Resolved 8GB To 16GB..An Opinion

[Macman45]

I have just upgraded my 17" MBP to 16GB and initial tests and performance are very positive. The Mac, which wasn't slow anyway is showing definite increases in performance. Specifically, load times for large Applications has reduced very noticeably, Aperture, Handbrake both show distinct improvements.

If anybody is considering the upgrade I can vouch for it. A worthwhile 9 minutes and £64.00

 

[CASLondon]

I have just upgraded my 17" MBP to 16GB and initial tests and performance are very positive. The Mac, which wasn't slow anyway is showing definite increases in performance. Specifically, load times for large Applications has reduced very noticeably, Aperture, Handbrake both show distinct improvements.

If anybody is considering the upgrade I can vouch for it. A worthwhile 9 minutes and £64.00

Just did this, coupled with the Samsung 830 SSD in the boot drive and moving the original to optical slot, while making the optical external. Since this is my second-to-last 17" version as far as we can tell and I'm not going retina, gonna make this one last.

BTW Adobe software will love the ram

 

[Macman45]

Just did this, coupled with the Samsung 830 SSD in the boot drive and moving the original to optical slot, while making the optical external. Since this is my second-to-last 17" version as far as we can tell and I'm not going retina, gonna make this one last.

BTW Adobe software will love the ram

I have to admit I wasn't expecting anything quite as dramatic as the results I'm getting....Everything just feels better now. Apple still insist that the 8GB is the Maximum....Sorry I beg to differ. Like you, this is a top spec.late 2011 17" and they won't be making any more. If i do anything else to it it will be to install an SSD in the opibay....I never use DVD's in it anyway..

 

[Rhinoevans]

I am overseas and have to buy what apple ships...no upgrade models. That is the main reason I am NOT getting the rMBP. I want 16G Ram.

 

[Macman45]

I am overseas and have to buy what apple ships...no upgrade models. That is the main reason I am NOT getting the rMBP. I want 16G Ram.

I never buy RAM from Apple, their prices are insane....Are Crucial not available where you are? I buy from them regularly, all RAM is warrantied with a lifetime guarantee, and they are fast and reliable to deal with.

The site has a scanner which identifies the correct modules for you, then you just order up.

http://www.crucial.com

 

[chriscl]

+1 for Crucial.

I upgraded my 13" MBP to 16GB RAM and it flies now!

Also - if buying from Crucial online, use Voucher Code CRUCIALOCT to get 5% off...

 

[CASLondon]

I have to admit I wasn't expecting anything quite as dramatic as the results I'm getting....Everything just feels better now. Apple still insist that the 8GB is the Maximum....Sorry I beg to differ. Like you, this is a top spec.late 2011 17" and they won't be making any more. If i do anything else to it it will be to install an SSD in the opibay....I never use DVD's in it anyway..

Don't put the SSD in the optibay, it (assuming its a contemporary SATAIII 6G sad) will freak out the machine a bit. Put it in the main slot, and move/replace your traditional disk (or a sataII ssd if you want) in that optical slot. See this for more information...

http://blog.macsales.com/10433-macbook-pro-2011-models-and-sata-3-0-6-0gbs-update-5272011

This is a fairly easy upgrade, you just have to tweak a few things about the DVD player app to make it see the external. If you are in the UK/Europe, these guys have a nice package for the upgrade....

http://hardwrk.com
http://thebookyard.com

If in the US, then OWC

 

[Macman45]

Don't put the SSD in the optibay, it (assuming its a contemporary SATAIII 6G sad) will freak out the machine a bit. Put it in the main slot, and move/replace your traditional disk (or a sataII ssd if you want) in that optical slot. See this for more information...

http://blog.macsales.com/10433-macbook-pro-2011-models-and-sata-3-0-6-0gbs-update-5272011

This is a fairly easy upgrade, you just have to tweak a few things about the DVD player app to make it see the external. If you are in the UK/Europe, these guys have a nice package for the upgrade....

http://hardwrk.com
http://thebookyard.com

If in the US, then OWC

Good info. I'm not planning on doing it yet, but I'm familiar with upgrades etc. I don't have to keep the existing HDD, but I want a reliable 1TB SSD and they are thin on the ground as yet. There are a few unbranded models, but I'm going to wait until decent models become available.

**Hint**

A little OT, but I would not be surprised to see something of higher capacity in the keynote with specific regard to the Imac range...A little bird hinted it to me a while back.

If that proves to be true, it won't take the major manufacturers long to bring higher capacity drives to the market. For now, I'm very pleased with the 16GB upgrade...It's made more of a difference than I thought it would.