Yes, the MacBook Pro is still using the same updated SSD and RAM configuration and it is great. The Sandy Bridge processor is nearly as good as the current (2015) offerings but the graphics are behind. I'd like a retina screen, so I may update in a year or so. I have held off on upgrading because the cost of storage in the current Macbook Pro is so expensive, I'm hoping their next base level is 256 GB or 512 GB since 128 GB is extremely limiting to what I'd like stored on the computer.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
SSD + RAM options for MacBook Pro early 2011 13"
- Thread starter alexistkd
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
This is awesome. I plan on using the SSD (The pro one) from samsung also.
Plan on upgrading my stock late 2011 13inch macbook maybe before june
I got Samsung 830 500 GB with my MBP 2011. I use it every day (8-16h/day), after 2 years I didn't have any problems.
Samsung 840 is a new line than 830, so I think this is a best choice.
I don't think you have to pay extra for "pro", if you can - ok, but it isn't necessary.
Also have 16 GB ram from Kingston with no problems, but you can buy memory of each company. Just after purchase, test it with special programs. If something go wrong, return it.
If you have normal hdd, don't think more and don't waste more time, just upgrade to ssd - this is BIG jump in speed.
Samsung 840 is a new line than 830, so I think this is a best choice.
I don't think you have to pay extra for "pro", if you can - ok, but it isn't necessary.
Also have 16 GB ram from Kingston with no problems, but you can buy memory of each company. Just after purchase, test it with special programs. If something go wrong, return it.
If you have normal hdd, don't think more and don't waste more time, just upgrade to ssd - this is BIG jump in speed.
THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN! This is the kind of answer im looking for
Follow up Question:
1. In that 2 years of using an SSD, is that with or without TRIM enabled?
2. Since you got your SSD on your macbook 2011, did you check/unchecked "Put hard disk to sleep when possible? (picture included)
I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR ANSWER. CHEERS
Attachments
Last edited:
THANK YOU SO MUCH MAN! This is the kind of answer im looking for
Follow up Question:
1. In that 2 years of using an SSD, is that with or without TRIM enabled?
2. Since you got your SSD on your macbook 2011, did you check/unchecked "Put hard disk to sleep when possible? (picture included)
I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR ANSWER. CHEERS
1. I've always used TRIM via Chameleon ssd optimizer (earlier with Trim Enabler), but I just checked now and I don't have enabled TRIM. This is something you have to do after every OS X update. I forgot to change it after last Yosemite 10.10.2 update, thanks for reminder. Now I got nMP so I use it as a second computer.
If you forgot, nothing important happens, just drive working little slower? (I didn't take full test, maybe it's faster):
Read 430 MB/s
Write 140 MB/s
After change to TRIM enabled:
Read 520 MB/s
Write 230 MB/s
With SSD (vs HDD) seek time is very fast, so sometime you didn't notice slower speed - when you for example browsing web
If I forgot, after OS X update usually I notice something slower and then I change TRIM to enable.When you buy a computer with "Apple" SSD disk, Apple uses TRIM, so I think we have to enable this option in older computers.
2. I have checked this option.
At the beginning when I have SSD as external drive I notice that it is possible to sleep SSD (little led light changes) and nothing happens, so why not in MBP? This is fast drive and wake from sleep should be very fast.
PS. nMP by default have enabled this option.
Last edited:
1. I've always used TRIM via Chameleon ssd optimizer (earlier with Trim Enabler), but I just checked now and I don't have enabled TRIM. This is something you have to do after every OS X update. I forgot to change it after last Yosemite 10.10.2 update, thanks for reminder. Now I got nMP so I use it as a second computer.
If you forgot, nothing important happens, just drive working little slower? (I didn't take full test, maybe it's faster):
Read 430 MB/s
Write 140 MB/s
After change to TRIM enabled:
Read 520 MB/s
Write 230 MB/s
With SSD (vs HDD) seek time is very fast, so sometime you didn't notice slower speed - when you for example browsing web
When you buy a computer with "Apple" SSD disk, Apple uses TRIM, so I think we have to enable this option in older computers.
2. I have checked this option.
At the beginning when I have SSD as external drive I notice that it is possible to sleep SSD (little led light changes) and nothing happens, so why not in MBP? This is fast drive and wake from sleep should be very fast.
PS. nMP by default have enabled this option.
Man Thank you very much! Those are the only questions (besides money) that is why i'm a little hesitant to upgrade to SSD and 16gb of RAM for my 13inch Late2011 macbook. Again THANKS!
-ps also if there is any other way for me to contact you by the time I upgraded my awesome machine then that'll be awesome as well. God Bless you man!
Wow, a great thread. There are answers from all 5 years spanning the recent past and a lot of fine people holding onto a product they got 5 years ago, falsifying the "Planned Obsolence" stuff and also fighting against Consumerism.
I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 13 inch with an upgraded 8 GB RAM; but I've unfortunately held back from an upgrade from an HDD to an SSD, for I don't know what reason.
So now, I think it's already past the time I should've done it, but anyways I think I am going to go ahead and do it. After reading a lot around, both threads from 2011 and 2013, I seem to found out that SATA III drives had not been OK but after 2011-12, they are; and there are generally no problems with new drives with these old Macbooks. Am I right?
Edit: I've realized Vertex 4 and Crucial M4 are superseded by other products, Vertex 460A and Crucial Mx200, is this correct? Can I use the newer versions instead of the other ones in my old MBP? (Samsung's one stayed more or less the same naming, 850 EVO or so)
And also a big question about the new OSs. With these 3-4 year old Macbooks (espeecially with early 2011s), did you happen to run into any trouble using Mavericks or Yosemite, and perhaps the latest updates to any? I am running Lion and with an SSD upgrade I think I'll be absolutely fine with it (I don't use any Photoshop or Final Cut Pro etc. Although I wonder how it would fare with them as well; also with 8 GB RAM); but still, how necessary is the new OSs and would, for example, my battery duration be worse off? I've read on some forums that that duration is reduced by half after Yosemite upgrades.
Are there anything else I should take into consideration and ask?
Once again, a great thread and wonderful posts, thanks for all.
I have an early 2011 Macbook Pro 13 inch with an upgraded 8 GB RAM; but I've unfortunately held back from an upgrade from an HDD to an SSD, for I don't know what reason.
So now, I think it's already past the time I should've done it, but anyways I think I am going to go ahead and do it. After reading a lot around, both threads from 2011 and 2013, I seem to found out that SATA III drives had not been OK but after 2011-12, they are; and there are generally no problems with new drives with these old Macbooks. Am I right?
Edit: I've realized Vertex 4 and Crucial M4 are superseded by other products, Vertex 460A and Crucial Mx200, is this correct? Can I use the newer versions instead of the other ones in my old MBP? (Samsung's one stayed more or less the same naming, 850 EVO or so)
And also a big question about the new OSs. With these 3-4 year old Macbooks (espeecially with early 2011s), did you happen to run into any trouble using Mavericks or Yosemite, and perhaps the latest updates to any? I am running Lion and with an SSD upgrade I think I'll be absolutely fine with it (I don't use any Photoshop or Final Cut Pro etc. Although I wonder how it would fare with them as well; also with 8 GB RAM); but still, how necessary is the new OSs and would, for example, my battery duration be worse off? I've read on some forums that that duration is reduced by half after Yosemite upgrades.
Are there anything else I should take into consideration and ask?
Once again, a great thread and wonderful posts, thanks for all.
Last edited:
Hi,
I just updated my mid-2010 17" macbook pro (i7 - 8 Gig RAM - Mountain Lion) with a Crucial bx100 500 Gig SSD a few days ago. I installed El Capitan on it and migrated my time machine backup. My machine is now super fast and the fans are not running like crazy anymore to get those high temperatures down (maybe because of all that dust I removed!).
I installed the SSD to try fixing lagging/broken keys (Genius suggested a clean install before trying to install a new top case). It did not fix the keys, but wow I love the way Office apps and (and Windows in Fusion) open in no time.
I had tried to install Maverick way back, but that had crashed my system, so Yosemite was a pass for me. But El Cap installed witout a problem, the migration went smoothly. I like the new features. Now I just have to figure out if I want to shell out 300 CA$ to replace the top case. Either way, when this machine dies, I'll just transfer the SSD into my daughter's 2012 13" non-retina macbook pro. I thought it was a pity to send a good mac to the dump for a few keys! I just use it now at home with an external keyboard plugged in, not very sexy, but it works and the environment is happy for now ;-)
I don't know about battery life yet.
Good luck.
I have installed El Capitan on 2011 13 in MBP and it works great with SSD and 8 GB ram. No battery problems, I just checked and I have 860 cycles with original battery. I still get over three hours (maybe more but I usually charge at that point anyway). These Sandy Bridge laptops have cpus very close in performance to the newest ones, so you shouldn't have any issues with that. The graphics chip will be the bottleneck at some point but right now it is fine for any non-gaming usage.
Can I ask what brand and where you got your new sata cable from? I'm having a hell of time upgrading and a new cable was mentioned so I think I need to try that before I give up and take it to someone. Thanks!
My repair was done at the Apple store. At the time I didn't know that the cable was the problem but I remember reading other forums that discussed the same problem. I don't know if you can buy it anywhere other than Apple and I don't even know if they'll sell it to you.
A few quick notes from my 2010 MBP:
The samsung SSD has been amazing, it's an 840 EVO 256. OS X 10.11 has native TRIM support, no enabler needed.
You'll be at 8GB RAM max, I tried 16 and it only recognizes 8. I have a feeling you'd be wise to stick to the sticker limit.
The samsung SSD has been amazing, it's an 840 EVO 256. OS X 10.11 has native TRIM support, no enabler needed.
You'll be at 8GB RAM max, I tried 16 and it only recognizes 8. I have a feeling you'd be wise to stick to the sticker limit.