Personalize your Desktop on your Mac

Your "desktop" is pretty much exactly what it says.  It provides a virtual desk for which to put your current projects.  Changing the appearance of your desktop gives your computer a nice personalized touch.  This video gives a quick concise walkthrough on changing the appearance of your desktop.  If the video is too fast, below is a step-by-step walkthrough that breaks down the steps.

Changing your Desktop: Method 1  (Easiest)

1. Right-click anywhere on your desktop.  A dropdown menu will appear.
2. Select "Change Desktop Background..."
3. Browse and Select your favorite background from Apple's default desktops.
4. If you want your own personal desktop you can choose one by pressing the "plus" (+) at the bottom left of the window, and select the folder where your custom desktop is.  
5. You have the option for the desktop to change pictures  after a certain amount of time from the folder you select.

Changing your Desktop: Method 2

1. In the top left, select the apple menu and click "System Preferences..."
   
   
   
2. In the top left, select "Desktop & Screensaver."  From this you can follow the remaining directions from Method 1.

Upgrade RAM on 2010-2012 MacBook Pro

Upgrading your RAM is one of the easiest upgrades you can do on any Mac computer.  RAM is like your short term memory. 

This is by far the fastest and least expensive mac upgrade.  This quick how-to video will walk you through the necessary steps in 2 minutes.  Upgrading memory of your computer is something that will take you about 20 minutes total.  If you want your computer's multitasking abilities to be greatly improved, or are already thinking of buying RAM to increase the performance of your mac.  Watch this video to see just how easy it actually is!

You can find some good inexpensive RAM on Amazon Here

This memory upgrade allows your computer to multi-task much faster.  This video shows how to upgrade the RAM of a Mid 2010 MacBook Pro from 2 x 2GB RAM to 2 x 4GB RAM, effectively doubling its memory to 8 GB RAM.  This memory upgrade video works up to the 2012 model, even though the video is of a 2010 model.

What is RAM?

RAM stands for Random Access Memory and serves as temporary memory or storage for an operating system so that it does not have to re-retrieve any of the data you are working with.  The higher your RAM the more multitasking your computer can handle without freaking out.  

RAM upgrade

• Upgrading your RAM is one of the cheapest do-it-yourself upgrades that will dramatically boost your computer’s performance.  
• Also, it is one of the only hardware upgrades you can perform on your mac without voiding warranty.

Purchasing the correct RAM

1. Start by identifying your model number / model ID in your computer
2. Use a reputable retailer to find RAM that will be compatible with your computer.  Both newegg and Other World Computing are good online stores that help you find exactly what you are looking for. I found some compatible with my 2010 model on Amazon
3. Once your new RAM arrives is when the fun begins!!

Installing MacBook Pro RAM

1. Turn off computer.  (if you don’t know how to turn off your computer, I don’t encourage performing this upgrade quite yet)

2. Use a towel or something to provide a soft, static-free zone to make sure you don’t injure your laptop.

Begin by removing the 3 screws on the top right near the ‘elbow’ of the computer.  You will know you have the correct screws if they are the 3 longer ones.

• It helps to have a dish or shot glass to put your screws in.
• Find the tools to open up your computer

4. Lightly pull apart the two tabs holding in the ram. They should pop out easily

5. Then pull and slide them out.  There should be 2 chips.

6. Replace the RAM with your upgraded RAM. Again there should be 2 chips

7. You’re finished performing your upgrade! Now just screw your computer back together!  Make sure to put the longest 3 screws in first.