Apple officially endorses 8GB of RAM for some 15 inch Unibody MacBooks

Cleve Nettles
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March 26, 2009
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AI found Apple unceremoniously selling 8GB kits for its newer model 15-inch Unibody MacBook Pros (not the older 2.5GHz model).  It is the same kit as they sell for the 17-inch unibody Macbooks and it is the same price.  $1200.  If you have to ask...

Not to worry though, hardcore RAM fiends, OWC has the same kit for a paltry $719. Amazon has it for just over $1000.

This RAM upgrade is also compatible with the "Early 2009" iMacs.

Comments (11)

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 8:13am

So my 2.8GHz unit and the older 2.53GHz unit won't be able to get the 8GB treatment? Hmmm....

MadMike | March 26, 2009 - 8:47am

$1,200? That's Absurd!

What I don't get is the most expensive 2GB chip is $50. Even IF its 2.5 times to make a 4GB chip, that's $125 a chip! Times two, is $250!?!? Not $700 - $1200?!

Expect that price to drop rapidly once 8GB laptops are the norm. Too bad Intel can't get their crap together with the chipsets to allow 8GB+.

"Now, I don't want to get off on a rant here, but..." - Dennis Miller

Stuart Harcourt (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 8:56am

Spoke to Apple - 2.53ghz Unibody is 8gb compatible

John M (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 9:08am

any idea id this works with the 13" macbooks?

Wei-o (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 9:10am

That's cool, but it's not like my 4 gig MBP is slow or anything.

Stuart Harcourt (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 9:36am

@ Wei-o

True but nice to know you can turbo charge it (when the price comes down) Might mean I go longer before I replace mine (Although when it comes to Apple I am very weak!)

Budster2005 | March 26, 2009 - 10:35am

That is waaaaaaay over the top! as if anyone would even consider buying it they must be crazy.....or filthy rich.

www.yours4free.co.uk

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 11:35am

So if it is compatible with the 2.53GHz machines, what about the 2.4GHz Unibody model?

9to5Mac Noob (not verified) | March 26, 2009 - 11:39am

8gb compatibale with 2.53? Why didn't it work before when people tested it out with 8gb and couldn't work but only worked with 6gb. This doesn't make sence.

Is it the memory different that Apple offers?
Is Apple offering an update that I don't know about for the 15".

eth (not verified) | March 27, 2009 - 4:36pm

Hi, I think I know why Apple is able to offer 8gb ram support on the revised 2.66 MBP and not on the 2.53 or 2.4 MBP.

Take a look at this:

15'' 2.4-2,53 NVDA Chipset
http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/ig...KDDvZfZh.large

17'' NVDA Chipset
http://s1.guide-images.ifixit.com/ig...YbiIuTLL.large

There are TWO different revisions. The first is B2 and the latter is B3.
I think that the former does not support 8GB of RAM and the latter does. That explains why the 17'' has support and now the NEWs 15'' also have, Apple gave the 15'' not only a speed bump but also the newer revision of the chipset!

Darren (not verified) | March 28, 2009 - 6:03am

Apple pulled 15" 2.6GHz memory upgrade options?
http://store.apple.com/us/memoryfamily/ME_MBP