Best possible OS X for the MBP mid 2010

[orckiller8]

Hi, i have a Mac Book Pro mid 2010 running on OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5. It works 100% but i was simply wondering if upgrading would actually "improve" the speed of the computer? What are the pros and cons of those new systems with my model of the mbp ? Thank you !

 

[keysofanxiety]

Hi, i have a Mac Book Pro mid 2010 running on OS X Mountain Lion 10.8.5. It works 100% but i was simply wondering if upgrading would actually "improve" the speed of the computer? What are the pros and cons of those new systems with my model of the mbp ? Thank you !

Mavericks (OS X 10.9) and above features compressed memory, so it definitely would make a difference.

In terms of your best shot I'd recommend putting it on El Capitan, in addition to upgrading to an SSD and maxing out the RAM on your machine if you haven't already - it'll run better than brand new.

 

[adam9c1]

I've installed Corsair SSD and it has made a HUGE difference.
I would also recommend upping 4 to 8GB.

 

[chabig]

I would put the SSD in, as recommended. Then I would update to El Capitan. I'm running El Capitan on a 2008 iMac with SSD and it's good there. It also runs great on a 2010 MacBook (SSD equipped) that belongs to my girlfriend.

 

[Fishrrman]

I also have a mid-2010 MBPro.

I would NOT advise upgrading beyond 10.8.5 UNLESS you put an SSD in there.
Otherwise "running the OS" may slow down to "walking the OS", from your perspective as the user.

Actually, I would highly recommend an SSD anyway.
Cheap and VERY easy to replace in the 2010 MBPro's.

Once the SSD is in, you might even try El Capitan.
I have "test-booted" my own 2010 from ElCap on a USB flashdrive, seems to boot up and run ok.

But actually, I still use OS 10.6.8 as my "main OS' on the old MacBook.
It boots faster than any other Mac I've seen (5 seconds from Apple to finder) with an SSD inside.
Everything works "well enough" for me.
Why change?

 

[orckiller8]

@Fishrrman Thank you for the great answers everyone ! I did change my RAM to 8GB a few months ago (great results, i highly recommend) and i was planning on changing my HDD to a SSD. You guys definitely convinced me to do so. I want to upgrade it because i don't think buying a new MBP will give much more than what i could get by upgrading my MBP of the moment. Its amazing but i want to make it the best it can possibly be for the time being.

 

[orckiller8]

Which SSD would you guys recommend other than the Corsair that was recommended in the thread ?

 

[adam9c1]

In last 4-5 years I have bought several (6-7) SSDs and I'm totally blown away by the Crucials performance.

 

[dictoresno]

I'm running el captain on my mid 2010 MBP with a 500GB spinner and have zero issues.