howie_1550

Q: Best way to upgrade RAM and HDD

I have a late 2011 13in Macbook Pro, 2.4ghz dual core i5. I am currently looking into upgrading my ram, I do alot of photo and video editing frequently using 2-4 programs at once and it really bogs down my operating speed. I am trying to upgrade to the most available RAM i can get. Through Apple, I see that I am only able to upgrade from my current 4gb (2x 2gb) to 8gb (2x 4gb). After searching some third party sites (i.e Otherworld Computing) I see that they are selling up to 16gb total ram for my computer. this leads me to my question, are these third party upgrades worth the time and money and will there be any interface issues with them or should i just play it safe and stick with the Apple upgrades to 8GB?

 

Also, I am interested in upgrading my hard-drive, an SSD would be nice but it is not necesary, as I do ALOT of photo and video work the files are really eating at my drive capacity and i am frequently having to empty files onto an external drive. Has anyone out there upgraded their HDD to a higher capacity or switched over to a higher capacity SSD? (I am currently working with a 500gb HDD)

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

Posted on Jun 3, 2013 5:27 AM

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Q: Best way to upgrade RAM and HDD

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  • by BobTheFisherman,Solvedanswer

    BobTheFisherman BobTheFisherman Jun 3, 2013 7:05 AM in response to howie_1550
    Level 6 (15,324 points)
    Jun 3, 2013 7:05 AM in response to howie_1550

    Your computer can do 16GB without problem. OWC is a good source for RAM as is Crucial. RAM replacement is a cunsumer level activity and upgrading will not affect performance other than to make it better.

     

    Hard drive upgrade/replacement is a consummer level activity as well. Any hard drive or SSD will work as long as it fits. OWC is a good source but you can buy a hard drive or SSD at any online or local computer store.

  • by howie_1550,

    howie_1550 howie_1550 Jun 3, 2013 7:50 AM in response to BobTheFisherman
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jun 3, 2013 7:50 AM in response to BobTheFisherman

    Thanks!

  • by ds store,Helpful

    ds store ds store Jun 3, 2013 8:00 AM in response to howie_1550
    Level 7 (30,395 points)
    Jun 3, 2013 8:00 AM in response to howie_1550

    are these third party upgrades worth the time and money and will there be any interface issues with them or should i just play it safe and stick with the Apple upgrades to 8GB?

     

    You can most certainly choose to pay Apple a fortune and only put in half the RAM the machine can hold or you can do it yourself quite easily and simply. You also can let Apple put in a new drive, but they won't put in the one you want, just what they have to replace stock machines with. They also might not clean the cooling fins in the process.

     

    You  can upgrade your boot drive yourself, I recommend a 7,200 RPM large hard drive. You can certainly opt for a large SSD for the best speed on large files and shock proof, but it's still extremely expensive still.

     

     

    16GB of RAM and a large 7,200 RPM drive will do you quite nicely unless your still moving large files around and you should think about a internal and external SSD's on Thunderbolt.

     

    Upgrading the storage or RAM is a user serviceable option and doesn't void your warranty or AppleCare as long as you don't break anything in the process, the new parts are not covered by Apple, but from the place or maker you purchased them from.

     

    I second OtherWorld Computing as they cater to Mac's for RAM, drives and tools, videos. Crucial.com will give you the best RAM as they make it, so no trial and error process with discount/second tier quality RAM at like Amazon or eBay resellers. You don't want to go cheap on the RAM as it's more money having to return it and replace it if it fails.

     

    Changing your boot drive is a bit harder as you will need a SATA to USB adapter and Carbon Copy Cloner to the external SSD first, then hold option/alt to boot from it and check it out before hand, then doing the hardware switch of RAM and SSD on the inside. Make sure to install the RecoveryHD if CCC asks.

     

    Make sure you follow anti-static procedures on the inside and don't touch any components or mental contacts, handle everything by the plastic parts. Place each and every screw back into it's exact hole.

     

    Also, remove the fans and don't disconnect the cable in the process if possible, behind the fans are cooling fins, clean them of dust and debris with a toothbrush and a shot of compressed air from the can types. Do not freeze the parts with the cold air or let moisture into the machine. Clean the fan wells and blades and return.

     

    If this is all too much for you, you can certainly do as much as you can with SATA to USB adapter, cloning and booting the clone to verify and buying the internal storage/RAM and taking it all to a local PC/Mac shop and they can perform the hardware switch for you in a few minutes.

     

    Most commonly used backup methods

     

    Install/upgrade RAM or storage drive in Mac's

     

    How to clone your old hard drive to a new hard drive / ssd