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“No matter what I do, my Mac is still slow”, an average tech-consultant hears this phrase multiple times a day. Give a person even the most powerful computer, and pretty soon it will be cluttered with apps, extensions, and things that are too much for it to handle. To reverse it, one has to go back and сlean up the mess, removing memory agents one by one. Prepare for a fight — every byte of memory is at stake. So let’s put your Mac on a diet and get it more free RAM to breathe freely.
First, remove desktop clutter. Get a combination of Setapp apps that clear away unneeded desktop files.
Download Declutter Free“Your system has run out of application memory”
How do you know your Mac is low on memory? Floating “rainbow wheels” aside, you may notice your Mac now takes ages to load. You’ll also see many browser applications crashing. You’ll be also thrown warning messages as “Your system has run out of application memory”. To help it, you should first visit the Activity monitor to see memory usage on Mac.
How to check RAM usage on Mac
Go to Applications and type in Activity Monitor in the search bar. This invokes a good old Activity Monitor that should tell how much free memory you’ve got left.
A shortcut to open Activity Monitor:
Press F4 and start typing Activity Monitor in the search bar.
I’ve attached a screenshot from my Mac and as you can see my memory usage almost reached full capacity. Here’s what it all means:
App memory: taken by apps and processes
Wired memory: reserved by apps, can’t be freed up
Compressed: inactive, can be used by other apps
Swap used: memory used by macOS
Cached files: memory you can really use
Notice the colored graph under Memory Pressure. If your graph is all but red and yellow, your Mac is really gasping for fresh memory. It seems counter-intuitive, but “available memory” your Activity Monitor is not that important after all. In fact, it’s a system intended behavior to use all memory resources when available. On the contrary, the Memory Pressure graph is much more telling, so grow a habit to check this graph in the Activity Monitor every now and then.
How to check CPU usage on Mac
Open the CPU tab in Activity Monitor to keep in check CPU-heavy processes. Normally an app would be using 0-4% of CPU. If it takes abnormally more than that, go inside that particular item in the list and press the Quit button.
How to free up memory on Mac
Tip # 1. Remove Login Items to lower Mac memory usage
Login items are programs that load automatically upon Mac startup. Some of them covertly add themselves to the list and this is no good. If you’re looking to free up RAM, they are the first candidates for deletion. Don’t worry, you’re not deleting the app itself, you just stop it from auto-launching every time.
So, to remove Login Items and at the same time reduce your memory usage of your Mac, you need to:
- Open System Preferences and select Users & Groups.
- Click your nickname on the left.
- Select the Login Items tab.
- Check programs you don’t want to load as your Mac starts.
- Press the “–” sign below.
Now, you won’t see these apps pop up the moment you turn on your Mac. Although this method doesn’t require some superpowers of yours, some special Mac optimization and memory cleaner tools may do the job faster and ensure the smooth performance of your Mac. CleanMyMac X is an excellent example of such software. Here’s how to disable Login Items with CleanMyMac X:
- Download it for free and go to the Optimization tab.
- Check Login Items to see the list of apps that get opened when you start your Mac.
- Click Remove.
As you’ve already come to the Optimization module of CleanMyMac, you can also fix hung apps and heavy memory consumers there. In this way, you’ll free up the solid amount of RAM on Mac — 100% free of charge.
Tip # 2. Free up disk space if Mac is low on memory
The available space on your Mac’s drive translates into virtual memory. This comes to save you when you’ve run out of physical RAM. So now your computer relies on your hard drive space to keep your apps going.
The classic geek rule of thumb holds it that you should keep at least 20% of disk space on your startup drive. Not only this potentially reduces your future spending on iCloud storage but it also keeps your Mac speedier.
What to delete to free up space:
- Large unused files, like movies
- Old downloads
- Rarely used applications
- System junk
But here’s a simpler solution to save your time — clean up your drive with CleanMyMac X— the app I’ve mentioned above. Many users recommend it as an excellent way to free up more space because it searches for large & old files, useless system files, Photo junk, mail attachments and shows everything you can safely delete. Interestingly, it finds about 74 GB of junk on an average computer.
Extra trick: How to free up RAM on Mac with CleanMyMac X
If you have downloaded CleanMyMac, you may also take advantage of its amazing feature — the ability to free up RAM in a few seconds. Try this next time you see “Your system has run out of application memory” message.
- Go to the Maintenance tab on the left.
- Click Free Up RAM.
- Click Run.
As simple as that!
And you can do it even if you download a free version of the app.
Tip # 3. Clean up your Desktop
This tip always comes at the bottom of instructions and unfairly so as it is quite effective. Without even looking at your Desktop I would assume it’s cluttered with mountains of icons. Thing is, your macOS was designed in a way that it treats every Desktop icon as a little active window. The more icons, the heavier memory usage on Mac. So in order to release available memory resources, it’s recommended to keep your Desktop clean.
You don’t have to do it all by yourself. With apps like Declutter and Spotless, every desktop cleaning session will be scheduled in advance and executed automatically. Your only job is to define the rules on how your files should be organized.
Tip #4. Clear cache files
Another way to free up RAM on Mac is to clear it of cache files. Of course, it won’t save you gigabytes of space, but deleting cache regularly, you can help your Mac run faster and avoid system issues.
So, to remove cache files on your Mac, you need to:
- Open Finder.
- From the Go menu, select Go to Folder.
- Type ~/Library/Caches in the field and press Go.
- In the window that appears, you will see all your cache files.
- Press Command+A to select all files or delete files one by one.
- Enter your user name and password to confirm.
If you find some files still in the folder after you emptied it, maybe you have some windows open on your Mac. Just like that, you can save up some space on your Mac. Don’t forget to empty the bin afterward.
Tip # 5. Tune up Chrome’s Task Manager
Although Google Chrome is not the one to blame for massive memory usage, it can indeed affect your Mac's performance. If you use Chrome as your primary browser, you probably have many windows opened there. Chrome runs a lot of processes to ensure a fast browsing experience for you. So, it uses your RAM for storing your tabs, plugins, and extensions. Look at how many entries Google Chrome has in Activity Monitor:
The question then arises, 'Why does Chrome use so much RAM?' The thing is that each process is responsible for a separate plugin or extension of your browser. For example, when a tab unexpectedly falls, you need to refresh it to continue your work there. If one process were responsible for all tabs and extensions, you would need to restart the whole browser instead. Can you imagine how many times would you do that? That’s the proper answer to why Chrome uses so much RAM.
I’ve been using Chrome for some years only to discover (recently) that Chrome had a task manager of its own. You can use it to force quit memory-heavy processes in the browser. It’s a handy tool because it lets you see how a page weighs on CPU usage on a Mac.
- Go to Chrome settings (dotted icon in the top right corner)
- Click More tools -> Task Manager
To free up even more RAM, close the GPU process. The GPU Process, though helpful in theory to accelerate pages, eats up a considerable amount of memory. Click to end it to free up RAM on your Mac.
Tip # 6. Manage RAM usage with CleanMyMac X menu
CleanMyMac X has another useful and convenient feature for managing your Mac’s performance and memory usage. As you install CleanMyMac X and start it for the first time, it’s icon will appear in your menu bar. Click the icon to open the CleanMyMac X menu. Here you can find updates on the current condition of your Mac and perform quick tweaks to increase your Mac's speed. Whenever you feel like your Mac underperforms, open the CleanMyMac X menu to check how much RAM is available and free it up as well.
Tip # 7. Close Finder windows
Okay, suppose you’re still asking yourself, how do I clear RAM on my MacBook Pro/MacBook Air. The next trick is as magical (you’ll see for yourself) as it is time-saving. It’s no secret that each window in the Finder eats up RAM. But how many open windows are there? Some of them are collapsed or stacked in some blind spot on your screen. This Finder command merges all your windows into one. See how to do it:
Click on Finder > Window > Merge All Windows
Now you can manage Finder windows more effectively and free up memory on MacBook.
What else you can do to minimize memory usage on Mac
I’ve saved the easiest tips for the end, as long as these ones are self-explanatory.
- Replace AdBlock (very memory-demanding) with a lighter extension
- Keep fewer opened tabs in the browser
- Restart your Mac more often to free up RAM
- Close all hung-up print queues
That was my take on how to make your Mac a bit speedier to use. If you’re looking for more guidance, check simple ways to speed up your Mac.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to check application memory on Mac?
To check RAM usage on your Mac, go to Activity Monitor (Applications > Utilities). In the Memory tab, you will see all the active processes that are using your Mac’s RAM. At the end of the window, there is a Memory Used graph, which indicates how much application memory is used.
How to find out whether your Mac needs more RAM?
Your Mac may be using almost all its RAM, but you don’t need more if it’s using it efficiently. Open Activity Monitor and go to the Memory tab. The Memory Pressure graph shows the current condition of your RAM: green color means your Mac’s using RAM effectively, while yellow is a sign that some application or process is using too much of application memory. The red memory pressure signals that your Mac needs more RAM.
How to quickly free up RAM on your MacBook?
To free up RAM on your Mac, firstly, you should find out what app uses so much of your memory. The memory-heavy programs are listed in Activity Monitor, Memory tab. If there is an app you aren’t using at the moment, click it and press the “X” sign to quit it. This will, in turn, free some of the application memory.
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To identify your MacBook Pro model, use the information in How to identify MacBook Pro models.
Once you're sure which model you have, find it in the list below to go to the instructions for that model. Note: Apple notebooks not listed in this table have non-removable memory.
| 13-inch | MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012) |
| 15-inch | MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) |
| 17-inch | MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011) MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010) MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009) MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) and earlier |
Applicable Models
The instructions provided below are for the following MacBook Pro (13-inch) models:
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2012)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010)
- MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009)
Memory specifications
Use the tables below to confirm the memory you're installing is compatible with your MacBook Pro.
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, mid 2012) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 67.6mm x 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-12800 DDR3 1600 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot. |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 67.6mm x 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot. |
| MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2010) and MacBook Pro (13-inch, Mid 2009) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format -30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot. |
Removing or installing memory
Warning: The internal components of your MacBook Pro can be warm. If you have been using your MacBook Pro, wait ten minutes after shutting down the computer to let the internal components cool before continuing.
Step 1: Remove the bottom case
- Shut down your MacBook Pro. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB cables, security lock, and any other cables connected to the MacBook Pro to prevent damaging the computer.
- Turn over your MacBook Pro and remove the ten (10) screws that secure the bottom case. Because the screws are different lengths, note the screw lengths and locations so you can replace the screws correctly. Put them aside in a safe place. Lift off the case and place it to the side.
- Touch a metal surface inside the computer to discharge any static electricity from your body.
Step 2: Remove existing memory (if present)
- Push the levers on the sides of the memory module in an outward direction to release the module from the memory card slot. The memory pops up at an angle. Before removing it, make sure you find the half-circle notches. If you don’t, try pressing the levers outward again.
- Hold the memory module by its notches and remove it from the slot.
- Remove the other memory module.
Important: Hold the memory modules by their edges, and do not touch the gold connectors.
Step 3: Install memory
- Align the notch on the gold edge of the module with the notch in the lower memory slot.
- Tilt the card and push the memory into the slot.
- Use two fingers with firm, even pressure to push down on the memory module. There should be a click when you insert the memory correctly.
- Repeat this procedure to install an additional memory module in the top slot. Press down on the module to make sure it is level.
Note: Make sure you install the memory according to this illustration, with the gold contacts inserted almost completely into the connector.
Step 4: Replace the bottom case
Replace the bottom case. Replace and tighten the ten screws you removed earlier, making sure to put the different length screws in their proper locations.
Applicable Models
The instructions provided below are for the following MacBook Pro 15-inch models:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz Mid 2009)
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)
Memory specifications
Please use the tables below to confirm the memory being installed is compatible with your MacBook Pro.
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2012) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-12800 DDR3 1600 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot. |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011) and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2011) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot. |
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2010), MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53GHz Mid 2009), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots, installing an equal memory module in each slot. |
Removing or installing memory
Warning: The internal components of your MacBook Pro can be warm. If you have been using your MacBook Pro, wait ten minutes after shutting down the computer to let the internal components cool before continuing.
Step 1: Remove the bottom case
- Shut down your MacBook Pro. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB cables, security lock, and any other cables connected to the MacBook Pro to prevent damaging the computer.
- Turn over your MacBook Pro and remove the ten (10) screws that secure the bottom case. Because the screws are different lengths, note the screw lengths and locations so you can replace the screws correctly. Put them aside in a safe place. Lift off the case and place it to the side.
- Touch a metal surface inside the computer to discharge any static electricity from your body.
Step 2: Remove existing memory (if present)
- Push the levers on the sides of the memory module in an outward direction to release the module from the memory card slot. The memory pops up at an angle. Before removing it, make sure you find the half-circle notches. If you don’t, try pressing the levers outward again.
- Hold the memory module by its notches and remove it from the slot.
- Remove the other memory module.
Important: Hold the memory modules by their edges, and do not touch the gold connectors.
Step 3: Install memory
- Align the notch on the gold edge of the module with the notch in the lower memory slot.
- Tilt the card and push the memory into the slot.
- Use two fingers with firm, even pressure to push down on the memory module. There should be a click when you insert the memory correctly.
- Repeat this procedure to install an additional memory module in the top slot. Press down on the module to make sure it is level.Note: Make sure you install the memory according to this illustration, with the gold contacts inserted almost completely into the connector.
Step 4: Replace the bottom case
Replace and tighten the ten screws you removed earlier, making sure to put the different length screws in their proper locations.
Applicable model
The instructions provided below are for the following MacBook Pro 15-inch models:
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2008)
Memory specifications
Please use the table below to confirm the memory being installed is compatible with your MacBook Pro.
| MacBook Pro (15-inch, late 2008) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 2 GB |
| Maximum memory | 4 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 30mm (1.18 inch) - 1 GB or 2 GB - 204-pin - PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | For best performance, fill both memory slots and install an identical memory module in each slot. |
Removing or installing memory
Warning: The internal components of your MacBook Pro can be warm. If you have been using your MacBook Pro, wait ten minutes after shutting down the computer to let the internal components cool before continuing.
Step 1: Remove the access door
- Shut down your MacBook Pro. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, security lock, and any other cords connected to the MacBook Pro to prevent damaging the computer.
- Turn over your MacBook Pro and locate the latch. Push down to release the latch and remove the access door that covers the battery and hard drive.
- The latch must be in its released, open position to remove the access door.
Step 2: Remove the battery
With the latch still in its open position, gently pull up on the tab to remove the battery.
Step 3: Remove the bottom case
- Remove the eight screws that secure the bottom case of your MacBook Pro, and then remove the bottom case.
Important: Because the screws are different lengths, note the screw lengths and locations so you can replace the screws correctly. Put them aside in a safe place. - Touch a metal surface inside the computer to discharge any static electricity from your body.
Step 4: Remove existing memory (if present)
- Push out the ejection levers on the sides of the memory module to release the module from the memory card slot. The memory pops up at an angle. Before removing it, make sure you find the half-circle notches. If you don’t, try pressing the ejection levers again.
- Hold the memory module by the notches and remove it from the slot.
- Remove the other memory module.
Important: Hold the memory modules by their edges; do not touch the gold connectors.
Step 5: Install memory
- Align the notch on the gold edge of the module with the notch in the lower memory slot.
- Tilt the card and push the memory into the slot.
- Use two fingers with firm, even pressure to push down on the memory module. There should be a click when you insert the memory correctly.
- Repeat, if necessary, to install an additional memory module in the top slot. Press down on the module to make sure it is level.
Note: Make sure you install the memory according to the illustration below, with the gold contacts inserted almost completely into the connector.
Step 6: Replace the bottom case
Replace the bottom case. Replace and tighten the eight screws.
Step 7: Replace the battery
To replace the battery, make sure the latch is in its open position. Hold the battery at an angle and slide the lipped edge of the battery below the brackets on the outside edge of the battery bay. Gently press the battery down.
Step 8: Replace the access door
With the latch in the open position replace the access door, making sure it is level with the bottom case of your MacBook Pro, and press the latch into the closed position.
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Applicable models
The instructions provided below are for the following MacBook Pro 17-inch models:
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009)
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)
Memory specifications
Use the tables below to confirm the memory being installed is compatible with your MacBook Pro.
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2011) and MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2011) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 67.6mm x 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | You can add two 4 GB memory modules for a maximum of 8 GB of memory. For best performance, fill both memory slots and install an identical memory module in each slot. |
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2010), MacBook Pro (17-inch, Mid 2009), and MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009) | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 4 GB |
| Maximum memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 30mm (1.18 inch) - 2 GB or 4 GB - 204-pin - PC3-8500 DDR3 1066 MHz type RAM |
| Additional notes | You can add two 4 GB memory modules for a maximum of 8 GB of memory. For best performance, fill both memory slots and install an identical memory module in each slot. |
Removing or installing memory
Warning: The internal components of your MacBook Pro can be warm. If you have been using your MacBook Pro, wait ten minutes after shutting down the computer to let the internal components cool before continuing.
Step 1: Remove the bottom case
- Shut down your MacBook Pro. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB cables, security lock, and any other cables connected to the MacBook Pro to prevent damaging the computer.
- Turn over your MacBook Pro and remove the ten (10) screws that secure the bottom case. Because the screws are different lengths, note the screw lengths and locations so you can replace the screws correctly. Put them aside in a safe place. Lift off the case and place it to the side.
- Touch a metal surface inside the computer to discharge any static electricity from your body.
Step 2: Remove existing memory (if present)
- Push the levers on the sides of the memory module in an outward direction to release the module from the memory card slot. The memory pops up at an angle. Before removing it, make sure you find the half-circle notches. If you can't find the notches, try pressing the levers outward again.
- Hold the memory module by its notches and remove it from the slot.
- Remove the other memory module.
Important: Hold the memory modules by their edges; do not touch the gold connectors.
Step 3: Install memory
- Align the notch on the gold edge of the module with the notch in the lower memory slot.
- Tilt the card and push the memory into the slot.
- Use two fingers with firm, even pressure to push down on the memory module. There should be a click when you insert the memory correctly.
- Repeat this procedure to install an additional memory module in the top slot. Press down on the module to make sure it is level.
Note: Make sure your memory is installed according to the illustration below, with the gold contacts inserted almost completely into the connector.
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Step 4: Replace the bottom case
Replace the bottom case. Replace and tighten the ten screws you removed earlier, making sure to put the different length screws in their proper locations.
Applicable models
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The instructions provided below are for the following MacBook Pro 15-inch and 17-inch models:
- MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) and earlier
- MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008) and earlier
Memory specifications
Please use the tables below to confirm the memory being installed is compatible with your MacBook Pro.
| MacBook Pro (17-inch, Late 2008) and earlier and MacBook Pro (15-inch, Early 2008) and earlier | |
| Number of memory slots | 2 |
| Base memory | 512 MB (configure to order) |
| Maximum memory | Refer to the table below |
| Memory card specifications | - Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format - 30mm (1.18 inch) - 200-pin - PC2-5300 DDR2 667 MHz Type RAM |
Refer to this table for the maximum amount of memory that can be recognized by these notebook computers:
| 2 GB | MacBook Pro, MacBook Pro (17-inch), MacBook Pro (15-inch, Glossy) |
| 3 GB | MacBook Pro (15-inch and 17-inch Core 2 Duo) Note: These models will support only 3 GB total memory. If you want to maximize the amount of SDRAM in your computer, install a 2 GB SO-DIMM in one slot and a 1GB SO-DIMM in the other. |
| 4 GB | MacBook Pro (15-inch 2.4/2.2 GHz), MacBook Pro (17-inch 2.4 GHz), MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008), MacBook Pro (17-inch Late 2008) |
Removing or installing memory
You will need to remove the battery before installing additional memory and reinstall the battery after installing the memory. The following procedure includes all the necessary instructions for both parts of the process.
Warning: The internal components of your MacBook Pro can be warm. If you have been using your MacBook Pro, wait ten minutes after shutting down the computer to let the internal components cool before continuing.
Step 1: Remove the battery
- Shut down your MacBook Pro. Disconnect the power adapter, Ethernet cable, and any other cords connected to the MacBook Pro to prevent damaging the computer.
- Turn the computer over.
- Locate the battery release latches on each side of the battery.
- Slide both latches up. The battery should pop up slightly.
- Lift the battery out.
Step 2: Remove the memory door
- Using a Phillips size 00 screwdriver, unscrew the memory door and remove it from the battery bay of your computer. Depending on the model of your MacBook Pro, you may have three or four screws.
- Touch a metal surface inside the computer to discharge any static electricity from your body.
Step 3: Remove existing memory (if present)
If you need to remove a memory card—for example if you are replacing it or if you need to get past the memory in the top slot to access the bottom slot—you can remove the card by spreading the tabs on each side of the card away from the notches in the memory card. The card should pop up slightly. Lift the memory card to about a 25-degree angle and then gently slide the card out of the memory slot.
Important: Hold the memory modules by their edges; do not touch the gold connectors.
Step 4: Install memory
- Insert the new memory card at a 25-degree angle. Line up the notch in the card with the small tab in the memory slot and slide the card into the slot until the gold edge is almost invisible. Firmly press the memory card into the memory slot. You might feel some resistance.
- Gently spread the small tabs in the memory slot away from the notches and push the memory card down until the two tabs on either side of the card lock into place.
- Insert any additional memory into the second slot.
Note: Make sure you install the memory according to the illustration below, with the gold contacts inserted almost completely into the connector.
Step 5: Replace the memory door
Replace the memory door, and make sure the door is lying flat before you screw it back into place.
Step 6: To insert the battery
- Place the bottom edge of the battery into the battery compartment at an angle, as shown below.
- Gently press the top edge of the battery down until the battery latch locks into place.
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Checking that your computer recognizes the new memory
After installing additional memory, you should confirm that the computer recognizes the new memory. To check the computer’s memory:
- Start up your computer.
- When you see the Mac OS X desktop, choose the Apple () menu from the upper-left menu bar, then choose About This Mac.
The total memory includes the amount of memory that originally came with the computer plus the new memory you added, or if all the memory has been replaced, the new total for that memory. For detailed information about the amount of memory installed in your computer, open System Profiler by choosing Apple () and then About This Mac. Then, click More Info and then Memory from the Hardware section that appears in System Profiler.
If your computer doesn’t recognize the memory or doesn’t start up correctly, confirm that the memory you installed is compatible with your MacBook Pro and that it is installed correctly by reseating the memory.