2010 Macbook Pro upgrades

[supertdogg]

I'm wanting to upgrade my Mac completely! My Mac is only operating with about 500MB of RAM when it should be running a little under 4! I have never upgraded my Mac before so I need some advice. I'm wanting to get a new HDD upgrading from my old 500GB to a 1TB. I want to also get new memory, upgrading from my 2 x 2 GB RAM to a 4 x 2 GB RAM.

Where would I be able to get these upgrades and which are the best for me?


2010 15" Macbook Pro i5
Current Specs:

Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5

Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256 MB

 

[Cougarcat]

Do you really need 1 TB of space? An SSD is far and away the best upgrade you can do for that Mac (it will also help with your memory), but a 1 TB SSD will set you back quite a bit. Another option would be to get a 500 GB SSD and install your HDD in an optibay, if you don't use your Superdrive.

 

[pogoyoyo]

You can upgrade the ram and hard drive but i'd just buy a new laptop man. That laptop is 4 years old, its had its time.

 

[supertdogg]

You can upgrade the ram and hard drive but i'd just buy a new laptop man. That laptop is 4 years old, its had its time.

I don't really have an extra $2,000 to spend on a new Mac right now as I'm in-between jobs.

 

[firedept]

I have 3 of these same MBP's and have upgraded them all. Best thing you can do for them is add an SSD. Next best thing is up the RAM. I added 256 GB SSD's and bumped the RAM to 8 GB and it virtually gave me new machines that I will get another 2-3 years use out of them.

If you need extra storage space buy an external drive for all your additional files or take your current internal drive, buy an enclosure and use it. No need to buy a new machine when a couple hundred dollars will give you a few more years from your current machine.

I do not use my machine for any heavy editing or anything, but they can handle most anything I throw at them. I have iMacs for my heavy work loads.

 

[charlyham]

memory upgrade

I have always liked Crucial .com for memory. They usually have very good prices and the memory is guaranteed. Here is a link to their site for your Macbook Pro.
http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Apple/macbook-pro-(15-inch,-mid-2010)
There are only two memory slots in your Macbook so you will need to go with 2x4gb ram to upgrade to the Max amount. They even have an SSD drive that will work for you. Couple hundred bucks and your older Macbook is flying.
Charly

 

[pogoyoyo]

I don't really have an extra $2,000 to spend on a new Mac right now as I'm in-between jobs.

i got $1500 for my 2010 macbook pro about a year ago, i can't imagine it being hard for you to get upwards of 1200.

 

[keysofanxiety]

I'm wanting to upgrade my Mac completely! My Mac is only operating with about 500MB of RAM when it should be running a little under 4! I have never upgraded my Mac before so I need some advice. I'm wanting to get a new HDD upgrading from my old 500GB to a 1TB. I want to also get new memory, upgrading from my 2 x 2 GB RAM to a 4 x 2 GB RAM.

Where would I be able to get these upgrades and which are the best for me?


2010 15" Macbook Pro i5
Current Specs:

Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core i5

Memory: 4 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M 256 MB

I'd suggest your priority should be upgrading the HDD to an SSD as that'll make an incredible difference.

 

[kenoh]

I have 3 of these same MBP's and have upgraded them all. Best thing you can do for them is add an SSD. Next best thing is up the RAM. I added 256 GB SSD's and bumped the RAM to 8 GB and it virtually gave me new machines that I will get another 2-3 years use out of them.

If you need extra storage space buy an external drive for all your additional files or take your current internal drive, buy an enclosure and use it. No need to buy a new machine when a couple hundred dollars will give you a few more years from your current machine.

I do not use my machine for any heavy editing or anything, but they can handle most anything I throw at them. I have iMacs for my heavy work loads.

I agree with this post. I put a Crucial 256GB SSD in my 2010 i5 and bumped Ram to 8GB. All in cost me £180 and my machine was given a new life. Postponed me having to buy a new one. That was over a year ago and it is still going great.

 

[rei101]

You can upgrade the ram and hard drive but i'd just buy a new laptop man. That laptop is 4 years old, its had its time.

I have a 17" MBP from 2008, I added ram and a SSD drive last year and still running just fine. Is my main computer at home to watch movies and web surfing, even some Photoshop when needed. For video editing I use the iMac.

But 4 years old is not bad for a computer, if you take care of it and do not throw it and keep it cool it will last longer. I expect mine to last at least one more year because I am not very sure about the logic board but so far it has 7 years running just fine.

 

[saudor]

Currently running a 2010 i5 with 120 gb SSD in the bay + 1tb with 8gb. Granted, It's not blazing fast but good enough for 95% of things. So yeah.. 8gb ram and the SSD are your best friends

 

[rei101]

The only real issue is the motherboard... as long the computer remains cool there is no problem. If the computer used to get hot than the life span reduces.

Just be aware of that fact. You may upgrade but it may stop working all of the sudden. With SSD drive the computer does not generate that much heat. I do not know about your computer but my 17" MBP get super hot and I had to place it in front of the AC several times.

Besides that it should work just fine with the upgrades.

And.....!!! do not install the latest OS. Do not install Mavericks, is not necessary and it will make your computer slower, besides the new features in Mavericks are BS at the end.

 

[Hustler1337]

i got $1500 for my 2010 macbook pro about a year ago, i can't imagine it being hard for you to get upwards of 1200.

Out of interest, where did you advertise your MBP on? Thanks

 

[pogoyoyo]

Out of interest, where did you advertise your MBP on? Thanks

kijiji in Canada is the prominent advertising place.

 

[MAH11]

Upgrade to SSD

I have exactly the same machine. I strongly suggest the HDD->SSD conversion, putting the current HDD in an external enclosure if you need the space. This will make a huge difference. If you dig through the OWC website, you can find direct comparisons of the effect of this conversion vs. added memory.

Melissa

 

[lokster]

i just got the same machine except its a macbook pro 2.4ghz, upgraded to 12gb of ram and 1TB hdd, works smooth and fine, i do photography and some editing and so far so good, i dont notice any slow downs or anything. i can even play Team Fortress 2 on medium.

Space is more important for me than speed, plus i bet the money for an SSD can fit both a laptop hard drive upgrade and ram upgrade.

 

[dollystereo]

I upgraded my mothers i7 2010 MBP to a Samsung 840 EVO, the machine flies, it's night and day and she is super happy with it.
I got a 500GB HD for 240USD from amazon, installing was a breeze.
The i5 CPU is a very capable CPU, you dont really need a new machine, just put a SSD.
The 8gb upgrade is good to, but the SSD is far more substantial. For a typical user 4GB is fine.