Mid 2010 MBP 13" SSD/RAM question.

[cjrulli]

Hello everyone,

I currently own a 13" Mid 2010 MBP C2D that is clinging to life. I've been reading a lot of these threads about upcoming releases and extending the life of your current model. My next purchase will be a 15" but not until the line is refreshed. All in all I want to upgrade to hold over my daily use until that time comes. Will putting an SSD and maybe some more RAM (I'm at 4gb) give me a pretty decent improvement in day to day stuff (boot times, launching apps, web surfing)?

If so, can you recommend a decent SSD and RAM?

Thank you!

 

[Joelburman]

From what you're wanting out of the upgrade I think you only need a SSD. I have Crucial MX100 256 GB in my 2011 MBP and its like a brand new computer in many ways. Boots up within 16-20 seconds. Go for it.

 

[Samuelsan2001]

This

From what you're wanting out of the upgrade I think you only need a SSD. I have Crucial MX100 256 GB in my 2011 MBP and its like a brand new computer in many ways. Boots up within 16-20 seconds. Go for it.

Doesn't sound like you need Ram but an SSd will help enormously.

I would try a OS reinstall first though, Do it fresh and only put back on what you actually need this may well sort you out for a few months til the hopeful summer braodwell refresh of the 15 inch.

 

[RichardC300]

Crucial BX100 250GB SATA 2.5 Inch Internal Solid State Drive - CT250BX100SSD1 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RQA6TEI

Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3/DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3-12800) CL11 204-Pin SODIMM Memory for Mac CT2K4G3S160BM / CT2C4G3S160BM https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTBITY

 

[scaredpoet]

Yes, do it. The hard drive on those 2010 MPBs are SLOW, and an SSD will signficiantly speed it up and make it run a lot faster.

 

[cjrulli]

Thank you all for the replies! Ordering one today, will I need to buy a spacer?

 

[Fishrrman]

I, too, have an April 2010 13" MacBook Pro (base model). It came with 4gb of RAM and a 250gb HDD.

I put a Crucial m500 240gb SSD into it, and it made it feel like a new machine. Even though the older MBPro can't take advantage of the full SATA-3 speed of the SSD (I think the MBPro is SATA-2?), it still takes only 5 seconds from the first appearance of the "apple" to the finder when booting. FIVE SECONDS.

Actually, I still use the original OS that came with it (10.6.8).
It runs fast and smooth, no problems, never crashes.
That's good enough for me.

Aside:
I also have the SSD partitioned with a copy of 10.8.5 on the second partition. But again, using 10.6.8 makes the old MacBook FLY....

Second Aside to the OP:
Make sure you have THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB.
You'll need a Phillips #00 screwdriver and a TORX T-6 for the "bosses" on the sides of the hard drive.
These can be picked up cheaply at hardware stores, Home Depot, Lowe's, etc.

Also, I'd suggest that you "prep and test" the SSD BEFORE you install it.
Use either an external enclosure, a USB3/SATA docking station, or a USB3/SATA "dongle"...

Final Aside:
I sense that the SSD upgrade will make FAR more of an improvement than adding RAM. I still use the factory-installed 4gb, and I don't foresee that there'll be any reason to upgrade that further during the life of the MacBook. It's the DRIVE that makes the difference.

 

[chanerz]

I wanted to buy a 2015 also, but I upgraded my ram, installed Intel 530 240GB SSD, and a new battery. Runs like new!

 

[FuNGi]

Thank you all for the replies! Ordering one today, will I need to buy a spacer?

NO spacer needed. Take off the mounts on the existing drive and swap to the new one. You'll have extra space above the SSD but not anywhere else.

I agree with Fishrrman regarding the clone and test prior to install. I use CCC for this.

 

[seadragon]

I just upgraded my mid-2010 13" MBP today.

16 GB RAM, 480 GB SSD and a new battery. All from OWC. Really noticing a big improvement so far. The machine is much faster at booting up, launching apps and working with files.

 

[Thunderchicken]

yes, putting a SSD in your 2010 MBP will make it a faster. That is what I did with my 2010 MBP and it feels like a new machine hopefully Skylake will be out when school starts in the fall.

 

[yangchewren]

I just upgraded my mid-2010 13" MBP today.

16 GB RAM, 480 GB SSD and a new battery. All from OWC. Really noticing a big improvement so far. The machine is much faster at booting up, launching apps and working with files.

16 gigs of ram! Sweet! Like that you are taking advantage of the first macbook to support 16 gigs. I'm running a 8GB/120GB ssd config on mine which I upgraded around 2011, its unbelievable how long this 320m model lasts!

 

[seadragon]

16 gigs of ram! Sweet! Like that you are taking advantage of the first macbook to support 16 gigs. I'm running a 8GB/120GB ssd config on mine which I upgraded around 2011, its unbelievable how long this 320m model lasts!

I actually upgraded the RAM a few months ago. Even though "officially" this machine only supports up to 8 GB, I had read that 16 would work. And sure enough it does... perfectly.

I can't believe the difference so far. It's like a new computer. Apps like Photoshop and Lightroom load almost instantly when launched. Boot up time went from about 1 minute 30 seconds down to 20 seconds.

The new battery is amazing too. I'll easily get 8 to 10 hours out of it based on light usage. The old original battery just wasn't holding a charge anymore. I couldn't use it as a laptop as it needed to be close to a power supply. Now, it can go all day without a charge again.

Really worth the few hundred bucks in upgrade parts to me.