Finding RAM usage, and adding more?

[blizeH]

Hi,

My girlfriend's Macbook feels slightly sluggish at times with a lot of things open, even though it's the same spec as my friends nippy MBP.

Is there an easy way to check memory usage like the task manager in Windows?

Also would fitting memory like this be easy to do? http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-200...1_3?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1329074636&sr=1-3

Thanks!

 

[simsaladimbamba]

That RAM will only work with Macs from 2008 and earlier.
See below for the RAM guide.

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Have a look at Activity Monitor (Applications / Utilities /) and select All Processes and sort by CPU to see what the culprit may be.
Also check the "System Memory" tab to see what your "Page ins:", "Page outs:" and "Swap used:" are.

image below uses sorting by CPU as an example

Further reading:

Mac OS X: Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor
Making The Most of Activity Monitor
What Is Activity Monitor (or How to Take Your Mac's Pulse)​

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Upgrading RAM in MacBooks and MacBook Pros​

 

[Hellhammer]

You can monitor RAM usage with Activity Monitor. What MacBook does she have? There have been quite a few and the RAM type depends on that. Installing the RAM is very easy, though, regardless of the model.

 

[blizeH]

Ah! You guys are great, thank you - I was looking under System options, and 'About' under the Apple logo etc

She has the latest (and last) Macbook model, so the stuff I posted won't be any good I guess

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Ah! You guys are great, thank you - I was looking under System options, and 'About' under the Apple logo etc

She has the latest (and last) Macbook model, so the stuff I posted won't be any good I guess

Then look at this guide again:

Upgrading RAM in MacBooks and MacBook Pros​

4 GB RAM cost less than 25 USD, 8 GB RAM cost less than 50 USD. The guide includes specifications about what RAM you need and links to the correct RAM.

 

[Hellhammer]

She has the latest (and last) Macbook model, so the stuff I posted won't be any good I guess

The good news is that DDR3 is cheaper than DDR2. 4GB module goes for £15, which would increase the ram to 5GB.

 

[blizeH]

Wow, thank you! She already has 2GB RAM but at that price I'm not messing around, ordered right away... 4GB fast notebook memory for £15? Damn. One chip is nice too, should mean it'll slot in without a problem... unless you meant she currently has 2x1GB chips instead of 1x2GB, so I'll need to take one out?

 

[simsaladimbamba]

Wow, thank you! She already has 2GB RAM but at that price I'm not messing around, ordered right away... 4GB fast notebook memory for £15? Damn. One chip is nice too, should mean it'll slot in without a problem... unless you meant she currently has 2x1GB chips instead of 1x2GB, so I'll need to take one out?

Yes, she has two 1 GB sticks.

 

[blizeH]

Ah I see, thank you! Well 5GB is still going to be an amazing upgrade, and for a reasonable price - thank you again