What RAM can I use in my MacBook?

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Level 1

6 points

What RAM can I use in my MacBook?

Hey All,

I need to upgrade my Aluminum Unibody MacBook from late 2008's RAM from the factory standard 2 GB, and I am looking to go to either 4 or 6 GB. The problem is, my computer insists that I need 200-pin RAM, however, when I look anywhere other than Apple, I can only find 204-pin RAM, and all of those websites insist that it will be compatible.

I don't want to pay $200 dollars to buy from Apple, but I don't want to ruin my computer.

Ideas?

MacBook (Aluminum Unibody; Late 2008)

Posted on Dec 8, 2010 4:10 PM

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Answer 1

First Magus

Level 7

21,299 points

Dec 8, 2010 5:02 PM in response to amarkon8895

amarkon8895 wrote:
The problem is, my computer insists that I need 200-pin RAM, however, when I look anywhere other than Apple, I can only find 204-pin RAM, and all of those websites insist that it will be compatible.

Where did you get the information that your RAM has 200 pins? If you look at this, MacBook: How to remove or install memory, you will see that your MacBook calls for 204 pin RAM. Some of the older MacBooks do use 200 pin sticks.

If you check out OWC macsales you can find the exact RAM you need.

I don't want to pay $200 dollars to buy from Apple, but I don't want to ruin my computer.

The RAM Apple sells is the same as sold by retailers for less. Apple uses different suppliers for it's RAM as they don't make it themselves.

Always buy RAM from dealers that have good return policies such as OWC. The RAM also should have a lifetime guarantee from the manufacturer.

The following are good sources for RAM too.

Crucial

Kingston

MacMemory

Save your old RAM as a backup. This way if anything happens to your new RAM you have known good RAM to install and test your MacBook with.

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