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leprechaunmac · Jan 1, 2008, 06:31 PM

i have the third gen "blackbook" that my parents bought for me in mid dec. for christmas. i just ordered ram to upgrade it to 4 gigs of ram but how can i upgrade the graphics card? whats compatible? is it even possible?

the_glassman · Jan 1, 2008, 06:39 PM

Originally Posted by leprechaunmac

i have the third gen "blackbook" that my parents bought for me in mid dec. for christmas. i just ordered ram to upgrade it to 4 gigs of ram but how can i upgrade the graphics card? whats compatible?is it even possible?

Nope.

leprechaunmac · Jan 1, 2008, 06:44 PM

thats disappointing

seanc · Jan 1, 2008, 07:31 PM

Unfortunately, the graphics card is built into the logic board of the MacBook. There is no replacement or upgrade available.

Cadaver · Jan 1, 2008, 10:32 PM

Laptops with upgradable graphics are very uncommon. Typically they are only found in big, heavy, Windows gaming laptops.

ohheyitzjon · Jan 2, 2008, 05:39 PM

i recently went to the local apple store and asked them if it were possible to upgrade my current graphics card in my macbook (currently GMA 950) to the more current graphics cards now in newest blackbooks. they said that it was completely possible and they would do it instore for free if i ordered the card thru the store. my question is, is this for real? if so, it would be great because currently my GMA 950 prevents me from running aperture.

p.s. sorry to hijack this thread, i just felt that the admins/mods have enough threads to monitor, i didnt want to pollute the site anymore.

thanks in advance!

ChrisF · Jan 2, 2008, 06:04 PM

Originally Posted by ohheyitzjon

i recently went to the local apple store and asked them if it were possible to upgrade my current graphics card in my macbook (currently GMA 950) to the more current graphics cards now in newest blackbooks. they said that it was completely possible and they would do it instore for free if i ordered the card thru the store. my question is, is this for real?

No, the Apple store staff is entirely wrong. There's no card to add.

Dork. · Jan 2, 2008, 06:11 PM

It is impossible. The guy at the Apple Store probably didn't know what he was talking about. The only way to upgrade the graphics card is to buy a new MacBook.

On second thought, you should try and take him up on the offer, maybe he'll solder a new chip on the motherboard for you himself...

ghporter · Jan 2, 2008, 07:30 PM

That would be something to see!

On all current Mac laptops the video system is part of the logic board. No separate part that could be replaced, just chips on the circuit board. This is something that disappoints a number of people, but it's the way it is.

ohheyitzjon · Jan 2, 2008, 09:12 PM

ahhicicic, ghporter thanks for the clarification. that makes a lot of sense. man... they need to educate the people working at the apple store on their products....

thanks for the input everyone! i love this site!

Cadaver · Jan 2, 2008, 10:44 PM

Originally Posted by ohheyitzjon

i recently went to the local apple store and asked them if it were possible to upgrade my current graphics card in my macbook (currently GMA 950) to the more current graphics cards now in newest blackbooks. they said that it was completely possible and they would do it instore for free if i ordered the card thru the store. my question is, is this for real? if so, it would be great because currently my GMA 950 prevents me from running aperture.

p.s. sorry to hijack this thread, i just felt that the admins/mods have enough threads to monitor, i didnt want to pollute the site anymore.

thanks in advance!

Wow. That is just so wrong. What Apple store was this?

@pplejaxkz · Jan 2, 2008, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by leprechaunmac

i have the third gen "blackbook" that my parents bought for me in mid dec. for christmas. i just ordered ram to upgrade it to 4 gigs of ram but how can i upgrade the graphics card? whats compatible? is it even possible?

I thought you could put 4 GB's in but only address up to 3 GB's. Anyhoo...

Believe me if there was a way to upgrade my graphics card I would in a heartbeat. That's the ONLY thing I find displeasing about my Macbook. I could be playing a couple great games, or a couple games a little better. But that's not really why I bought this Mac anyways.

Simon · Jan 3, 2008, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by @pplejaxkz

I thought you could put 4 GB's in but only address up to 3 GB's. Anyhoo...

The current MBs (the ones with a 800 MHz FSB) can use the full 4 GB. On the older C2D MBs (the ones with a 667 MHz FSB) you can install 2x2GB, but you'll only be able to actually use 3GB. On CD MBs you can only use 2GB.

Big Mac · Jan 3, 2008, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by Cadaver

Wow. That is just so wrong. What Apple store was this?

Sounds like a newb salesman desperate for a sale.

Simon · Jan 3, 2008, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mac

Sounds like a newb salesman desperate for a sale.

Which raises the interesting question: What was he hoping to sell?

After all, it's not like he was going to sell him a X3100 and solder it in there.

Cadaver · Jan 3, 2008, 07:50 AM

Unless he was hoping to sell a MacBook logic board...