Apple selling 8GB memory upgrade kits for 15" MacBook Pros

[AppleInsider]

It will cost you an arm and a leg, but Apple is now offering an official 8GB memory upgrade kit for the mid- and high-end models of its current 15-inch unbibody MacBook Pro family, AppleInsider has discovered.

The kit containing a pair of 4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SO-DIMMs is available immediately for a whopping $1200, or nearly the price of the company's entry-level 13-inch unibody MacBook.

According to a page on the company's online store, the upgrades are available only for the 2.66GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro (link) and 2.93GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro (link), but not the 2.4GHz model.

It's unclear whether the memory modules are compatible with the 2.53GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro, which was introduced in October and replaced this month by the 2.66GHz model.

The upgrade kit doubles the maximum amount of memory supported by the 15-inch MacBook Pro, bringing it up to spec with its 17-inch cousin.



Its addition to the Apple online store appears to be fairly recently, as the technical specifications printed on the product page for the 15-inch MacBook Pro still indicate that the 2.66GHz MacBook Pro "supports up to 4GB" of DDR3 SDRAM.

Update: AppleInsider reader Stu just spoke with an Apple store support representative online who claims the 8GB upgrade kit is indeed compatible with the 2.53GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro. A copy of the chat transcript follows:

[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]

[rbonner]

I purchased a 4GB SIMM from Other World Computing, worked great in my 2.8 Ghz MBP, now a total of 6GB Page Outs dropped off considerably.

[krankerz]

Aren't the 2.53 GHz Macs the same spec (except for the CPU speed) as those that support the 8GB of memory? CPU speed should not be able to dictate something like this, should it? And even so, with such a small gap in speed between the two models, you'd think you could install the 8GB on the original unibody Macs.

This is all just wishful thinking as I have the 2.53 GHz MacBook Pro and would benefit greatly from the memory bump.

[gmcalpin]

Man, I'm going to be bummed if it's not compatible with the 2.53 15" MBP. I would've wanted to upgrade after RAM prices have dropped a bit.

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by krankerz

Aren't the 2.53 GHz Macs the same spec (except for the CPU speed) as those that support the 8GB of memory? CPU speed should not be able to dictate something like this, should it? And even so, with such a small gap in speed between the two models, you'd think you could install the 8GB on the original unibody Macs.

This is all just wishful thinking as I have the 2.53 GHz MacBook Pro and would benefit greatly from the memory bump.

I have the Unibody 2.4 GHz and wondering the same thing! I thought the only difference was the processor speed and the 512 MB video card! I am not interested in getting the 8GB (not for $1200) but would like to know why it is only for the 2.66 GHz!

Here is the text from MacBook Pro specs:

2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) or 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

[StLBluesFan]

$1200??? How can anyone justify this price? Oh wait, it's an Apple forum.

[krankerz]

Originally Posted by StLBluesFan

$1200??? How can anyone justify this price? Oh wait, it's an Apple forum.

That's not the point, ass. The point is being able to support that amount of memory and buy it from some other retailer like Kingston or Corsair.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by krankerz

That's not the point, ass. The point is being able to support that amount of memory and buy it from some other retailer like Kingston or Corsair.

What good is all that memory if the screens flicker?

[krankerz]

Originally Posted by teckstud

What good is all that memory if the screens flicker?

Mine doesn't flicker. You may want to get yours checked out.

[gmcalpin]

Originally Posted by krankerz

Mine doesn't flicker. You may want to get yours checked out.

Please. Teckstud can't afford any of the stuff he complains about here incessantly. If he did, he would know that most of his complaints are wrong.

Also, my MBP doesn't flicker, either.

Incidentally, Crucial's 1x4GB DDR3 upgrade is $979. Apple's $200 markup is chump change.

[l33tpmp]

At $1200 for the 8GB upgrade, the 17" Pro with 8GB is a better deal.

[gmcalpin]

Just got off the phone with the Apple Store, and unless the sales guy is mistaken (which is certainly possible), the 2.53 GHz MBP doesn't support 8GB. grumble grumble

[krankerz]

Originally Posted by gmcalpin

Just got off the phone with the Apple Store, and unless the sales guy is mistaken (which is certainly possible), the 2.53 GHz MBP doesn't support 8GB. grumble grumble

I just don't see how that's possible. Don't they both have the same front side bus and chipset?

[rbonner]

Originally Posted by gmcalpin

Incidentally, Crucial's 1x4GB DDR3 upgrade is $979. Apple's $200 markup is chump change.

Other World Computing has the 4 GB SIMM for $370, works great, I have it next to my 2GB stock SIMM. A slight performance hit with the mis-matched pair, but the extra memory more than compensates.

The only reason I could see to purchase the Apple memory is for warranty reasons. Make sure you save your original memory if you need to send the unit into the repair depot, they insist on having it sent back stock.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by gmcalpin

Please. Teckstud can't afford any of the stuff he complains about here incessantly. If he did, he would know that most of his complaints are wrong.

Dude - thread upon thread have been posted about new MacBook Pro screen issues. Get your head out of your A$$.

[bsenka]

OWC has the 8Gb kit for $719.99. Still a lot, but I'm sure it'll come down. The 4Gb kit for my iMac that Apple charged almost $900 for a little over a years ago, can now be had for about $50.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by krankerz

Aren't the 2.53 GHz Macs the same spec (except for the CPU speed) as those that support the 8GB of memory? CPU speed should not be able to dictate something like this, should it? And even so, with such a small gap in speed between the two models, you'd think you could install the 8GB on the original unibody Macs.

This is all just wishful thinking as I have the 2.53 GHz MacBook Pro and would benefit greatly from the memory bump.

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I have the Unibody 2.4 GHz and wondering the same thing! I thought the only difference was the processor speed and the 512 MB video card! I am not interested in getting the 8GB (not for $1200) but would like to know why it is only for the 2.66 GHz!

Here is the text from MacBook Pro specs:

2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) or 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

I can't think of any realistic scenario where someone would want to spend so much on RAM, but then skimp on the additional cost of faster processor I think this is only for marketing, that there is no actual limitation preventing you form installing 2x4GB yourself. You should also be able to install 2x4GB in the cheapest unibody MB.

[teckstud]

Originally Posted by gmcalpin

Just got off the phone with the Apple Store, and unless the sales guy is mistaken (which is certainly possible), the 2.53 GHz MBP doesn't support 8GB. grumble grumble

Lesson learned- never buy new products from Apple. Wait my friend, wait.

[gmcalpin]

Originally Posted by rbonner

Other World Computing has the 4 GB SIMM for $370, works great

Is that ECC memory, or non-ECC?

I agree, though; Apple's mark-up is really for the warranty. I'm just tired of asshats complaining about Apple's pricing as if it's something shocking or new.

[frjole]

Originally Posted by AppleInsider

It's unclear whether the memory modules are compatible with the 2.53GHz 15-inch MacBook Pro, which was introduced in October and replaced this month by the 2.66GHz model.

They aren't. Those machines don't support 8 gigs of memory. Its pretty clear when you stop and think and realize that it would be listed as compatible if it was.

[RichL]

$1200 isn't a terrible price. The same RAM costs $979.99 from Crucial. Usually Apple's RAM upgrades costs +300-500% compared to the competition. +~20% seems quite reasonable in comparison.

[rbonner]

Originally Posted by gmcalpin

Is that ECC memory, or non-ECC?

Non-ECC. Here is the link: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../8566DDR3S4GB/

Is there a performance hit between ECC and Non-ECC? I can say that there has been no reliability hit with this memory.

[DeaPeaJay]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

I have the Unibody 2.4 GHz and wondering the same thing! I thought the only difference was the processor speed and the 512 MB video card! I am not interested in getting the 8GB (not for $1200) but would like to know why it is only for the 2.66 GHz!

Here is the text from MacBook Pro specs:

2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) or 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

I second that question. I have the 2.4 as well.

[clix]

Here is my idea of whats going on...

Since the last iMac update, iMac use the new C2D 2.66GHz cpu has standard and in this same update they've double the memory storage capacity to 8GB.

The same day, they quietly updated the macbook pro 15" to 2.66ghz and 2.93ghz.

And because iMac uses mobile technology used in the macbooks, we can easily conclude that only the 2.6ghz and higher will be able to benefit from the 8GB ram possibility in their macbook pros.

This means no 8GB support for 2.4ghz / 2.53ghz macbook pro. Sorry

[Carcarius]

I presume they have some sort of module that gets installed beyond just the RAM sticks. That's unfortunate, 8GB would extend the life of the purchase, not something Apple wants obviously. They want a 3 year purchase cycle of new macs.

[solipsism]

Originally Posted by frjole

They aren't. Those machines don't support 8 gigs of memory. Its pretty clear when you stop and think and realize that it would be listed as compatible if it was.

Maybe I'm wrong, but I see no physical reason why the other systems can't hold 8GB.

[rbonner]

Originally Posted by NasserAE

2GB (two 1GB SO-DIMMs) or 4GB (two 2GB SO-DIMMs) of 1066MHz DDR3 SDRAM; two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

Specs aside, you can put up to 6 GB in the 2.4 machine.

[gmcalpin]

I was unsatisfied with the previous answer, because I felt that the sales guy was just quoting the tech specs, so I called the Apple Store again, and this time the sales person brought an engineer assistant (or something) on the line to talk with me.

The engineer told me that there was "a very good chance" that the 8GB RAM would work with the 2.53GHz because he was not aware of any major changes to the memory controller, but that Apple doesn't go back to test older systems.

So we're back to square one, I guess. Who wants to test it out on their 15" 2.53 GHz MBP?

Originally Posted by rbonner

Non-ECC. Here is the link: http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other.../8566DDR3S4GB/

Is there a performance hit between ECC and Non-ECC? I can say that there has been no reliability hit with this memory.

I don't know too much about the difference between ECC and non-ECC, but there is a price difference and Apple only sells ECC memory. From what I've read about it, ECC isn't really important for average users.

Originally Posted by Carcarius

I presume they have some sort of module that gets installed beyond just the RAM sticks..

A kit just means it's two 4GB DIMMs; there is nothing else besides the RAM chips. This is universal language when talking about RAM upgrades (just look it up at any store), so Apple isn't being misleading or confusing here.

[bsenka]

It's normal for Apple to understate the amount of RAM their machine can use, so what they SAY means little. Cost too much to risk though, have to wait for someone like OWC or Macworld to test it out.

[federmoose]

Originally Posted by teckstud

Dude - thread upon thread have been posted about new MacBook Pro screen issues.

I have the flickering issue. I didn't have the issue until I sent my computer in to get a piece of dust that had fallen in between the glass and the screen (which looked like a dead pixel) removed. Talk about poetic justice.

W/e. I'll send the computer into Apple again when I have time. That'll be repair 2 out of 5. Once I hit 5 over lifetime... time for a free new computer baby .

[federmoose]

Originally Posted by frjole

They aren't. Those machines don't support 8 gigs of memory. Its pretty clear when you stop and think and realize that it would be listed as compatible if it was.

<grammarPolice>
It would also be more clear if it were.
Subjunctive my good sir.
</grammarPolice>

[krankerz]

Originally Posted by federmoose

W/e. I'll send the computer into Apple again when I have time. That'll be repair 2 out of 5. Once I hit 5 over lifetime... time for a free new computer baby .

Wait, what? 5 repairs gets you a new computer? I had sent mine in (1st gen MacBook Pro) many more times than that (possibly more than double) and just recently got it exchanged for the unibody. Where does it state that 5 repairs gets you a new computer?

[diskimage]

Originally Posted by frjole

They aren't. Those machines don't support 8 gigs of memory. Its pretty clear when you stop and think and realize that it would be listed as compatible if it was.

How come I can put 3GB of RAM in my MacBook that Apple said would only support 2GB.

[Felix01]

Wonder why they don't also offer 8GB as a BTO option if you're buying a new laptop? Odd that it's only available as a DIY memory module purchase.

[alangsam]

[QUOTE=diskimage;1395036]
How come I can put 3GB of RAM in my MacBook that Apple said would only support 2GB.[/QUOTE

]
while their are chipset dependencies in a of cases you can put in the higher density chips and see the increased memory. I have an older MBP that said 2GB max that now has 4GB and works great.
I would tend to beleive the newer systems can handle the 4GB simms as they are the same physical specs. I also have the newer MBP and MB's.
Someone needs to get one of the 4GB cards and test for us before i shell out 400 for one of them!

NO screen flickers on any of them.

[Kasper]

Guys, the kit is compatible with the 2.53GHz model according to Apple Store reps. Please see the update to the article. (May take a few minutes to sync to all our servers).

K

[NasserAE]

Originally Posted by rbonner

Specs aside, you can put up to 6 GB in the 2.4 machine.

I am aware of that. You can get 6 GB of RAM from Macsales.com for $399. But I am interested to know what is the difference

Furthermore, I am still waiting for a 7200RPM 500GB HDD to be available. There is a Seagate model and you are lucky if you find it in stock.

[NasserAE]

[QUOTE=alangsam;1395044]

Originally Posted by diskimage

How come I can put 3GB of RAM in my MacBook that Apple said would only support 2GB.[/QUOTE

]
while their are chipset dependencies in a of cases you can put in the higher density chips and see the increased memory. I have an older MBP that said 2GB max that now has 4GB and works great.
I would tend to beleive the newer systems can handle the 4GB simms as they are the same physical specs. I also have the newer MBP and MB's.
Someone needs to get one of the 4GB cards and test for us before i shell out 400 for one of them!

NO screen flickers on any of them.

I think there was an article here on AI that mentioned testing on the unibody MB and MBP (excluding the 17") indicate that they can accept 6 GB RAM max and if you put 8 GB of RAM the system will only recognize 6 GB. I think it was sometime last Nov.

[ecking]

But don't all the mac notebooks since october share the same architecture? I don't see any reason why any aluminum unibody mac made since last october can't have the same amount of ram, include the macbooks.

[masklinn]

Originally Posted by StLBluesFan

$1200??? How can anyone justify this price?

By pointing out that the same RAM straight from Crucial costs $980.

4GB DDR3 SODIMM costs an arm and a leg (DDR2 SODIMM is slightly cheaper at $680)