Upgrades to Macbook

cheechm · 19 May 2012 at 14:02

I currently have a Macbook 13" Aluminium (late 2008 model) that has 2GB of RAM and standard HD. I'm going to upgrade the memory and the hard drive but have a few questions:

1) What is the maximum amount of memory installable? I've seen varying answers, from 4GB through 6GB and up to 8GB!

2) What SSD do you recommend?

3) What happens if for some unrelated reason, I need to take my MB to the Apple Store? Will they fix say a problem with the keyboard (i.e. something completely unrelated).

hartgeh3 · 19 May 2012 at 14:21

1) check the crucial website with your model number and it will tell you

2) when I had my MBP I put a Vertex 2 in and it was flying, I would go M4 this time. Depends what size, how much you want to spend?

3) Put the standard parts back in? Although I didnt have any problems when I had changed my HDD to 7200 one and took it to Apple for graphics issue.

lamboman · 19 May 2012 at 14:31

1) Not sure on that one, I'm presuming that the maximum that it will actually take (regardless of what Apple says) is 8GB. Do check just in case.

2) m4, just depends on your size requirements.

3) The drive and memory are user replaceable parts. They won't touch them. To be honest, because your system is so far out of warranty, you should be able to do anything you want to it and they will leave it. That said, I wouldn't be going to Apple for any work, I'd head to your local Authorised Service Provider instead.

cheechm · 19 May 2012 at 14:52

1) Crucial claims 4GB, however I read that an update to the EFI meant that it was 8GB, just can't find confirmation.

2) Probably looking at 128GB. Don't need much more than that.

Cheers

magicroundabout · 19 May 2012 at 16:27

hope this helps

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1237

cheechm · 20 May 2012 at 02:55

Much appreciated thanks. Next q: Currently on Leopard (OSX 10.5). Does it support 8Gigs of RAM?

hyper_piper45 · 20 May 2012 at 07:06

You should be able to use 8gb. Read this for all the info

http://blog.macsales.com/9102-secret-firmware-lets-late-08-macbooks-use-8gb

cheechm · 20 May 2012 at 14:29

Thanks hyper. All sorted now!

cheechm · 22 May 2012 at 19:11

RAM arrived and works fine.

Harddrive caddy however is causing me a headache. Couldn't for the life of me get the screw undone (the one in the center). No completed fubared it, and I'm not sure what to do. I think I saw somewhere that I could just cut the caddy and buy a new one somewhere. Is that possible? Not sure what to do otherwise except pay a ridiculous amount at the genius bar.

Any help?