New MacBook firmware update doesn't resolve memory issues

Apple may well have an update on the way that fixes the 4GB memory problem affecting at least some new MacBooks and MacBook Pros, but it apparently isn't the firmware update that was just released yesterday. According to jkOnTheRun, while the update appeared to have remedied the problem initially, the freezing eventually returned and, once again, going back to 3GB proved to be the only way to get the laptop back into working condition. Of course, Apple never claimed that the update would fix this particular problem, but it seems that there's an increasing number of people waiting to hear something about the matter straight from the company.

[Kris120890 @ Dec 11th 2008 1:48PM]

Apple said the fix probably wouldn't be included in the latest update.

[Jash Sayani @ Dec 11th 2008 2:28PM]

Then would it release after 10 more updates....?
I love my Mac mini and am planning to get a MacBook. Is it a good time to get it....?
I guess the trackpad is a hardware issue and can be minimized by software updates but can't be completely fixed. Only a Re-call would help.....

[RoboDan @ Dec 11th 2008 2:46PM]

BUY NOW!!!

fix later


(Small print) ... much later

[Jason @ Dec 11th 2008 6:40PM]

I haven't had any issues with my MBP. I've got 4GB of the DDR3 iRam from NewEgg...works perfect. No lock-ups, not hick-ups, just Mac greatness!

[jakem @ Dec 11th 2008 1:49PM]

Boring. Who cares. Just by a PC if you want to be able to upgrade your RAM.

[iApple @ Dec 11th 2008 1:57PM]

suck my left nut. j/k

love you

[y3k.nik @ Dec 11th 2008 2:00PM]

You two.. get a room!

[jakem @ Dec 11th 2008 2:07PM]

Love you too iApple ;-)

[Menos @ Dec 11th 2008 2:27PM]

o, god.

[asg84 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:49PM]

for a moment , thought im in a dating site............

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Dec 11th 2008 2:56PM]

Except most versions of Windows people actually use are nicht so gut with >3GB as well...

[Félix @ Dec 11th 2008 3:25PM]

PC doesn't imply windows that's what is so great about PC by the way

[kal326 @ Dec 11th 2008 3:29PM]

@UnixSystemEngineer

Most people or most people on Engadget? I only have one system that is x86 at my house and its a Boot Camp iMac that you can't run x64 on. 2 servers, 2 laptops, and 1 desktop all on some flavor of x64 Vista or Win08.

[Ignatius @ Dec 11th 2008 1:50PM]

I thought Apple said Macs were perfect.

[Kevin @ Dec 11th 2008 1:54PM]

sarcasm

Yup... no reason to ever put out an patch... EVER!

I wish all companies got it right the first time.

/sarcasm

[zioncat @ Dec 11th 2008 2:06PM]

Yes we all thought Mac = perfection. Can't fix a simple ram error.

[superhobo @ Dec 13th 2008 3:38PM]

Its not a bug, its a FEATURE.

Saves your money by preventing you from buying too much RAM.
Already bought too much? Teaches you a lesson.

[perunax @ Dec 11th 2008 1:52PM]

GO rev. A!!!!!!!!!!

[dale1v @ Dec 11th 2008 1:53PM]

Get to the safety of the Linux fortress, now! Windozers and Mac-boys are a-comin'!

[Hiram Yates @ Dec 11th 2008 1:55PM]

I dunno, my 4GB MBP has never had a single problem, (well it kinda has, but it's sony's fault SxS drivers didn't work until the new version 2 weeks ago).

[Kevin @ Dec 11th 2008 1:58PM]

that sounds oddly like the issues vista users faced early on...

lesson learned:

All software is capable of have bugs: Bad companies ignore them, good companies fix them eventually, great companies admit them upon discovery and fix them immediately.

[sid @ Dec 11th 2008 2:16PM]

my thoughts exactly..

it's funny how most mac users lump together vista's early problems and blame microsoft for all of them...

but when a macbook has errors, they point fingers at sony....

[Zoroaster @ Dec 11th 2008 3:19PM]

Yeah my 4GB macbook has always worked great. I know a couple other people with 4gb in their macbooks as well and they weren't aware of this problem either. I'm not saying it doesn't exist, I'm sure its happening for some people. But it doesn't seem to be that widespread as far as I can tell.

[jere @ Dec 11th 2008 5:30PM]

@sid:

You have a good point, but to be honest, most mac users wouldn't point fingers at sony-- most mac owners I know are not raving fanboys desperate to defend apple; they just use their mac to do stuff and that's that.

[Decoy @ Dec 11th 2008 2:01PM]

Well, wait for the next patch and cross you fingers then. They'll fix it eventually.

[Ryan @ Dec 11th 2008 2:03PM]

I'm having the following issues

1) After waking from sleep, my USB mouse will not work unless I unplug it and plug it back in (Not fixed by update)
2) After waking from sleep, sometimes the screen stays black and I must hard reset

Ryan

[crescentdavid @ Dec 12th 2008 3:43AM]

Don't sleep.

[SDotCiRe @ Dec 11th 2008 2:06PM]

I was thinking about making a smart comment on how if this was an issue with a PC, it would have been treated harsher. But, I'm tired of this PC vs Mac thing. This issue with the RAM boils down to just an issue with the OS, and it proves ALL OSes have issues, so just get over it. Enjoy Windows for what it is, and enjoy Macs for what they are, and all linux flavors for what they are.

[UnixSystemsEngineer @ Dec 11th 2008 2:59PM]

Actually it wouldn't have been treated harsher, because there are countless makes and models of Windows-based PCs. Hence, a problem with a certain model of Sony only affects a small % of of PC users and likely isn't even worth mention on engadget. But a problem with the Macbook line is likely to affect a very large % of users who have bought a Mac in the past few months.

This is good and bad; it means that it's theoretically easier to avoid problems, but the problems that do exist will be more noteworthy.

[funkyp56 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:08PM]

My 2.8 4gb unibody never even got the updates

[pman555123 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:15PM]

funky, did you run software update?

I had to manually run it in order for it to get the update.

[somedude @ Dec 11th 2008 2:09PM]

Well at least they still dont need virus protection.


...aw crap.

[funkyp56 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:21PM]

then again it literally got here yesterday and was shipped from china on friday

[Jim @ Dec 11th 2008 2:27PM]

You were expecting the updates that were released yesterday to permeate the ether, wake up your in transit laptop (probably in a Fed Ex warehouse), reboot, shutdown and arrive completely up to date?? Just run Software Update. Takes 5 mins as one needs to be installed to then see the other.

[tpadekar @ Dec 11th 2008 2:24PM]

On the last post about the RAM issues on Engadget, some of the Macbook owners were reporting that they weren't having problems with the 4GB of RAM that came pre-installed or when they upgraded using RAM bought from Apple. (But I think there were also a few people who claimed that they were having problems after they bought the RAM from Apple).

So, if this is a bug that creates problems with your Mac if you use non-Apple-issued RAM, then would Apple really want to fix the problem? Business-wise, it makes sense not to, and get people to upgrade using your own pricey RAM (Trust me, Apple sells RAM at an unbelievable premium!).

It won't augur well for them, in case someone decides to get smart and files an anti-trust case against them for being tied in to using only the RAM that Apple sells for an exorbitant rate!

It'll be interesting to see which way they lean IF they are actually being mischievous here!

[Félix @ Dec 11th 2008 3:29PM]

You have a point, but nobody will ever welcome the fast that they've been robbed nicely, even mac Users who should be used to it by now...

[rawd @ Dec 11th 2008 2:26PM]

Has no one mentioned... fine

new Macbook firmware is a bag of hurt

[Coolbee8 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:27PM]

Its a bloody feature, people, merely designed to divert your ears from Steve's planned world domination scheme, not a frigging issue for the last time...

Oh shit, I can hear people knocking on my door.

[pman555123 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:35PM]

RUN! The Mac Fanboys are coming for you!

[bjay @ Dec 11th 2008 2:47PM]

Don't be scared, the mac hordes know the truth as well as the fact that god Steve Jobs is in the closet writing out a good patch(though i ve a feeling that Apple ll let them burn with the first revision product); ll love them to buy a error free ram MB/MBP in future

[eddy @ Dec 11th 2008 2:51PM]

Mac: It just works...well, sort of. Sometimes. It depends, really.

All joking aside, I'm no Mac fan but this just proves that neither Microsoft nor Apple are the devil; both OS's have their issues. Just seems like the Apple fanboys bring more attention to those that Microsoft experience and vice versa.

[Pman555123 @ Dec 11th 2008 2:56PM]

exactly...there are fanboys of all types. Mac and MS.

Im a recent Mac switcher and as much as i like my new macbook, there are things my PC did better, and vise versa. Everyone has their opinions, but its all based on what you want.

Im trying not to drink the kool-aid and trying to stay as objective as i can and i can now see both sides....Macs have problems too.

[Mark @ Dec 11th 2008 4:38PM]

But we Texans no longer fear the devil for there is the Super Devil. "The Super Devil was said to be at least six inches taller than the normal devil."

[Kimleng @ Dec 11th 2008 2:56PM]

Glad I picked up a previous gen 2.4ghz for mega cheap! I stuffed this thing with 6GB of RAM and it runs smooth like butter. Vista 64 screams on this beast. I'll just wait till the new chipset update next year that will supposedly bring about desktop performance to laptops before I do a real cutting edge upgrade.

[VS Dude @ Dec 11th 2008 2:59PM]

The patch doesn't work if applied to an Apple device Steve Jobs hasn't peed on (http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/the-simpsons-mocks-m-apple/).

[Chris @ Dec 11th 2008 3:01PM]

My fiancees MBP is still having the sleep issue after upgrading her firmware.

[VS Dude @ Dec 11th 2008 3:01PM]

Apple patches won't work on Apple products Steve Jobs hasn't peed on (http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/01/the-simpsons-mocks-m-apple/).

[tony @ Dec 11th 2008 3:06PM]

Thanks Apple ...

Now I can play WoW again ....

[dale1v @ Dec 11th 2008 3:22PM]

automatic votedown protocol initiated: "keyword WoW"

[Rick @ Dec 11th 2008 3:43PM]

So just live with 3GB of memory!!!!

B.F.D!

Does an extra GB of memory matter or is it the Mac Fan Boys do know that size matters?