Make note of the model ex: MacBook Pro (Retina, 15-inch, mid-2015) and the serial number. To do this, click on the Apple icon in the upper left corner, then on “About This Mac.” Your exact model will determine whether you have any upgrade options, so start by determining what you have. If you think you may need more memory in the future, consider upgrading at the time of purchase. If you try to order a new MacBook from the Apple website, they specifically warn you: MacBook Pro memory is not user-accessible. This means that the newer your MacBook is, the more likely it can’t be upgraded or easily repaired. Locking the hardware down has proven to boost sales of new devices because there are no upgrade options and they slowly started moving toward this approach on MacBooks a few years back. If you’ve been an iPhone user for a while, you already know that if you want more storage, you have to buy a new device. Knowing what’s possible, or in your case, what’s not possible, before you make a purchasing decision is the best way to avoid a disheartening surprise down the road. Upgrading can generally extend the life of an older computer for years since most users spend most of their time on the internet. Not only can it increase the amount of storage you’ll have available, but it can also significantly improve the speed, especially on older units that have older hard drive technology. The single most important device that you want to be able to upgrade is the hard drive, preferably with a solid state drive (SSD). No matter what you think you need today, it’s very likely you’ll need more in the future. When a hardware component fails, if you can’t cost-effectively replace that specific component, you’re faced with a repair bill that can be close to buying a new computer. I recently wrote about this issue when it comes to all-in-one computers: 4 Reasons to Avoid All-In-One PCs. Q: I just found out that my MacBook Pro’s hard drive can’t be upgraded because it’s soldered in! When did this change happen on Macs?Ī: A couple of things everyone buying a new computer should always consider is both the upgradeability and reparability of the unit. Business & Finance Click to expand menu.

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