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Macbook - Can't Believe It!

M

MaestroMike

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Sep 17, 2012
7
0
Mechanicsville, VA
Well I still can't believe it but I got a sweet gift. A friend of mine bought a new Macbook Pro and so I inherited her Macbook. It runs pretty good as is but I have an upgrade plan.

Step 1: I called to get the upgrade disc to Snow Leopard (10.6). Currently I'm at 10.5.8.
Step 2: Upgrade to Mt. Lion
Step 3: Upgrade the 2Gb of Ram to 4Gb.

Anyone have any other suggestions?
 
Capt Underpants said:
That's a nice machine you've got there. Stick an SSD in it, and upgrade the RAM, and you've got a usable computer for years to come.
Click to expand...


Okay that is something i was just reading about in another thread. How can I add a Solid State Drive? Does it just replace my current harddrive and what size do you reco?

Thanks for all the help peeps!
 
MaestroMike said:
Okay that is something i was just reading about in another thread. How can I add a Solid State Drive? Does it just replace my current harddrive and what size do you reco?

Thanks for all the help peeps!
Click to expand...

Yep, it just replaces your current drive. It's a pretty simply operation. Here's an iFixit guide.

As far as size goes, I recommend whatever you need to hold all of your current data, plus a bit more for good measure. Very scientific stuff, here.
 
Second the SSD. It's going give you noticeable differences.

Go for 8GB RAM too if the model can handle it - it's only like $35.
 
Upgrade to 8GB 1333Mhz and put an SSD. That thing will scream. ;)
Trust me, i have the same Macbook like you but with a 7200RPM HDD and it's pretty fast for a 2008 computer. I think the machine will be twice as fast with an SSD.
 
Would these upgrades also work for my 2008 MacBook 4,1? It still works pretty well although it's getting a bit slow. Would love to add some software like Lightroom & Photoshop but suspect they'd be too much for it in its current state.

Also, I am most definitely NOT going to do any hardware upgrade myself so are these things that can be done at your average Genius Bar for not a lot of money & in a reasonable amount of time?

Thanks in advance for any advice.
 
I still have one of those models lying around. The first aluminium MacBook and the last one.

Is it the 2.0Ghz or the 2.4Ghz model? Because the 2.4Ghz has backlit keyboard!
Yes, back in the day it was optional.


Here's what I did to my machine (base line2.0Ghz December 2008 model):

- Upgraded Ram to 8GB (2 x 4GB) 1333Mhz RAM. The machine comes with 1067Mhz RAM, but 1333MHz works and gets detected.

- 120GB Vertex 3 SSD. This makes the machine scream. Running the latest version of Mountain Lion (10.8.2)

- I implemented a backlit keyboard myself. Because the logic board has the connection for one, so I could get the little transparent backlight piece and put in underneath the keys (this requires taking the machine apart completely).

- I have putten a 13" MacBook Pro screen on the machine.

So, the machine looks like the current 13" MacBook Pro and seems just as quick. And this one has a removable battery which is handy.


I suggest you go for the first 2 upgrades. I just got a water damaged 2010 MacBook Pro machine so I could do the other upgrades.
 
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