Should you consider upgrading the RAM in your MacBook Pro?

Every computer has two main types of memory: storage and RAM. You can think of these components as having different functions. Storage, or the hard drive, is for saving files permanently, while RAM (Random Access Memory) temporarily holds files. These temporary files help to launch programs, store temporary data, and keep background processes running smoothly. If your computer has been slow or experiencing errors lately, you may have heard that upgrading RAM could fix the issue. While this solution works in some cases, you should carefully evaluate if upgrading RAM is the right move for your MacBook Pro. If you're wondering whether it's a wise decision (or even feasible), this article is for you.

8GB of RAM is ideal for basic tasks such as emailing and browsing the web. If you're a student using a MacBook for assignments or occasionally browsing the web and sending emails during your free time, 8GB of RAM will meet your basic needs. If you don't perform memory-intensive tasks on your computer, there's no need to invest in a RAM upgrade.

• RAM comes in the following sizes: 4GB, 8GB, 16GB, 32GB, and 64GB. The higher the GB, the more storage capacity you have.
• While you can still use 4GB of RAM, your computer will slow down when handling complex tasks. Most modern MacBook Pros come with at least 8GB of RAM.

The ideal choice for most MacBook users is 16GB of RAM. If you want your computer to browse the web smoothly and not wait for complex programs to load, you'll definitely appreciate 16GB of RAM. For most users, 16GB of RAM exceeds expectations for basic needs.

Consider 32GB of RAM if you are a full-time artist, architect, or designer. This amount may be unnecessary for many, but if you regularly use complex programs or perform multiple tasks simultaneously, this option is worth considering. You'll need 32GB of RAM if:

• You use programs like Lightworks, Photoshop, ProTools, Audition, or IDEs like Eclipse.
• You are a programmer, animator, photographer, filmmaker, or professional musician.
• You multitask for work or study, frequently opening many tabs, programs, or documents.
• You connect your laptop to multiple external monitors and switch between programs and tasks.

If you perform memory-intensive tasks, upgrading RAM can be helpful. How you use your computer determines how beneficial a RAM upgrade will be. If you're editing videos, composing music, designing, or working with photos, you'll see a noticeable increase in speed after upgrading your RAM.

• If your MacBook is old, it might be more cost-effective to buy a new computer than to upgrade the RAM.
• Imagine RAM is like a hard drive, storing all your files, and if you have a lot of photos or videos, you need more storage. Computer programs also use RAM in the same way—if you run complex programs, you'll need more RAM.

Casual users probably won’t notice a huge difference. For basic computer tasks, you'll likely only notice faster webpage loading after upgrading the RAM. Upgrading RAM won't offer significant benefits if you don't use complex programs or multitask.

• Going back to the hard drive example: if a 1TB drive only stores 250GB of files, does upgrading to 2TB make the computer run faster? The answer is not necessarily. You just don’t need more storage space.

There are more effective ways to boost your computer's speed. If your computer is running slowly, cleaning up the hard drive, uninstalling unnecessary programs, and removing browser extensions are great first steps. Next, update your Mac’s operating system to resolve any bugs that might be causing the computer to malfunction. For many, upgrading the RAM won’t truly solve the issue unless these other problems are addressed first.

• When RAM is faulty, it’s easy to spot. The computer not only runs slowly but may even freeze up completely. If you're considering upgrading the RAM because you think it will fix the issues, you're likely mistaken.

You cannot do this on newer models, as Apple has soldered the RAM to the motherboard. Installing RAM is one of the simplest upgrade processes for computers. However, this is only possible on older MacBooks. Since 2013, Apple has soldered the RAM directly to the motherboard, meaning users can’t replace the RAM. If you have a MacBook manufactured after 2013, you'll need to purchase a new computer to upgrade the RAM.

• Even if you can upgrade the RAM and are skilled enough to solder the components yourself, Apple has restricted the RAM capacity on the motherboard. In other words, even if you manage to install 32GB of RAM on a MacBook Pro 2018 model that originally came with 16GB, the system will perform just as if it still had the 16GB of RAM.

You can do this on Mac computers made before 2013. On Windows computers, installing RAM is as simple as fitting two pieces together, like Lego blocks. Before 2013, Apple used similar designs for its machines. If you own a MacBook Pro made in 2011 or earlier, you can upgrade the RAM on any MacBook model at home.

• There are two 2012 models that allow RAM upgrades: the 13-inch and 15-inch versions produced mid-year 2012. Other 2012 models have soldered RAM.

If you don't have an SSD, upgrading your hard drive is a better choice. A new SSD will definitely significantly improve your computer's speed. If you have an HDD and are deciding between upgrading your hard drive or RAM, choose the hard drive upgrade.

• Between 2008 and 2018, the market saw a blend of HDD and SSD. SSD is a newer and more expensive technology. Currently, there is no reason to use the outdated HDD. In terms of speed and quality, SSD outperforms HDD.

If your computer has 8GB of RAM and you don't use complex programs, there's no need to upgrade to 16GB. If you're into video editing, creating graphics effects, or composing music, you'll notice a clear difference between 8GB and 16GB of RAM. However, if you just browse the web, do homework, or send emails, you likely won't notice a significant difference between 8GB and 16GB RAM.

• If you're using 4GB RAM, it might be time to invest in a new computer. MacBooks with 4GB RAM have been out for several years. While you can upgrade the RAM, your computer will only be functional for a year or two more.