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port77 Author

Level 1

7 points

Macbook Pro (2010) 16gb memory

Ok, I tried searching but couldn't find anything, so if I have missed it please feel free to point me in the direction of a previous post...

My problem is that I do a lot of heavy software development and I need to be mobile and as much as I love my Macbook Pro, 8GB main memory is nowhere near enough for what I need, especially with how poor the OS inappropriately blocks inactive memory. I know I can buy 8GB memory chips from Crucial to give me 16GB, and I know it may even void my warranty (but I have no choice on that front). But before I part with the cash, can I ask if anyone actually tried to put 16GB of memory into a MacBook Pro and if so does it work or am I wasting my money?

Many thanks in advance

MacBook Pro, iMac, Xserve, Mac OS X (10.6.6)

Posted on Feb 24, 2011 8:40 AM

332 replies

port77 Author

Level 1

7 points

Feb 24, 2011 9:16 AM in response to macbig

Many thanks - that is all I needed to know

Mr.Why

Level 1

0 points

Mar 3, 2011 4:26 AM in response to macbig

...but what about the new 2011 MacBook Pro 17in? With the change in cpu and chipset does that pave the way for an as yet unannounced compatibility with the 1 x 8Gb memory module?

See this link for some hopeful Rumour Mongering:

http://actionjaxon666.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/new-macbook-pros-secretly-16gb-ca pable

If not then it seems that at the top-end of things the cpu and memory are now somewhat out of balance. What's really going to do justice to a 2.3GHz Quad-Core i7 that wouldn't benefit equally from a rise in the RAM limit?

Sure, not everyone will need 16Gb but I'm certain plenty will. Certainly all the Windows Developers like me who do their development in large Virtual Machines running lots of Windows Server products will have to think twice about the new MBP because of the maintenance of this RAM limit and look instead at something like a Dell M6500 - which I for one would rather not move to...

eww

Level 9

53,040 points

Mar 3, 2011 7:24 AM in response to Mr.Why

I suspect that most Windows developers aren't interested in MBPs anyway, and wouldn't be even if they could use 16GB of RAM. It probably doesn't hurt Apple significantly to ignore that market segment.

It is true that many of the Core 2 Duo MBPs could use more RAM than Apple officially supported in them, and it's possible that the same will prove to be true of the new models. But in a quick search just now, I didn't find anyone selling 8GB RAM modules that would fit into a MBP — have you? If they're available, they must be very expensive.

Khazul

Level 1

0 points

Mar 3, 2011 8:13 AM in response to eww

Another windows/.net developer here. Im a freelance contract developer, but it also happens Im a Dj/musician/producer.

Hence buying an MBP made sense so I have a wdinows machine for work, and a mac for music.

If 16GB was possible - would definately be sticking 16Gb in. The headache is virtual machines wih a heap of MS server applications installed and VS 2010 etc.

Even without windows, Im looking to learn my way around mac development as well.

Mr.Why

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2011 2:05 AM in response to eww

Then I think you'd be surprised...

Granted these are not going to be Apple's biggest market segment but I can assure you there are plenty of them out there being used for Windows development via VM's or Boot Camp - I know plenty, even some guys within Microsoft use MBP's because they make bloody good development machines.

At the time I bought mine there was nothing on the market that could compete for power, weight, battery life etc. Plus by using an MBP with VM's I could also dabble in Mac and iOS development. Then they started to get left behind as other manufacturers started sticking Quad-Core i7's in their laptops. Apple have caught up on CPU but the 8Gb RAM limit is now a real contraint for some usage scenarios.

One you get a VM loaded up with Visual Studio and the various server products you need in there you are looking at 2Gb of memory per VM as a workable minimum. I've got two running right now and out of my 8Gb of RAM I have 0.5Gb free! So 16Gb is really a must for me, and I suspect, others like me.

MacRS4

Level 2

330 points

Mar 4, 2011 2:36 AM in response to Mr.Why

*even some guys within Microsoft use MBP'*

Yes they do. Some even hang out in the Apple Support forums 🙂

Mr.Why

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2011 7:59 AM in response to MacRS4

...and there's the proof right there...

I notice you're running your new MBP with 2 hard drives. May I ask how you've got that setup?

Are you using the MCE OptiBay in the SupaDrive bay to support the second HDU? Which SSD are you using? Is the MBP supporting the full 6 Gbit interface on your SSD? If it is that thing must fly!

Happy Deving...

Mr.Why

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2011 8:03 AM in response to eww

Based on the part number that was provided in the link I included, I found these two 'suppliers':

http://www.lambda-tek.com/componentshop/index.pl?prodID=2170930

http://store.apple.com/jp/product/MC850G/A

As you can see one is an Apple Online store, albeit the Japanese one. No info on what these memory modules are compatible with - so still no guarantee's they'll work with the new MBP's.

Yes they are scary expensive, but memory modules of this size are always going to make your eyes water...still if you (or your company) can afford it... 😉

eww

Level 9

53,040 points

Mar 4, 2011 8:09 AM in response to Mr.Why

Those are desktop RAM modules — they won't fit in a MBP.

Mr.Why

Level 1

0 points

Mar 4, 2011 8:16 AM in response to eww

Oh well, there goes that hope. Looks like I may have no choice but to move to the Dell M6500...bummer 😟

MacRS4

Level 2

330 points

Mar 4, 2011 6:32 PM in response to Mr.Why

Yes, I have the MCE OptiBay.

Fitting details here: http://www.markc.me.uk/MarkC/Blog/Entries/2011/3/5Fitting_a_Second_Hard_Disk_to_an_Apple_MacbookPro.html

I currently have a Crucial C300 SATA III (6Gbps) SSD fitted - can read about that here: http://www.markc.me.uk/MarkC/Blog/Entries/2011/3/32011_Macbook_Pro_and_SATA_III6Gbps.html

The thing is a flier that's for sure 🙂

MacRS4

Level 2

330 points

Mar 4, 2011 6:32 PM in response to MacRS4

Some videos bottom of this post here: http://www.markc.me.uk/MarkC/Blog/Entries/2011/2/25Early_2011_MacbookPro.html

port77 Author

Level 1

7 points

Mar 8, 2011 12:51 PM in response to MacRS4

Like many people here I do enterprise software development and have a real need to work in multiple operating system environments. My customers are an even mixture of OS X, Linux and Windows and so I need to run lots of VMs to run the various tests. I also need to work a lot on the road. I learned to program on the good old reliable Apple IIe 🙂 I love my Mac for development (other than its inadequate memory). Until Apple (or someone else gives us all the memory we need (4 slots would be nice and yes I would sacrifice my optical drive for 4 memory slots - no competition)). Anyway 2 questions please :

1 - Is there anyway to configure or turn off inactive memory? I am sick of having 45mb free with 2.5GB inactive and my machine throwing java errors as a result. Please, don't defend the garbage handing of inactive memory, if I did that for a client I would be kicked and not get paid. The architects and programmers should hang their heads in shame.

2- What do people find as the best Macbook Pro setup for demanding mobile development and test environments?

Thanks in advance for contributions.

Mar 9, 2011 6:52 AM in response to port77

The new 2011 MBP's do support up to 16 GB of RAM.

MacRS4

Level 2

330 points

Mar 9, 2011 7:05 AM in response to djanthonyw

What? Specs say up to 16Gb? Proof/Link to proof?

Macbook Pro (2010) 16gb memory