Why is My MacBook so slow? Specs included.

[Herms2011]

I have a 15 inch MacBook from Mid-Late 2010. I was wondering why my MacBook runs as slow as it does for the specs that it has, I do a lot of video editing (I have 3 different video editing programs, 3 different versions of Final Cut) I bought the upper level one so that it would run faster but it seems really slow. I understand this isn't very helpful but I was wondering if anybody knew of any RELIABLE ways to make your Mac faster, many thanks!


Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s

 

[T5BRICK]

What are you usually doing when you feel that it's slow?

Of the top of my head, I'd say you could upgrade your RAM and install a SSD. That sure helped speed up my mid 2009 MBP.

 

[Herms2011]

It's just normal day to day things. Opening finder, switching applications, etc. How do I update my RAM, is it fairly simple?

 

[Irock619]

I understand this isn't very helpful but I was wondering if anybody knew of any RELIABLE ways to make your Mac faster, many thanks

What are you usually doing when you feel that it's slow?

Of the top of my head, I'd say you could upgrade your RAM and install a SSD. That sure helped speed up my mid 2009 MBP.

This ^ .....The best upgrade you can do.

 

[12dylan34]

I have a 15 inch MacBook from Mid-Late 2010. I was wondering why my MacBook runs as slow as it does for the specs that it has, I do a lot of video editing (I have 3 different video editing programs, 3 different versions of Final Cut) I bought the upper level one so that it would run faster but it seems really slow. I understand this isn't very helpful but I was wondering if anybody knew of any RELIABLE ways to make your Mac faster, many thanks!


Model Name: MacBook Pro
Model Identifier: MacBookPro6,2
Processor Name: Intel Core i7
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s

I would put the full 8GB that your machine will take in. 4GB is nothing for video editing. At least from my research it looks like it'll only take 8. 16+ is ideal, though. Just google how to install RAM. All you need is a screwdriver.

 

[T5BRICK]

How do I update my RAM, is it fairly simple?

How to upgrade your RAM:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Installing+MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+RAM/3032/1

You'll need a small 00 sized screwdriver to take the bottom case off. I bought a 8 in 1 set from Home depot for $5 several years back. It's $6 now.

How to upgrade your HDD:

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook+Pro+15-Inch+Unibody+Mid+2010+Hard+Drive+Replacement/3030/1

In addition to the screwdriver above, you'll also need a torx driver. I also bought an 8 in 1 set from Home Depot for this, it was $5 when I bought it, it's $6 now.

When shopping around for RAM, I'd suggest looking at Corsair, Crucial and g.skill. You don't have to buy "Mac" RAM, it's all basically the same stuff. Just match the specs of what you're buying with what you've already got(except for the capacity, of course), and read the reviews. Other Mac users will have posted their experiences. Here is what I put in my 13" mid 2009 MBP, haven't had a single problem.

 

[Herms2011]

Thank You all SO much! Stupid question, do you purchase more RAM, I just don't know how that works. Reputable place to buy it?

 

[T5BRICK]

Thank You all SO much! Stupid question, do you purchase more RAM, I just don't know how that works. Reputable place to buy it?

I've bought RAM at newegg, Amazon and Fry's and probably a handful of other places I'm not remembering right now. Just read through the reviews of the RAM you're looking at before you buy to make sure it's going to work in your computer.

 

[CocoSS]

Check if there are jobs that are running in background.
Maybe your MB is indexing files.

Check activity monitor to see what is using RAM/CPU.

 

[throAU]

How much hard drive space do you have, and how full is it?

If you have very little free space, the OS will not be able to store files contiguously and they will get fragmented. Also, the second "half" of the disk is slower than the first half - the disk gets slower as you move from the fast outside tracks at the start to the slower tracks toward the middle.

 

[ChrisMan287]

How much free space do you have on your HD?