So, I have a mid-2012 MacBook Pro a1278, and I swapped out one of the RAM sticks for an 8gb crucial RAM stick, and although I know that supposedly it’s optimal to run your laptop with two identical sized RAM sticks, I’m here to tell you it works famously! Now, I’ve been running macOS Sierra, cuz I was on Catalina when I had only 4GB of RAM and it was next to IMPOSSIBLE. So my question is, is it worth upgrading to macOS Mojave now that I have 10gbs? It’s the last macOS to only require 2gbs minimum (Catalina needing 4).
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I guess it’s kinda a little too late to be asking this but here goes...
- Thread starter davemp88
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I have 8GB and Mojave runs fine. It seems to be getting the reputation of being the latest OS to hold onto long term, like Snow Leopard was back in the day.
Dual channel has limited uses where it makes much if any difference. Usually CPU speed is the limiting factor. However, it can make a difference in tasks where memory bandwidth matters. Such as tasks which make use of the integrated graphics.
Interesting. I went ahead and did the upgrade, abs from my own empirical data, all I can say is that in my humble opinion, Mojave FAR outshines Sierra and performance and capabilities, much to my surprise. Most speed tests you watch on YouTube would lead a person to believe otherwise.
That's good to know. My concern originated when I was trying to run macOS Catalina on 4gb of RAM and an HDD drive....not happening lol. But once I upgraded to 10gb of RAM, I figured I should've probably have the latest operating system that only requires 2GB minimum (Mojave), if not for the graphical improvements but for security updates, app usability and bug fixes, etc.
Obviously 10GB RAM Mojave will be faster than 4GB RAM Catalina. I'd just note that I have a 2010 MBP and 2009 iMac with 8GB RAM and SSD in each. I never noticed a performance difference between High Sierra, Mojave and Catalina. Even though Mojave and Catalina had to use patches to run on Macs that old.
I'd say give Catalina a shot again now that you have plenty of RAM. If you haven't upgraded to an SSD yet. Do so. The performance difference is night and day. SSD really has been needed since at least High Sierra. Especially if you use iCloud or any other cloud services for syncing. They're ridiculously cheap now for 250GB or less. Even 500GB is pretty cheap.
On a computer that old. I wouldn't bother spending extra on a high end SATA model. A Crucial BX500 is fine. No need for a Samsung 860 Evo.
Heck you may even want to try a patched Big Sur.
Mojave always felt more like the Vista. Catalina was more polished. I didn't really care for Mojave and was glad to have gotten rid of it.
I'd say give Catalina a shot again now that you have plenty of RAM. If you haven't upgraded to an SSD yet. Do so. The performance difference is night and day. SSD really has been needed since at least High Sierra. Especially if you use iCloud or any other cloud services for syncing. They're ridiculously cheap now for 250GB or less. Even 500GB is pretty cheap.
On a computer that old. I wouldn't bother spending extra on a high end SATA model. A Crucial BX500 is fine. No need for a Samsung 860 Evo.
Heck you may even want to try a patched Big Sur.
Mojave always felt more like the Vista. Catalina was more polished. I didn't really care for Mojave and was glad to have gotten rid of it.
I have this MBP 13 and I think it is a great little machine. Mojave is where I stopped. I have some Photo editing apps that are 32 bit that I really like so I can't go to Catalina and Mojave runs great for me. Toss in a SSD, I'm using a Crucial model MX500 - 500 gig - and you will be stunned at the difference. Search around and you can get one for less than $60 US.
Now What are your guys opinions on a Mid 2012 MacBook Pro a1278, with the 10gb of RAM as I stated, my tech buddy suggested I get a tray adapter and add an essentially "second" internal SSD drive. Also, I just recently learned about the hybrid SSHD drives, which seem very interesting to me, especially its ability to decipher which files are best used by the SSD drive and which ones are best used by the HDD, as far as I understand it. There's some sort of controller in the SSHD drives. I saw one for my exact model for $60 and last night there were only 6 left, and this morning there were only two left. And it's got 4.5 stars so it must be pretty good? Thoughts? All feedback welcome
Those hybrid SSDS used to be good back in the days when SSDs were so expensive but these days even 1 TB ssds can be had for fairly cheap so in my opinion, it's not worth itNow What are your guys opinions on a Mid 2012 MacBook Pro a1278, with the 10gb of RAM as I stated, my tech buddy suggested I get a tray adapter and add an essentially "second" internal SSD drive. Also, I just recently learned about the hybrid SSHD drives, which seem very interesting to me, especially its ability to decipher which files are best used by the SSD drive and which ones are best used by the HDD, as far as I understand it. There's some sort of controller in the SSHD drives. I saw one for my exact model for $60 and last night there were only 6 left, and this morning there were only two left. And it's got 4.5 stars so it must be pretty good? Thoughts? All feedback welcome
I have a mid-2012 15" MBPro with Crucial 500GB SSD, which ran fine with 4GB RAM under Mojave. Recently upgraded this to 16GB RAM and decided to stay with the same OS as in this configuration it truly rocks (not liking a lot of reviews about Catalina).
Having said that I'm also very sucessufully running Mojave with 4GB RAM on my 'Dolly-Parton Special' below.
I'm not sure what you mean by "Dolly Parton" Special, so my brother was explaining to me why he wouldn't get rid of the original superdrive HDD. Are there any downsides to replacing the HDD with an SSD other than not being able to use discs, which I don't anyway? My concern, is on a 2012 MBP, after reading online that most HDD drives only last about 3-5 years, I'm worried my HDD could just crash one day. So I guess yeah my defining question would be, is there any reason I should keep my HDD drive vs replacing it with an SSD drive?I have a mid-2012 15" MBPro with Crucial 500GB SSD, which ran fine with 4GB RAM under Mojave. Recently upgraded this to 16GB RAM and decided to stay with the same OS as in this configuration it truly rocks (not liking a lot of reviews about Catalina).
Having said that I'm also very sucessufully running Mojave with 4GB RAM on my 'Dolly-Parton Special' below.
Also, If the Samsung Evo 860 is only a dollar more than the Crucial MX500, which one should I go with? and is 10gb of RAM fine or do I need 16?I have a mid-2012 15" MBPro with Crucial 500GB SSD, which ran fine with 4GB RAM under Mojave. Recently upgraded this to 16GB RAM and decided to stay with the same OS as in this configuration it truly rocks (not liking a lot of reviews about Catalina).
Having said that I'm also very sucessufully running Mojave with 4GB RAM on my 'Dolly-Parton Special' below.
"What are your guys opinions on a Mid 2012 MacBook Pro a1278, with the 10gb of RAM as I stated, my tech buddy suggested I get a tray adapter and add an essentially "second" internal SSD drive. Also, I just recently learned about the hybrid SSHD drives, which seem very interesting to me"
My suggestion:
Skip the "2nd drive inside" baloney.
Replace the internal platter-based hard drive with an SSD and be done with it.
DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT mess with "hybrid drives".
They are not the equivalent of an SSD.
If you want SSD performance, get an SSD.
Installing an SSD into a unibody MBP is easy-as-pie.
Anyone can do it.
Get a 2.5" SATA SSD.
Get a Phillips #00 driver and a TORX T-6 driver.
Go to ifixit.com to see what's involved.
I'd also suggest this for the old drive:
You can put the SSD into the external enclosure BEFORE YOU INSTALL IT INTO THE MBP.
This will enable you to "prep and test" the SSD before you open the MBP.
When the test is completed, just "swap the drives around".
My suggestion:
Skip the "2nd drive inside" baloney.
Replace the internal platter-based hard drive with an SSD and be done with it.
DO NOT, repeat, DO NOT mess with "hybrid drives".
They are not the equivalent of an SSD.
If you want SSD performance, get an SSD.
Installing an SSD into a unibody MBP is easy-as-pie.
Anyone can do it.
Get a 2.5" SATA SSD.
Get a Phillips #00 driver and a TORX T-6 driver.
Go to ifixit.com to see what's involved.
I'd also suggest this for the old drive:
SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)
SABRENT 2.5 Inch SATA to USB 3.0 Tool Free External Hard Drive Enclosure [Optimized for SSD, Support UASP SATA III] Black (EC-UASP)
tinyurl.com
You can put the SSD into the external enclosure BEFORE YOU INSTALL IT INTO THE MBP.
This will enable you to "prep and test" the SSD before you open the MBP.
When the test is completed, just "swap the drives around".
So between the Samsung Evo 860 and Crucial MX500, most likely either 250gb or 500 at most, (I don't store a lot of stuff), From what I've read, it seems like the Samsung out performs the Crucial. I aways prefer empirical data when available though, so if anyone has had experience with both and would care to weigh in, I'm all ears
"So between the Samsung Evo 860 and Crucial MX500, most likely either 250gb or 500 at most, (I don't store a lot of stuff), From what I've read, it seems like the Samsung out performs the Crucial."
For a 2012 MBP, it will make no difference.
I'd suggest the Crucial.
For a 2012 MBP, it will make no difference.
I'd suggest the Crucial.
I completely agree with Fishrrman's posts above. I installed a 2nd SSD inside my MBPro then regretted it afterwards as several times I wanted to burn iMovie projects to DVD.
And if a 500GB SSD from Crucial and Samsung cost 65€ and 62€ respectively (as they do here) get the less expensive as there's virtually no difference. I've also used Sandisk SSD's with no problems whatsoever.
And if a 500GB SSD from Crucial and Samsung cost 65€ and 62€ respectively (as they do here) get the less expensive as there's virtually no difference. I've also used Sandisk SSD's with no problems whatsoever.
I have 2 2012 Macbook Pro 13's and have a Crucial MX500 in one and a Samsung 850 EVO in the other. Can't tell the difference and the Crucial always seems to run $10 cheaper. I installed a second drive because I do some video editing (and the DVD drive had died). The extra storage is useful sometimes but I miss the DVD drive. An external drive would have worked just fine when I needed it. You will be just fine with 10gb of ram.
Those MacBook SuperDrives can often be revived by i) removal, ii) removing the cover, iii) clearing out all dust inside then, iv) cleaning the laser lens with cotton buds soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
The one piece of technology I did think was cool from what I understood about those hybrid drives, is that they decide what files/applications to use the HDD for and what to use the SSD for. which seems like an ideal scenario. I mean, what are the downside to SSD drives, besides what used to be the price? and for that matter, for what reasons would I still want an HDD drive in 2021? I know I should replace it soon cuz from what I've read online HDD drives are only supposed to last 3-5 years and this is a mid 2012 MacBook Pro, which would make it almost 9 years old, and I hear it tick sometimes, which my buddy I got the MBP from told me is the HDD.