Q: how can i upgrade my RAM

The usual way is to buy more RAM and install it in your MacBook.

However whether this is possible or not, depends on the exact model of MacBook you have.

Also, whether adding more RAM will alleviate the slowness or not depends on exactly what is causing the slowness to begin with.

I suggest you post an EtreCheck report so we may see exactly what MacBook you have, and what is going on with it, and as such be able to provide more accurate suggestions  rather than just vague answers or guesses.

Using EtreCheck

Without correct identification of your MacBook (model build year, OS X, specifications)

the answer to your question is mostly sitting in front of you. You could identify the Mac

and also include the Etrecheck report, for your own information and also for the sake of

correctly placing your thread, if older model MacBook is involved, in suitable Community.

You could start the MacBook in Safe mode, as part of troubleshooting to find out causes:

• Try safe mode if your Mac doesn't finish starting up - Apple Support

"spinning cursor icon" or beach-ball-of-death SBBOD:

http://www.macworld.com/article/1151583/os-x/spinningbeachballofdeath.html

or - http://www.thexlab.com/faqs/sbbod.html

If your computer is a Macbook (2006-2010) or a MacBook Pro, or a MacBook Air; each

of them have a similar name and few other architectural similarities. And the newest

MacBook 12-inch Retina 2015 is different as well... since you posted in this latter section

the answer would be you cannot upgrade RAM that is permanently affixed to logic board

in the newest models of Mac portables; & several desktop models also can't be upgraded.

The Etrecheck suggestion would be a way to detail this information & may tell us what

reasons are for slowness, in addition to other software in system running in background.

And propose memory upgrade if possible, or alternative course of action on your part.

• How to identify MacBook models - Apple Support

• How to identify Mac Pro models - Apple Support

• How to identify your MacBook Air - Apple Support

In any event...

Good luck & happy computing!

If the unit is a "MacBook Pro" a corrected support page (URL) appears here:

• How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

Somehow the incorrect (desktop model) page link was posted above

and the reply edit window timed-out so a correction was not possible.

To otherwise help identifying Apple products: (do not post serial numbers)

• Find the serial number of your Apple product - Apple Support

Good luck!

.

[ posted Dot to view missing correction reply ]