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Just got a MacBook Pro 2009

O

OceanFrog

macrumors regular
Original poster
I knows it’s a bit old, but I just got a MacBook Pro 2009 13” from a family member. In great condition and battery health at 60%.

I already have a MBA and a MS Surface as my work machines so just wondering what I’ll do with it.

Any ideas?
 
Would an ssd make a huge difference with such an *old* processor?

Also, I’m going to reformat the machine ... any recommendations what version of OS X to install?
 
Thanks for the replies guys. Would the Samsung 850 EVO 250 GB 2.5 inch ssd be the one to run with ? Any other recommendations?

I might also upgrade the ram while I’m at it. Any recommendations for brand and amount?
 
Get the largest SSD you can afford. Shop around. Some used Intel SSDs pop up on eBay at surprisingly low prices. As for the RAM, make sure your model supports end-user RAM upgrade.
 
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I can recommend Crucial for both SSD and RAM. I have a 1TB Crucial SSD in my early 2009 17" MBP, and I've always maxed out all my Macs with Crucial RAM for around 20 years. Never any problems, and when you enter your Mac's year and model, they will select the proper RAM for you. Easy to replace both, and you might as well do that while you got your machine open. A good opportunity to blow out any accumulated dust as well. I have also used some SSDs in other computers from OWC. They also sell RAM, but all my RAM has been from Crucial.
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OceanFrog said:
Would an ssd make a huge difference with such an *old* processor?

Also, I’m going to reformat the machine ... any recommendations what version of OS X to install?
Click to expand...

El Capitan is the last "officially supported" OS for the 2009s. That's what I am using and happy with it.
 
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MSastre said:
I can recommend Crucial for both SSD and RAM. I have a 1TB Crucial SSD in my early 2009 17" MBP, and I've always maxed out all my Macs with Crucial RAM for around 20 years. Never any problems, and when you enter your Mac's year and model, they will select the proper RAM for you. Easy to replace both, and you might as well do that while you got your machine open. A good opportunity to blow out any accumulated dust as well. I have also used some SSDs in other computers from OWC. They also sell RAM, but all my RAM has been from Crucial.
[doublepost=1517158473][/doublepost]

El Capitan is the last "officially supported" OS for the 2009s. That's what I am using and happy with it.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the excellent reply.
[doublepost=1517160035][/doublepost]
Fishrrman said:
If the battery is easily replaceable on the 2009's (I have a 2010, not a 2009), it might be worth changing out as well...
Click to expand...

That was my next question ... is the battery easy to replace?

If so, where could I source a new battery? I'm in Ireland btw.
 
OceanFrog said:
Thank you for the excellent reply.

That was my next question ... is the battery easy to replace?

If so, where could I source a new battery? I'm in Ireland btw.
Click to expand...


I also replaced the battery on my 2009 MBP, again, easily done and I got everything I needed from OWC.
 
I have to add my usual go-to for memory, which is Data Memory Systems (datamemorysystems.com). Good pricing and quality product. Nothing against crucial or OWC but it's always good to have choices.

And yes, you can replace the battery on the 2009. I did that before turning my machine over to my daughter in 2013, and it's still running. I think the replacement was new from eBay, but I don't recall for sure.
 
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