Updating RAM on 2010 MBP 15" - Newbie

[currins]

I posted a question yesterday on the hi-res screen for a new MBP I'm going to purchase this week and got some great input - so thanks to all.

I'm going to go with the default RAM on my MBP - "4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM - 2x2GB"

At this point, I'm going to go ahead and buy 8GB of RAM (from a 3rd party) at the same time I buy the MBP. I'm going to wait on the SSD based on some forum searches and the new Intel SSD's coming out (thanks!)

Based on some searches on this forum, I saw this option (that was on sale recently) - 8.0GB (2x4.0GB) NuRAM PC8500 DDR3 1066MHz SO-DIMM Memory (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer Technology/8566DDR3S8GP/) for $107.

This RAM is compatible with my upcoming MBP b/c it was posted on the forums, but I'm assuming I also know it's compatible b/c it's DDR3 and 1066MHz like the Apple installed RAM?

Are there other options I should look at besides DDR3 and 1066MHz? (this is probably a dumb question). If so, how do I know they'll work in my MBP?

I'm not too interested in chasing down prices if most of my options are between $90-$110. I'm much more interested in making sure I buy something that's compatible with my MBP. Should I just buy this "surely compatible" option or shop around?

One last thing - I've never even opened one of my computers. Using fixit.com (something else i found on a forum search - thanks!) or something similar, can a rookie pull it off? I hate the idea of taking the back off of a new MBP and doing some damage.

Sorry for the rookie questions!

 

[NickZac]

Changing the RAM in the MBP is pretty easy and most makers even have instructions on it. OWC has videos on it even that you can access from their site for free.

You have to stick with the 1066 DDR3 as other speeds and types won't be recognized by the computer.

Brand wise, I would go with Crucial. There are other good ones too but Crucial has always had a great name in RAM upgrades and isn't ridiculously expensive.

 

[Mac Composer]

Here's the link from Newegg for Crucial RAM. Buy two of these. 8 GB for $100.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148289

macsales.com has demo videos showing you how to do this yourself.

 

[currins]

Thanks so much for the info! Great forum.

 

[sswails]

Thanks so much for the info! Great forum.

I did mine in about 5 minutes.....way easy.

 

[0970373]

I just bought the 15" refurb of the 2010 model with 2x2GB 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM. I'm an Amazon prime member so I prefer to buy from them and wanted to make sure I was getting the right kind.

These are the ones I'm looking at, price is pretty much the same. Is Crucial over Kingston a preference or are they really more reliable?

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modules-1066MHz-KTA-MB1066K2-8G/dp/B001PS9UKW/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298656187&sr=1-1

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-CT2KIT25664BC1067-204-PIN-PC3-8500-SODIMM/dp/B001KUL012/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1298656187&sr=1-6

Specs of the MBP I ordered:
Refurbished MacBook Pro 2.66GHz Intel Core i7
Originally released April 2010
15.4-inch LED-backlit antiglare Hi-Res widescreen display (1680 x 1050 pixel)
4GB (2 x 2GB) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM
500GB Serial ATA @ 5400 rpm
8x double-layer SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M graphics processor with 512MB of GDDR3 memory