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MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement

What you need

  1. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement, Access Door: step 1, image 1 of 1
    • With the case closed, place the Unibody top-side down on a flat surface.

    • Depress the grooved side of the access door release latch enough to grab the free end. Lift the release latch until it is vertical.

  2. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement: step 2, image 1 of 1
    • The access door should now be raised enough to lift it up and out of the Unibody.

  3. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement, Battery: step 3, image 1 of 1
    • Be sure the access door release latch is vertical before proceeding.

    • Grab the white plastic tab and pull the battery up and out of the Unibody.

  4. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement, Lower Case: step 4, image 1 of 1
    • Remove the following eight screws securing the lower case to the chassis:

    • One 3 mm Phillips screw.

    • Three 13.5 mm Phillips screws.

    • Four 3.5 mm Phillips screws.

  5. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement: step 5, image 1 of 1
    • Using both hands, lift and remove the lower case off the upper case.

  6. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement, RAM: step 6, image 1 of 1
    • Release the tabs on each side of the chip by simultaneously pushing each tab away from the RAM.

    • These tabs lock the chip in place and releasing them will cause the chip to "pop" up.

  7. MacBook Unibody Model A1278 RAM Replacement: step 7, image 1 of 1
    • After the RAM chip has popped up, pull it straight out of its socket.

    • Repeat this process if a second RAM chip is installed.

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

293 other people completed this guide.

21 Comments

Open back of unit, press two grey sides surrounding the chip, pull out the top (leave the bottom 2gb in) put in the new (4gb) chip; now there are 6gb of ram.

mrstiffanyjudson - Reply

I just upgraded to 2 4GB chips. Works fine sofar!

Sten Folkerman - Reply

That's awesome! I thought that I could only upgrade the RAM to 4GB (which is what I have now). Can you give me the type of RAM that you installed? I have this exact model MacBook.

Jonathan -

Uh oh. I replaced my 2 1GB ram with 2 2GB. I turned it on and it beeps at me about every second, the front status light blinks in time, but nothing else....what next?

dunkelcreature - Reply

Sounds like bad RAM. I would contact who you purchased it from. If it was us, email support [at] ifixit [dot] com

Scott Dingle -

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