1. OCAU Merchandise is available! Check out our 20th Anniversary Mugs, Classic Logo Shirts and much more! Discussion in this thread.
    Dismiss Notice

Macbook Pro - Upgrading Hardware

Discussion in 'Apple Desktop Hardware/Software' started by glenpinn, Jan 19, 2025.

  1. glenpinn

    glenpinn Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    7,224
    Hi everyone, was going to call an Apple store about this, but it's the weekend and i need to see if i can get an answer to my question by tonight.

    I am looking for a Macbook Pro for my Son, i found a potential M3 candidate, but it only has 18gb of Ram and it would need to be doubled to be any good for doing video editing on.

    What is Apple's policy with adding additional Ram, and even adding a 2nd storage drive while the device is still under first year warranty, or Applecare beyond that.

    Can the owner do this stuff, or does apple require it to be done by an Apple service place.

    Also, does Apple require the use of their own Ram and storage drives bought from their stores, or can one buy their own, as long as the hardware is certified by Apple to use in that device.

    I know that the cost of buying Ram and drives from Apple is very expensive, as too are their upgrades when buying a new Macbook, taking their prices way into the stratosphere to the point where it is crazily stupid.

    Also, can a Macbook Pro be hooked up to a 27" 4k Dell screen, or does one also need to buy a dedicated Apple screen of some kind.

    Just not familiar with any of this stuff, so any advice is appreciated.

    Cheers
     
  2. bYrd

    bYrd Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2001
    Messages:
    2,699
    Location:
    NE Melbourne
    SSD, RAM are all soldered on with all portable Apple Silicon devices so get ready to pay up big beyond stock configs. The stock 16GB RAM can be upgraded to 24 or 32GB for + $300 or + $600 respectively, and 1TB SSD + $300. For videography he would need some sort of decent backup storage externally.

    Trivial to connect to any external monitor using USB-C
     
  3. OP
    OP
    glenpinn

    glenpinn Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    7,224
    The late 2023 M3 that i am watching has 18gb of ram (3x 6gb) and the seller upgraded the stock 512gb storage to 1tb of storage, so if the 512gb storage is soldered to the mainboard, then the upgrade was adding another 512gb.

    External drives are cheap, but maybe the 2nd 512 drive could be swapped out for 1tb if needed.

    Also, if the ram is soldered, how can the ram be upgraded, i just read that this model M3 macbook can only be upgraded to 24gb or 36gb.
     
    Last edited: Jan 19, 2025
  4. teej

    teej Member

    Joined:
    Sep 18, 2009
    Messages:
    195
    bYrd's correct about storage being soldered on. The seller would have ordered it from Apple with a 1TB configuration as the alternative is pretty unlikely at least here in Aus.
     
  5. OP
    OP
    glenpinn

    glenpinn Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    7,224
    So what if that storage drive stuffed up, you can't replace it ? if so, that absolutely sucks, no wonder i hate Apple shit so much, and don't get me going with iPhones, those too are hopeless to work with.

    Can you Add a 2nd storage drive, surely they have a 2nd slot on the mainboard for that.

    Still need clarification regarding the 18gb of ram, i read that these would be shipped with 3x 6gb sticks, so if they are soldered on, you can't add more.
     
  6. bYrd

    bYrd Member

    Joined:
    Sep 14, 2001
    Messages:
    2,699
    Location:
    NE Melbourne
    Sorry thought you were going new, the 2023 MB base model with 18GB has some sort of soldered triple channel 6 X 6 X 6 config. Yep, it sucks no upgradability nor empty slots for anything. I’ve not heard of many Apple branded SSDs dying (in general) but with any study/work setup, he’ll need a good external backup solution.

    The new M4 Mini has a removable but proprietary SSD, but with some good matching docks coming with HD upgradability.
     
  7. OP
    OP
    glenpinn

    glenpinn Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    7,224
    It is the M3 being sold in this forum for $2.5k, 8 months old.

    I just don't get it tho, when you buy one of these, you better be sure of your hardware needs, if you can't upgrade anything, but no empty slot to add another SSD stick sucks.

    Well my Son will need 36gb or more ram, so this news counts me out for this Macbook Pro for sure.

    Thanks to everyone.
     
  8. yoink

    yoink Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2002
    Messages:
    3,585
    Just wondering, why do you say you need that amount of ram for video editing?
    I have an M2 air with 16gb ram, and I can edit 3 streams of 4k60p video easily (I'm using iMovie, what will your son be using?)
     
  9. OP
    OP
    glenpinn

    glenpinn Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2006
    Messages:
    7,224
    He is a cinematographer doing Doc's, tv commercials, short movies etc, and films in 6k+ Raw and ProRes, does color grading, think he was using Premier of some sort before, moved to something else, hence why he needs to go back to Apple, and he told me whatever he gets needs at least 32gb, preferably 64gb, ideal internal storage is 512gb for OS, + minimum of 1tb storage for editing from, external drives used for exports etc.

    The issue for me is that i don't have a clue what these M3/M4 cpu's are compared ti Intel/AMD and i don't understand the multi core GPU stuff either, it is way above my general knowledge as i have only ever dealt with Windows machines.

    I just want his current 4 year old 16 core AMD system for my own Video editing needs, the 17" Metabox laptop is getting bogged down these days with my 4k/60p HEVC recordings, and i only do software encoding (x264/x265) which is a lot slower and hard on the CPU.
     
  10. yoink

    yoink Member

    Joined:
    Feb 19, 2002
    Messages:
    3,585
    Yep, fair - that'll need more than 16gb, I think you're right on there, minimum 32gb.
     

Share This Page

Advertisement: