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

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install memory in the Apple MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2008 "Unibody").
OWC Skill Level: "Easy" |  Duration: 4:39 |  Model ID: MacBookPro5,1 

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

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install an OWC Data Doubler the Apple MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2008 "Unibody").
OWC Skill Level: "Involved" |  Duration: 6:11 |  Model ID: MacBookPro5,1 

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

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install a hard drive the Apple MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2008 "Unibody").
OWC Skill Level: "Easy" |  Duration: 3:54 |  Model ID: MacBookPro5,1 

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

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install a battery in the Apple MacBook Pro 15" (Late 2008 "Unibody").
OWC Skill Level: "Easy" |  Duration: 2:58 |  Model ID: MacBookPro5,1 

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

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