16 GB RAM Upgrades for New MacBook Pros Now Available

MacRumors · Mar 9, 2011, 12:00 PM

Other World Computing today announced the debut of new aftermarket RAM upgrades for the new MacBook Pro models released late last month. Options ranging up to 16 GB are available, well beyond Apple's maximum build-to-order offering of 8 GB. OWC offers the following options and prices:

- 4 GB (Replace one existing 2 GB module with a 4 GB module for a total of 6 GB): $59.99
- 8 GB (Replace existing 2 GB modules with 4 GB modules): $112.99
- 12 GB (Replace existing 2 GB modules with one 8 GB module and one 4 GB module): $879.99
- 16 GB (Replace existing 2 GB modules with 8 GB modules): $1599.99

Trade-in rebates of $13 per 2 GB module from Apple can also be applied.

OWC maintains a "MaxRAM" testing lab of Apple machines and has verified that the new MacBook Pros can accept up to 16 GB of RAM.

Article Link: 16 GB RAM Upgrades for New MacBook Pros Now Available

calderone · Mar 9, 2011, 12:02 PM

I figured 16GB would work, the spec sheet Intel put out suggested as such. It was just a little ambiguous.

AnonMac50 · Mar 9, 2011, 12:13 PM

Sweet, I know someone who will be very happy.

boshii · Mar 9, 2011, 12:15 PM

I would rather just buy another macbook pro.

DivineEvil · Mar 9, 2011, 12:41 PM

What about Mid 2009 or Mid 2010 MBPs?! What is the maximum ram for them?

AnonMac50 · Mar 9, 2011, 12:43 PM

Just noticed the prices. Instead of a MacBook Pro + 16 GB RAM, how about a MacBook Pro + another MacBook Pro?

mrfoof82 · Mar 9, 2011, 12:44 PM

Interesting.

The pricing doesn't surprise me. A year ago, two 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMMS were $400. Less than a year before that it would cost you $800.

However what does surprise me is only OWC has 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Crucial? Nope. Any manufacturer carried by NewEgg? Nope.

Would I like 16GB in my MacBook Pro? YES. I'd actually use it. Would I like more options, including from I don't know... an actual memory manufacturer (i.e. Micron or Kingston)? Yes. Would I like the price to at least come down to $600 or $700? Yes, that too.

jamesryanbell · Mar 9, 2011, 12:47 PM

So the upgrade costs more than a 13" MBP. How neat.

daneoni · Mar 9, 2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by divineevil

what about mid 2009 or mid 2010 mbps?! What is the maximum ram for them?

8gb

LeoNobilis · Mar 9, 2011, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnonMac50

Just noticed the prices. Instead of a MacBook Pro + 16 GB RAM, how about a MacBook Pro + another MacBook Pro?

Exactly! Ridiculous pricing!

glimp7 · Mar 9, 2011, 12:55 PM

Just like Apple not to tell us what the true innards are...

Some of us would like this much RAM, and the customization page doesn't offer this option.

paulrbeers · Mar 9, 2011, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrfoof82

Would I like 16GB in my MacBook Pro? YES. I'd actually use it. Would I like more options, including from I don't know... an actual memory manufacturer (i.e. Micron or Kingston)? Yes. Would I like the price to at least come down to $600 or $700? Yes, that too.

You do realize, that it isn't like the guys over at OWC is soldering up these memory sticks in their basement right? Traditionally they are major manufacturers "stuff", but they just don't guarentee who actually makes it. Can you buy 8GB sticks from cruicial or Kingston yet? Not through their website, but that doesn't mean they aren't making them. Intel obviously had to be able to get their hands on it when they were designing the current chipsets in the MBP's otherwise how would they know it works?

idea_hamster · Mar 9, 2011, 01:12 PM

I think this is great news -- just not for right now.

True, $1600 for the next 8GB of RAM is, let's say, "difficult to justify" for most.

However, I just bought my MBP, and in 2015, when 16GB RAM is common and runs $90, this upgrade path will give my MBP a spritz of that new-car-smell stuff for the following year or two.

Nice to know it's a bit more future-proof than I thought. Would it have killed them to connect the ODD to a SATA III port?!?

paulrbeers · Mar 9, 2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by idea_hamster

Nice to know it's a bit more future-proof than I thought. Would it have killed them to connect the ODD to a SATA III port?!?

Agreed. I would have purchased a 17" MBP if it meant it had 4 slots instead of just 2. When I start loading up virtual machines, my available memory starts diminishing fast. 8GB is as little as I would want in my Notebook, so when this memory starts to drop I will definitely be buying!

guzhogi · Mar 9, 2011, 01:28 PM

A somewhat good place to look for memory (both RAM & memory cards for digital cameras) is dealram.com. It doesn't actually sell this stuff, but aggregates different prices for memory so you can know where the least expensive ones are. As of yet, they don't seem to have the memory for the current MBPs yet, but have lots of RAM for other systems.

Ivan0310 · Mar 9, 2011, 01:28 PM

I wonder who their manufacturer is--can't find 8GB modules in the 204-pin variety anywhere else right now. Not surprising that the price is so steep.

auero · Mar 9, 2011, 01:33 PM

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5)

This is way too expensive. Most won't even use that much memory. I rather put the money into a Mac pro than shove it in the mbp.

pmz · Mar 9, 2011, 01:41 PM

The price of 8 gigs of ram is amazing to me these days. So cheap.

jav6454 · Mar 9, 2011, 01:53 PM

16 GB of RAM?!! Horry crap....

CmdrLaForge · Mar 9, 2011, 02:04 PM

Wow - 16 GB are expensive. In particular compared to 8GB. I will wait some time and hope the prices for 16GB come way down. In 2 years maybe? I could get an SSD in addition and speed up my new MBP quite a bit.

ciTiger · Mar 9, 2011, 02:06 PM

Too bad i can't afford it..

meb91 · Mar 9, 2011, 02:16 PM

I wonder if a 2010 iMac would support 32 GB if you got 4x 8 GB modules since it also uses DDR3 1333 and has 4 RAM slots, I don't see why not. Of course those 8 gig modules are still way too expensive, as it would cost more than the iMac itself. But I'm thinking for the future when they come down in price.

Jswoosh · Mar 9, 2011, 02:21 PM

Well thats nice to know. Unfortunately my (late 2007) MBP only takes up to 2 GB's of RAM which is how much I have. Possibly 4? from what I've heard.

Michaelgtrusa · Mar 9, 2011, 02:24 PM

More than a 13" MBP!

lostngone · Mar 9, 2011, 02:25 PM

I always need more ram however at that price I think I will wait for the price to come down.

Mar 9, 2011, 12:00 PM	#1
MacRumors macrumors bot Join Date: Apr 2001	16 GB RAM Upgrades for New MacBook Pros Now Available Other World Computing today announced the debut of new aftermarket RAM upgrades for the new MacBook Pro models released late last month. Options ranging up to 16 GB are available, well beyond Apple's maximum build-to-order offering of 8 GB. OWC offers the following options and prices: - 4 GB (Replace one existing 2 GB module with a 4 GB module for a total of 6 GB): $59.99 - 8 GB (Replace existing 2 GB modules with 4 GB modules): $112.99 - 12 GB (Replace existing 2 GB modules with one 8 GB module and one 4 GB module): $879.99 - 16 GB (Replace existing 2 GB modules with 8 GB modules): $1599.99 Trade-in rebates of $13 per 2 GB module from Apple can also be applied. OWC maintains a "MaxRAM" testing lab of Apple machines and has verified that the new MacBook Pros can accept up to 16 GB of RAM. Article Link: 16 GB RAM Upgrades for New MacBook Pros Now Available
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:02 PM	#2
calderone macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seattle	I figured 16GB would work, the spec sheet Intel put out suggested as such. It was just a little ambiguous. __________________ ACSA, ACMT
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:13 PM	#3
AnonMac50 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2010	Sweet, I know someone who will be very happy. __________________ [Tutorial] Three Finger Drag on Non-supported Multitouch Macs (UPDATED!!! (18/1/2013)) Front Row for Lion Now I know why the maps icon wants you to jump off of a bridge!
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:41 PM	#5
DivineEvil macrumors regular Join Date: Feb 2009	What about Mid 2009 or Mid 2010 MBPs?! What is the maximum ram for them? __________________ 13.3" UMBP (mid 2009), 2.26GHz C2D P7550, 8GB DDR3, 640GB+500GB iPhone 4 32 GB
	1

Mar 9, 2011, 12:43 PM	#6
AnonMac50 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2010	Just noticed the prices. Instead of a MacBook Pro + 16 GB RAM, how about a MacBook Pro + another MacBook Pro? __________________ [Tutorial] Three Finger Drag on Non-supported Multitouch Macs (UPDATED!!! (18/1/2013)) Front Row for Lion Now I know why the maps icon wants you to jump off of a bridge!
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:15 PM	#4
boshii macrumors 68020 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA	I would rather just buy another macbook pro.
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:44 PM	#7
mrfoof82 macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2010 Location: Boston, MA	Interesting. The pricing doesn't surprise me. A year ago, two 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMMS were $400. Less than a year before that it would cost you $800. However what does surprise me is only OWC has 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMMs. Crucial? Nope. Any manufacturer carried by NewEgg? Nope. Would I like 16GB in my MacBook Pro? YES. I'd actually use it. Would I like more options, including from I don't know... an actual memory manufacturer (i.e. Micron or Kingston)? Yes. Would I like the price to at least come down to $600 or $700? Yes, that too.
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:47 PM	#8
jamesryanbell macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2009	So the upgrade costs more than a 13" MBP. How neat. __________________ Mac Mini Quad-Core i7 Server 8GB RAM MBA 11.6" w/OWC 240GB SSD 27" Cinema Display iPhone 4S 64GB, Apple TV3
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 12:55 PM	#11
glimp7 macrumors member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Austin, Texas, US	Speeds and feeds matter! Just like Apple not to tell us what the true innards are... Some of us would like this much RAM, and the customization page doesn't offer this option. __________________ iPhone 5 iPad (4th-generation) 15" Retina Macbook Pro
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 01:12 PM	#13
idea_hamster macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: NYC, or thereabouts	I think this is great news -- just not for right now. True, $1600 for the next 8GB of RAM is, let's say, "difficult to justify" for most. However, I just bought my MBP, and in 2015, when 16GB RAM is common and runs $90, this upgrade path will give my MBP a spritz of that new-car-smell stuff for the following year or two. Nice to know it's a bit more future-proof than I thought. Would it have killed them to connect the ODD to a SATA III port?!? __________________ The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts. -- B. Russell
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 01:28 PM	#15
guzhogi macrumors 68000 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Wherever my feet take me…	A somewhat good place to look for memory (both RAM & memory cards for digital cameras) is dealram.com. It doesn't actually sell this stuff, but aggregates different prices for memory so you can know where the least expensive ones are. As of yet, they don't seem to have the memory for the current MBPs yet, but have lots of RAM for other systems.
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 01:28 PM	#16
Ivan0310 macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Dallas, TX	I wonder who their manufacturer is--can't find 8GB modules in the 204-pin variety anywhere else right now. Not surprising that the price is so steep. __________________ 2.0GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon MacPro, 120GB SSD + 2.25TB HDD, 7GB RAM, nVidia 8800GT \| 2.4GHz Core i5 MacBook Pro 13.3" \| TV \| 32GB iPhone 4
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 01:33 PM	#17
auero macrumors 6502a Join Date: Sep 2006	Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 4_2_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/533.17.9 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0.2 Mobile/8C148 Safari/6533.18.5) This is way too expensive. Most won't even use that much memory. I rather put the money into a Mac pro than shove it in the mbp.
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 01:41 PM	#18
pmz macrumors 68000 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: NJ	The price of 8 gigs of ram is amazing to me these days. So cheap.
	1

Mar 9, 2011, 01:53 PM	#19
jav6454 macrumors G5 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 1 Geostationary Tower Plaza	16 GB of RAM?!! Horry crap.... __________________ Al MacBook 2.4GHz Late '08 \| Macross Click Me
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 02:04 PM	#20
CmdrLaForge macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: around the world	Wow - 16 GB are expensive. In particular compared to 8GB. I will wait some time and hope the prices for 16GB come way down. In 2 years maybe? I could get an SSD in addition and speed up my new MBP quite a bit. __________________ Macbook Pro 15" Quad 2.2 GHz; Cinema Display 23";iPad 1 32GB; iPhone5 white 16GB
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 02:06 PM	#21
ciTiger macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Portugal (Porto)	Too bad i can't afford it.. __________________ MacBook Pro 13 Early 2010,500GB Scorpio Blue, SSD Intel X-25M 80GB Gen2 iPhone 4 16GB (black) iPad 2 16GB 3G (black) Check my iPhone and iPad Apps
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 02:16 PM	#22
meb91 macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2010	I wonder if a 2010 iMac would support 32 GB if you got 4x 8 GB modules since it also uses DDR3 1333 and has 4 RAM slots, I don't see why not. Of course those 8 gig modules are still way too expensive, as it would cost more than the iMac itself. But I'm thinking for the future when they come down in price. __________________ 27" iMac, 2.93 GHz i7, 12GB DDR3, 1TB HDD, Radeon HD Mobility 5850 1GB Mac mini, 1.66 GHz Core Duo, 2GB DDR2, 160 GB HDD, GMA 950 32GB 4th gen iPod touch
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 02:21 PM	#23
Jswoosh macrumors member Join Date: Feb 2011	Well thats nice to know. Unfortunately my (late 2007) MBP only takes up to 2 GB's of RAM which is how much I have. Possibly 4? from what I've heard. __________________ 11 27" iMac 2.7 i5, 4GB, 1 TB ----- 11 13" MBP, 2.7 i7, 4 GB, 500 GB 07 15" MBP, 2.2 C2D, 2 GB, 120 GB ----- iPhone 4, 32 GB soon to be white 4s 64 GB
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 02:24 PM	#24
Michaelgtrusa macrumors 68040 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Everywhere And Nowhere	More than a 13" MBP! __________________ iMACAll life is an experiment. The more experiments you make the better. TWITTER TUMBLR
	0

Mar 9, 2011, 02:25 PM	#25
lostngone macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Anchorage	Very nice! I always need more ram however at that price I think I will wait for the price to come down.
	0

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