What if we told you that you can take an older Mac and turn it into something that feels and acts like information technology'south fresh from the Apple Store - including jaw-dropping performance, and features such as Handoff or Fusion disk engineering that are theoretically just available with latest models?

If you've got an former Mac laptop, Mac mini or iMac, as long as it's powered by an Intel CPU (then, post-2006/vii) and so information technology can be surprising what'south possible via a few hardware or software hacks; and there are enough of upgrades for pre-2013 Mac Pro owners besides. In this article we look at the upgrades that are possible on each category of Mac, also equally discussing some more than full general Mac upgrade advice.

If your Mac is newer though you might be disappointed by the limited upgrade options. Every bit Apple tree has slimmed downwards the Mac laptops the repairability and accessibility has suffered, due to various components being soldered into identify. Wondering how upgradable your Mac is? Cheque out iFixIt's Tear Downs through which they can indicate but how repairable a Mac is. Spoiler, contempo Macs don't score highly. For example:

  • The 2019 15in MacBook Pro has a Repairability score of 1/x
  • 2019 13in MacBook: 2/x
  • 2018 MacBook Air: 3/x
  • 2017 MacBook: 1/x
  • 2018 Mac mini: 6/10

But, information technology's more than likely you are trying to upgrade an older Mac. In which case yous take come up to the correct place.

Wondering what tools you might need to get into your Mac? Look here kickoff: Best tools for repairing & upgrading iPhones & Macs.

If you don't desire to do something equally desperate as upgrading your Mac, or if your Mac isn't upgradable, read about how to speed up a slow Mac here.

Additional reporting by Keir Thomas

Mac upgrade warnings & limitations

Please note, first of all, that this guide doesn't cover pre-Intel Mac models (that'due south pre-2006). And information technology probably goes without saying, simply DIY upgrades volition invalidate your Mac's warranty and accept the potential to break your Mac.

How to upgrade an iMac

Before you lot become the screwdrivers out, exist sure to check your device series number confronting Apple'due south 'Check Coverage' page. The Apple Express Warranty lasts a year, only under UK law your Mac could exist covered for up to half dozen years as long as you oasis't been meddling with it!

Mac repairs

Some components tin can exist swapped for replacements if they suffer damage or failure. Y'all could adjust for an Apple Genius to do this repair for you (it's likely to cost you unless it's part of a recall), alternatively an Apple tree Authorized Service Provider might exist able to exercise the repair for yous.

If you fancy doing the repair youself and saving a few pennies though, there are several dissimilar spares outfits online, such equally: The Volume G, Visual Information Services, Mac Upgrades, and MacKing. You can swap out a dead SuperDrive, for example, or a croaky screen for a replacement.

Just it isn't possible to have advantage of an upgrade at the same fourth dimension - you lot can't fit a higher-resolution Retina screen in an old MacBook Air for example, or upgrade to a more than powerful battery, or bandy your SuperDrive for a Blu-Ray model (although it is possible to attach a USB Blu-Ray drive).

On the second page of this commodity we expect specifically at updating RAM, the SSD and creating a Fusion Drive. We likewise have a carve up article on updating the RAM in your Mac.

How to upgrade a Mac: MacBook Pro

Mac graphics menu updates

Put simply, it'south likely you won't be able to upgrade your Mac's GPU (that is, the graphics card). Nonetheless, with Mac models featuring Thunderbolt you can adhere an external GPU. We have a tutorial on adding an eGPU to a Mac hither.

Inside your Mac some components simply can't be upgraded, while others tin - with a footling know-how

Which Macs can exist updated

How to upgrade a MacBook Pro or MacBook Air

The more years your MacBook Pro has under its chugalug the more than likely yous will be able to upgrade information technology. Once you get the lesser encompass open up (see our advice about the best tools hither), yous'll discover an older MacBook Pro is surprisingly piece of cake to improve upon. The internal workings changed a little when Apple introduced Retina, but there's still plenty in mutual between the diverse models.

The MacBook Air is a little more limited, merely you should exist able to upgrade the SSD and battery. The 12in MacBook on the other hand can't be upgraded at all, unfortunately.

We include a breakdown of which updates are possible for each model below. The fact that they are possible doesn't necessarily hateful that you should be doing them though so beware that you lot may end upwardly breaking your Mac!

Can I upgrade my 15in MacBook Pro?

  • 2019 15in MacBook Pro: Screen, battery, trackpad
  • 2018 15in MacBook Pro: Screen, battery, trackpad
  • 2016 15in MacBook Pro: Screen, battery, trackpad, Infinite bar
  • 2015 15in MacBook Pro: SSD, battery, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2014 15in MacBook Pro: SSD, battery, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2013 15in MacBook Pro: SSD, battery, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2012 15in MacBook Pro (Retina): SSD, bombardment, logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2012 15in MacBook Pro (Unibody): Hard drive, Optical Drive, RAM, battery, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2011 15in MacBook Pro: Hard drive, Optical Bulldoze, RAM, bombardment, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2010 15in MacBook Pro: LCD, Hard drive, Optical Drive, RAM, battery, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2009 15in MacBook Pro: LCD, Hard drive, Optical Drive, RAM, battery, logic lath, fans, speakers, etc

Tin I upgrade my 13in MacBook Pro?

  • 2018 13in MacBook Pro: Zilch
  • 2017 13in MacBook Pro: Brandish
  • 2016 13in MacBook Pro: Display, Trackpad, Bombardment
  • 2015 13in MacBook Pro: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2014 13in MacBook Pro: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2013 13in MacBook Pro: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2012 13in MacBook Pro (Retina): SSD, Trackpad, Battery, logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2012 13in MacBook Pro (unibody): Difficult bulldoze, Optical drive, RAM, Trackpad, Battery, logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2011 13in MacBook Pro (unibody): Hard drive, Optical bulldoze, RAM, Trackpad, Battery, logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2010 13in MacBook Pro (unibody): Display, LDC, Hard drive, Optical drive, RAM, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2009 13in MacBook Pro (unibody): Display, LDC, Difficult bulldoze, Optical drive, RAM, Trackpad, Bombardment, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc

Tin I upgrade my MacBook Air?

  • 2018 MacBook Air: Cipher
  • 2017 MacBook Air: SSD
  • 2015 MacBook Air: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2014 MacBook Air: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2013 MacBook Air: SSD, Trackpad, Bombardment, Logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2012 MacBook Air: SSD, Trackpad, Bombardment, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2011 MacBook Air: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2010 MacBook Air: SSD, Trackpad, Battery, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc

Can I upgrade my MacBook?

  • 2017 MacBook: Bombardment, Logic board, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2016 MacBook Air:Battery, Logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2015 MacBook Air:Battery, Logic lath, fans, speakers, etc
  • White plastic MacBook: RAM, Optical bulldoze, Difficult drive, Display, Trackpad, Battery, Logic lath, fans, speakers, etc

How to update MacBook RAM

If your MacBook (Pro, Air or other) has upgradable RAM, as per our list to a higher place, the following should work for you lot:

Difficulty: Easy

What you'll need: Screwdriver, compatible RAM

You lot may take to remove the lower example to get to it, but once you're at that place, replacing your Macbook'southward RAM SO-DIMMs is relatively simple.

Instructions: Read these instructions to change the RAM in the Mid 2012 Unibody MacBook, or look below for your specific model.

Notes: Every bit previously mentioned, RAM upgrades are currently non an pick in Retina models.

Apple provides an illustrated guide for memory upgrades. But click Apple > Nearly this Mac, and click the Retentivity tab then the Retentivity Upgrade Instructions link.

You can also find out what kind of RAM y'all might need using Crucial'southward organisation scanner.

Wondering about how much RAM your Mac can really take? Have a look here. Plus, we have this commodity nearly How to install extra RAM retentiveness in a Mac.

How to upgrade a MacBook

How to update MacBook hard disk drive or SSD

If your MacBook (Pro, Air or other) has an upgradable hard disk or SSD, as per our list above, the following should work for you:

Difficulty: Hard

What yous'll need: Screwdriver, compatible HDD or SSD

Every bit time goes on, hard drives continue to fall in cost - and nobody always complained about having likewise much storage. So, if you've an old Macbook, and are willing to do a picayune work, then a new HDD (or SSD) might be but what the physician ordered…

Instructions: Read these instructions to fit an HDD in an older MacBook, or look below for your specific model

Replacing the optical drive with additional storage media (installing a 'Data Doubler')

If your MacBook (Pro, Air or other) has an upgradable optical drive, as per our list in a higher place, you could potentially utilize that infinite to add an SSD equally per these instructions:

Difficulty: Hard

What y'all'll need: Screwdriver, OWC's 'Data Doubler', uniform HDD or SSD

Every bit optical media appears to be on the way out, many savvy users with older MacBooks are switching out their optical drive for a second HDD or SSD. Here'due south how.

Instructions: Here are iFixIts intructions to fit a hard drive in a 2011 MacBook, we take instructions for other models beneath

Notes: This is for pre-Retina models just, Apple did away with optical storage in Retina.

If y'all're installing a second storage drive into your Mac, you might be interested in our article about how to make your own fusion drive.

Replacing the SSD with a faster option

If your MacBook (Pro, Air or other) has upgradable SSD yous could potentially fit a faster SSD every bit per these instructions:

Difficulty: Difficult

What you'll need: Screwdrivers, compatible SSD

Newer, MacBook-compatible SSDs now available can provide the aforementioned speed as the one that came with your Mac - but far more storage. Here'south how to upgrade yours.

Instructions: Here are iFixIt's instructions to upgrade the Mid 2015 MacBook Pro, for more instructions look below.

Notes: It's worth noting that various Retina models employ different proprietary SSD varieties. It is best to check which is correct for your MacBook. In the UK, Flexx Retentiveness is a skilful identify to beginning looking.

How to upgrade an iMac

How to upgrade a Mac: iMac

Whether it's the RAM, hard drive, GPU, CPU, or something else, upgrading the iMac is generally possible, although information technology tin be tricky, especially with the 21.5-inch model… (There are some 21in models for which the RAM can't be touched as it is soldered on.)

That said, the iMac isn't specially upgrade friendly: virtually iMac modifications involve removing the screen, the outer layer of which is fastened via very potent magnets on older models. Despite this, in one case you go 'under the hood' you'll discover that in that location are plenty of components waiting to exist improved upon, at to the lowest degree in the older iMac models.

Wondering how to get inside the iMac to update it? Many upgrade guides recommend the use of suction cups to exercise this. If you don't have suction cups to hand (nosotros didn't) y'all can use a credit card to lever the outer layer off as we did in the picture below. Just don't break your card in the procedure…

Can I upgrade my 27in iMac?

  • 2017 iMac: CPU, Difficult drive, SSD, Logic board, Display, RAM, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2015 iMac: CPU, Hard drive, SSD, Logic board, Display, RAM, fans, speakers, etc

Tin I upgrade my 21.5in iMac?

  • 2017 iMac: CPU, Hard bulldoze, SSD, Logic lath, Display, RAM, fans, speakers, etc
  • 2015 iMac: Hard drive, SSD, Logic lath, Display, fans, speakers, etc

How to update the RAM in an iMac

If your iMac has upgradable/accessible RAM you could potentially update it equally per these instructions:

Difficulty: Easy (really easy if you have a 27-inch iMac)

What you'll need: Screwdriver

RAM is the easiest thing to upgrade in your iMac considering it doesn't involve removing the screen. All you need is a screwdriver and a little patience.

Instructions: Intel 27-inch - with a 27-inch iMac at that place is a hatch on the back of the screen which allows you to replace the RAM actually easily.

Instructions: If you accept a Intel 21.5in iMac and then we recommend you follow this tutorial or ane of the ones linked to below. Apple has recently made it easier to update the RAM in the 21.5in iMac, merely information technology's still difficult to become to it.

Notes: Apple provides an illustrated guide for memory upgrades: just click Apple > About this Mac, and and then click the Retention tab and then the Retentiveness Upgrade Instructions link.

You tin can as well find out what kind of RAM you might need using Crucial'south system scanner.

Wondering near how much RAM your Mac can actually take? Accept a look here.

How to update the HDD/SDD in an iMac

If your iMac has an upgradable hard bulldoze or SSD equally per our list above you lot could potentially update it as per these instructions:

Difficulty: Hard

What you'll need: Screwdriver, some kind of carte/suction cups, compatible SSD or HDD

If you want to take advantage of falling storage prices and you're not agin to taking off your iMac's screen, and so a hard drive upgrade is a bully way to become a little more than life out of your Mac.

Instructions: You lot could follow this tutorial or or one of the ones linked to below, depending on your model.

Removing the optical drive to add extra storage

If your iMac has an optical drive yous might be able to add an extra hard bulldoze or SSD as per these instructions:

Difficulty: Difficult

What y'all'll need: Screwdriver, some kind of card/suction cups, compatible SSD or HDD

Removing the optical bulldoze isn't an pick for every blazon of iMac, only if you're not seeing much need for DVDs and CDs whatsoever more, this is a logical (if somewhat tricky) apply of space.

Instructions: Yous could follow these instructions, depending on the age of your machine.

Notes: If yous're installing a 2d storage drive into your Mac, you might be interested in learning how to make your ain Fusion bulldoze.

How to upgrade an iMac

How to update the graphics card in an iMac

It'south rare, just if your iMac has an upgradable graphics carte yous might be able to update information technology equally per these instructions.

Difficulty: Hard

What you'll need: ii credit cards/suction cups, compatible GPU

Instructions: Follow these instructions to update the graphics in your iMac. At that place are further links below according to the model y'all accept.

How to upgrade an iMac

How to update the processor in an iMac

If your iMac has an upgradable processor you might be able to update it as per these instructions.

Difficulty: Difficult

What you'll demand: 2 credit cards/suction cups, thermal paste, diverse screwdrivers, compatible processor

Equally a rule of thumb, processor upgrades are some of the hardest to get correct - as such, they are not quite as popular. The iMac is no exception, but if y'all're feeling audacious, take a look beneath…

Instructions:Follow these instructions to update the processor in your iMac. There are further links below co-ordinate to the model you have.

Notes: Exercise you really demand to upgrade your processor? If y'all're looking for operation improvements in an iMac, you may wish to consider replacing your boot drive with an SSD offset.

How to upgrade a Mac: Mac Pro (tower)

Upgrades by iMac model

Hither's a run down of the dissimilar iMac upgrades you tin bear out according to the model:

27-inch iMac upgrades

Late 2009 27-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: find out how to do it here.
  • RAM - easy: find out how to practice it here.
  • CPU - moderately hard: find out how to do it hither.
  • GPU - difficult: find out how to do it here.

Mid 2011 27-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - difficult: find out how to do it here.
  • RAM - moderately easy: find out how to practise information technology hither.

Tardily 2012 27-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - difficult: find out how to do it here.
  • RAM - very easy: detect out how to do information technology here.
  • SSD - hard: detect out how to do it here.
  • CPU - difficult: observe out how to do it here.

Late 2013 27-inch iMac

  • Hard bulldoze - moderately difficult: find out how to do it here.
  • RAM - moderately difficult: find out how to practice information technology hither.
  • SSD - difficult: notice out how to practise information technology hither.
  • CPU - difficult: detect out how to practise information technology here.

Late 2014/2015 Retina display 27-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: find out how to do information technology here.
  • RAM - piece of cake: find out how to practise it here.
  • SSD - moderately hard: find out how to do it here.

Mid 2017 Retina display 27-inch iMac

  • RAM - easy: Tin can be updated via the access hatch at the back of the screen.
  • SSD - hard: You will need to tear down the organization merely it is possible.

21.5-inch iMac

Late 2009 21.five-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: notice out how to exercise it here.
  • RAM - Easy: find out how to do it hither.

Mid 2010 21.5-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: notice out how to practice it here.
  • RAM - easy: find out how to do it hither.
  • SSD - moderately difficult: find out how to do it here.
  • CPU - hard: find out how to do information technology here.
  • GPU - hard: find out how to do it hither.

Mid 2011 21.v-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: notice out how to practice information technology hither.
  • RAM - easy: find out how to practise information technology here.
  • CPU - difficult: discover out how to practice it hither.
  • GPU - hard: find out how to exercise it hither.

Belatedly 2012 21.5-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: detect out how to do it here.
  • RAM - moderately difficult: detect out how to do information technology here.
  • CPU - moderately hard: notice out how to practice it here.

Belatedly 2013 21.5-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: find out how to practice it here.
  • RAM - moderately difficult: detect out how to practice information technology here.
  • SSD - moderately difficult: find out how to practice it hither.

Mid 2014 21.5-inch iMac

  • Hard bulldoze - moderately difficult: detect out how to do it here.
  • SSD - moderately hard: find out how to do information technology here.

Belatedly 2015 21.5-inch iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: find out how to do it here.
  • SSD - moderately difficult: find out how to practice it here.

Belatedly 2015 21.v-inch 4K Retina iMac

  • Hard drive - moderately difficult: find out how to exercise it here.
  • SSD - moderately difficult: find out how to practise it here.

How to upgrade a Mac mini

As a rule of thumb, earlier versions the Mac mini are not particularly 'upgrade friendly'. There'due south also quite lot of variation in the internal layout of the diverse models, which means that some require more disassembly than others - there is often the need to unplug components on the logic board.

Depending on the model you're working with, it'south likely that you'll need some kind of flat implement to go the top cover off (blunt, non abrupt). Don't let that terminate you, though - we managed to do it in a mere 6 minutes.

How to upgrade a Mac: Mac mini

Read side by side: Mac mini reviews | New Mac mini rumours

Can I upgrade my Mac mini?

2018 Mac mini: RAM, fan

2014 Mac mini: SSD, Difficult drive, Logic board, fan, etc

2012 Mac mini: RAM, Hard drive, Logic board, fan, etc

2011 Mac mini: RAM, Hard drive, Logic board, fan, etc

2010 Mac mini: RAM, Difficult drive, Logic board, fan, etc

In virtually makes of Mac Mini you can't upgrade the processor - for models released since 2009, processors take been soldered onto the motherboard.

What tin can be upgraded?

How to update the RAM in a Mac mini

If your Mac mini has attainable RAM, you should be able to update it with the guide beneath.

Difficulty: Hard

What y'all'll need: Putty knife or equivalent blunt implement, screwdriver, spudger

Instructions: Follow these instructions to update the RAM in the Mac mini

Notes: Apple provides an illustrated guide for retention upgrades: merely click Apple tree > About this Mac, so click the Retention tab and and then the Retentivity Upgrade Instructions link.

You tin can too observe out what kind of RAM you might need using Crucial'southward system scanner.

Wondering about how much RAM your Mac can actually take? Have a await hither.

How to upgrade a Mac mini

Upgrading the hard bulldoze in a Mac mini

Yous might be able to upgrade your Mac mini hard bulldoze using this guide.

Difficulty: Hard

What you'll need: Putty knife or equivalent edgeless implement, screwdriver, spudger

Instructions: Follow these Instructions to update the HDD in your Mac mini

How to upgrade a Mac mini

Install a dual Difficult Bulldoze in the Mac mini Mid 2011

If y'all have a 2011 Mac mini y'all could try this.

Difficulty: Difficult

What yous'll need: Putty knife or equivalent blunt implement, screwdriver, spudger, Mac Mini dual hard drive kit

Installing ii hard drives is not an option for every blazon of Mac Mini, but if you lot have a Mid 2011 model, and fancy a challenge - effort this.

Guide: Hither's how to update the Difficult Drive in a 2011 Mac mini

Notes: If yous're installing a second storage drive into your Mac, you lot might exist interested in learning how to brand your own 'DIY' fusion drive.

How to upgrade a Mac Pro (Pre-2013 Tower)

In short, you tin upgrade about everything. Apple designed the Mac Pro to exist improved upon and, over the years, this flexibility combined with aftermarket ingenuity has made it into what is arguably the ultimate FrankenMac….

How to update the Processor in a pre-2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Hard

What you'll demand: Various screwdrivers, anti static wrist strap, thermal paste, rubbing alcohol

Information technology is possible to upgrade your Mac Pro'due south processor but it is not for the faint of heart. Many opt for professional assist, take a look at the tutorial and decide for yourself.

Instructions: Follow these instructions to update the processor in Early on 2008 Mac Pros

Notes: Do y'all actually need to upgrade your processor? If you're looking for performance improvements you may wish to consider replacing your boot bulldoze with an SSD get-go.

Make certain that your new processor is compatible: Some forum members at MacRumors have created a listing of compatible processors.

How to upgrade a tower Mac Pro

Update the RAM in a pre-2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Easy

What you'll demand: Nothing

Upgrading the RAM on your Mac Pro is virtually as straightforward as a Mac upgrade can be. All you need to do is remove the side console and push down on the ejectors side by side to each console.

Instructions: Follow these instructions to upgrade the RAM in the 'cheese-grater' Mac Pros

Notes: Apple provides an illustrated guide for retention upgrades: just click Apple tree > About this Mac, and then click the Memory tab so the Memory Upgrade Instructions link.

You can also notice out what kind of RAM you lot might demand using Crucial's system scanner.

Wondering well-nigh how much RAM your Mac can actually accept? Have a await here.

How to upgrade a tower Mac Pro

Update the HDD (via hard drive bays) in a pre 2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Easy

What yous'll need: Screwdriver

Cheers to the modular 'sled' design in the Mac Pro, removing and replacing your HDDs is a cakewalk.

Instructions: Upgrade the difficult bulldoze in the cheese-grater Mac Pro

Add an SSD (via difficult drive bays) to a pre 2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Medium

What you'll need: Screwdriver, 2.5in difficult bulldoze sled mount/adaptor

The Mac Pro's hard drive bays were originally designed for 3.5in HDDs - just you can mount an SSD (which is smaller) using a 2.5in sled/adaptor.

Instructions: How to install an SSD in a 2012 Mac Pro (video)

Add together an SSD (via PCIe slot) to a pre 2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Difficult

What you lot'll need: Screwdriver, Grand.2 PCI-e SSD to PCI-eastward Adapter Card, SSD (either in 'bract' M.2 form factor or SATA)

Another way to install an SSD into your Mac Pro without even touching your HDD bays is to install it directly via PCIe with an adaptor. The PCIe connection actually yields better performance than the standard SSD through SATA approach, and allows you to mount 5 hard drives internally (1 via PCIe, x4 via SATA).

Instructions: How to add a PCIe Samsung SSD into Mac Pro

Notes: If you lot opt to utilise a blade drive instead of a standard SATA SSD, you may want to expect at this thread, which provides a list of compatible components.

Want to know what TRIM is, and how it can help your third-political party SSD work better? Check out Howtogeek'southward article on the pros and cons.

Add a new Graphics card to a pre-2013 Mac Prp

Difficulty: Medium

What you'll need: Screwdriver, anti static wrist strap

Different with another models, a graphics bill of fare upgrade tin seriously boost the performance of your Mac Pro. Be certain to cheque your menu compatibility starting time.

Instructions: Upgrading an Early 2008 Mac Pro

Notes: Although there are a lot of PCIe compatible graphics cards, most were designed for windows computers and driver back up can be an issue. Nosotros've provided a few recommendations in our guide: How to upgrade the graphics card on a Mac

Modify an Optical Bulldoze to Blu-Ray

Difficulty: Medium

What you'll need: Screwdriver, compatible Blu-Ray drive

For various reasons, Blu-Ray was never a format officially supported by Apple tree. However, many Blu-Ray drives are uniform if you're willing to put the work in.

Instructions: Upgrading an Early 2008 Mac Pro

Notes: Though not officially supported past Apple tree, there are some workarounds that'll allow y'all to lookout Blu Ray movies on your Mac. Check our guide here: Picket and rip Blu-ray movies on your Mac

How to upgrade a Mac Pro (Cylinder/2013)

How to upgrade a Mac: Mac Pro

Officially, Apple but allows united states to upgrade the RAM and SSD on the Cylindrical Mac Pro - and these are both relatively easy to do. Unofficially, adventurous Apple users take worked out how to upgrade the processor likewise.

A note on graphics cards: Both graphics cards are removable and can be replaced, just, due to compatibility problems and a complete lack of aftermarket options, it seems there'south naught actually to upgrade to. As usual, iFixit take a handy guide for graphics carte replacements.

The Cylinder Mac Pro contains no traditional drive bays and was built mainly for external expansion via Thunderbolt 2. So, if you're looking for additional SATA storage, or more PCIe slots, at that place are a number of external Thunderbolt 2 products that will practise the job for you lot.

As for what tin can be upgraded internally, take a await at the below:

RAM upgrades in 2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Easy

What y'all'll need: Nothing

Instructions: How to upgrade the RAM in the 2013 Mac Pro

Notes: It's worth beingness in mind that the memory latches are not very sturdy and prone to bending if you're not careful. OWC provides a 'nylon pry tool' (AKA "Spudger") for merely this, but it'southward not entirely necessary - a little gentleness and a little patience go a long way.

Apple provides an illustrated guide for memory upgrades: just click Apple > Near this Mac, and so click the Memory tab and and then the Memory Upgrade Instructions link.

You can also find out what kind of RAM you might demand using Crucial's system scanner.

Wondering about how much RAM your Mac tin actually take? Have a look here.

How to upgrade a cylinder Mac Pro

Internal SSD upgrades in 2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Medium

What you'll need: Screwdriver, compatible 'bract' SSD

There are now a minor number of compatible aftermarket SSDs that, although expensive, tin can provide plenty more internal storage for your Mac Pro (upwardly to 4TB). At the current fourth dimension, OWC seem to be the only source of such drives.

Instructions: How to update the SSD in a 2013 Mac Pro.

Notes: A more than cost-effective way to increase your Mac Pro'south storage might exist via an external Thunderbolt drive - the 20GBps bandwidth can provide splendid operation.

How to upgrade a cylinder Mac Pro

Processor upgrades in 2013 Mac Pro

Difficulty: Very hard

What yous'll need: Screwdrivers, thermal compound, tweezers, spudger

It is possible to upgrade your Mac Pro's processor merely it is non for the faint of heart. Many opt for professional aid, accept a look at the tutorial videos linked in the Everymac page beneath and determine for yourself.

Instructions: Everymac take instructions here

On the next page we accept specific information about adding RAM and adding an SSD.