Prolonging the lifespan of a 2011 MBP?

[No. 44]

I've been using Macs for quite a while now, but I've never modified one. Basically, when it's time for a new machine, I just get a new one. Recently I bought a 2015 PowerBook Pro to replace my early 2011 PowerBook Pro, but I still have the older machine, and here's my question:

Would it be possible to upgrade the early 2011 PowerBook Pro (2GHz core i7) so that it was still adequate for light web browsing in 2 years? I'm wondering if I could stick a few hundred into it and be able to use it as a "vacation laptop" for the next couple of years. It's fine right now, and I'm actually quite attached to it, so I would like to keep it around for as long as I can.

Any input would be appreciated.

 

[Weaselboy]

I'm wondering if I could stick a few hundred into it and be able to use it as a "vacation laptop" for the next couple of years.

Sure... that MacBook Pro will make a real nice vacation laptop for a couple more years. I would stick a cheap SSD in there and that would really pep things up. You can find 256GB SSD for around $90 bucks that would do the job. Probably the Samsung EVO 850 or Crucial MX300 are the best bang for the buck.

The only thing on a machine that age is the battery might be getting old and could go any time. But even that can be replaced for $100 or so.

 

[No. 44]

Thanks!

So you think that a better drive is more more important than adding more RAM for my purposes? On vacation I would primarily be using the laptop for eMails and a small amount of web browsing, word processing, and, of course, the most important thing of all: music!

As far as the battery goes, it seems to be strong at the moment.

 

[myscrnnm]

I've been using Macs for quite a while now, but I've never modified one. Basically, when it's time for a new machine, I just get a new one. Recently I bought a 2015 PowerBook Pro to replace my early 2011 PowerBook Pro, but I still have the older machine, and here's my question:

Would it be possible to upgrade the early 2011 PowerBook Pro (2GHz core i7) so that it was still adequate for light web browsing in 2 years? I'm wondering if I could stick a few hundred into it and be able to use it as a "vacation laptop" for the next couple of years. It's fine right now, and I'm actually quite attached to it, so I would like to keep it around for as long as I can.

Are you from an alternate reality where Apple decided to make dual-architecture Macs during the early 2000s?

 

[No. 44]

Are you from an alternate reality where Apple decided to make dual-architecture Macs during the early 2000s?

Had to think about that for a second...

Yes, you're right of course. I mean MacBook Pro!!!

This nomenclature can get confusing...

And PowerBook Pro just simply rolls off the tongue! Much better than MacBook Pro...

Anyway, what I have are MacBooks. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Weaselboy]

So you think that a better drive is more more important than adding more RAM for my purposes? On vacation I would primarily be using the laptop for eMails and a small amount of web browsing, word processing, and, of course, the most important thing of all: music!

How much RAM do you have now? If you have 4GB or more, that should be plenty for the usage you described.

Reboot then use the MacBook like you normally would for a while. Then launch Activity Monitor. If memory pressure at the bottom is in the green, you will likely not benefit from more memory.

 

[No. 44]

Well, I took the plunge and put in an SSD drive. I also maxed out the RAM for good measure. The results are shocking. It's like having a new computer. If I can just avoid the dreaded logic board failure, I think I'll be able to get quite a bit of use out of my good old PowerBook [edit: MacBook Pro] over the next few years.

Thanks, weaselboy!

 

[California]

Well, I took the plunge and put in an SSD drive. I also maxed out the RAM for good measure. The results are shocking. It's like having a new computer. If I can just avoid the dreaded logic board failure, I think I'll be able to get quite a bit of use out of my good old PowerBook over the next few years.

Thanks, weaselboy!

"Let's do the time warp again"... wow all these references to Powerbooks makes me think we are on MacRumors in 2006.

But yes, even a PATA SSD or a SATA SSD with a PATA adapter will speed up your ancient Powerbooks.

As for me, I have two 2011 Macbook Pros with maxed ram and SSDs... they are perfect. And they play DVDs. And Snow Leopard. (Yes even the late 2011's will boot Snow Leopard, no problem.)

It's a wonderful world. But wish there was a Powerbook Pro, and that Steve Jobs was still alive and never switched to intel because he got a Powerbook G5 to not blow up...

 

[No. 44]

"Let's do the time warp again"... wow all these references to Powerbooks makes me think we are on MacRumors in 2006.[...]

Arg! I did it again!!!

For some reason I will always think of a Mac laptop as a "PowerBook".

Anyway, my 2011 MACBOOK has now entered the future -- even though I'm obviously still living in the past...

 

[California]

Arg! I did it again!!!

For some reason I will always think of a Mac laptop as a "PowerBook".

Anyway, my 2011 MACBOOK has now entered the future -- even though I'm obviously still living in the past...

Is it a Macbook or a Macbook Pro? (Different machines).

Yes, I know Powerbook sounds better.

 

[No. 44]

Is it a Macbook or a Macbook Pro? (Different machines).

Yes, I know Powerbook sounds better.

The device in question is in fact a MacBook Pro from early 2011. It now has 16 GB of RAM and a 500 GB Samsung Evo 850 drive. Runs beautifully, and I'm very happy that I finally upgraded it, although I wish I had done it a year or two ago.

I hope to be using it as my vacation laptop for the next few years.

 

[Uofmtiger]

The device in question is in fact a MacBook Pro from early 2011. It now has 16 GB of RAM and a 500 GB Samsung Evo 850 drive. Runs beautifully, and I'm very happy that I finally upgraded it, although I wish I had done it a year or two ago.

I hope to be using it as my vacation laptop for the next few years.

I pulled the optical disc out of mine a while back and put an SSD in there to boot from, while retaining the spinning disc for my music and other media. It definitely makes a nice vacation machine. I am looking at Henge Docks right now so I can use it in my entertainment center while at home. As you mentioned, adding SSD made mine feel like a new machine. As a side note, I did have the graphics issue over a year ago, but Apple fixed it for me.