MacBook Pro and Mac Mini - Does it work?

[brkit2012]

Hi guys,

I am looking to boost the performance of my mid 2012 MacBook Pro, which as is only has 4 GB of memory. I'm wondering if there is a way of getting an older Mac Mini and using it as an extra boost for my comp. When I get going in Photoshop CS6, about half and hour in and the memory is completely maxed out, and things slow down a lot. Activity Monitor shows me using of 3.99 GB of physical memory. I know I could probably just get a memory upgrade from Crucial or something like that, but I'm considering the other benefits of having this second comp, so my question is this: can I connect two macs with thunderbolt and use them as one, super fast computer?

I would probably get a 2011 or 2012 16 GB unit, with as little internal storage as possible, as I have multiple external drives.


Thanks!

 

[RadDave]

Hi guys,

I am looking to boost the performance of my mid 2012 MacBook Pro, which as is only has 4 GB of memory............

Hello - a fairly new member and not one of the HW gurus on the forum, but (and not sure exactly which MBP model you own which might impact on RAM upgrades) why not just double your memory and see how the machine runs? Seems to be an inexpensive choice and might provide the boost needed? Dave

P.S. cannot address your question on connecting two machines via TB - sorry?

 

[johnodd4]

honestly had a 2011 mini until problems started.

1 the 2011 mac mini's ram is expensive

2. the cd drive and hard drive fail like crazy

get a 2012 you will be better off

 

[chas_m]

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro. I'm not sure why you think that connecting another computer to your 2012 MacBook Pro will suddenly give it more RAM. What you need to do is buy more RAM. I just ordered 16 GB for mine, I suggest you do the same.

 

[bobtomay]

Hi guys,

... can I connect two macs with thunderbolt and use them as one, super fast computer?

...
Thanks!

No...

 

[brkit2012]

I have a 2012 MacBook Pro. I'm not sure why you think that connecting another computer to your 2012 MacBook Pro will suddenly give it more RAM. What you need to do is buy more RAM. I just ordered 16 GB for mine, I suggest you do the same.

My computer says the max is 8 GB (it's a 13 inch) but I heard somewhere that you can actually use 16 GB. Is that true?

 

[RadDave]

My computer says the max is 8 GB (it's a 13 inch) but I heard somewhere that you can actually use 16 GB. Is that true?

Check Every Mac Website - the link is to the best match that I could find (you may need to change the exact model number?) - but seems that 16 GB is possible. Dave

 

[brkit2012]

but seems that 16 GB is possible. Dave

I have checked several other sites and they too agree that it would be possible to use 16 GB. Yay!

I have checked out some options, but have never bought RAM upgrades before. These two have the correct specs for my comp, think they would be any good?

Corsair Vengeance 16GB (2x8GB) DDR3 1600 MHz (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory (CMSX16GX3M2A1600C10) at Amazon.com

Crucial 16GB Kit (8GBx2) DDR3 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL11 SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V Notebook Memory CT2KIT102464BF160B at Amazon.com

Thanks guys.

 

[lclev]

16 GB is possible and No, you can not connect a MB pro and a Mac Mini. Doesn't work that way.

Lisa