Question... New to Macbook Pros

[Demarrer]

So i just got my first apple computer/macbook pro and had a few quick questions. I know that laptops aren't the most customizable things in the world, but I would like to know if it is possible to "update" or "upgrade" a few things in the computer.

- Could I add more RAM in the future

- Is it possible to remove the installed disk drive, and than replace it with another one?

Thanks for the help.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

The first option is user-replaceable, Apple does not deem it as violating your warranty. However, Apple is known to steal your ram if it's third party if it gets sent into Apple Care for repair - so keep your old stuff.

The second one is doable, but it would violate your warranty.

 

[John Doe 57]

- Could I add more RAM in the future

Yes, unless you already have the maximum amount installed. Which model of the MacBook Pro are you using?

 

[MWPULSE]

in short yes and yes.. the latest revisions of the Macbook Pro line have become a bit tricky to upgrade- with the non-removable batteries n that.. But its still very possible.

PTP

 

[Demarrer]

Yes, unless you already have the maximum amount installed. Which model of the MacBook Pro are you using?

Macbook Pro 13".. got it yesterday

 

[ZizousamA]

Macbook Pro 13".. got it yesterday

Is it the lower 13" or the higher? The lower can recognize up to 4gb and comes with 2, the higher model takes up to 8gb and comes with 4. I hope that you got the higher model.

 

[Demarrer]

Is it the lower 13" or the higher? The lower can recognize up to 4gb and comes with 2, the higher model takes up to 8gb and comes with 4. I hope that you got the higher model.

i did, but whats wrong with the lower model?

 

[iToaster]

Both can take 8 GB of RAM, it says so on Apple's website. The only real difference between to two is an unnoticeably faster processor, more RAM, and a larger hard drive, the latter two being easily and inexpensively upgradeable. Upgrading yourself won't void the warranty on the RAM or hard drive, the optical drive I don't believe is user replaceable according to Apple, so that would void the warranty (but you can just put the stock one back in if you have a problem and they'll never know). Also, non-Apple RAM is generally removed, put in a baggie, and shipped back to the owner with the computer if left in.

 

[Demarrer]

Both can take 8 GB of RAM, it says so on Apple's website. Upgrading yourself won't void the warranty on the RAM or hard drive, the optical drive I don't believe is user replaceable according to Apple, so that would void the warranty (but you can just put the stock one back in if you have a problem and they'll never know). Also, non-Apple RAM is generally removed, put in a baggie, and shipped back to the owner with the computer if left in.

Where could I buy more "Apple" RAM... The Apple Store online?

 

[iToaster]

Where could I buy more "Apple" RAM... The Apple Store online?

I like to get my RAM from Other World computing. Here's the right page for your model. Apple's RAM tends to be very, very overpriced.

 

[ZizousamA]

Both can take 8 GB of RAM, it says so on Apple's website. The only real difference between to two is an unnoticeably faster processor, more RAM, and a larger hard drive, the latter two being easily and inexpensively upgradeable. Upgrading yourself won't void the warranty on the RAM or hard drive, the optical drive I don't believe is user replaceable according to Apple, so that would void the warranty (but you can just put the stock one back in if you have a problem and they'll never know). Also, non-Apple RAM is generally removed, put in a baggie, and shipped back to the owner with the computer if left in.

You are right. I could almost swear that the 8gb option for the lower model wasn't available a while ago!

 

[ZizousamA]

Where could I buy more "Apple" RAM... The Apple Store online?

Yes Apple charges a heck of a lot for RAM. You are better off buying somewhere else such as newegg.com under the apple section or Apple's certified resellers and online stores found on here http://wheretobuy.apple.com/Catalog.html and install it yourself.

 

[DoFoT9]

The second one is doable, but it would violate your warranty.

HAHA! are you sure?? its a unibody 😛 its like two screws to get it out...

 

[thegoldenmackid]

HAHA! are you sure?? its a unibody 😛 its like two screws to get it out...

I talked to the Genius Bar, replacing the Superdrive is not a user-upgrade.

 

[ZizousamA]

i did, but whats wrong with the lower model?

I was under the impression that it only supports up to 4gb of RAM. Now that I know it supports 8, it is perfectly and the only difference is its slower cpu.

 

[DoFoT9]

I talked to the Genius Bar, replacing the Superdrive is not a user-upgrade.

i think the OP will need to clarify, i refer a 'disk drive' as HDD... (as in Hard Disk Drive).

 

[DoFoT9]

You are right. I could almost swear that the 8gb option for the lower model wasn't available a while ago!

it wasnt. it was only introduced in the last revision.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

i think the OP will need to clarify, i refer a 'disk drive' as HDD... (as in Hard Disk Drive).

Yeah, I'm not sure why I interrupted the OP as referring to the optical drive, clearly the hard drive is user-replaceable. Although the hybrid (replacing the optical drive with a hard drive) not so much...

 

[DoFoT9]

Yeah, I'm not sure why I interrupted the OP as referring to the optical drive, clearly the hard drive is user-replaceable. Although the hybrid (replacing the optical drive with a hard drive) not so much...

everyone does it it would still be best if he clarifies though..

im waiting for my optical bay add-on to arrive to i can put another HDD in there! (woohoo).

 

[JonB3Z]

The User Guide should tell you exactly how to do both of those things. The 15" User Guide certainly does, and I just finished upgrading my HDD to a 500-GB, 7200-RPM Seagate.