If you load Ubuntu 12 onto the MacBook Pro (2010 i5 or i7) with 16GB RAM loaded, Ubuntu will boot OK and be able to see/address the 16GB RAM. A maxmem=2048 will allow the system to boot normally with 16GB RAM loaded however only 2GB RAM will be usable. This would limit the usable RAM to a maximum of 8GB (official Apple Max) however this also will cause a kernel panic during normal boot when 16GB RAM is physically loaded.

It is possible to limit Max RAM to 8GB using the command: sudo nvram '-v maxmem=8192'. ' in safe mode, as opposed to 'IntelHD.'. Notice that the graphics card is listed as 'Nvidia. You will be able to boot into safe mode OK and it will show the 16GB RAM in System Information. After doing some digging around, it sounds like the limitation has to do with the IntelHD graphics SW that is used by OS X.Ī 2010 i5/i7 MacBook Pro with 16GB RAM running MountainLion/Mavericks will kernel panic during normal boot.

I believe there is an EFI limitation in OS X Mountain Lion that will not allow the 2010 i5/i7 Macbook Pro's to be upgraded over 8GB RAM. The type of RAM needed is DDR3 PC3-8500 1066. If you have a 2010 MacBook Pro Core2Duo (13'), then you are in luck and you can upgrade to 16GB RAM. Any mid-2010 MacBook Pro i5 or i7 is limited to a maximum of 8GB RAM.

2006 macbook pro max ram