Running so slow.

[DarkPassenger]

Hello all!

I have a Mac OS X Version 10.5.8 laptop.

Processor 2 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory 1 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM


Hardrive Capacity: 74.21 GB

Available: 15.4 GB


Opening anything takes forever, Im always freezing and seeing that rainbow circle icon >_>

Anything I can do to help this?

[justperry]

Add more RAM, 1 GB is not much, especially not when running a browser with lots of tabs open for instance.

[simsaladimbamba]

You can probably add up to 4 GB RAM on your machine.

Upgrading RAM in MacBooks and MacBook Pros

Open Activity Monitor and go to the System Memory* tab and look for Page Outs and Swap used and report back.

Using Activity Monitor to show you CPU and RAM usage

* Mac OS X: Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor

[maflynn]

Odds are high you don't have enough ram - look to upgrade it.

[DarkPassenger]

Originally Posted by simsaladimbamba

You can probably add up to 4 GB RAM on your machine.

Upgrading RAM in MacBooks and MacBook Pros

Open Activity Monitor and go to the System Memory* tab and look for Page Outs and Swap used and report back.

Using Activity Monitor to show you CPU and RAM usage

* Mac OS X: Reading system memory usage in Activity Monitor

Page Outs: 2.12 GB
Swap Used: 1.86 GB

[simsaladimbamba]

Originally Posted by DarkPassenger

Page Outs: 2.12 GB
Swap Used: 1.86 GB

Meaning you can use at least 2 GB more RAM, thus getting two 2 GB modules would be a good way to go.

You need 200-pin DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM.

[justperry]

Originally Posted by simsaladimbamba

You can probably add up to 4 GB RAM on your machine.

6 GB if it's the 13" late 2007.

But I think he has one of the earlier one, there's plenty of 2 GHz machines though, as long as the OP doesn't say the model we can just guess.

[DarkPassenger]

Originally Posted by justperry

6 GB if it's the 13" late 2007.

But I think he has one of the earlier one, there's plenty of 2 GHz machines though, as long as the OP doesn't say the model we can just guess.

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook3,1

Dont know if that helps haha

[justperry]

Originally Posted by DarkPassenger

Model Name: MacBook
Model Identifier: MacBook3,1

Dont know if that helps haha

Yes, and you are lucky, it can go up to 6 GB, one 4 GB stick and one 2 GB stick, but if I were you I would buy just one 4 GB stick.
Are both slots occupied now?

Link to your model on EveryMac

[DarkPassenger]

Originally Posted by justperry

Yes, and you are lucky, it can go up to 6 GB, one 4 GB stick and one 2 GB stick, but if I were you I would buy just one 4 GB stick.
Are both slots occupied now?

I think so, I'm pretty clueless at this type thing



I took a screen cap, is that it?

[simsaladimbamba]

Yes, both are occupied.

Bank 0 and bank 1 are slot 1 and slot 2.

[justperry]

Originally Posted by DarkPassenger

I think so, I'm pretty clueless at this type thing

Image

I took a screen cap, is that it?

Yes, actually that is what I suspected, two 512 MB dimm's, if you replace one of them with a 4 GB stick you will have 4.5 GB available which should already be better, if you replace both you can go up to 6 GB Max.

[DarkPassenger]

Awesome, thanks guys!

Wheres the best place to buy it would you say?

[DarkPassenger]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4GB-RAM-Me...item2a2858235d

Is this it/Would that work?

[simsaladimbamba]

Originally Posted by DarkPassenger

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4GB-RAM-Me...item2a2858235d

Is this it/Would that work?

Nope. It's 204-pin DDR3 SO-DIMM RAM for late 2008 and newer MB/Ps, and you need 200-pin DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM.

And I have not seen an eBay article with such a scarce description, but at least the seller mentioned "DDR3 RAM".

You need something like this, and DDR2 RAM is more expensive than DDR3 RAM due to its age and not being produced in masses like DDR3 RAM.

[DarkPassenger]

Originally Posted by simsaladimbamba

Nope. It's 204-pin DDR3 SO-DIMM RAM for late 2008 and newer MB/Ps, and you need 200-pin DDR2 SO-DIMM RAM.

And I have not seen an eBay article with such a scarce description, but at least the seller mentioned "DDR3 RAM".

You need something like this, and DDR2 RAM is more expensive than DDR3 RAM due to its age and not being produced in masses like DDR3 RAM.

Ok thanks, lucky I didnt big on it :P

Might just buy it from the link you sent, you think this should stop the computer going so slow then?

[simsaladimbamba]

Originally Posted by DarkPassenger

Ok thanks, lucky I didnt big on it :P

Might just buy it from the link you sent, you think this should stop the computer going so slow then?

It will not stop it from being slow, but the slowness should appear much less with more RAM.

You could also add an SSD to your MB, thus getting an even snappier machine, since the HDD is the slowest components (besides the optical disk drive (ODD)) in computers nowadays.

[DarkPassenger]

Last question/summary.

Ok so I have two choices, sell the mac the way it is and get a acer, or get that upgrade.

I do graphics and animation so really do need a laptop that is fast enough to handle them programs, never mind one that freezes opening google.

So if I get this upgrade, will it be able to hold up with todays laptops, for example this: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Produc...er/5089174.htm

[blueroom]

Hate to say it but sell the Mac.

[Quad5Ny]

I agree, get a new computer. But you should really look for a laptop with better battery life. 3.5 hours in 2013?...that is not very good.

A few things Windows laptop manufactures skimp out on are the Screen, Trackpad and speakers. Also check the keyboard for flex by pushing on it. Basically what I'm saying is use the computer in person before buying it.

Oh and make sure if its a Intel laptop it has HD 4000 Graphics (or a separate dedicated card). History of Intel's integrated graphics - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_HD_Graphics. Don't go lower than HD 4000.