Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2008, Early 2009, Mid 2009); MacBookPro5,1 Installation Guides & Specifications
Upgrading the Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2008) model is very easy. You can add some RAM, replace a faulty Hard Drive or just get a new one with a higher capacity. You can add a second Hard Drive by removing the optical drive, replace a dead battery. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.
Please see our Apple RAM Memory for Macbook Pro page to locate your Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your Mac, and we'll ship it fast from our warehouse in Victoria.
Please see our Hard Drive for Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Mid 2009) page to locate your Apple compatible Hard Drive upgrades for your Mac
Please see our MacBook Pro Battery Replacement for Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Mid 2009) page to locate your Replacement Battery for your Mac
Apple User Guides for the Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2008)
MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory Learn how to remove or install memory in your MacBook Pro notebook computer on the Apple support page.
OWC Video Installation Guide for Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2008) Models:
Memory Install Video
Recommended Tools for the RAM upgrade:
- #00 Precision Philips Screwdriver - Economy
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Add a second hard drive or SSD easily with the OWC Data Doubler. Here's an instructional video from OWC:
OWC Data Doubler Install Video
Recommended Tools for the install Data Doubler:
- Macfixit 5-Piece Mini Toolkit
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here is how to fix or upgrade the main Hard Drive:
Hard Drive/SSD Install Video
Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:
- Macfixit 5-Piece Mini Toolkit
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
- External Hard Drive Enclosure - Convert your existing drive into an external one
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
And this is the installation video for a battery replacement:
Battery Install Video
Recommended Tools for the battery replacement:
- #00 Precision Philips Screwdriver - Economy
- Tri-Wing Screwdriver (Tri-Point)
- Spudger - Apple Pry Tool Non-Marking - Nylon (Black Stick) - 922-5065
You will also find some of these tools plus more in the complete toolkit from Newertech under the following link: Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
Here is some detailed specifications as well as direct link to available upgrades:
| Apple 15" MacBook Pro (Late 2008) | |
| OVERVIEW | |
| Introduced | October 2008 (2.4/2.53/2.8 GHz) March 2009 (2.66/2.93 GHz) |
| Discontinued | June 2009 |
| Model Identifier | MacBookPro5,1 |
| Model Number | A1286 |
| EMC | 2255 |
| Order Number | MB470LL/A (2.4), MB471LL/A (2.53), MC026LL/A (2.66 GHz) |
| PROCESSOR | |
| Processor | Intel Core 2 Duo (P8600, T9400, T9550, T9600, T9800) ("Penryn") |
| Processor Speed | 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, or 2.93 GHz |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| Number of Cores | 2 |
| Cache | 3 MB (2.4 GHz) 6 MB (2.53/2.66/2.8/2.93 GHz) on chip shared L2 |
| System Bus | 1066 MHz |
| STORAGE AND MEDIA | |
| Standard Storage | 250 or 320 GB (5400-rpm SATA), 250 or 320 GB (7200-rpm SATA), or 128 or 256 GB (SSD) |
| Link to upgrade tool & kits | Tools for HDD and RAM installation |
| Link to internal HDD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” HDD |
| Link to internal SSD | Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD |
| Media | 8x Slot-loading SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW) |
| Link to external optical drive | Get an external burner here |
| KEYBOARD AND TRACKPAD | |
| Trackpad | Multi-Touch trackpad |
| Keyboard | Built-in full-size backlit keyboard with 78 (U.S.) or 79 (ISO) keys |
| RAM | |
| Built-in Memory | |
| Maximum Memory | 8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple) |
| Memory Slots | 2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM |
| Interleaving Support | Yes |
| Link to RAM upgrade | Upgrade your RAM here |
| DISPLAY | |
| Built-in Display | 15.4-inch (diagonal) LED-backlit glossy widescreen display, optional antiglare widescreen display. |
| Resolutions | 1440 by 900 |
| GRAPHICS | |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT and GeForce 9400M |
| Graphics Memory | 256 or 512 MB (9600M GT) GDDR3 or 256 MB (9400M) DDR3 shared with main memory |
| Display Connection | 1 - Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI, or dual-link DVI with adapter) |
| Display Support | |
| Display Modes | Dual display extended and video mirroring |
| External Resolution | Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels |
| Camera | Built-in iSight |
| CONNECTIONS | |
| Wi-Fi | Built-in AirPort Extreme card (802.11a/b/g/n) |
| Bluetooth | Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR |
| Ethernet | 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45) |
| Modem | |
| USB | 2 - 480 MBit/s |
| FireWire | 1 - 800 MBit/s |
| Thunderbolt | |
| Display | 1 - Mini DisplayPort (VGA, DVI, or dual-link DVI with adapter) |
| Infrared | 1 - For Apple Remote only |
| Audio In | 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo jack, 1 - Built-in microphone |
| Audio Out | 1 - Combined optical digital output/headphone out, 2 - Built-in speakers |
| EXPANSION | |
| Slots | 1 - ExpressCard/34 |
| Hard Drive Interface | 3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| Optical Drive Interface | 3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA) |
| POWER | |
| System Battery | 50-watt-hour lithium-polymer |
| Battery Life | Up to 5 hours |
| Standby Time | |
| Maximum Battery Cycles | 500 |
| Power Adapter | 85W MagSafe Power Adapter |
| Link ot replacement battery | Get a replacement battery here |
| Link to replacement charger | Get a replacement MagSafe here |