So I found out today from the Apple store that my lower ram slot is bad. The guy gave me 2 options: Either it gets sent back to the Apple manufacturer and get the logic board replaced for abot $300+ or I can get a bigger GB of RAM for the upper working slot. What should I do? I want to go with the second option because it is alot cheaper for me but I'm afraid that the upper slot might become bad as well.
MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.5)
2011 machine can hold up to 16GB of RAM, 2-8GB sticks.
It's almost 2014 now, that's about 3 years. OS X Lions need 4GB+ easily, programs are being bloated.
If the machine was heavily used, the keyboard and trackpad worn, or if it's a 13", then go for the third party 8GB and stick it in yourself and make do.
If it's a 15" or 17" and not heavily used, or if your needs will exceed 8GB RAM, or it has a SSD already, and you have been babying the heck out of it, then perhaps the $300 is worth it.
Average lifespan of a laptop is about 3-4 years, more with considerable care and wear and tear placed on external devices.
So it's nearly 3 down now and X amount to go, depending how well you treated and took care of it if it's worth spending $300 for another 3 years or not.
You can always try the 8GB and likely that will be enough, or if it doesn't work, return the RAM or sell it on eBay and get a new machine (newer machines need newer RAM specs usually, but not in all cases)
My Early 2011 is like brand new almost, it still has the factory smell a little.
The keyboard perhaps had 100 characters typed, it's covered by the thin foam packaging and the trackpad wasn't used at all hardly. Superdrive was only used a few times.
My machine with your problem would make a ideal candidate for a $300 fix, as it's the last 17" Apple made and still kicks arse so it's worth a lot used still as people want it for Snow Leopard and it can be upgraded to 10.9+
But if yours is a 13" well that's a less powerful machine, no dedicated graphics and it's hot, so it's not worth as much for a $300 repair as it's closer to the 3 year lifespan and obsolence than a 15" or 17" 2011 model.
ds store wrote:
My Early 2011 is like brand new almost, it still has the factory smell a little.
it's the last 17" Apple made ....
You have neglected the fact that the early 2011 MBPs were superceded by the late 2011 MBPs, so it cannot be 'last 17" Apple made'. I point this out since I have a late 2011 17" which was purchased after the 2012 models were introduced (refurbished) last November. 😁👿😎
Ciao.
Best MBPs ever made. Right? 🙂
Message was edited by: OGELTHORPE
OGELTHORPE wrote:
You have neglected the fact that the early 2011 MBPs were superceded by the late 2011 MBPs, so it cannot be 'last 17" Apple made'.
It is, the late 2011's are merely common incremental processor upgrades, the model and the year are still the same.
When history is written, it will say 2011 is the last year Apple produced the 17" MacBook Pro. 😉
Mac's with Lion don't count as machines. 😁
My computer is in good condition. The trackpad and keyboard are still good, it doesn't get hot. It just started beeping one day because of the one bad RAM slot. So to me, my computer is still pretty good. I want to just replace the good RAM for an 8GB one but I know if this problem happens in the future, it will coast even more to replace the logic board than how much I was offered to get it fixed now. I don't know how long one slot can last on its own.
And I don't think 2 years is that old, especially for a mac and the price I paid for it. I know people who still have functional Macbooks (the plasic looking ones) and that's well over 3 years.
BTW, my mac is a 13" late 2011.
Have the logicboard replaced.
Good luck 🙂
One bad RAM slot!!
