MacBook Pro 2012 Upgrades

[Dalaxian]

Hello,

 

I have to replace a dead storage drive in my mid-2012 MacBook Pro and I’ll probably replace the battery while I’m in there too. I’m considering upgrading the RAM (it currently has 8GB) but I’m not sure if that’s worth it or how much this model even supports. Should I upgrade anything else while I have it cracked open and I’m doing some tinkering?

 

Thanks,

Dalaxian

[WhitetailAni]

5 minutes ago, Dalaxian said:

I’m considering upgrading the RAM (it currently has 8GB)

It only officially supports up to 8GB of RAM.

It may unofficially support 16GB.

Try and put an SSD in there if you can - but you will need an external installer to put Mac OS back on.

[jaslion]

6 minutes ago, ragnarok0273 said:

It only officially supports up to 8GB of RAM.

It may unofficially support 16GB.

Try and put an SSD in there if you can - but you will need an external installer to put Mac OS back on.

It does support 16gb just gotta be within spec.

[Dalaxian]

Okay, thank you. 8GB is probably fine for what I do right now anyway. I’m definitely going to put an SSD in there and I think I have a bootable drive that will work. I made it on my Windows desktop last night so I’ll just have to wait and see if it works when I get the drive in.

7 minutes ago, ragnarok0273 said:

It only officially supports up to 8GB of RAM.

It may unofficially support 16GB.

Try and put an SSD in there if you can - but you will need an external installer to put Mac OS back on.

 

[Electronics Wizardy]

8 minutes ago, Dalaxian said:

Okay, thank you. 8GB is probably fine for what I do right now anyway. I’m definitely going to put an SSD in there and I think I have a bootable drive that will work. I made it on my Windows desktop last night so I’ll just have to wait and see if it works when I get the drive in.

 

Those also do network restore do you don't need a installer usb, just internet and press cmd + r at bootup.

[WhitetailAni]

2 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Those also do network restore do you don't need a installer usb, just internet and press cmd + r at bootup.

I don't trust network boot, especially for older devices.

[Electronics Wizardy]

3 minutes ago, ragnarok0273 said:

I don't trust network boot, especially for older devices.

What is there not to trust about it? It pulls an install image from apple, and can do a fresh install.

[WhitetailAni]

6 minutes ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

What is there not to trust about it? It pulls an install image from apple, and can do a fresh install.

It failed twice for me, in 2013 with a 2011 Mac Mini.

And no, it wasn't bad internet.

[Roswell]

5 hours ago, ragnarok0273 said:

It failed twice for me, in 2013 with a 2011 Mac Mini.

And no, it wasn't bad internet.

That’s anecdotal. There’s no reason to “not trust” it either, if it fails for some weird read you can then just install via USB. There’s no risk.

[WhitetailAni]

You can use internet boot if you want.

I personally won't.

[ProjectBox153]

On 12/22/2020 at 11:55 AM, ragnarok0273 said:

I don't trust network boot, especially for older devices.

Internet Recovery on Macs works very well for most people. It's a waste to just ignore it.