Macbook Pro 15" RAM 2GB vs. 4GB

[TechieJustin]

I have a Macbook Pro 15" unibody. I bought it as a refurb from Apple with 2GB of RAM.
How much of an improvement will I see if I upgrade to 4GB?
I am assuming that unlike Windows 32, SL can take full advantage of all 4GB of RAM.



Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP51.007E.B05
SMC Version (system): 1.41f2

 

[Gabriel GR]

It's simply day and night if you multitask.

 

[GGJstudios]

Big difference, if you routinely have multiple apps or large files open. Well worth the price!

I have a Macbook Pro 15" unibody. I bought it as a refurb from Apple with 2GB of RAM.
How much of an improvement will I see if I upgrade to 4GB?
I am assuming that unlike Windows 32, SL can take full advantage of all 4GB of RAM.

Snow Leopard:

Today’s Mac computers can hold up to 32GB of physical memory, but the 32-bit applications that run on them can address only 4GB of RAM at a time. 64-bit computing shatters that barrier by enabling applications to address a theoretical 16 billion gigabytes of memory, or 16 exabytes.

 

[maflynn]

Depends on what you do.

Run parallels or vmware - you'll see huge difference. A Photoshop user, yep a big difference.

Want to run a number of apps at once. You'll benefit from the 4gig.

If you typically surf, then do some document editing or such then perhaps you'll not see a big benefit. It all comes down to how many programs you want to run at once and also how much resources those programs consumer, i.e., vmware take a lot.

 

[TechieJustin]

I do a bit of everything.
Time to upgrade!

 

[wis99ski]

2gb to 4gb what brand

What brand is the most reliable for the money? What the major preference out there?

 

[GGJstudios]

What brand is the most reliable for the money? What the major preference out there?

You'll find answers to this and many other commonly asked questions under the Guides tab at the top of this page:

• Guides : Hardware: MR Guide to Buying RAM
• Guides : Hardware: MR Guide to Understanding Intel Mac RAM
• Apple does not manufacture RAM and charges more than you would pay with other reputable RAM providers.
• Some great sources for Mac-compatible RAM are OWC and newegg.com.
• MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory
• MacBook: How to remove or install memory
• iMac (Late 2009): Installing or replacing memory
• Installation does not void the Apple Warranty or the AppleCare Protection Plan, unless you damage something in the process.

If you have questions that these sources doesn't cover, you can check to see if it has been answered in another thread by doing a Google search of the forums. I hope this helps!

 

[alust2013]

What brand is the most reliable for the money? What the major preference out there?

I have 4 gigs of Crucial in my MacBook, and it works great. I don't think there really is a whole lot of difference between brands, but I have heard a lot of good stuff about crucial and owc in particular.