will new memory cards improve macbook pro performance?
I have macbook pro 15" from 2012, it's been giving me "memory low" messages and I'm at maximum 8G. Will new memory cards improve the performance or it's time for a new laptop?
I have macbook pro 15" from 2012, it's been giving me "memory low" messages and I'm at maximum 8G. Will new memory cards improve the performance or it's time for a new laptop?
The real breakpoint is at 6GB RAM. if less than that your Mac spends far too much time simulating RAM on the drive. If more than that, adding RAM is a diminishing return.
Replacing the Rotating drive (and usually its cable at the same time) with ≥500GB SSD drive makes your Mac feel like "a brand new machine!". If you do not replace the cable, use an external enclosure and set up the new drive and Migrate the files BEFORE you do the "surgery" to move it inside.
MacBook Pro 9,, can support up to an 8GB DIMM is each of its two slots for a total of 16GB. It must be EXACTLY the correct spec, and Faster is not properly supported.
The real breakpoint is at 6GB RAM. if less than that your Mac spends far too much time simulating RAM on the drive. If more than that, adding RAM is a diminishing return.
Replacing the Rotating drive (and usually its cable at the same time) with ≥500GB SSD drive makes your Mac feel like "a brand new machine!". If you do not replace the cable, use an external enclosure and set up the new drive and Migrate the files BEFORE you do the "surgery" to move it inside.
MacBook Pro 9,, can support up to an 8GB DIMM is each of its two slots for a total of 16GB. It must be EXACTLY the correct spec, and Faster is not properly supported.
Etrecheck tends to stay on Apple's good side by reporting official Apple limits.
Official Max is indeed 8GB. But the MacBook Pro 9,1 does accept 16GB and work, provided the EXACT correct DIMMs are used.
Post an etrecheck report so that we can better see what may be contributing to the computer's slowness.
If that is a retina display model you can't change the memory. Your hard drive is full and appears to be failing. Your battery needs service.
Thank you! I wasn't able to paste the entire report because it exceeded 5000 character. Thank you for your suggestion.
You paste the report by using the add text button:
Here it is:
Thank you for the quick response. Do you happen to know how much will it cost to fix the problems?
< MacBookPro9,1 >
This is nice but then Etrecheck is wrong. I've never seen Etrecheck say RAM is at max unless it is.
treCheck version: 5.6 (5212)
Report generated: 2020-09-19 19:32:41
Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com
Runtime: 9:25
Performance: Poor
Sandbox: Enabled
Full drive access: Disabled
Problem: Computer is too slow
Description:
keep getting “memory low” message
Major Issues:
Anything that appears on this list needs immediate attention.
Battery failure - Your battery is reporting that it needs to be serviced.
Failing hard drive - This machine has a hard drive that appears to be failing.
Adware - Adware detected.
Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed that could be adware and should be reviewed.
Gatekeeper disabled - Gatekeeper security protection is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.
Apple security disabled - Apple security software is disabled. This computer is at risk of malware infection.
Minor Issues:
These issues do not need immediate attention but they may indicate future problems or opportunities for improvement.
Upgradeable hard drive - This machine’s hard drive could be replaced with an SSD. This would dramatically improve your machine’s performance.
Clean up - There are orphan files that could be removed.
Unsigned files - There are unsigned software files installed. Apple has said that unsigned software will not run by default in a future version of the operating system.
System modifications - There are a large number of system modifications running in the background.
32-bit Apps - This machine has 32-bits apps will not work on current versions of the operating system.
Limited drive access - More information may be available with Full Drive Access.
Kernel extensions present - This machine has kernel extensions that may not work in the future.
Hardware Information:
MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
MacBook Pro Model: MacBookPro9,1
2.60 GHz Intel Core i7 (i7-3720QM) CPU: 4-core
8 GB RAM - At maximum
BANK 0/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600
BANK 1/DIMM0 - 4 GB DDR3 1600
Battery: Health = Service Battery - Cycle count = 631
Video Information:
Intel HD Graphics 4000 - VRAM: 1536 MB
NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M - VRAM: 1 GB
Color LCD 1680 x 1050
SONY TV 1680 x 1050
Drives:
disk0 - APPLE HDD HTS541010A9E682 1.00 TB (Mechanical - 5400 RPM)
Internal SATA 3 Gigabit Serial ATA
disk0s1 - EFI (MS-DOS FAT32) [EFI] 210 MB
disk0s2 [APFS Container] 1000.00 GB
disk1 [APFS Virtual drive] 1000.00 GB (Shared by 5 volumes)
disk1s1 - Macintosh HD - Data (APFS) (Shared)
disk1s2 - Preboot (APFS) [APFS Preboot] (Shared)
disk1s3 - Recovery (APFS) [Recovery] (Shared)
disk1s4 - VM (APFS) [APFS VM] (Shared - 6.44 GB used)
disk1s5 - Macintosh HD (APFS) (Shared - 461.35 GB used)
Mounted Volumes:
disk1s4 - VM [APFS VM]
1000.00 GB (Shared - 6.44 GB used, 54.14 GB free)
APFS
Mount point: /private/var/vm
disk1s5 - Macintosh HD
1000.00 GB (Shared - 461.35 GB used, 96.89 GB available, 54.14 GB free)
APFS
Mount point: /
Network:
Interface SAMSUNG_MDM: SAMSUNG Modem
Interface en0: Ethernet
Interface en5: iPad
Interface en4: iPhone
Interface fw0: FireWire
Interface en1: Wi-Fi
802.11 a/b/g/n
Interface en2: Bluetooth PAN
Interface bridge0: Thunderbolt Bridge
System Software:
macOS Mojave 10.14.6 (18G4032)
Time since boot: About 6 hours
You did not post the whole report but from what you posted:
Battery failure - Your battery is reporting that it needs to be serviced.
Failing hard drive - This machine has a hard drive that appears to be failing.
That Mac < MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) > can recognize 16GB of RAM
The mid 2012 is a real work horse...
Best to buy RAM from reliable source with the exact specs.
Usually a lifetime guarantee on RAM from third party source like:
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/
----------------------------------------------
If you install a SSD,
OWC SSD Upgrade Kits For MacBook Pro 2012
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/macbook-pro/2012
recommended you install a new SATA cable as well.
SATA replacement 15" MBP mid-2012
https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/9230084#15_inch
FWIW, I would not spend any money on a 2012 obsolete/vintage computer. Vintage and obsolete products - Apple Support
You can check the OWC site for prices of new SSDs for your computer model/year.
If it is a retina model and it already has 8GB RAM that is all it can have because it can not be replaced.
will new memory cards improve macbook pro performance?