Ever since computers have been around, RAM (or Random Access Memory) has been the one defining factor associated with loading performance and your computer's ability to quickly access information or display the desired output.
The current Macbook Pros do not allow upgrading the storage nor the RAM. If you are within 14 days of purchase, you can return it 'No Questions Asked', and buy a different model. If you are in that window, do not delay. The Mac Pro has eight PCIe expansion slots, which allow for extra USB ports, graphics cards, audio cards, and more storage, so that's an easy way to get additional storage space.
If your MacBook has USB Type-A connectors (the old USB standard, not the new reversible one), then you can use a low profile USB drive to add storage. These small devices fit into a spare USB slot and protrude slightly from the side of your MacBook. They're also one of the cheapest ways to increase your machine's total storage. A multicore workstation processor needs lots of memory to feed it. Featuring six channels of superfast ECC memory and 12 physical DIMM slots, Mac Pro allows for up to 1.5TB of memory. So pros working with large projects, analyzing huge data sets, or running multiple pro applications can make fast work out of all kinds of work. The new Mac Pro can be configured with up to an 8TB SSD. But what if you want more than that? Promise co-designed the Pegasus R4i and Pegasus J2i with Apple.
Today we will talk about something related to Mac RAM upgrading. If you had lots of Mac memory, you were the 'fastest kid on the block' or something along those lines. And this still holds true today.
We will discuss 2 key ways through which you can effectively add RAM to your MacBook Pro, iMac or MacBook Air.
- Part 2. The Cheapest and Easiest Way to Get More Mac RAM with Software
Part 1: Knowledge of RAM
Random Access Memory (RAM) refers to a small, replaceable circuit board inside your computer that gives your Mac temporary workspace - that is, a place where data is temporarily stored. That is why the data can be quickly loaded and accessed. So for example, when you launch an app or do anything else that requires you to load data, your Mac brings RAM into play to store any relevant data while it continues to work with it. Modern computers often come equipped with 4, 8, 16 or more gigabytes of RAM pre-installed.
More available RAM means you can run larger and more apps and programs simultaneously, without slowing down your Mac or waiting for long disk load operations before you can actually access or start using a specific program.
Should I Do a Mac Memory Upgrade?
If your system is running low on RAM, you will experience slowdowns when launching programs, loading documents, and otherwise using your system. It makes sense to upgrade your RAM - because more RAM means faster CPU access times and as a result, your storage media also works faster. We can know the details at below:
1. Take More Multitasks
The more physical RAM you have installed, the more programs you can run at the same time, and with more efficiency as well. This can be particularly useful if you work a lot with photo editing software like Photoshop or you have too many browser windows and tabs opened at the same time, along with the usual word processor or presentation software running in the background.
2. Open Programs Faster
Naturally, adding memory to your iMac can launch your programs faster ' something which can be a frustrating ordeal otherwise when you're working with a program that's memory-intensive.
3. Get Better Gaming Performance
This may not be seen as a potential advantage by everyone. But if you also use your Mac for entertainment, then you can expect games to generally perform better, run smoother and of course, load faster between screens.
4. More productivity
3D modeling and photo editing software are just two examples of applications that suck up a lot of resources. Having more RAM means you can stay productive as you won't have to wait too long for things to load.
Part 2: The Cheapest and Easiest Way to Get More Mac RAM with Software
The easiest and most cost-effective way to increase Mac RAM is to release more internal memory space on your Mac. With longer operation times, more memory can get clogged up. Using a professional tool like iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner, you can free up unused RAM on your computer and instantly see noticeable performance gains.
Advantages of using iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner:
- It support all Mac models and versions
- Very straightforward operation, allowing you to free up memory in a single operation or in bulk
- Very easy for new users and you can free up RAM yourself without any technical knowledge
- The low-cost tool that offers amazing features for a lifetime
- Lists out all apps and processes which are eating up RAM larger than 50MB
- Shows real-time statistics to help you manage RAM
- All-in-one Mac manager helps to delete large and unnecessary files, duplicate files, private data that's no longer needed, junk files, etc. It helps to manage all apps and extensions on your computer which are occupying too much memory.
- Helps you get twice as much RAM
Here is how to download, install and use this tool to increase Mac RAM
- Download the tool by clicking the above button.
- Launch Umate Mac Cleaner and click on 'Speed Up Your Mac' on the left panel.
- Click on 'Start Now'.
- It will show you all the programs that can be closed to release more RAM. Click on 'Free Up RAM'.
Now, you have got the super easy steps to increase Mac RAM. Of course, if you don't want to adopt the simple way we mentioned above, there is another relatively hard way to add RAM to your Mac. Next, we are going to tell you something you should pay attention to when doing Mac memory upgrading.
Part 3: Complex and Expensive Way: Manually Add RAM to your Mac/MacBook
Unlike using the solution to increase RAM with software, adding RAM to Mac is a hard way for most of us. We can conclude this way as a high-cost, complex and technology necessary method. If you don't mind spending extra cash and arming yourself with some technical knowledge, then here's how you're going to physically do a Mac memory upgrade:
3.1 Preparations before Mac Memory Upgrading
1. To prevent damage from static electricity, shut down your Mac (without removing the Mains plug) and wait for at least 10 minutes.
2. Keep your new RAM in its packaging right up until you're about to install it.
3. Touch an unpainted metal surface in your Mac to discharge any remaining static in your body.
4. When mounting your RAM into the slot, ensure that the gap in the front-facing gold contacts matches up with the protrusion in your motherboard's RAM housing.
3.2 Check the Actual Expandable Size of Your Mac
Mac Pro Add Storage Drawers
Access the Apple menu and select 'About this Mac'. Under the Memory tab, you can access a variety of information about your RAM, including the maximum it can hold.
Alternatively, you could also visit Apple's web support.
3.3 Check if Your Mac Models Can be Upgraded
You can use the same Apple menu and pull down the 'About this Mac' option to see if your model can be upgraded. Below the current memory size, if you see slots that say 'Empty', that means your Mac is upgradeable. Also, you can check the list we have posted below.
With some Mac models, the RAM is fixed into place and not upgradeable. Check the list below to know if your Mac models can be upgraded.
Some iMacs, like all the 27' models, have an access panel specifically for adding RAM. And it takes only a few seconds to pop that panel off. Other models, like the latest 21.5' iMac models, require you to remove the screen and logic board which may take at least a few hours. As things stand now, you can upgrade the RAM yourself in the following Mac models:
- MacBook Core 2 Duo
- MacBook Unibody
- MacBook Pro 13' (Mid 2009-Mid 2012)
- MacBook Pro 15' (Late 2008-Mid 2012)
- MacBook Pro 17' (All Models)
- iMac 17' (All Models)
- iMac 20' (All Models)
- iMac 24' (All Models)
- iMac 27' (All Models)
- Mac Mini (Mid 2010-Late 2012)
- Mac Pro (All Models)
Because Apple has taken to soldering the RAM to the motherboard of the computer - particularly on laptops in the last few years. You currently cannot upgrade the RAM yourself in these Mac models:
- iMac Pro (All Models)
- Retina MacBook (All Models)
- MacBook Air 11' (All Models)
- MacBook Air 13' (All Models)
- MacBook Pro 13' with Retina Display (All Models)
- MacBook Pro 13' with Touch Bar (All Models)
- MacBook Pro 15' with Retina Display (All Models)
- MacBook Pro 15' with Touch Bar (All Models)
3.4 Steps to Install More RAM
- Completely shut down your Mac.
- Turn your computer over so that the back is facing you.
Remove all the screws to take the case off.
Discharge any static electricity in your body by touching a painted metal surface inside your Mac.
- 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 a 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.
- The last step is to replace and tighten the ten screws you removed earlier, making sure to put the different length screws in their proper locations.
That's how to upgrade Mac RAM t get more running space! If you have any question about the steps on how to install RAM on Mac, then you can check the Apple official guide for details.
Important
If you apply the manual way to upgrade RAM, there truly exist some risks. We can have an idea as follows:
1. You may damage your Mac
There's a good chance that you may damage the really expensive and fragile components inside your Mac if you don't exercise certain antistatic precautions and general care.
Even if you do take all the necessary precautionary measures, you are still undertaking the task of a MacBook pro memory upgrade on your own. If you inadvertently damage anything in the process, the repairs will not be covered under your warranty.
2. Installing the wrong RAM
Not all RAM modules are made the same. Install the wrong-spec RAM, and you may irrecoverably damage the RAM module itself as well as some of the components inside your computer. Furthermore, you may also be looking at a string of hardware and software corruption issues that can be costly to fix.
3. Some Macs Are Not Upgradeable
Whether or not you can upgrade the RAM in your Mac—and how easy it is to do so—depends entirely on the model. Some iMacs, like all the 27' models, have an access panel specifically for adding RAM. And it takes only a few seconds to pop that panel off. But for some other models, they are not supported to upgrade or install more RAM. There will be a detailed list for all supported Mac models on part 3.
Mac Pro Add Storage Icloud
4. It's complex, technical and expensive
By not knowing which RAM module to use in your computer or not understanding whether your computer allows RAM upgrades, you are taking a colossal risk. Besides, buying genuine mac memory upgrades from an authorized dealer can be very expensive.
For these potential risks of upgrading Mac RAM in a manual way, we recommend increasing Mac RAM with software solution - Umate Mac Cleaner.
In Closing
Storage For Mac
Freeing up RAM on your MacBook Pro, iMac, or MacBook Air is as simple as knowing what RAM module to use and how to install it. However, for the easiest, cheapest and most hassle-free way to free up Mac memory, we'd still recommend iMyFone Umate Mac Cleaner.
