Differences between Apple suggestions and retailers about Mac capabilities for higher memory card

1. Because Apple doesn’t update its specifications when higher capacity RAM becomes available for an older Mac.

2. The current MacBook models, all MacBook Airs, and retina MacBook Pros have soldered RAM that can’t be upgraded after purchase.

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1. Unless there’s a problem with those specific modules, it’ll work out.

2. Buy the RAM from Crucial or OWC.

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I have 16 GB of Crucial RAM (2 x 8 GB) in my early 2011 MBP. No issues. OWC (macsales.com) also sells quality RAM. Use of RAM that *should be* compatible but is just a little off can cause: random panics, application errors, random shutdowns, etc. Use Crucial for OWC in my opinion.

Installing those modules is safe -- they will not make your computer explode.

But if they do not work, and you turn to Apple for support, Apple will tell you the limits are lower, and that much RAM is not supported.

So, you need to buy from a Vendor who knows enough about Macs to actually support you if you have a memory problem. NOT a department store, NOT an electronics store, someone who has a lab full of Macs and can duplicate your complaint in their lab with their Macs.

You need to buy from someone who knows and supports Macs.

I would add Data Memory Systems to the Venders already mentioned here.