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Tips on 'renovating' my macbook?

A

Antidoll

macrumors regular
Original poster
Aug 19, 2008
192
0
I've had my Macbook for couple years now... It was amazing when I first got it, but recently I've noticed it freezing a lot... it's slower, etc...

Anything I can do to get it back into "top shape"?

Here are the stats btw:

OS version 10.8.5

Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core i7

Memory 4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Graphics Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB



Thanks
 
I installed a ssd solid state drive on my 2009 MacBook Pro and upgraded the memory on it just before I sold it. And it was way faster after the upgrades. Faster than when I first got it.
 
revalationist said:
Wouldn't. SDDs allow data access faster. They DO NOT increase the overall speed of the computer.
Click to expand...

It would as it would remove the bottleneck that the HDD has right now. I upgraded to an SSD and boot time is <20 seconds where as it might take a minute plus to boot up with an HDD. It really depends on what kind of applications you run. If it's HDD dependent like PS or FCP, then it'll make a night and day difference. If it's something like Chrome, then it'll probably be reliant on your network and CPU. But an SSD really helps make a difference without shelling out money for a new processor/computer.
 
revalationist said:
Wouldn't. SDDs allow data access faster. They DO NOT increase the overall speed of the computer.
Click to expand...

Your second statement contradicts with the first. Of course SSDs improve the overall speed of your machine, faster boot times, applicants load much faster, transfers are a lot quicker.
 
revalationist said:
Wouldn't. SDDs allow data access faster. They DO NOT increase the overall speed of the computer.
Click to expand...

As the overall speed of the computer includes booting up, opening applications, writing and reading files; it would definitely speed up the overall speed of the computer.

It wouldn't speed up number crunching, compiling and the like that aren't dependent upon drive access as much.

I am actually looking to do the same with my 2012 cMBP (i7, 16GB ram, 500GB). It should help mine as well since the drive that is in there is a 5400rpm drive.
 
revalationist said:
Wouldn't. SDDs allow data access faster. They DO NOT increase the overall speed of the computer.
Click to expand...

Most users are are I/O bound, not CPU bound. Unless you're editing video or similar tasks the CPU won't be used that much.

I love my SSD, it's been the best upgrade I've ever done to a computer.
 
I would upgrade the memory to 16GB and it is a relatively cheap and good bang for you buck.

I am in the same boat with the SSD as well and after experiencing the wife's new MBA with the SSD I am definitely going to put one in my MBP to pep it up some.
 
I'm sorry... I'm not sure what an SSD is and how to upgrade my ram? :confused:
 
Antidoll said:
I'm sorry... I'm not sure what an SSD is and how to upgrade my ram? :confused:
Click to expand...

SSD is a Solite State Drive which is immensely faster than a typical HDD. I am getting ready to upgrade my 2012 MBP with a Samsung 840, Pro or Evo.

Upgrading the memory is an even simpler upgrade and will help you run more applications concurrently. It give you more "breathing" room and keeps you from paging out to the Hard Drive when you have a lot of applications open. Memory is pretty cheap. I would put 8GB in it at least and maybe even 16GB if yours support it. I am guessing it is a 2011 since it has the Intel HD Graphics 3000 in it. My 2012 has the 4000 in it as well a discrete Nvidia Geforce 650M.

There are tons of videos on youtube that discusses both upgrades. The Solid State Drive would probably be the most noticeable. With bootup speeds, and application opening speeds. My wife's MBA boots up in about 5-10 seconds I believe.

Replacing Drive : http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Replaci...ibody+Late+2011+Hard+Drive+Replacement/7513/1

Upgrading Memory : http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Replacing+MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Late+2011+RAM/7529/1
 
Sandman1969 said:
SSD is a Solite State Drive which is immensely faster than a typical HDD. I am getting ready to upgrade my 2012 MBP with a Samsung 840, Pro or Evo.

Upgrading the memory is an even simpler upgrade and will help you run more applications concurrently. It give you more "breathing" room and keeps you from paging out to the Hard Drive when you have a lot of applications open. Memory is pretty cheap. I would put 8GB in it at least and maybe even 16GB if yours support it. I am guessing it is a 2011 since it has the Intel HD Graphics 3000 in it. My 2012 has the 4000 in it as well a discrete Nvidia Geforce 650M.

There are tons of videos on youtube that discusses both upgrades. The Solid State Drive would probably be the most noticeable. With bootup speeds, and application opening speeds. My wife's MBA boots up in about 5-10 seconds I believe.
Click to expand...


wow that sounds pretty amazing... Any idea how much these upgrades would cost in total approximately?
 
Antidoll said:
wow that sounds pretty amazing... Any idea how much these upgrades would cost in total approximately?
Click to expand...

16GB RAM = $163


The SSD Drive depends on what you want size and model wise.

Prices on Amazon :

250GB EVO is $178
500GB EVO is $334

256GB Pro is $225
512GB Pro is $430
 
Sandman1969 said:
16GB RAM = $163


The SSD Drive depends on what you want size and model wise.

Prices on Amazon :

250GB EVO is $178
500GB EVO is $334

256GB Pro is $225
512GB Pro is $430
Click to expand...



wow that's not expensive at all! Thanks I'll look into it
 
Antidoll said:
wow that's not expensive at all! Thanks I'll look into it
Click to expand...

Yeah the Memory is SUPER easy to do and is a great cheap upgrade that you can basically open up whatever you want and never have to work about running out of memory.

The SSD will increase any drive access tremendously. Boot Times, Application Startup, and Video Editing, installation of applications located on the downloads folder and anything that accesses the hard drive will gain serious improvements.

Wife's MBA showed me the beauty of the SSD. Should help with the internal temp as well and the battery life slightly as well since there are no moving parts.
 
Might we worth checking what model you have. Older models can only have max 8GB ram. I don't know when they changed from max 8 to max 16. But it says in the "System Profiler" which you can access from "About This Mac".
 
zhaf said:
Might we worth checking what model you have. Older models can only have max 8GB ram. I don't know when they changed from max 8 to max 16. But it says in the "System Profiler" which you can access from "About This Mac".
Click to expand...


MacBook Pro (15-inch, Late 2011)? that's the one I have... can it take 8 or 16?
 
zhaf said:
Might we worth checking what model you have. Older models can only have max 8GB ram. I don't know when they changed from max 8 to max 16. But it says in the "System Profiler" which you can access from "About This Mac".
Click to expand...

Going by his specs (HD3000 and i7) it is a 2011 model and both the early and late 2011 Macbook Pros support 16GB.

But yes definitely double check the model before ordering.

I bought 16GB Crucial for my 2012 MBP. Now to order the SSD.
 
Sandman1969 said:
Going by his specs (HD3000 and i7) it is a 2011 model and both the early and late 2011 Macbook Pros support 16GB.

But yes definitely double check the model before ordering.

I bought 16GB Crucial for my 2012 MBP. Now to order the SSD.
Click to expand...


I checked a website and it said Apple officially says mine can take up to 8, but non-officially it can take up to 16 GB...

so I guess I order two 8 GB rams.
 
Yeah I believe my iMAC at the time only officially supports 16GB, but you can put 32GB. Though I went with 16GB as the cost for 32GB at the time was quite a bit more.

You should be good with 2 x 8GB. If you go to Crucial.com and put in your model it will tell you what it can support.
 
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revalationist said:
Wouldn't. SDDs allow data access faster. They DO NOT increase the overall speed of the computer.
Click to expand...

But since almost everything you do on a computer is going to be bottlenecked by data access from the drive, it will give the appearance of increasing the overall speed significantly.
 
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