Figuring out how much memory you have

To see how much memory your computer has, click the Apple menu () and choose About This Mac. In the dialog that appears, your MacBook displays the machine speed (processor speed), the amount of memory it carries, and the common identifier that Apple uses to refer to your specific model. My older MacBook Air has a 2.2 GHz Intel Core i7 processor, it’s equipped with 8GB of memory, and it’s identified as an early 2015 model. Write down these figures. You’re starting a handy list that will help you when you order your memory!

How you plan memory upgrades depends on how much memory you want. Most MacBook owners simply opt to install the maximum amount of memory possible. So if your 4GB 13-inch non-Retina MacBook Pro is upgradeable to 8GB, and it currently uses the two default 2GB modules supplied by Apple, you can add 4GB of RAM by replacing the existing memory modules with two 4GB memory modules. At the time of this writing, a 4GB memory module should set you back less than $30.

I should note that 4GB of memory is certainly acceptable for running the applications bundled with Catalina. With that said, these applications will run significantly faster with 8GB or 16GB!

If your primary applications include video or image editing, game play, or audio production, you can use all the memory that your laptop can hold.

In the past, Apple’s prices for upgrade RAM were … well, outrageous (as in, “Boy howdy, I can’t afford that!”). Recently, however, Apple’s prices have become far more competitive. If you’re interested in comparison shopping, I can heartily recommend any of these online sources that cater to Mac owners:

• MacMall: www.macmall.com
• CDW: https://www.cdw.com/content/cdw/en/brand/apple.html
• Newegg: https://www.newegg.com

Installing memory modules

I’m happy to report that adding extra memory to your older laptop is one of the easiest internal upgrades you can perform. Therefore, I recommend that you add memory yourself unless you simply don’t want to mess with your laptop’s internal organs. Your local Apple service specialist will be happy to install new RAM modules for you (for a price).

If you have a knowledgeable friend or family member who can help you install your hardware, buy that person the proverbial NSD (Nice Steak Dinner), and enlist him or her in your cause. Even if you still do the work yourself, it’s always better to have a second pair of experienced eyes watching, especially if you’re a little nervous.

To add memory modules to an older MacBook model, follow these steps:

1. Get ready to operate.

   1. Spread a clean towel on a stable work surface, such as your kitchen table.

      The towel helps protect your screen from scratches.

   2. Find a small Phillips screwdriver.

      Some new models use a “star” screwdriver, so take a second to make sure that you’re using the right tool!

   3. Shut down your laptop, and wait at least 10 minutes for it to cool down.
   4. Unplug all cables from the computer.
2. Close the computer, and flip it over on top of the towel.

3. Ground thyself!

   Check out the nearby “Let’s get grounded!” sidebar.

4. Remove the screws and bottom cover.

   Depending on the model, you may have to remove up to 10 screws before you can put aside the cover. Note that some screws may be longer than others; if so, they must be replaced in the same locations. Place the screws in a handy plastic bowl for safekeeping. Tah-dah! That wasn’t much of a challenge, was it? Here’s your chance to gaze with rapt fascination at a portion of the bare innards of your favorite computer.

5. Locate the memory modules in your MacBook’s svelte chassis.

6. If you’re replacing an existing memory module, remove it.

   To remove a memory module, gently spread the two tabs at the ends of the socket, as shown in Figure 20-1. Then lift and slide the module away from the socket.

   Save the old module in the static-free packaging that held the new module. Your old RAM (which you can sell on eBay) will be protected from static electricity.

7. Position the new module in the socket.
   1. Line up the module’s gold connectors toward the socket at a 25-degree angle.

   2. Line up the notch in the module with the matching spacer in the socket.

      See what I mean in Figure 20-2.

8. Press gently but firmly on both ends of the module until the module’s tabs click into place at both ends of the socket.

   Figure 20-3 shows the direction in which you should press on the module. If the module doesn’t seem to fit, make sure once again that the notch on the module connector lines up with the spacer in the socket. Never attempt to make it fit through sheer force!

9. Replace the bottom covers and screws.

   To replace the bottom cover, just reverse the steps at the beginning of this list. (It’s rather like changing the oil in my Dad’s 1970 Ford pickup truck.)

Congratulations! You’ve done it. You’re a MacBook Pro memory guru! To verify that all is well with your road warrior, boot the computer and choose  ⇒ About This Mac. Your laptop should report the additional memory.

Ponder your external options

If you find that you need additional hard drive space, I recommend using an external drive. Use a high-speed Thunderbolt or USB port to connect a second hard drive the quick and easy way.

Most of today’s external peripherals don’t even require the driver software that Mac old-timers remember with such hatred. You simply plug in a Thunderbolt or USB device, and it works. You can move your external drive between Macs with a minimum of fuss and bother. A typical external USB 3.0 hard drive that holds 1TB costs less than $60.

An external drive can do anything that your internal drive can do. You can boot from it, for example, or install a different version of macOS (great for beta testers like me). External optical drives work the same way as internal models. Apple sells a USB SuperDrive optical drive for the MacBook for about $80.

Apple’s AirPort Time Capsule unit is an external hard drive with a difference: It stores the huge Time Machine backup files created by the Macs running Catalina on your network, and it uses a wireless connection to transfer data! (In fact, if you’re thinking of adding a wireless base station to your wired network, your Time Capsule acts as a full AirPort Extreme Base Station, complete with USB port for connecting a USB printer.) Unfortunately, Apple no longer sells the Time Capsule, but it’s easy to spot on eBay.

One problem with external drives is that data typically transfers more slowly over a USB connection than via an internal drive. (A Thunderbolt external drive can deliver transfer speeds comparable to those of your internal drive, but at the time of this writing, it’s somewhat more expensive than USB hardware.) That’s why most Mac owners use their external drives to store lesser-used documents and applications or Time Machine backups. Their favorite applications and often-used documents are housed on the faster internal drive.

Gotta have internal

If you decide that you must upgrade your existing internal drive — or if your internal drive fails and needs to be replaced — you should always take your MacBook to an authorized Apple service center and allow the techs there to sell you a drive and make the swap. Here are four darned good reasons why:

• Warranty: You’re very likely to void your laptop’s warranty by attempting a drive upgrade yourself.
• Selection: If you’re worried about choosing the proper drive, your friendly neighborhood Apple technician can order the correct type and size of drive for you.
• Difficulty: Swapping a drive in your Mac laptop is a downright pain.
• Backup: That very same Apple service technician can back up all the data on your existing drive, format the new drive, and move all your data to its new mansion. You won’t lose a single document, which will save you time and possible angst.

Perhaps you won’t be truly satisfied with your life until you upgrade your MacBook’s internal drive. I’m sure that you can find a magazine article that purports to show you how. I’ve seen many how-to articles on the web that claim to lead you down a rosy path to a laptop drive upgrade. Here’s my take on those savvy instructions: You’re walking into a minefield with someone else’s map, so you’d better have complete faith in your technical skills (and a darn good backup).

Game controllers

If you’re ready to take a shot at the enemies — whether they be Nazi soldiers, chattering aliens, or the latest jet fighters — you’ll likely find your keyboard and mouse somewhat lacking. (And if that enemy happens to be a friend of yours playing across the Internet, you’ll be ruthlessly mocked while you fumble for the right key combination.) Instead, pick up either a USB joystick (for flying games) or a gamepad (for arcade and first-person shooting games).

Video controllers

For armchair directors, specialized USB digital video controllers make editing easier. The Shuttle Xpress from Contour Design (https://www.contourdesign.com) provides a five-button jog control that can be configured to match any DV editor. For $60, you get the same type of editing controller as dedicated video-editing stations that cost several thousand dollars.

Music hardware

Ready to put GarageBand to the test with your favorite version of “Chopsticks”? You’ll need a USB piano keyboard. I recommend the Keystation 49 MK3 from M-Audio (https://m-audio.com), which retails for a mere $100. It provides 49 keys and uses a USB connection.