Things You'll Need:
- Internet access
- MacBook
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Step 1
Assess the applications and programs that you are going to run and the amount of RAM required for it. Applications having graphics and multimedia require more RAM and, without it, can often reduce the speed of your machine.
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Step 2
Check the existing configuration of RAM on your MacBook. For this, go to the "Apple" menu and select "About This Mac" to get the memory report. Also refer to the pie chart that is provided. Remember, yellow and red indicate the need to increase the amount of RAM.
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Step 3
Discover the maximum RAM configuration that your MacBook can support. For example, a MacBook 1.83 GHz has a fixed memory of 512 MB size and can support up to 2 GB of RAM. Similarly, a MacBook of 2 GHz has a fixed memory of 1 GB size and can support RAM up to a maximum of 2 GB.
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Step 4
Log on to the Apple Web site and note the specifications of MacBook. Determine your exact RAM requirement. Find out about the need to buy RAM through the OS X's Activity Monitor.
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Step 5
Contact Apple or other dealers that sell RAM for MacBook. It is always recommended to buy RAM from the manufacturer of MacBook so it won't cause kernel problems.
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Step 1
Plan your budget before buying the RAM. Ask for discounts, if available.
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Step 2
Browse online auction Web sites such as eBay, uBid.com and Overstock.com (see links, below). You may find great deals through auction sites.
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Step 3
Compare the prices of different brands offering similar RAM type and size. Check out online buyers' guides such as Epinions, Nextag and MySimon (see links, below). These sites offer a comparison of various RAM chips and list vendors and prices.
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Step 4
Buy RAM from retailers such as Circuit City or Best Buy (see links, below). You can also visit any of these stores and learn more about your options.
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Step 5
Talk to the store's technical expert or customer service and buy the best RAM chip that suits your computer.
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Step 6
Choose a payment method. When buying online, you will most likely have to pay by credit card or through PayPal. Verify the authenticity of the Web site before purchasing online. Look for the "lock" symbol in the status bar and if you roll your mouse pointer over it, it should state, "128 bit encryption."
