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Recommended memory for MacBook Pro (or MacBook/iMac/etc)

Last updated June 01, 2009

Be sure to see Optimizing Photoshop for other insights on high-performance systems.

Recommended memory for MacBook Pro PERMALINK

See Checking memory use on Mac OS X to understand how memory is used.

The latest 2009 MacBook and MacBook Pro (and iMac and MacMini) call all accept 8GB of memory as two 4GB modules (4-slot iMacs can take 16GB).

For most users, 8GB is enough, and for photo users, 8GB provides a nice bump up in performance over 4GB.

Virtually every Mac can benefit from going to at least 4GB of memory. That’s because Mac OS X can use extra memory for caching, which speeds up all sorts of operations system-wide. This is particularly important with laptops, because it reduces hard drive access, which is both slow and consumes power.

How much memory?

The maximum memory varies by model. OWC has a memory guide help you decide, but the short story is that 2009 MacBook and MacBook Pros can accept 8GB.

MacBook Pro users should consider the OWC 6GB upgrade kit (or 4GB upgrade module), reviewed here. Rock solid, and used for all the Photoshop testing on the MacBook Pro View. Excercise caution: not all memory is the same: don’t try to save a few bucks on a dubious vendor.

The March 2009 unibody MacBook Pro 17" (see review) accepts two 4GB modules for a total of 8GB.

The OWC 4GB memory module for MacBook Pro

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