Late 2008 MacBook and MBP Capable of 8 GB Ram with Manual Update

**Matt Savoca** · 03-07-2011, 01:46 PM

It seems that the late 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pros can accept up to 8 GB of RAM. Why is this news now? Well, it had been previously stated that these machines were only capable of using 6 GB Memory, but according to Other World Computing, Apple issued a firmware update in 2009 that actually allows these machines to use 8 GB.

Original tests had indicated that the machines would run with 8 GB, but if an application attempted to use the entire amount of memory, the computer would crash. But apparently when Apple issued a firmware update for these machines in 2009, this problem seemed to go away. The new EFI (similar to BIOS on IBM PCs) update was released, but it was said to remove an issue where the optical drive made too much noise on this machine. Nowhere was it listed that this boosted the memory capacity of these machines from 6 to 8 GB.

Making matters more interesting is that you cannot simply update one's EFI via software update. TUAW notes that Software Update will not prompt users to update their EFI, even if it is on the older version, so most users of these machines are still only capable of running the computers at a maximum of 6 GB of ram. One can, however, upgrade the EFI manually and install an updated Boot ROM, and be up and running with an extra 2 GB memory capacity.

This would certainly extend the life of these products a bit longer. An extra 2 GB of RAM is good for any computer, and the late 2008 mac notebooks are no exception.

Source:
TUAW
OWC (includes links for manual EFI update)

**delusion950** · 03-07-2011, 01:53 PM

With that much memory this MacBook is an animal.

**vantheman169** · 03-07-2011, 02:03 PM

Sweet, i have a late 2008 model!

**dale2** · 03-07-2011, 02:07 PM

i remember hearing about this in 2009, my roomate put 8 GB in his late 08 MBP around oct of that year

**xwinger** · 03-07-2011, 02:33 PM

YES i will double my ram now!!!!

**TheOrioles33** · 03-07-2011, 02:38 PM

I wish I could put more than 3GB in my 2006 MBP. Its old but still gets the job done.

**EskimoRuler** · 03-07-2011, 02:57 PM

I still only have 2gb on my black one

**rhekt** · 03-07-2011, 03:17 PM

mine needed to be at least 2.4GHz intel core duo. damn 2.2GHz.

**rabbit_** · 03-07-2011, 03:27 PM

Sweet am running 4gb at mo and that's ok for me but 8gb ram wow 

**tecpunk64** · 03-07-2011, 04:04 PM

Cool,I have a late 2008 macbook.Guess I don't have to upgrade to a new model,yet :-)

**santacruzlocal** · 03-07-2011, 04:52 PM

That is great news ... Now I can buy a used one for cheap !!!

**prozac4312** · 03-07-2011, 05:02 PM

The amount of people that would benefit by going from 6GB to 8GB of memory is going to be nominal at best. Even so--this information is still at least a year old...so I don't see how this is front page worthy.

**romo** · 03-07-2011, 05:47 PM

Any ones know if the 4Gb ram in the new MBP 2011 will fix in the 2008 MacBook. Have some ones try that ?

**NDM** · 03-07-2011, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by prozac4312

The amount of people that would benefit by going from 6GB to 8GB of memory is going to be nominal at best. Even so--this information is still at least a year old...so I don't see how this is front page worthy.

X2
I upgraded my MacBook 2.4 from 2gb to 8gb the day I got it last year

**rubenmer5** · 03-07-2011, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by tecpunk64

Cool,I have a late 2008 macbook.Guess I don't have to upgrade to a new model,yet :-)

Ditto.....

**rameses09** · 03-07-2011, 06:55 PM

Aw man and i just bought 6gb of RAM like last week. :/

**djrbx** · 03-07-2011, 07:41 PM

I've been running 8GB of ram on my Late 2008 unibody macbook for quite awhile now. How is this news?

**Antman217** · 03-07-2011, 07:47 PM

Nice I upgraded my harddrive from 160gb to 500gb and was thinking about getting more ram so I'm thinking I want 8 lol.

**Jdbwood** · 03-07-2011, 08:00 PM

Hey guys i have a late mb unibody. Its 2.4 ghz 500gb 4gb ram. So i can put 8gb ram in mines if correct please elt em know thanx guys! This will be a amazing upgrade!

**TypeRBass** · 03-07-2011, 08:24 PM

Originally Posted by Jdbwood

Hey guys i have a late mb unibody. Its 2.4 ghz 500gb 4gb ram. So i can put 8gb ram in mines if correct please elt em know thanx guys! This will be a amazing upgrade!

Just read what it says...and check your Boot ROM Version to make sure you have the right one.

I have a late 2008 MacBook, this made me happy to read. Saw this over at 9to5mac last week and ordered my ram. Just waiting for it to get here.

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Thread: Late 2008 MacBook and MBP Capable of 8 GB Ram with Manual Update

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It seems that the late 2008 MacBook and MacBook Pros can accept up to 8 GB of RAM. Why is this news now? Well, it had been previously stated that

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