2010 MacBook Upgrade Advice- RAM or Replace

DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:25

Hello OzB,

My wife's aging macbook (core2duo, A1432 model, 2009-2010) needs new RAM (current 2gig) and maybe SSD, or replacement altogether.

She hasnt complained about the battery, so i think thats still a good sign that its a reliable system. If I can find how, i'll backup the hdd and put in a new SSD. I can probably get an older model SSD as theres no way this thing would have anything above sata2.

I dont have experience with macs, but i can see theres plenty on youtube for how-to-install new ram, and its not too different from 'normal' laptops (for this model anyway).

Is anyone running an old macbook that they've upgraded the RAM on and are happy with the improvement? Is there any benefit making an effort here?

She uses it for interneting, photos and some document work. we have another computer for anything more intensive. I think the problem is she cant update programmes and 2gig was never enough.

Please give me some advice, should I upgrade the ram and put an SSD in it, or put the money towards a new laptop?

Poll Options

  • 4
    Add more RAM
  • 22
    Put the money towards a new machine
  • 0
    dont touch it- you'll start loving macs
  • 1
    Quit Apple altogether and start living
Computing

Comments

  • Savas on 15/11/2017 - 18:29

    we have a 2010 MacBook that we upgraded to 8GB ram but it is getting loud and slow.

    • DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:32

      thanks. Yes not sure if i'd put in a basic 2x2gig sticks or go full to 8gig. It doesnt need to be future proof.
      Suss on the noise. perhaps the cooling fans are full of dust? Does this thing have cooling fans?

      • Savas on 15/11/2017 - 18:36

        interesting yes, good idea. the fans are noisy when it has lots of a programs running. the performance is good but can't remember the difference since the upgrade was a while ago, also the MacBook still gets sluggish just browsing some websites. you probably need a new processor and SSD. I want my mum to replace it with a Surface.

        • DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:45
          +1

          Good to hear. I'm not sure she wants to move back to windows. We just take turns on the htpc these days for most things. Using her macbook because its functional (and still in good but limited order) is being resourceful

        • o53djz7qTPY4der on 15/11/2017 - 18:47
          +1

          Have you reset the SMC? - sometimes this causes the fan to be overactive. Alternatively, take the bottom off and clean the fan.

        • Savas on 15/11/2017 - 18:47

          @Xiongmao: awesome ideas, thank you!!

        • j05h on 15/11/2017 - 22:03
          +2

          @Savas: And also reset the RAM every couple of months :) https://www.macworld.com/article/2881177/macs/how-to-reset-y…

  • coco1458 on 15/11/2017 - 18:33
    +3

    I have a 2011 MacBook Pro
    My advice, max the ram for the model and chuck a SSD in it, boot time and overall performance is day and night compared to a HDD

    • John Kimble on 15/11/2017 - 18:44

      Yep, need to check the max ram for the model. I was going to upgrade ram for mine, but lucky I checked because it was maxed out already.

      • DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:46

        What year is your mac and whats your max? I saw that it might depend on the MacOS version too. I think 2x4gig is max for our model.

        • John Kimble on 15/11/2017 - 18:50

          Mine is MBP 2012 13inch, 8 gig Max.

          I recently got the flashing question mark folder, so thought the hard drive was dying. Turned out it was the hdd cable (bought off ebay for about $20), so now I have a un needed 1TB hdd :(

          Edit: maybe I read it wrong, because some websites are saying 16gb now…

          I don't think it really needs it anyway. Just use it for browsing and YouTube…

        • DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:52
          +1

          with any luck, streaming will go out of fashion and we call all go back to torrenting and DC++. that'll fill that HDD with movies and episodes you'll never watch in no time.

        • j05h on 15/11/2017 - 22:06
          +1

          @John Kimble: I have 16GB in my 2012 Macbook. The 'official' number by Apple is 8, but it is perfectly fine with 16. Between the 16GB RAM and SSD, it runs like a dream. Happily has 3 screens hooked up with about fifty browser tabs open and a heap of PDF's :)

        • DarthAntz on 16/11/2017 - 10:26

          hence why im asking here, as a few websites ive come across have different max ram for the device. it wouldnt need more than 8gig for what it does. thanks for sharing

  • pinchies on 15/11/2017 - 18:37
    +3

    I'm normally in the "upgrade it" camp. Upgrading it will definitely give you huge benefits - especially an SSD. However, even with an SSD, core 2 duo is quite old now. A newer/new macbook would be significantly faster, as well as having significantly better battery life.

    The way I normally decide these kinds of things is work out an amortised cost - how much am I putting into this computer, and how long do I expect it to last me? Then I can compare the cost with a new machine and see which one will have a lower cost per year on average. If the costs are similar then its probably best to go for a new machine…

    I upgraded a friends 2009 imac to an SSD and 8GB or ram and it was a significant speed boost. Unfortunately, 3 months down the track, the computer is starting to freeze up randomly - and they are now deciding to buy a new machine. Just an example of one of the risks to consider.

    • DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:42

      Thats the dilemma pinchies. Im not going to fork out for a new macbook, but still would look for something second hand. On the positive side, she has got 7 good years out of this machine and taken it around the world etc. I'd put $450 into a new laptop with a big screen and standard for this era, and probably investigate having some dual boot features for hackintosh or other apple like setups she might be familiar with. And I think the same as you, whats the cost per year for the use it's going to get. Will a $150 upgrade now give it 2-3 more years?

      For what it is being used for now, she doesnt need a modern processor and i doubt she'll travel with it. thanks for your feedback.

      • scrimshaw on 15/11/2017 - 19:15

        If you look on eBay sale (PREZZY) there should be a tonne of second hand Ivy Bridge era laptops for under $300

        Some of the Dell Latitudes and Thinkpad T-series are easily hackintoshable, although googling is highly recommended before you commit to a specific model.

  • o53djz7qTPY4der on 15/11/2017 - 18:46
    +1

    We have a 2009 Core2Duo and a 2012 i5.

    Both have been upgraded to SSDs and ram maxed out (8gb and 16gb respectively).

    They run like a dream. The 2009 is rarely used so doesn't need to be replaced just yet - but even still, it runs well. I agree that Core2Duo is dated - but if you're just web browsing etc it should be sufficient.

    So I'd say, upgrade the ram and put a SSD in - worst case scenario it fails in a year or two. But the ram and SSD should set you back less than $200 and the resale value of a working or broken MBP on ebay/gumtree should more than cover that - even if it's sold just for parts.

    • DarthAntz on 15/11/2017 - 18:49

      thanks xiongmao. there are cheap no-name ram brands from aliexpress that i have all the faith of Jack Ma in, so i'll start there.

      Great to hear your 2009 has value for what its worth. I think we can get 2-3 more years out of it for the basic use it will receive.

      • o53djz7qTPY4der on 15/11/2017 - 19:27

        Don't buy cheap ram from AliExpress.

        I got mine from MSY - it was, admittedly, more expensive, but it is also reliable.

  • rxjb on 15/11/2017 - 18:52

    I have a 2009 macbook with SSD and 8gb of Ram. For most day-to-day tasks its really quick and more than acceptable for web browsing and some light photo editing.

    Some older macbooks the ram is quite expensive so in that case, best put the money to a new machine. if the ram is quite cheap (i.e DDR3) then you should be able to get it for $50 for ram and $80 for a 240GB ssd.

  • scrimshaw on 15/11/2017 - 18:57
    +1

    I have a Core 2 Duo machine with 8GB RAM and Crucial SSD, and found out that some websites actually take up quite a lot of CPU resources.

    upgrade the SSD first you can always move the SSD to another PC if you find out that the CPU is still behind.

  • Qwertyasdfg on 15/11/2017 - 19:27

    Yes, make that back up (and check that back up was successful too!). If you can get RAM cheap, that's definitely worth trying. I've heard SSD can make the machine more snappy too. If you can get another year out of the machine, I think it's probably worth it. Still run an iMac 2008 Core 2 Duo 2.66 with 2GB and HDD. It's on the slow now but could probably benefit from a similar upgrade. Keen to try this as well.

    • DarthAntz on 16/11/2017 - 10:36
      +1

      we're in the same boat. Im helping! Yeah well there are a few jumper ezbooks for around $300, and theyre 2-3x faster than this macbook and just as disposable. For now i think i'll still go with the cheap aliexpress memory, reset the current memory and make a backup. using a mac might be worthwhile. She put a new battery in it a year or two ago so it still has good life in it. Good luck

  • hogwarts on 15/11/2017 - 20:47
    +1

    If looking for a new machine, I recommend a Lenovo Thinkpad E470, an Ozbargain favourite. You can find it on sale for <$1000 with an i7 and 8GB of RAM.

  • altomic on 15/11/2017 - 23:13
    +1

    last year I upgraded my 2012 macbook pro with 16gb ram and 256gbSSD (swapped out the optical drive). here's a post I made about it.

    it boots from cold start to home page in ~10 seconds. it's great.

    I use it daily for web browsing and watching movies. and occasionally telecommute via citrix. it's responsive and quick.

    the best part was the macbook was free, the ram was ~$66 and HDD for $76 here's more detail about it

    I'd certainly recommend upgrading to at least 8gb and installing a SSD as the primary drive. it would definitely speed up and revive a reasonable quality laptop. look on ebay for 2nd hand.

    • DarthAntz on 16/11/2017 - 10:42

      elite. the ram is $62USD and corsair and better than the aliexpress prices. Winner. Thanks for sharing your post!

      • altomic on 16/11/2017 - 11:48
        +1

        it's worth upgrading, my macbook was a slug. upgraded it = nice.

        even a smallish SDD just for the iOS. and the current HDD for storage.

        it might only fit 8gb - 2 x 4gb. though a few mid 2010 models could take 16gb. have a read of this post

        aliexpress is not that great for memory or ssds. I've been comparing it to ebay for a few years. always better deals on ebay (or local stock or amazon) than aliexpress for memory, ssd or usb sticks.

  • tunzafun001 on 13/12/2017 - 23:48

    Use an app called mactracker to determine the real ram maximum and newest OS you can run.

  • [Deactivated] on 17/12/2017 - 09:05

    Upgrade-

    They are simple to upgrade. Just remove the 8 screws from the back and remove back cover and the ram is there to replace and only a further 2 screws to change the hard drive.

    Amazon has 8gb kits for those macs for $50. Buy a 128gig ssd for $75

    Try it, and if your not happy sell the Mac. You'll recoup what you spent on upgrading it.

    • DarthAntz on 17/12/2017 - 23:33

      cheers got the ram in no problem. not sure how to get macOS on the new SSD, and hoping to dual boot linux on the machine too. its still a really decent machine, and it has a new battery.

      I cant update to real sierra because i need a previous version. so i need to find another installer option. whats the deal with hackintosh or similar OS?

      • [Deactivated] on 18/12/2017 - 19:08

        I would make a time machine backup and restore all your old files. 😀

        • DarthAntz on 19/12/2017 - 10:59

          Ill start there! thanks for the tip

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