RAM Help

[div_2019]

Greetings all.

I have a 2010 unibody MacBook - MC 516. It’s seen minimal use over the years. Shame to see it go to scrap.

Questions are please;
- is it worth upgrading to 2 x 4GB RAM?
-if so where what and would it need to be manufacturer wise and where would I get it? Looked online and am lost!
-do I need one of those anti static band things to put it the RAM?
-how do install I install the RAM on the system and the best iOS it would handle?
I really am clueless so would appreciate any help thanks. I’ve found myself looking at videos online and am still unsure….
Thanks to all responders 🤓😊.

 

[MultiFinder17]

If you're looking for a computer to use for basic stuff, it's hard to go wrong with one of those. They're no speed demons today, but for the basics (office productivity, light web browsing, videos, etc.) they're perfectly acceptable.
As to your questions:

1. Is it worth upgrading to 2 x 4GB RAM?
   1. Assuming you can find it cheaply, more RAM is always better.
2. If so where what and would it need to be manufacturer wise and where would I get it? Looked online and am lost!
   1. Go to eBay and find the cheapest PC3-8500 you can. Not my auction, but an example that I've used in MacBooks before - https://www.ebay.com/itm/324592215027
3. Do I need one of those anti static band things to put it the RAM?
   1. Nah, just don't shuffle in socks over carpet and then stick your fingers all over the logic board. It's a good idea to ground yourself somewhere, touching something metal like another computer that's plugged in or something, but that's about it.
4. How do install I install the RAM on the system and the best iOS it would handle?
   1. If this is a white plastic 2010 MacBook, then these are the instructions to follow - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Unibody+Model+A1342+RAM+Replacement/1666
   2. If it's an aluminum 2010 MacBook Pro, then these are the instructions to follow - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+RAM+Replacement/4319
   3. Either way it's a fairly simple, straightforward upgrade. Take your time if it's your first time opening up a laptop and you'll be fine! You may want to consider upgrading to a cheap SSD while you're in there.
   4. As for OS support, there are three options:
      1. Official support ends at 10.13 High Sierra. This is where Apple's support ends. HS is old but still functional for basic tasks, though a fair bit of software has dropped support for it.
      2. dosdude1's Catalina patcher. This will let you run 10.15 Catalina on your Mac with basically no compromises. It's a fantastic option that gets you a little less out of date.
      3. OpenCore Legacy Patcher. This will let you run up to the current macOS 15 Sequoia, but with some notable compromises given the age of your system.
      4. Check out all three of these, and if you have questions about them after reading up on them, feel free to poke me!

 

[div_2019]

If you're looking for a computer to use for basic stuff, it's hard to go wrong with one of those. They're no speed demons today, but for the basics (office productivity, light web browsing, videos, etc.) they're perfectly acceptable.
As to your questions:

1. Is it worth upgrading to 2 x 4GB RAM?
   1. Assuming you can find it cheaply, more RAM is always better.
2. If so where what and would it need to be manufacturer wise and where would I get it? Looked online and am lost!
   1. Go to eBay and find the cheapest PC3-8500 you can. Not my auction, but an example that I've used in MacBooks before - https://www.ebay.com/itm/324592215027
3. Do I need one of those anti static band things to put it the RAM?
   1. Nah, just don't shuffle in socks over carpet and then stick your fingers all over the logic board. It's a good idea to ground yourself somewhere, touching something metal like another computer that's plugged in or something, but that's about it.
4. How do install I install the RAM on the system and the best iOS it would handle?
   1. If this is a white plastic 2010 MacBook, then these are the instructions to follow - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Unibody+Model+A1342+RAM+Replacement/1666
   2. If it's an aluminum 2010 MacBook Pro, then these are the instructions to follow - https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+13-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+RAM+Replacement/4319
   3. Either way it's a fairly simple, straightforward upgrade. Take your time if it's your first time opening up a laptop and you'll be fine! You may want to consider upgrading to a cheap SSD while you're in there.
   4. As for OS support, there are three options:
      1. Official support ends at 10.13 High Sierra. This is where Apple's support ends. HS is old but still functional for basic tasks, though a fair bit of software has dropped support for it.
      2. dosdude1's Catalina patcher. This will let you run 10.15 Catalina on your Mac with basically no compromises. It's a fantastic option that gets you a little less out of date.
      3. OpenCore Legacy Patcher. This will let you run up to the current macOS 15 Sequoia, but with some notable compromises given the age of your system.
      4. Check out all three of these, and if you have questions about them after reading up on them, feel free to poke me!

Thanks for that information! Very much appreciated!

What are the 2 x 8GB options (figure I may as well max out) I would need. I did a search and wasn’t 100% in which ones….

Also, when I’ve fitted the RAM, what do I need to do to ‘install’ the RAM system wise.

And how do I install the iOS?

I really am clueless!

Thanks

 

[MultiFinder17]

Thanks for that information! Very much appreciated!

What are the 2 x 8GB options (figure I may as well max out) I would need. I did a search and wasn’t 100% in which ones….

Also, when I’ve fitted the RAM, what do I need to do to ‘install’ the RAM system wise.

And how do I install the iOS?

I really am clueless!

Thanks

I'd probably recommend against 2x8GB, as the pricing on that RAM is notably higher than 2x4GB for a machine that's 14 years old. That link I sent you should work well enough.

Nothing! Pop in the new sticks and the system will detect them and do its thing.

You'd want to download and create an installer on a USB drive. The instructions would differ based on what version you'd be interested in installing.

You're good mate, happy to help how I can ^_^

 

[theluggage]

I have a 2010 unibody MacBook - MC 516. It’s seen minimal use over the years. Shame to see it go to scrap.

Apart from RAM, one of the most effective upgrades for an old machine like that is - in my experience - to replace the hard drive with a 2.5" SATA SSD, if that hasn't already been done. It's a fairly easy, no-glue-or-soldering job on a 2010 Macbook (https://everymac.com/systems/apple/...nibody-how-to-upgrade-replace-hard-drive.html). SSDs like that are fairly cheap now - but I'd go for a known brand and avoid anything ultra-cheap from a company who's name looks like random letters...

Whether it's worth doing that on such an old MacBook is up to you (I've done it on 2010-2011 machines and it really did give them a new lease of life, but that was way back when they were still only a few years old... and they were MacBook Pros that started out somewhat more powerful)

 

[Aoligei]

Thanks for that information! Very much appreciated!

What are the 2 x 8GB options (figure I may as well max out) I would need. I did a search and wasn’t 100% in which ones….

I don't think 2x8GB RAM is cost effective for such an old laptop. I would just grab an 8GB stick and reuse one of you current RAM. Assume you have two 1GB RAM stick. This will make 9GB.

Here is the one I order few days ago for my 2011 MacBook Pro.

Timetec 8GB KIT(2x4GB) DDR3L / DDR3 1600MHz PC3L-12800 / PC3-12800 Non-ECC Unbuffered 1.35V / 1.5V CL11 2Rx8 Dual Rank 204 Pin SODIMM Laptop Notebook PC Computer Memory RAM Module Upgrade

Timetec - Memory of a lifetimeCompatible with (But not Limited to):*Please click image for more compatible systems modelAcer - Aspire All-in-One Z3 /...Alienware - Alienware 13/...AOpen - DE6100 Series/ ...ASRock - Beebox N3000-NUC/...ASUS/ASmobile - A Series Notebook A450CC/...BCM - ECM-QM87 Mot...

www.amazon.ca

It is very cheap. The 8GB RAM stick is about $14 dollars.

Also, when I’ve fitted the RAM, what do I need to do to ‘install’ the RAM system wise.

You will just open the back panel. You will see the RAM slots, it is pretty easy to spot. It looks like this:

You just need to pull the lever outward to pop out the RAM. Install the new RAM by aligning the notch on the RAM. It is pretty easy to install.

=
And how do I install the iOS?

You will need a USB Drive. You can download this app and create USB installer.

GitHub - ninxsoft/Mist: A Mac utility that automatically downloads macOS Firmwares / Installers.

A Mac utility that automatically downloads macOS Firmwares / Installers. - ninxsoft/Mist

github.com

Note, this app requires macOS Monterey, so you will need another Mac.

Once you crated the USB Installer, insert the USB into USB port and press Option key when boot up the machine. You will select the installer. The installer will boot to macOS recovery, which gives you option to install macOS, access disk utility, Safari etc.

Choose disk utility if you want format your disk otherwise, just choose install macOS..
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