Ultimate upgrades

For the ultimate Mac boost, look to hardware and memory upgrades

it will take

1 hour

you will learn

How to investigate hardware issues and upgrade memory

You’ll need

macOS Sierra

If system performance is particularly slow, you may have to consider reinstalling macOS. However, if you’re still experiencing problems after a fresh install, you may need to investigate hardware issues or upgrade the memory.

Visit locate.apple.com to view details of Apple Retail Stores and Authorised Service Providers who can run an in-depth hardware diagnostic. If your device is out of warranty, service providers may charge to examine the device. Check your warranty as you may be entitled to a free repair under consumer law (apple.com/legal/warranty).

If no hardware fault is found with your Mac it may be that you need more memory. You can check the amount of memory installed on your machine by going to > About this Mac. If you want to upgrade your memory, you also need to know how much your machine can handle.

Follow the steps in the tutorial below to identify your Mac model. From the Memory tab, note down the values besides maximum memory and memory slots.

The maximum memory value lists both the officially recommended amount of memory that can go into your Mac, as well as the amount it will support in practice. Note that even if your device is still under warranty, the warranty could be void if you’ve exceeded the recommended maximum amount.

Uniform memory

The memory slots value simply tells you how many memory module slots are inside the Mac. This is important as you should try to upgrade in a uniform way; for instance if you have two 2GB modules in your Mac, you need to replace them with two 4GB modules.

If you are very tech savvy, you can order the required modules and upgrade your Mac yourself. Click on ‘How to remove or install memory’ to view instructions on the Apple Support site. Alternatively, try contacting an Authorised Service Provider for an upgrade quote. Make sure you have the About this Mac window open when you call so you have the information to hand, as they will need to know the make and model of your Mac.

If your device is over five years old, consider purchasing a new machine. If you can afford it, choose a Mac with at least 8GB of memory and a graphics card with at least 2GB of graphics memory.