Are you trying to figure out the answer to, “Can I upgrade my macbook pro?” Read this article to learn what to upgrade on your macbook pro.
When you first buy a Macbook Pro, it’s a powerhouse. Yet as the 8.35 percent of us who own a Mac know, even these computers can wear out eventually. This may leave you wondering “can I upgrade my Macbook Pro?”
The answer is yes! Like any other machine, you can upgrade your Macbook Pro and you don’t even need to pay Apple for the privilege.
Add more RAM and you can enjoy faster load times and be able to run more applications at the same time. Improve the CPU and say goodbye to slowdowns! Add more hard drive space and save everything important to you.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at how you can upgrade your Macbook Pro and what results you can expect to see. Let’s get started!
A Note on Warranties
Before we get started, there’s one thing that you need to note. Apart from in very limited circumstances, upgrading your Macbook Pro will void its warranty. If you’re paying for AppleCare, you may want to hold off on that upgrade until your warranty expires.
If you don’t have a warranty and you’re happy that you could fix any issues that could arise as a result, go on ahead.
Can I Upgrade My Macbook Pro RAM?
One of the easiest upgrades that you can make to your Macbook Pro is adding some extra RAM. RAM stands for random-access memory. It’s a lightning-fast bit of memory that your PC stores important, but temporary, files and processes in.
The more applications that you’re running at one time, the more RAM you will need to avoid your computer slowing down.
Many MacBook Pros come with around 8 GB of RAM. For many people and many applications, this is enough but some need a little more. For instance, videogames, photo and video editing software, and CAD software need more.
If you want to upgrade Mac Ram, the process is pretty easy:
- Remove the bottom of your Macbook Pro’s case
- Push the levers on either side of the current RAM and lift out the memory, holding it by its sides
- Push the new memory into place
- Replace the bottom of the case
It’s important to note that not every Macbook Pro’s RAM can be upgraded. If it’s got a Retina display, upgrading the RAM is not possible.
Can I Upgrade My Macbook Pro’s Hard Drive?
Are you running out of storage space on your Macbook Pro? Do you want to add more programs, games, or media from iTunes? Then you’re going to need a bigger hard drive.
For the ultimate speed, you want an SSD or solid-state drive. Most modern Macbook Pro machines already have an SSD installed except for much older models and this means that adding a new SSD is as easy as pie.
To begin with, you will need a compatible SSD. Do some research and you should be able to find a faster and bigger SSD that you can install on your Macbook Pro.
Installing a New SSD
Installing a new SSD is a little harder than adding RAM to your machine but it’s very doable. In this section, we’ll outline the steps you need to take during installation.
- Remove the bottom of your Macbook Pro’s case
- Remove the battery connector sticker carefully and make sure it doesn’t touch the logic board
- Remove the small screw that holds your SSD to the logic board
- Lift up your SSD and remove it slowly and carefully
- Connect the new SSD and screw it in
- Replace the battery connector and the sticker
- Replace the bottom of your Macbook Pro case
Congratulations! You’ve added a larger and faster drive to your Macbook Pro! Adding a new SSD makes some big differences in performance that you’ll love.
Replacing Your Macbook Pro’s Battery
As batteries age, they tend to lose capacity and end up being unreliable. The most common complaint is that batteries don’t hold a charge for very long and you end up needing to always have your laptop plugged in. This defeats the purpose of a laptop and it’s something you can change!
Replacing your Macbook Pro’s battery is far from difficult. Order a replacement battery and follow these steps:
- Unscrew the bottom of your Macbook Pro’s case
- Unplug the battery from the motherboard
- Remove the screws that hold the battery in place and remove the battery
- Add the new battery and replace the screws
- Connect the new battery to the motherboard
- Replace the cover
If your battery is wearing out and you’re sick of having an unintentional desktop replacement, order a new battery today!
Upgrading Your Macbook Pro’s Fans
Is your Macbook Pro running hot and having issues with overheating? Then reach inside the Macbook and replace its fans. This isn’t the easiest job in the world but if you’re having overheating woes, it’s your best bet.
Remove the bottom of your Macbook Pro’s case then follow these steps:
- Remove the fan’s connector to the logic board and bend it away from the fan
- Remove the other end of the connector
- Unscrew the three screws that hold the fan to the logic board
- Remove the fan gently
- Add the new fan
- Screw it in and connect both ends of the logic board connector
- Replace the bottom of your case
If you’ve been having issues with overheating, forget the cooling pad or other DIY solutions. Replacing your fan is the best way to get some much-needed cooling for your Macbook Pro.
The Macbook Pro: Eminently Upgradeable
While there are still some parts of the Macbook Pro that you can’t upgrade, such as the GPU, the question: “can I upgrade my Macbook Pro” can be answered with a definite yes!
Making the tweaks that we’ve outlined in this article can add years to your Pro’s lifespan and improve its performance a great deal.
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