6GB in MacBook (Pro); Yes it works. - 8GB... well...

[gatortpk]

Apple sticks to the Original Max at the time usually.

I think it's because 4GB works for sure, 8GB doesn't always work. So it's easier for Apple to support. I believe 8GB only started working after a specific SMC/bios update, and even still some memory modules don't work, like the Mushkin kit I described above.

At the time these MacBooks came out, I don't believe that 4GB SODIMMs were generally available, so the Max was 2x2GB for a total of 4GB. Apple doesn't seem to update their original specs. I can't think of a single case where they have.

I would say, it seems, that about half of all Macs, Apple has produced, support more than they could at their introduction, because the larger capacity DIMM/SODIMMs didn't exist (then, at the time of the introduction).

 

[zero85ZEN]

Well, this thread has me intrigued and confounded at the same time. LOL! I just purhcased 6GB from OWC (haven't installed it yet) because they report that 6GB is the max that works in the late '08 5,1 unibody MBP. But I've been following this tread for some time...and it seems now a lot of folks are having success with 8GB in this model as long as the memory is high quality. Concern for me is that I use my machine for my video editing business and can't afford to chance it.... BUT I'd sure love to get 8GB and matching SO-DIMMS! (I'm also installing an OWC 240GB SSD [system drive] and a fast 7200rmp 640GB HD in the optical bay [scratch, media drive].)

So, to anybody out there that has 8GB running well on my model machine, running 32bit kernel, I'd love to hear more info (how long you've been running this setup, what apps you're running, how often you've really pushed RAM usage, have you been kernel panic free, etc....)

When was the last firmware update? (I'm up to date, but don't recall when it rolled out....) Perhaps that really was the "fix" that allowed these models to run 8GB?

Cheers! And thanks for all the great community generated info!!!!

 

[stark4]

Well, this thread has me intrigued and confounded at the same time. LOL! I just purhcased 6GB from OWC (haven't installed it yet) because they report that 6GB is the max that works in the late '08 5,1 unibody MBP. But I've been following this tread for some time...and it seems now a lot of folks are having success with 8GB in this model as long as the memory is high quality. Concern for me is that I use my machine for my video editing business and can't afford to chance it.... BUT I'd sure love to get 8GB and matching SO-DIMMS! (I'm also installing an OWC 240GB SSD [system drive] and a fast 7200rmp 640GB HD in the optical bay [scratch, media drive].)

So, to anybody out there that has 8GB running well on my model machine, running 32bit kernel, I'd love to hear more info (how long you've been running this setup, what apps you're running, how often you've really pushed RAM usage, have you been kernel panic free, etc....)

When was the last firmware update? (I'm up to date, but don't recall when it rolled out....) Perhaps that really was the "fix" that allowed these models to run 8GB?

Cheers! And thanks for all the great community generated info!!!!

i'm using it for 3-4 days now.. no problems yet... i don't really need 8GB but i upgraded anyways.. all i do it browser the web with alot of tabs and sometimes HD movies.

 

[kanon14]

I've just installed 2 Kingston DDR3 1066 4GB ram on my late 08 UMBP 15". I'm running in 32bit and so far it's great. I'll put on a more intense test a bit later and see if there's any KP.

 

[dthomas86]

8GB proof

I am new to these forums but willing to submit some proof of 8GB Ram running on a 15" Macbook Pro late 2008 unibody mine is a cto machine with 2.8GHz processor and 320 7200 rpm HDD.

I have forced my machine to boot up into 64Bit by changing the root plist to arch=x86_64.

The first image is using 4GB Ram, the second 4GB running Rember, third 8GB Ram and the fourth 8GB running Rember.

 

[leftroom]

I just bought 4 GB RAM to my early 2008 MacBook Pro 17".

Do somebody know or can give me a tip on howto access the screws more easy? I can't remove the other three screws, only 1. I have tried several times but I can't remove the other three screws. So annoying.

 

[zero85ZEN]

I just bought 4 GB RAM to my early 2008 MacBook Pro 17".

Do somebody know or can give me a tip on howto access the screws more easy? I can't remove the other three screws, only 1. I have tried several times but I can't remove the other three screws. So annoying.

Google "ifixit". You'll be able to find an online step-by-step guide for upgrading RAM for your model MBP.

 

[leftroom]

Google "ifixit". You'll be able to find an online step-by-step guide for upgrading RAM for your model MBP.

Thanks! I am using it right now. But the problem is that I can't remove the three screws that are left. Maybe I must purchase another type of screwdriver or something

I have done an upgrade to the RAM before so I can't understand why this is so difficult now.

 

[bx don]

It worked on my late 2007 aluminum 20" Imac I'm going to upgrade the hdd from 320gb to 1tb next month...

 

[Cool Runnings]

Thanks guys 8GB works on my late 2008 macbook pro 2.4 also.

i was at the apple store the other day and they said 4GB is the max that i can put in but because of you guys help and useful info i'm rocking with 8GB.

Can someone tell me why apple has the wrong info about 4GB is the max that we can put in??

Thanks

Simple, it's because apple only officially support 4 GB on that model and therefore they don't recommend and support 8 GB to customers. I guess if you have 8 GB and want support the first thing they change is the 8 -> 4 GB. Newer versions of the MBP officially support 8 GB.

 

[leftroom]

Now I also has 6 GB RAM! A friend of mine helpt me to install the memory

 

[Mik3F]

Just upgraded my 13" MBP to 8gb with some Kingston Ram.

SSD is next on the list

 

[OatmealRocks]

I need some help.

I have 2 x 4GB which I tried on my MBP 13. However it beeps funny and I am unable to see login screen when I put both chips in. I have tested the 4GB stick individually and they work when the total is 6GB (1 of the 4GB sticks and OEM 2GB). I tried to isolate to see if it is one of the sticks but they both work. I even tried different 4GB sticks out of my iMAC and its the same issue. When total 8GB it beebs and i don't see a screen but 6GB is the highest I can go for it to boot. Suggestions?

thx

 

[Cave Man]

That's most likely a failed memory test that occurs at power-up. Make sure the SO-DIMMs are seated properly. If they are, then you likely have a dead or incompatible chip arrangement. What is your MBP's model identifier?

 

[OatmealRocks]

That's most likely a failed memory test that occurs at power-up. Make sure the SO-DIMMs are seated properly. If they are, then you likely have a dead or incompatible chip arrangement. What is your MBP's model identifier?

MacBookPro7,1

I tried different variations possible but you might be right I will try again. However I tried the 4GB stick separately and they both worked in 2 + 4 setup. I will try both but make sure it is correct. Will try now actually.

 

[Eidorian]

This might explain the situation on the Late 2008 MacBooks.

 

[Cave Man]

Well, I'll be damned. That's pretty sneaky of Apple. I'll have to see if this works on my MBP.

 

[iLog.Genius]

So just to be clear, if...

you have MacBookPro5,1 and the Boot ROM version is MBP51.007E.B05, you should be ok for 8 GB?

The reason why I ask is that the article mentioned that they updated the EFI firmware from when it first came out (I updated almost immediately after it was released) and that Apple changed it afterwards, this changed allowed 8 GB of RAM.

 

[thefunkymunky]

...

 

[bigbadbenny]

Enabling 8Gb for MBP 3,1?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but would analysing the boot.efi of the pre and post firmware update MBP 5,1 give some clues as to efi edits that might enable 8GB in the MBP 3,1 ?
Assuming I can get hold of those boot.efi versions, how would I go about comparing the differences?
Of course the 3,1 is NOT supported, but that was also true for the 5,1 for a while...

 

[bigbadbenny]

I have access, potentially, to all versions of the MBP 5,1 boot.efi files:
A friend has an MBP 5,1 on 8GB, and a co-worker has a stock MBP 5,1 on Leopard. More soon...

 

[thefunkymunky]

I have access, potentially, to all versions of the MBP 5,1 boot.efi files:
A friend has an MBP 5,1 on 8GB, and a co-worker has a stock MBP 5,1 on Leopard. More soon...

Any news?

 

[xexets]

So just to be clear, if...

you have MacBookPro5,1 and the Boot ROM version is MBP51.007E.B05, you should be ok for 8 GB?

The reason why I ask is that the article mentioned that they updated the EFI firmware from when it first came out (I updated almost immediately after it was released) and that Apple changed it afterwards, this changed allowed 8 GB of RAM.

Yes, I have been using it since the day that article came out (ordered 8gb straightaway). To be on the safe side I tested it running parallels with 4gb and ram hungry apps, the system is very stable even when all ram is wired and used.

 

[Satellitecentra]

I installed 8 gig of ram in my 2009 unibody MB (2.4 non Pro) last week , no issues , works great

 

[bigbadbenny]

Any news?

Well just putting the boot.efi from the 5,1 on the 3,1 did not get past loading the mach kernel
Just to have another stab in the dark I opened the 1.8 firmware update with Pacifist and managed to install it to Utilities, but of course it just registers incompatibility on boot.
So still part time messing about with more totally teleiological experimenting to come.