upgrading ram?

Hey there, I'm hoping to upgrade the ram on my 2009 Macbook pro from the stock 4g to 6g or maybe even 8g. What is the best way to go about this. ie: which sticks to use, what ram sizes, how to pair them etc. Also a decent deal would be appreciated haha, not the actual apple memory. Thanks. Specs are as follows:
Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,4
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.53 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
Boot ROM Version: MBP53.00AC.B03

Both Crucial.com and OtherWorldComputing.com are recommended sources for memory modules, and both sites have guides to help you select the correct modules. Upgrading to 8GB (if possible) would be recommended. Best performance comes from running two matched modules so that the memory runs in "dual channel" mode.

The memory specs for your machine is as follows:

Maximum Memory 8.0 GB
Memory Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

We recommend buying memory from either Crucial or Other World Computing.

Other World Computing

... if you are in the US. If you are not, then I'd suggest CanadaRAM.com for that country.

do you plan to do this your self?? lottta little screws

if i take my mac to a aapple store will they do it? will they charge a lot?

They should do it for free if you bring in the RAM (at least in my experience). I went a while back because one of the screws was stuck. They helped me get it out, let me replace the RAM and didn't charge me a dime. However, I did all the work when it came to changing out the RAM. That said, I can't imagine that they'll charge you.

Sento said:

if i take my mac to a aapple store will they do it? will they charge a lot?

Click to expand...

Installing your own ram is pretty darn easy…and after you successfully do it…you will shake your head in disbelief how anyone would pay someone else to have it done.

iFixit.com has very good install instructions (with photos).

- Nick