LRB_07
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Q: Can I reasonably keep this laptop going?

I have a little 2009 MaBook 2.26 GHzIntel Core 2 Duo with 2GB 1067 MHz DDR3 memory that I've used daily for graphic design and personal business  since it was brand-new. It's finally starting to run slower and I get the rotating beach ball consistently these days - mostly when I'm using my browser online, but even when offline and even with restarts. I really can't afford a new computer right now and wonder if getting this very important tool of mine upgraded or repaired is still a valid option. I'm currently running OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 and have been keeping software pretty much up to date. Other than the slower running, the battery does get hot at times, and the skin on the bottom of the case is a little warped. What are my options, or do I have any?

MacBook, Mac OS X (10.7.4), Running Bootcamp with Windows 7

Posted on Apr 9, 2015 3:25 PM

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LRB_07

Q: Can I reasonably keep this laptop going?

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  • by LRB_07,

    LRB_07 LRB_07 Apr 9, 2015 5:19 PM in response to LRB_07
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 5:19 PM in response to LRB_07

    BTW, I am no longer running Bootcamp with Windows on this laptop. Don't know how I got this tag.

     

    And I know this is probably seems like a stupid post for a lot of folks in this community, but I sincerely need some advice.

  • by spudnuty,Helpful

    spudnuty spudnuty Apr 9, 2015 7:29 PM in response to LRB_07
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 9, 2015 7:29 PM in response to LRB_07

    So the first thing I see is that you're running only 2 GB RAM. That's the bar minimum for Yosemite. It will boot but will run like a total pig

    Go to OWC for RAM expansion:

    https://www.macsales.com/

    If it's a Unibody you can take it to 8 GB.

     

    "the skin on the bottom of the case is a little warped"

    There is currently a recall on this problem:

    https://www.apple.com/support/macbook-bottomcase/

    "the battery does get hot at times"

    If that's the original battery it might be approaching end of life. What's the battery info say. A hot battery can be an indication of a bad failure that would be very unpleasant and dangerous!

     

    I'd also consider an SSD upgrade. I put a 256 GB SSD in a client's Unibody running Mavericks w/ only 4 GB RAM. I installed Mavericks on it. It was for her daughter in high school and she never used it because it was running so slow. Now she's worried that her daughter spends too much time on it since it's "faster than when it was new"!

    Also re:

    Yosemite nightmare

     

    I would only consider parts from OWC, 9 years of dealing w/ them, never a problem and incredibly accommodating, knowledgeable and friendly.

  • by LRB_07,

    LRB_07 LRB_07 Apr 9, 2015 7:33 PM in response to spudnuty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 7:33 PM in response to spudnuty

    So it sounds like I actually could update and repair this laptop!! Yay! Now to find someone reputable in my area....

     

    Thank you so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Apr 9, 2015 7:41 PM in response to LRB_07
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 9, 2015 7:41 PM in response to LRB_07

    Here's a recent post about what we're talking about:

    Macbook sound won't turn on

  • by LRB_07,

    LRB_07 LRB_07 Apr 9, 2015 7:43 PM in response to LRB_07
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 7:43 PM in response to LRB_07

    Do you have any idea how much this would run to have an apple authorized dealer do the repairs? More RAM, new battery, SSD upgrade? Are we talking a couple hundred or more?

  • by LRB_07,

    LRB_07 LRB_07 Apr 9, 2015 7:47 PM in response to spudnuty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Apr 9, 2015 7:47 PM in response to spudnuty

    Yup, that's like my little laptop. It's even white.

     

    Not very encouraging about the sound issues. Is it time to just start falling apart? Are these little laptops just too old to try to keep going?

  • by K Shaffer,

    K Shaffer K Shaffer Apr 9, 2015 8:17 PM in response to LRB_07
    Level 6 (14,350 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 9, 2015 8:17 PM in response to LRB_07

    Some of the upgrade does not require specialized labor, just an ability

    to carefully read and then follow instructions. A few pages of repair guide

    mixed with a few parts of water (or alcohol+water) and then you may be

    able to save a few dollars in labor. Shops can get about $100. per hour.

    Just don't mix the MacBook or electricity with water. (LOL)

     

    A few may install parts you bought elsewhere; independent AASP shops

    that know what they are doing. But they likely would prefer you to buy

    the parts from their inventory, if you take it to a shop in your vicinity for this.

     

    •MacBook Repair Guides - iFixit.com:

    https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook

     

    Among the listed MacBook repair guides on this page is one that closely

    matches your computer specs and also component configuration. To be

    certain the parts and repair guide match your computer, be sure to best

    identify the computer build model + numbers correctly. Everymac.com

    may be of help since they list nearly every Mac produced and show the

    upgrade potential, while from Mactracker.ca you can download their free

    database application to help identify product and recent upgrade specs.

     

    •How to identify MacBook models - Apple Support

     

    If your computer is identified by you correctly, it appears to be a Late 2009

    MacBook 13-inch model, and if so, these specs should apply:

     

    Introduced    October 2009

    Discontinued    May 2010

    Model Identifier    MacBook6,1

    Model Number    A1342

    EMC    2350

    Order Number    MC207LL/A

     

    Maximum Memory    8.0 GB (Actual) 4.0 GB (Apple)

    Memory Slots    2 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM

     

    •MacBook: How to remove or install memory - Apple Support

     

    Certain models of MacBook are less trouble than others to open up and

    replace parts; you may need to consider an externally enclosed hard drive

    or an enclosure to use with a SSD, then read up on how to clone current

    system from the installed original HDD, to that SSD in an enclosure; then

    later on, after further testing, install the SSD into the MacBook. Or check

    the OWC macsales pages for a 7200-RPM internal HDD upgrade to help

    MacBook go faster than the 5400-RPM (or slower) stock one it came with.

     

    The RAM and battery should be easy to replace, once you get the exact

    correct spec parts for the model build series you have.

     

    Good luck & happy computing!

     

    edited 2x

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Apr 9, 2015 9:52 PM in response to LRB_07
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 9, 2015 9:52 PM in response to LRB_07

    "very encouraging about the sound issues. Is it time to just start falling apart? Are these little laptops just too old to try to keep going?"

    Arrggg,, That's not what I wanted you to see. This was why I referenced that thread:
    "Maybe around 2009/10? Anyway, I got a SSD for it, and now it's working really fast."

    I think the sound issue has to do with Yosemite.


    More RAM, new battery, SSD upgrade? Are we talking a couple hundred or more?

    Like $150 plus the battery ( ~$99) It would be easy for you to do the work yourself.

    Complete instructions on the OWC site:

    https://www.macsales.com/

    Call them and ask.

    If you send it or take it in for the recall they could do it then. Ask them.