How can I make my 2009 MacBook Pro feel "NEW" again?

[ender land]

Loading is the smallest concern with a VM stored on the system hard disk.

Depends a lot on how often you use them, how often they are started/shut down, and what you use them for.

 

[Duckypoos]

I have an identical laptop ...

Popped in an OCZ Petrol 64GB SSD, and replaced my superdrive with the original 250GB HDD. Also upped the ram to 8GB.

Installed "Trim Enabler" app.

The effect ??? My itchy feet for getting a newer machine have completely disappeared !!!

Laptop runs like a dream, power on to Ableton Live open and ready for use = 17 seconds ( down from ~ 70 secs )

1 second shutdown time

Time machine partition on my 250GB HDD means no connection to external drive necessary.


Jobs a goodun

 

[cube]

Depends a lot on how often you use them, how often they are started/shut down, and what you use them for.

I still think the SSD is more important for running them than for starting them.

 

[Droooooj]

Have SSDs become any more reliable?

The main thing that's putting me off switching is, I assumed they'd be pretty infallable (compared to a HD with moving parts) but from what I read, they're not.

 

[FooArk]

bump

 

[kaye10]

2009 Macbook drama

Snowman, i got the old 2008 or 2009 Macbook Pro 13 inches. i have a google tablet and my Note 3...i dont want to buy a new laptop...what do I need to make this old laptop blazing fast...how do I back up my music and important files so as not to lose when i upgrade? What Os X would i need. Please let me know exactly what to buy to get it on par to today's speed. Below is exactly the wackness of what I have and why it is slow..smh...:

Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

A Crucial m4 256GB currently costs about $239.99 on Newegg. It's definitely a heavy price to pay for storage vs a regular hard drive. But, it is totally worth it. I have a 2009 MBP like you, and after putting a 64GB Samsung 830 in it, it is lightning fast. I highly recommend SSDs if you can afford them!

 

[iBook_Clamshell]

8GB RAM and SSD will revive your machine!!

I second that. Max out RAM and put in an SSD. I would recommend getting a slightly used SSD on ebay for >$100...unless you have lots of money and $239.99 doesn't bother you.
Contrary to what macbook pro i5 said, upgrading from 4gb to 8gb of RAM will speed up your computer:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1767527/
Also reinstalling OS X will help. It is good once in a while to do a fresh install. You'll be surprised what just that will do for your computer.

 

[KUguardgrl13]

Upgrade RAM to 8gb, upgrade to Mavericks (it runs quite well on my 2009), and a new HDD or SSD. A battery replacement may also help. I did all of the above (HDD though), and it's made a world of difference. I almost feel bad that I went out and got a late-13 rMBP as my daily machine. Almost . The 09 is good for media and playing with the Yosemite beta.