To see how much RAM you have in your Macbook, click the Apple menu, select ‘About This Mac’, go to ‘More Info’, and then the ‘Memory heading’.  Normally, MacBook and MacBook Pro have two DDR SDRAM sockets. (Well, don’t fret over what those abbreviations mean. Rest assured that those memory modules are fast enough.) You should get a couple of 2 GB memory modules, so you can put as much as 4 Gb in your Macbook.

Your memory upgrade plan depends on the amount memory you need.  If your MacBook has a single default 1 GB module supplied by Apple, there are a couple of options:

– You can get 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM by inserting a 1 GB or a 2 GB memory module on the empty slot. 1 GB memory module should set you back around $30 or so. 2 GB of memory is more than enough for running standard applications from the iWork suites and iLife and also any of the softwares bundled with Leopard.

– You can have 4GB of total memory by taking out the standard 1 GB module and installing high-capacity 2 GB modules in both memory slots.  (If your Macbook came with a single 2 GB module installed, all you need to do is add another 2 GB module to reach the 4 GB memory Shangri-la.)

If your primary software programs include image editing, game playing, or video editing, you may use all the memory your Macbook can hold.  Although the MacBook Pro usually comes with at least 2 GB, the process is generally similar. The exception is with the MacBook Air, which is essentially a sealed model – you can’t upgrade it in your home.  Regrettably, Apple’s prices for installing or replacing RAM are, well, outrageous.