RAM upgrade - Which one is the right one?

It will support up to 6GB of RAM, I'd recommend:

6GB kit - http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S6GP/
or
4GB kit - http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S4GP/

What is "Kingston RAM", Mhass?

Like "Apple RAM" or "Crucial RAM" or "OWC RAM" it is RAM made by a variety of manufacturers, pretty much all in south east Asia, with high manufacturing standards of quality control.

A lot of original "Apple RAM" for example, is made by Samsung (some is made by Hynix, too, I gather). So is some Kingston RAM. So is some OWC RAM. I wouldn't be surprised if some Corsair RAM is at present, too (my own current favourite supplier, but I'd be hard pressed to rationally argue that their RAM was really "better" than any of the other major "brands" mentioned above on the basis of any objective criteria. It is simply that what I've bought from them as "Mac Qualified" RAM has always worked).


What you are buying when you buy RAM from any of the companies mentioned above is essentially their reputation. You aren't buying RAM out of a particular factory. You are simply buying RAM from major suppliers who know they have to buy it right themselves to maintain their reputation. In reality, in my experience, you can be pretty confident about the "Mac qualified" product from any of them.

OWC are one of the most reputable US suppliers of stuff for Macs out there from what I can see. I personally wouldn't hesitate in buying RAM from them, any more than I would from any of the other companies mentioned.

Cheers

Rod

I think Rod's answered your question pretty fully - the RAM I recommended has the same if not better quality and warranty than that provided by Apple so there's no worries about purchasing/using it.

Mhass: I have 4GB of RAM purchased from OWC in my MBP, which is the same model as yours. And unlike most US vendors, OWC will happily ship overseas.

Our computers can't use 8GB of RAM, though 6GB is widely reported to work OK.

Hi,

why do you feel like/want to upgrade your RAM? does macbook pro get slower over time?

i've the same model, purchased in May 2008. also, are u confident of replacing RAM yourself? doesn't that void the apple warranty if u open it yrself? [i've an apple care plan still valid]

thanks ..

No, installing RAM yourself has no impact on your warranty unless you damage something while you're doing it. RAM and hard drive are user-replaceable parts in all the unibody MBPs. The very easy instructions for doing both jobs are in that slim little user manual you threw away when you unpacked your machine. 😉

Hi pranaysanghavi, and welcome to the forums.

Whether you need more RAM or not depends on what you use your computer for. I certainly found that my own MBPs benefited greatly from moving from the original 2 Gigabytes to 4 GB.

Eww' comments about upgrading things not affecting the warranty at all was referring specifically to the "unibody" MBPs introduced towards the end of 2008.

I see that you bought yours in May, 2008, which means that it is an earlier model. In that case you may upgrade the RAM without risking your coverage, but you should not try to update the hard drive in your computer yourself , if you wish to protect your Apple care plan.

You will find instructions for doing so from Apple at http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270 , in the section headed "MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) and earlier; MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008) and earlier" , assuming I am correct about the model you have.

Cheers

Rod

Thanks for your comments.
i've two questions.
---
**my macbook pro model is:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP41.00C1.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.27f2

and in the memory it shows this info: [from system profiler]
Memory Slots:
BANK 0/DIMM0:

Size: 1 GB
Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Speed: 667 MHz
Status: OK
Manufacturer: 0xCE00000000000000
Part Number: 0x4D342037305432393533455A332D43453620
Serial Number: 0x762E7C8E

BANK 1/DIMM1:

Size: 1 GB
Type: DDR2 SDRAM
Speed: 667 MHz
Status: OK
Manufacturer: 0xCE00000000000000
Part Number: 0x4D342037305432393533455A332D43453620
Serial Number: 0x762E7E2C
-------------my questions----
1. from what it shows that currently they've put 1GB RAM in each of the 2 slots [i wonder why not a single 2GB in one slot while other is empty, however this is not my question] .. can i upgrade it to 3GB by just purchasing a 2GB ram for now? meaning, in one slot i'll let the 1GB remain, and in other, i'll replace the 1GB with the 2GB that i intend to purchase. will it work?

2. if the answer to the above is yes, can i go for this particular RAM? is it compatible with my model? http://www.ramjet.com/ItemDescription.asp?Item=MBKS2G
** 2GB SO-DIMM for MacBook Pro Core2 Duo
PC2-5300, DDR2-667, 667Mhz, Latency 5-5-5, Non-ECC, Unbuffered, 1.8V, 200pin SO-DIMM
This kit contains one (1) 2GB module and is specifically designed and SPD configured for the MacBook Pro Core2 Duo running 667Mhz memory.
----

in future how shud i refer my model to others, is it late 2008? i know its not unibody.

thanks for your replies..

Message was edited by: pranay

pranaysanghavi wrote:

-------------my questions----
1. from what it shows that currently they've put 1GB RAM in each of the 2 slots [i wonder why not a single 2GB in one slot while other is empty, however this is not my question] .. can i upgrade it to 3GB by just purchasing a 2GB ram for now? meaning, in one slot i'll let the 1GB remain, and in other, i'll replace the 1GB with the 2GB that i intend to purchase. will it work?

I guess they used the two 1 Gig cards to save money, pranay. At that time two x 1 gig cards were cheaper to buy than one 2 Gig card. But to answer your question, yes, you can install a 2 Gig RAM card , leaving a 1 Gig card in the other slot.

2. if the answer to the above is yes, can i go for this particular RAM? is it compatible with my model? http://www.ramjet.com/ItemDescription.asp?Item=MBKS2G

Yes, that RAM card should be compatible with your computer.

----

in future how shud i refer my model to others, is it late 2008? i know its not unibody.

In your case the best full description is probably "Apple MacBook Pro Core 2 Duo 2.4 15-Inch (Early 2008/Penryn)" or, a little shorter, "MBP 2.4GHz C2D 15", Early 2008, Penryn"

"Penryn" is the name of the processor fitted to this particular model and helps to differentiate it from the slightly earlier "Santa Rosa" 2.4 GHz models. This model, is usually discussed on the Apple Discussion Boards in the MacBook Pro (Original) forum, rather than in the "Late 2008 and 2009" forum, which deals with the uni-body models primarily, not that it matters greatly.

Best wishes, pranay

Rod

Excellent, thanks 🙂