New to MacBook Pro, Late 2011 Model

[W9awx]

I'm taking a step into the world of MacBook by purchasing a late 2011 15" MacBook Pro. It only has 4gb of onboard ram and I want to upgrade to at least 8gb. Can I pull ram out of my old pic, which uses the same DDR3 ram as the MacBook and add it to the 4gb already onboard to make 10gb or am I better off ordering ram from a direct supplier off the web.

 

[pigoo3]

Can I pull ram out of my old pic, which uses the same DDR3 ram as the MacBook and add it to the 4gb already onboard to make 10gb or am I better off ordering ram from a direct supplier off the web.

If your 100% sure your non-Mac computer uses the same ram…sure give it a try…won't hurt anything. If it works it works…if it doesn't…then it doesn't. If it doesn't work…then yes…would have to order some new ram for the MacBook Pro.

- Nick

 

[W9awx]

The replacement specs from Crucial.com says DDR3, PC3-12800, unbuffered, Non-ECC, DDR3-1600, 1.35v


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[W9awx]

Well, scratch that. Just ran the crucial scanner and on the Toshiba, its 6gb of ram alright, but it's two slots, one 4gb and one 2gb. I can get a 8gb kit from them new for about $50 or double for 90. Thanks for the advice regardless.


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[pigoo3]

Well, scratch that. Just ran the crucial scanner and on the Toshiba, its 6gb of ram alright, but it's two slots, one 4gb and one 2gb. I can get a 8gb kit from them new for about $50 or double for 90. Thanks for the advice regardless.

Yes…the MacBook Pro with 4gig of ram probably has 2 x 2gig installed currently. As you discovered…even if the Toshiba's ram worked in the MBP…that would still leave you with 6gig total. $50 for an 8gig upgrade sounds about right (and $90 for 16gig sounds about right too).

Good luck…and have fun with your 1st Macintosh computer. The 2011 models are pretty good. I have a 13" MBP and a 17" MBP.

- Nick

 

[W9awx]

I found an offer that I just couldn't pass up. I was actually looking at a new 13" Retina, but found this one used for $488. Between the ram upgrade and eventually a SSD upgrade, it will be fast and efficient.


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[harryb2448]

If it is a late 2011 model, MBP 8.2 model A1286, it can handle up to 16gb of memory according to mactracker, a great little utility that provides information on every model Mac. That being the case you can in fact use 2x4GB modules. You do not mention an operating system, however suggest strongly you create an Apple ID, if you do not have one already, go into the App Store and download El Capitan, and do a clean install getting rid of the former owner's junk if he did not do that.

 

[W9awx]

It has Yosemite on it from what I understand. Already have a apple id from my iPad and iPhone. I plan to upgrade to El Capitan as a clean install.

I'm also looking at adding a hard drive to double what is in it eventually. Maybe a 500gb SSD drive which apparently is easy to do.


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[harryb2448]

Good. Here is a link to OWC on MBP memory prices and $65 for 2 x 4GB modules will be a great improvement. Note all 2011 models take 1333MHz memory according to OWC Mac Specialists:-


http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3_1333MHz_SDRAM

 

[W9awx]

Thanks. As soon as it arrives, I'm going to get it scanned online to confirm everything. I've seen that company and they have great reviews.


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[pigoo3]

I'm also looking at adding a hard drive to double what is in it eventually. Maybe a 500gb SSD drive which apparently is easy to do.

I'm assuming you know that upgrading the internal storage of retina MacBook Pro's (officially) is not possible. I think that only 2012 & Early 2013 models have upgrade options. This is a DIY project.

- Nick

 

[W9awx]

Nick, if you'll please take a moment to read the heading of the post, it answers your statement. Thanks though.

 

[pigoo3]

Nick, if you'll please take a moment to read the heading of the post, it answers your statement. Thanks though.

I was responding to what was written in post #6…where a "13" retina" was mentioned. A "13" retina" and a "Late 2011 MacBook Pro" (which is what's mentioned in the title) are NOT the same. 13" retina MacBook Pro's were not released until 2012.

Maybe the way post #6 is written is confusing…and I got the wrong message.

- Nick

 

[W9awx]

If you reread the post #6, it says I looked at a 13" retina and bought a different one, the one topic is about. Sorry if you didn't read it correctly.


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[pigoo3]

Sorry if you didn't read it correctly.

It's really not about me "reading it correctly"…it's about writing a clear post. You know what you're talking about…all we can do is read what was written (and what was written was a bit confusing).

In post #6 the word "it" is used. And it was a bit difficult to know if "it" referred to a 13" retina MacBook Pro…or if "it" referred to the 2011 MacBook Pro mentioned in the thread title. I'm sure you knew…but when I cost read post #6…it was confusing.

Now that you've explained things…I understand what was meant in post #6. I'm just trying to help.

- Nick

 

[W9awx]

Thank. Got your reasoning. I've got enough information to make a good judgement. I'm going to upgrade to at lease 2x4 gb of ram and will look at another 500gb hard drive, SSD preferred as time and funds allow. Thanks everyone. Looks like a relatively easy install based on all of the videos from the memory suppliers too b


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[pigoo3]

Always glad to help. That 2011 15" MacBook Pro…plus the upgrades you have planned…should provide you with a really excellent first Mac computer experience.

- Nick

 

[W9awx]

Those are almost the words of the previous owner who upgraded to a new one. Thanks again Nick and everyone else.


iPhone 6
iPad 2 wifi
MacBook Pro, Late 2011, 15" MD318LL/A

 

[W9awx]

Best news of the day, so far, is the email I get from the shipper showing it being delivered tomorrow, not Friday. Happy dance.

 

[pigoo3]

It is always fun getting a new or "new to you" computer! The sooner the better!!!

Just a head's up. I'm not sure what "state of affairs" the computers hard drive is currently in (if the previous owner erased the HD…or just left it "as is"). But whenever I get a "new to me" computer…I always erase & reformat the HD…and do a fresh install of the OS. Then there is no "garbage or junk" or just confusing stuff remaining from the previous owner.

- Nick