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Worth Upgrading RAM (for Lion) on MB 2,1?

H

hazertag

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2011
19
0
Forgive my noobness and lack of concrete specs. Can furnish later but want to get this out there before I forget.

I have a MB 2,1 that im *fairily* certain only needs a RAM upgrade to get to OSX Lion. Currently on 10.6.

Going to do a clean (backed up) install and am wondering if it would be worth it to get the RAM and OS increment during the whole process.

What $$ am I looking at for the RAM upgrade?
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,462
4,408
Delaware
This will give you an idea about pricing.
Your MacBook2,1 can upgrade to 2 x 2GB PC2-5300 SODIMMS.
Total of 4 GB installed, but only 3 GB is the maximum that is used. You may get a (slight) speed benefit from a matched pair, but you could simply get 1 x 2GB, and 1 x 1GB to get that 3GB max.
 
H

hazertag

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2011
19
0
Well 2x2 seems redundant.

How much for a 2x1 + 1x1 materials?

Can a layman do this or will I need to find someone qualified?

I know Macs are notoriously hard to work on.
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,462
4,408
Delaware
hazertag said:
Well 2x2 seems redundant.

How much for a 2x1 + 1x1 materials?

Can a layman do this or will I need to find someone qualified?

I know Macs are notoriously hard to work on.
Click to expand...
2x2 gives you 3 GB for your MacBook, with perhaps more boost (if you notice it) by having a matched pair - not exactly what I would call "redundant" :D

Sorry, I forget the link to some memory - if you need it.
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-memory-for/Apple/macbook-(mid-2007)

I agree, some Macs are challenging to repair/upgrade, but not for every task.
For example, the MacBook is amazingly simple to upgrade the memory.
Here's a quick guide for that: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Core+2+Duo+RAM+Replacement/512
 
H

hazertag

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2011
19
0
So I would be better off buying 2x2 and having one GB that I cant use?

Cool seems simple enough, thanks for the info!
 
brdeveloper

brdeveloper

macrumors 68030
Apr 21, 2010
2,629
313
Brasil
I heard someone saying you could build a RAM drive in the wasted space. If this is possible, I wonder if it couldn't be possible adding even more RAM (like 8GB) and setting up an even bigger RAM drive for, perhaps, a browser cache or other stuff you need fast I/O (compiling a large project, for example).
 
H

hazertag

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2011
19
0
DeltaMac said:
2x2 gives you 3 GB for your MacBook, with perhaps more boost (if you notice it) by having a matched pair - not exactly what I would call "redundant" :D

Sorry, I forget the link to some memory - if you need it.
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-memory-for/Apple/macbook-(mid-2007)

I agree, some Macs are challenging to repair/upgrade, but not for every task.
For example, the MacBook is amazingly simple to upgrade the memory.
Here's a quick guide for that: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Core+2+Duo+RAM+Replacement/512
Click to expand...

I just did the scan on crucial.com, and it says my macbook (late 2006) can only support up to 2GB of memory.

is this PER SLOT? or was I told wrong above?
 
DeltaMac

DeltaMac

macrumors G5
Jul 30, 2003
13,462
4,408
Delaware
hazertag said:
I just did the scan on crucial.com, and it says my macbook (late 2006) can only support up to 2GB of memory.

is this PER SLOT? or was I told wrong above?
Click to expand...

Yes
Crucial is correct, but isn't telling you about other options.
Other sites, some of which have tested this years ago, have additional information. One such is OWC:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/
and a quote from that page:
MacBook2,1 (All) - Install up to 4.0GB total memory, uses up to 3.0GB.
Note: Although limited to physically utilizing a maximum of 3GB, there is a performance benefit due to 128 Bit addressing when 4GB (2GB x 2 Matched set) is installed.
Click to expand...
And, I can tell you from personal experience that the 2GB x 2 works in your MacBook.
 
H

hazertag

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Feb 3, 2011
19
0
ChrisHemphill said:
I just ordered 4 gb OWC ram from macsales.com for my 2,1 MacBook. 57.99 with shipping.
Click to expand...

I think I ordered the same exact one. Should be here Monday, then its surgery time.

Backup>Ram Upgrade>Lion

All this in the face of Yosemite looking all dapper.
 
I

iancflam

macrumors member
Mar 16, 2013
48
0
WORTH upgrading HDD to SSD for Lion on MB2.1?

WORTH upgrading HDD to SSD for Lion on MB2.1?

I have the same Macbook white with 3Gb Ram and 80Gb stock HDD, currently on SL 10.6.8

Currently using Magic Mouse but noticed many Multi-touch function is disabled...
Planned to pass this MB for family use..

Is it worthwhile/ Shall I upgrade the HDD to SSD and update to Lion 10.7?
Anyone who tried can advise?

Thanks in advance!:)
 
C

ChrisHemphill

macrumors newbie
Jun 12, 2014
20
0
iancflam said:
WORTH upgrading HDD to SSD for Lion on MB2.1?



I have the same Macbook white with 3Gb Ram and 80Gb stock HDD, currently on 10.6.8



Is it worthwhile/ Shall I upgrade the HDD to SSD and update to Lion 10.7?





Anyone who tried can advise?



Thanks in advance!:)
Click to expand...


It's definitely worth it. You will notice a big difference in start up time and the time it takes for apps to open. I have a 60 gb ssd in mine and just put 2x2 gb ram sticks in.
 
TacticalDesire

TacticalDesire

macrumors 68020
Mar 19, 2012
2,286
23
Michigan
iancflam said:
WORTH upgrading HDD to SSD for Lion on MB2.1?

I have the same Macbook white with 3Gb Ram and 80Gb stock HDD, currently on SL 10.6.8

Currently using Magic Mouse but noticed many Multi-touch function is disabled...
Planned to pass this MB for family use..

Is it worthwhile/ Shall I upgrade the HDD to SSD and update to Lion 10.7?
Anyone who tried can advise?

Thanks in advance!:)
Click to expand...
Most of the time an SSD upgrade is worth it.
 
I

iancflam

macrumors member
Mar 16, 2013
48
0
SSD-> Lion

Thanks all for your advice.

I will buy a 120 Gb Samsung EVO 840 SSD.
With that do you recommend I shall stay on Snow Leopard or Lion with SSD?

Any performance reduce due to the new OS?
 
I

iancflam

macrumors member
Mar 16, 2013
48
0
Thanks a lot! I think I will go ahead and upgrade to Lion , solely for the multitouch and dictionary function!
 
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