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MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement

Andrew Bookholt

Andrew Bookholt and 8 other contributors

Last updated on October 18, 2022

5 - 25 minutes
Easy
Featured Guide

Introduction

Go to step 1

Upgrade your RAM for a noticeable increase in speed.

What you need

Fix Kit

This kit contains all the parts and tools needed to complete this guide.

Parts

Tools

  • Phillips #00 Screwdriver
    Phillips #00 Screwdriver
  • Spudger
    Spudger

Show more…

  1. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement, Lower Case: step 1, image 1 of 1

    • Remove the following ten screws:

    • Three 14.4 mm Phillips #00 screws

    • Three 3.5 mm Phillips #00 screws

    • Four 3.5 mm shouldered Phillips #00 screws

    • When replacing the small screws, align them perpendicular to the slight curvature of the case (they don't go straight down).

    Edit

  2. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Use your fingers to pry the lower case away from the body of the MacBook near the vent.

    • Remove the lower case.

    Edit

  4. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement, Battery Connection: step 3, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement, Battery Connection: step 3, image 2 of 2

    • Use the edge of a spudger to pry the battery connector upwards from its socket on the logic board.

    • It is useful to pry upward on both short sides of the connector to "walk" it out of its socket. Be careful with the corners of the connectors, they can be easily broken off.

    Edit

  5. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement: step 4, image 1 of 1

    • Bend the battery cable slightly away from its socket on the logic board so it does not accidentally connect itself while you work.

    Edit

  6. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement, RAM: step 5, image 1 of 2 MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement, RAM: step 5, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the two RAM retaining arms away from the center of the RAM chip.

    • The RAM chip should "pop" up slightly from its socket.

    Edit

  7. MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Early 2011 RAM Replacement: step 6, image 1 of 1

    • Pull the RAM stick out of its socket.

    • Repeat this process to remove the second RAM chip.

    Edit
Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

352 other people completed this guide.

11 Comments

What kind of ram should I buy? DDR2 or DDR3?

Jason Moon - Reply

It takes only DDR-3 RAM.

oakdragon12 -

Is a 8gb early 2011 macbook pro maxed out, or can I upgrade to 16?

I'm asking because I read in http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.... that it can actually take 16gb. Thanks!

C Eyzag - Reply

Yup! I upgraded to a 16 GB DDR3 Corsair mac memory kit from Newegg and it works like a charm. I got this kit: https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a...

screenshots below:

http://i.imgur.com/IqEbFES.jpg

http://i.imgur.com/a2azyuV.jpg

Drew Dittmann -

Question - my MBP currently has 4GB RAM. Is there a 2nd RAM slot that will allow me to increase my RAM by adding 4GB or 8GB. Or do I need to replace the current 4GB with a new 8GB module?

Steve K - Reply

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