• New Laptop Replacement Battery for A1278 A1322 MacBook Pro 13 inch - (Mid 2009, Mid 2010, Early 2011, Late 2011, Mid 2012), fit MB990LL/A MC724LL/A - Li-Polymer 6-Cell 66.6Wh 11.1V 4.2 out of 5 stars 174.
• Updating your physical RAM, especially with an older MacBook Pro (prior to 2013 models), would help, but that can get expensive and isn’t always necessary.Try identifying programs that are using the most memory and swapping them for an alternative like replacing Firefox with Safari.

• Software Update For Macbook Pro Late 2011
• Late 2011 Macbook Pro Software Update
• How To Software Update Macbook Pro 2011
• Software Update For Macbook Pro 2011

Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A

Update Published May 10, 2016

Unibody MacBook Pro Q&A @ EveryMac.com. Update Published January 29, 2019. Also see: MacBook Pro Specs All Mac Q&As EveryMac.com's 'Unibody' MacBook Pro Q&A answers questions about all MacBook Pro models that are milled from a single piece of aluminum but that do not have a 'Retina' display or a 'Touch Bar' interface element. AppleCare+ for Mac Every Mac comes with a one-year limited warranty and up to 90 days of complimentary technical support.AppleCare+ for Mac extends your coverage to three years from your AppleCare+ purchase date and adds up to two incidents of accidental damage protection every 12 months, each subject to a service fee of $99 for screen damage or external enclosure damage, or $299 for other.

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Software Update For Macbook Pro Late 2011

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How do you upgrade the RAM in the 'Mid-2009' through 'Mid-2012' MacBook Pro models? What type of RAM do they use? How much RAM does each model actually support?

Please note that this Q&A is up-to-date and covers pre-Retina 'Unibody' MacBook Pro models. EveryMac.com also provides details about RAM options for the subsequently introduced Retina Display MacBook Pro line.

The RAM upgrade procedure for the 'Mid-2009,' 'Mid-2010,' 'Early 2011,' 'Late 2011' and non-Retina Display 'Mid-2012' MacBook Pro models is fairly easy. It's not quite as easy as it is for earlier 'pre-Unibody' MacBook Pro systems, as these later models require a screwdriver, but it still is simple and straightforward.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. ('Unibody' MacBook Pro Models)

Identification Help

If you're not sure which MacBook Pro you have, these models can be identified by the Model Identifier 'closely enough' to an exact match for the purpose of upgrading the RAM. In turn, each model can be uniquely identified via model identifier and one or more secondary identifiers (like processor speed and/or processor type).

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can uniquely identify these models by the Serial Number, which is listed on the bottom of the notebook in small type toward the hinge, as well as within the operating system alongside the model identifier. More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

To locate the model identifier in software, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info...' button. If the MacBook Pro is running OS X 10.7 'Lion' or later, you will need to click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info...' as well. EveryMac.com has carefully hand documented each model identifier for your convenience.

The model identifiers for each of these models follow:

RAM Types & Actual Maximum RAM Capacities

All of these systems have two memory slots that are accessible by removing the bottom case, but the type of RAM as well as the actual maximum capacity varies for different models. Apple formally recommends that you 'fill both memory slots and install an identical memory module in each slot' for all of these systems.

The 'Mid-2009' and 'Mid-2010' MacBook Pro models support 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SO-DIMMs and officially and unofficially support a maximum of 8 GB of RAM with one odd exception.

Specifically, as discovered by OWC, the 13-Inch 'Mid-2010' MacBook Pro models (and only the 13-Inch models) -- the MacBook Pro 'Core 2 Duo' 2.4 13' Mid-2010 and 'Core 2 Duo' 2.66 13' Mid-2010 identified by MacBookPro7,1 -- can support up to 16 GB of RAM with dual 8 GB memory modules if they are running OS X 10.7.5 or higher, have been updated to use the latest EFI, and are equipped with proper specification memory modules. If running a version of Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard,' these models only can use 8 GB of RAM.

The 'Early 2011' and 'Late 2011' MacBook Pro models use faster 1333 MHz PC3-10600 DDR3 SO-DIMMs. They officially support 8 GB of RAM, but OWC has determined that they actually support 16 GB of RAM regardless of the operating system installed, although only the 'Early 2011' MacBook Pro models are capable of running a version of Mac OS X 10.6 'Snow Leopard.'

Finally, the 'Mid-2012' non-Retina Display MacBook Pro models use faster still 1600 MHz PC3-12800 DDR3 SO-DIMMs and likewise officially support 8 GB of RAM, but actually can support as much as 16 GB of RAM. These models do not run versions of OS X prior to OS X 10.7 'Lion.'

Much like the identification help, these details are easiest to visualize as a chart:

† Officially, these two models support 8 GB of RAM, but they actually can support 16 GB of RAM. However, this is if and only if they are running OS X 10.7.5 or higher, have been updated to use the latest EFI, and are equipped with proper specification memory modules.

* Officially, these models all support 8 GB of RAM, but they actually support 16 GB when running any compatible version of (Mac) OS X.

RAM Upgrade Instructions

Apple explains how to install memory 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. For the 'Mid-2012' MacBook Pro line, Apple's 'Quickstart' Guide does not cover RAM installation, but the procedure is the same as earlier models.

However, perhaps even better than drawings, OWC provides convenient step-by-step videos of the process for the 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch models alike.

13' MacBook Pro RAM Upgrade Video
Mid-2009, Mid-2010, Early 2011, Late 2011 & Non-Retina Mid-2012

15' MacBook Pro RAM Upgrade Video
Mid-2009, Mid-2010, Early 2011, Late 2011 & Non-Retina Mid-2012

17' MacBook Pro RAM Upgrade Video
Mid-2009, Mid-2010, Early 2011 & Late 2011

After watching these videos, it should be clear that upgrading the RAM is easy. However, if you do not feel comfortable -- or have the time -- to perform the upgrade yourself, hiring a professional always is a good option.

MacBook Pro RAM Purchase Options

Just because RAM meets the minimum listed criteria does not mean that it will necessarily function as intended in a particular Mac. Be sure to buy from a quality vendor that has tested their RAM with your Mac to ensure full compatibility.

In the US (and many other countries), site sponsor Other World Computing sells memory as well as storage for all MacBook Pro models for do-it-yourself upgrades.

In the UK and Ireland, site sponsor Flexx sells MacBook Pro compatible memory with free shipping. The company provides flat rate shipping to France, Germany, and Switzerland and inexpensive shipping for all of Europe, too.

In Canada, site sponsor CanadaRAM sells memory for all MacBook Pro models with guaranteed compatibility, fast shipping, and no customs.

In Germany, site sponsor CompuRAM sells quality memory for all MacBook Pro models with affordable delivery country-wide and in person pick up and professional installation service available in Munich.

In Australia, site sponsors Macfixit and Upgradeable sell MacBook Pro compatible memory with fast shipping, a money-back guarantee and more.

In New Zealand, site sponsor Upgradeable New Zealand sells MacBook Pro memory with fast delivery to all corners of the country, precise compatibility, a lifetime warranty, and a money-back guarantee.

Also see:

• How do you upgrade the hard drive in the 'Mid-2009' through 'Mid-2012' 13-Inch, 15-Inch, and 17-Inch MacBook Pro models? What type of hard drive do these models support? How do you replace the hard drive with an SSD?
• How do you replace the optical drive in the 'Unibody' MacBook Pro models with a hard drive or SSD? Is it possible?
  

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