Whether you can upgrade your MacBook memory depends on the model. ① Before 2019, some Intel chips' MacBook Pro and Air (such as 13-inch 2017 and earlier, 15-inch 2018 and earlier, Air 2017 and earlier) use detachable SO-DIMM memory sticks to support upgrades; ② Since 2020, the M-series chips (M1/M2/M3) adopt a unified memory architecture, and the memory is integrated into the chip and cannot be replaced. The configuration is the final capacity when purchasing; ③ The judgment method includes checking the model year in "About this machine" or whether it is marked "Un-upgradeable", or consulting Apple's official; ④ If it is not possible to upgrade, you can optimize performance by closing the startup item, using lightweight software, cleaning the background program, upgrading SSD, etc. Therefore, when purchasing a new MacBook, it is recommended to select enough memory capacity at one time according to your needs.

Can I upgrade the memory of my MacBook? It depends on your specific model. Apple's memory (RAM) processing methods have been very different from some early models to current M-series chip devices. Many new MacBooks no longer support users to upgrade memory by themselves.

Which MacBooks can also upgrade memory?

Some Intel processor MacBook Pro and MacBook Air models released before 2019 have the memory removable , which means you can replace the memory stick yourself or find a professional to increase capacity. for example:

• MacBook Pro 13-inch (2017 and earlier)
• MacBook Pro 15-inch (2018 and earlier)
• MacBook Air (2017 and earlier)

These machines use standard SO-DIMM memory sticks. As long as the motherboard has slots and the system supports higher capacity, you can upgrade by replacing the memory stick.

Why can't the new MacBook be upgraded now?

Starting from 2020, Apple has begun to launch its own developed chips such as M1, M2, and M3. These chips adopt a unified memory architecture (Unified Memory Architecture), and the memory is directly integrated on the chip , so it is impossible to replace the memory stick like a traditional computer.

This means:

• MacBooks with M series chips (such as M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, etc.) do not support later memory upgrades
• The memory configuration you choose when purchasing is the final available memory capacity

So if you plan to use a MacBook for a long time, especially for video editing, graphic design or multitasking, it is recommended to choose enough memory at the beginning (starting at least 16GB).

How do you know if your MacBook can be upgraded?

You can make a quick judgment by:

1. Check model year : Go to "About this machine" → "System Report" → Check "Model Identifier", and then search online for whether the model supports memory upgrades.
2. Open "About Native" : If you see the words "Unupgradeable", it means that this MacBook cannot expand memory after it leaves the factory.
3. Consult Apple's official website or repair points : they can provide accurate information.

If you cannot upgrade, what alternatives are there?

If your MacBook doesn't have enough memory but doesn't want to change the machine, you can try the following methods to optimize performance:

• Close unnecessary startup items
• Replace large applications with lightweight software
• Clean up browser tags and programs running in the background
• Upgrade SSD (although it cannot increase memory, improving read and write speed can also improve the overall experience)

In addition, macOS itself has also made a lot of optimizations, such as memory compression technology, which has alleviated the problem of insufficient memory to a certain extent.

Basically that's it. Whether it can be upgraded depends on which year your MacBook is and what chip it uses. If it is a new model in recent years, it can basically only rely on optimization of usage habits to make up for the memory limitations.

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