fine.

OWC does sell some Apple OEM RAM as well, although you don't need to get it.

Upgrading memory does not void your warranty on a MacBook Pro.

Adding more memory shouldn't significantly increase system heat, and probably shouldn't have a dramatic impact on battery life.

 

Unless you purchased a very special configuration in your MBP it has 2 x 1g RAM chips in it now, and to upgrade to 3gb you will actually have to buy a 2gb stick and replace one of your 1gb sticks.

2gb sticks are a LOT more than 2x 1gb sticks (on the order of $500-$700 for the 2gb stick).

 

Yes the configuration is 2 x 1gb. Hmmm, guess I'll wait for the prices to drop on the 2 gig sticks as I anticipate they will this year.

 

Probably a good idea.

Yeah, OWC only stocks a 2GB DIMM from Samsung right now, and it costs $595.

 

You might try OWC - they have very reasonable prices and offer trade in on your old memory. Of just wait and it will come down.

 

Yeah, generally speaking, I highly recommend OWC for any upgrades, etc. They are a pleasure to deal with, and also very good about returns.

Last year, I had bought 2x1GB stick of memory from them and a 160GB hard drive..... I had been planning on getting a MacBook and upgrading with that. But when the Core 2 Duo MacBook Pros came out with 2GB of RAM standard, I decided I was going to just get that instead.

I had actually opened and installed the memory and hard drive (I had a MacBook for a time as well), and thought I was basically going to be stock with some stuff I no longer needed, but they accepted them as a return (with a restocking fee, which was fine with me) with no problems at all.

They were a pleasure to deal with though, and I can't even think of dealing with another company.

 

2 gb stick is $375 on the Apple store.

 

That's incorrect. What you are seeing on the Apple Store is a 2GB kit - that is, 2 1GB DIMMs:

That's what costs $350 or so. A single 2GB stick isn't available from the Apple store as near as I can see as an individual upgrade (I would guess because of availability).

If you go to the Apple Store and choose the 2.33 GHz MacBook Pro (the one with 2 1GB sticks of memory by default), and you change to 3GB (1 1GB and 1 2GB stick), it costs an additional $575 (which is pretty in line with what OWC charges).

-Zadillo

 

honestly, it won't be worth it unless you are doing really really intensive stuff in photoshop etc. because those type of programs will be the only ones to even utilize that much memory anyway, atleast right now. 2 GB should be fine until you need to upgrade to a new laptop.

 

With the advent of VM software and the possability of running multiple VM's, it can eat up memory very quickly.

While there is not much in the way of applications that the average user will push beyond 2gb RAM, you can suck up memory fast runing VM(s).

You'll have to decide if the DDR2 speed peanalty you pay with 3gb is worth the extra 1gb.

 

What exactly is the penalty? How much slower could it get?

 

Basically you get the most performance with DDR2 when the memory is in matched pairs (i.e. 2x 512MB, 2x1GB, etc.). By combining a 1GB and a 2GB stick (the only way to get 3GB of RAM), you lose some of that performance benefit. But of course the benefit is that you have an additional gig of memory.

I'm not sure if you've said it yet, but what are you doing with your MBP that you are considering upgrading to 3GB of memory? I think the specific applications and uses you have will determine what you'll benefit most from.

 

I like to run Parallels alongside what I'm doing. I game alot, use photoshop, and usually like to have alot of programs up like word, firefox, adium. 3 gb isn't necessary but at some point in the future it may be useful, especially running Vista in parallels in the near future.

Thanks for the help.