Need help with decision!

[theanchorman]

I own a mid-2010 white unibody macbook. Currently I'm running on macOS Sierra 10.12.6 with 4Gb memory. However, I have been having issues with my computer running slow at startup and everytime I try to open a app it takes a lifetime. I have only used up 50gb out of the 250, so not sure what the problem is. Anyways, I'm debating if I should just go purchase a refurb mac air or just renew this laptop with memory, SSD, and battery (its been time to replace for a while). I mainly use this laptop for basic functions like excel and internet.

If its best to replace current parts, which brand and which website should I purchase from? Trying to see if I can get everything less than $150. Also, would I need to download a different OS for the SSD? Heard High Sierra 10.13.6 was good to have.

 

[SteveManila1960]

I recently purchased a late 2009 MacBook. It came with a Kingston SSD already fitted but I upgraded the RAM from 4GB to 8GB. I mainly use it for Internet browsing and light Word / Excel work. It runs fast with no issues at all so I can recommend the upgrade route.

I am using Sierra so that I can rip movies from my iTunes library for personal use. The software does not work on High Sierra. This is quite processor intensive but have copied 40 movies with no issues other than the noise of the fan!

So go for the upgrades and extend the life of your Mac

 

[MultiFinder17]

Can confirm, these 2010 MacBooks are wonderful laptops when outfitted with an SSD and some more RAM. I have one that I use daily in my classroom (I'm a robotics & coding teacher), and the thing performs beautifully. I use it for MS Office, fairly heavy websites, as well as light programming and some 3D modeling. I have mine outfitted with a 240GB SSD that I got super cheap and 16GB of RAM, and this thing keeps up with everything that I can throw at it! They make for fantastic Macs on the cheap.

The nice thing about upgrading these machines is that the parts for them are getting super cheap these days. You don't need to get the nicest, fastest SSD for them as they can only run it up to SATA II speeds, so get a lower-end one. You can pick up a cheap name-brand 240GB SSD for around $50 on sites like Newegg or Amazon. RAM is getting super cheap as well; check eBay for 8GB PC3-8500s sticks; I recently got one for my MacBook for $30 shipped. Only the RAM in the lower slot needs to specifically be PC3-8500; the upper slot can be any other speed of DDR3 that you can find cheaper. I have an 8GB 8500 1067MHz stick in the lower slot, and an 8GB 12800 1600MHz stick in the upper slot of my MacBook. Works great!

When outfitted with lots of RAM and any SSD, these things are unleashed and can really fly. It's fun using a computer that's almost a decade old for productive things! Pretty much everything in my classroom is from around this era; my main computer is a 2010 i3 iMac, my computer in my office is a 2008 iMac, and all of them are still perfectly usable. Again, RAM and SSDs all around make them so. Good luck with your upgrades if you decide to go that route, and enjoy your MacBook!