How do you upgrade the RAM in the "Mid-2009," "Mid-2010," "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models? How much RAM of what type do they actually support?

Upgrading the RAM in the "Mid-2009," "Mid-2010," "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models is fairly easy. It's not quite as easy as it is for the earlier "pre-Unibody" MacBook Pro systems, as these later models require a screwdriver, but it still is simple and straightforward.

Identification Help

If you're not sure which "Unibody" MacBook Pro model you have, these models share model numbers, unfortunately. EMC numbers are not externally listed, either.

As a result, they only can be externally differentiated by the last three or four characters of the serial number. Models with eleven character serial numbers can be uniquely identified by the last three characters and models with twelve character serial numbers only can be uniquely identified by the last four characters courtesy of EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature.

However, in software, it also is possible to get "close enough" to an exact match to determine RAM type and actual maximum RAM by model identifier. In turn, each model can be uniquely identified via model identifier and one or more secondary identifiers (like processor speed and/or processor type). For example, the 13-Inch "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models -- which accept the same type and quantity of RAM -- can be identified by the model identifier MacBookPro8,1.

Supported RAM Types

Apple explains how to install memory (and the hard drive) starting on page 35 of the 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch "Mid-2009", 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch "Mid-2010," and 13-Inch, 15-Inch and 17-Inch "Early 2011" MacBook Pro User Guides, respectively, and this provides most of what you need to know to upgrade the pre-installed memory. The "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models are so similar to the "Early 2011" models that Apple didn't bother to release an updated instruction manual.

Apple first notes that the "Mid-2009" and "Mid-2010" MacBook Pro models have:

Two memory slots that you access by removing the bottom case. Your [Mid-2009] MacBook Pro comes with a minimum of 2 gigabytes (GB) of 1066 MHz Double Data Rate (DDR3) Synchronous Dynamic Random-Access Memory (SDRAM) installed [4 GB minimum for the Mid-2010 models]. Each memory slot can accept an SDRAM module that meets the following specifications:

• Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format
• 30 mm (1.18 inches)
• 204-pin
• 1 GB, 2 GB, or 4 GB
• PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMM 1066 MHz Type RAM
  

The "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models use newer, faster 1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 memory. Apple formally specifies the following requirements:

• Double Data Rate Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Module (DDR3) format
• 30 mm (1.18 inches)
• 204-pin
• 2 GB or 4 GB
• PC3-10600S DDR3 1333 MHz Type RAM

Optimum RAM Configuration & Actual Maximum RAM

Apple likewise formally recommends that you "fill both memory slots and install an identical memory module in each slot" for all of these models. However, third-party tests from site sponsor Other World Computing have shown that generally the performance gain from having more memory installed -- 6 GB rather than 4 GB, for example -- more than offsets the loss in graphics performance caused by the "mismatched" configuration even on the systems with "integrated graphics".

The "Mid-2009" and "Mid-2010" MacBook Pro models officially and unofficially support 8 GB of RAM. The "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" MacBook Pro models, however, officially support 8 GB of RAM, but OWC has determined that these models actually can support as much as 16 GB of RAM.

RAM Upgrade Instructions

The Apple manuals provide installation instructions complete with drawings -- which absolutely should be read in their entirety before one installs memory -- but perhaps even better, OWC provides a convenient step-by-step video of the process for the 13-Inch model (and the 15-Inch and 17-Inch model are quite similar):

In addition to providing excellent instructional videos, Other World Computing sells memory and hard drive upgrades for all MacBook Pro "Unibody" models at affordable prices.

Also see:

• How do you upgrade the hard drive in the "Mid-2009," "Mid-2010," "Early 2011" and "Late 2011" 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models? What type of hard drive do these models support? Can one replace the hard drive with an SSD?
• Is it possible to add a second hard drive to a "Unibody" MacBook or MacBook Pro?