strathglass

Q: Worth it to upgrade hardware in 2011 MacBook Pro?

I have a late 2011 15" Macbook Pro (MacBookPro8,2):

  CPU: Intel Core i7 (2.5 GHz, 4 cores, 256KB L2 cache, 8MB L3 cache)

  Graphics: AMD Radeon HD 6770M 1024 MB

  Memory: 16 GB 1333 MHz DDR3 (my upgrade using OWC RAM)

  Storage: Hitachi 750GB HD, 7200RPM


The battery ***** - it won't hold much of a charge and I am always keeping it plugged in when possible since the battery just doesn't last too long.

But, knock on wood ... other than the battery, I am happy with this old thing: the performance is quite decent (running latest OS X 10.11.3).


Is it worth investing in some hardware upgrades that would rejuvenate it in a major way?

I am thinking of the following (with current OWC prices):

-new battery $99

-SSD, 480GB OWC Mercury Electra 6G $195 (this is $63 cheaper than the Extreme Pro equivalent)

-1TB HGST HD, 7200 RPM $98 (with data doubler, to install into CD area)

TOTAL: $392 (I could cut this to $287 if I cut both SSD and HD capacities in half)


Opinions? My only worry is this new h/w would be going into a near 5 year old laptop, how much life does it have left? Will a h/w upgrade investment be wasted due to other failures within 2 years?


Posted on Mar 1, 2016 8:58 PM

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Q: Worth it to upgrade hardware in 2011 MacBook Pro?

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  • by steve359,Helpful

    steve359 steve359 Mar 1, 2016 9:15 PM in response to strathglass
    Level 6 (14,032 points)
    Mar 1, 2016 9:15 PM in response to strathglass

    First, to longevity ... some still run their 2008 systems as web browsers and other lighter tasks.  My 2011 MBP is sending this post.

     

    Second ... An old battery is just that -- something to be replaced instead of a "sign of death".  I would replace it immediately at an Apple Store ... old batteries can swell and damage trackpad/keyboard/case.  May not, but it happens often enough.

     

    As to HD ... all spinny drives die eventually.  You are wise to consider a replacement.  My 2011 MBP has a Crucial MBP (OWC is also a very good drive, and getting the non-Pro is not a bad decision, if the Pro is not needed).

     

    Basically, if it is doing "OK" aside from the battery, the SSD will make it much faster and the battery will let it run as a portable better.

     

    <EDIT> The SSDs you put into 2011 models are 2.5 in, which can be re-used in external enclosures if the 2011 becomes not viable later (could happen).  So the SSD is definitely NOT a waste of money.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 2, 2016 4:05 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 9 (52,531 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 2, 2016 4:05 AM in response to strathglass

    I have two late 17" 2011 MBPs, both with 16 GB Crucial RAM installed and 1 TB Crucial SSDs.  They will run all resource intensive applications that the current crop of retina MBPs do, just a little slower.  I do not consider them obsolete and have every intention of keeping them as long as possible. ( I am very partial to the 17" display).

     

    If you MBP is totally functional in every other respect, installing a SSD is a very good option.  I personally would install a 1 TB SSD and keep the DVD drive, but that is a personal choice.

     

    Ciao.

  • by dwb,

    dwb dwb Mar 2, 2016 5:06 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 7 (24,253 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 2, 2016 5:06 AM in response to strathglass

    I installed an SSD in a 2007 iMac several years ago and the performance boost let me keep it nearly 2 years longer than I might have otherwise kept it. It was nearly 6 years old when I sold it and it is still being used by the person I sold it to. I installed an SSD in my 2009 MBP in 2012 and it was like getting a new computer. That computer is also still going strong. So yes, I think upgrading RAM and installing an SSD is a good idea for a 2011 computer. As several have noted, should the computer suffer a premature death the SSD can be placed in an enclosure and used for other purposes.

     

    I work with tech and lots of my friends/colleagues are as nerdy as I am. I agree with Oglethorpe when it comes to the data doubler. I know people who rave about it and people who rave at it. When it comes time to sell it the doubler isn’t likely to be a positive selling point. I’d go for the larger SSD too.

  • by KimUserName,

    KimUserName KimUserName Mar 2, 2016 5:30 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 4 (1,400 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 2, 2016 5:30 AM in response to strathglass

    Hi Strathglass:

     

    I have an Early 2011 Macbook Pro 13 inch.

    I have upgraded to 8GB RAM and put in a Samsung 850 EVO 500GB hard drive and moved my 500GB HDD to optical bay using Data Doubler.

    The computer is extremely fast, boot times are about 15 seconds, and I am very happy.

    Screen Shot 2016-03-02 at 8.23.01 AM.png

    You already have 16GB of RAM, so that is good.

    I would replace the battery.

    I would install the 480GB SSD or if you have additional funds, you could install the 1 TB SSD.

    But instead of buying a new HDD to install in optical bay, I would put your existing 750GB drive in the optical bay using data doubler and reformat it.

    If at some point you sell your computer, you can reinstall the optical drive, and put the 750 HDD back where it was and reinstall the OS X.


    <Edit> Before installing the SSD, I would use Carbon Copy Cloner https://bombich.com/ to make a Clone of your existing hard drive, which will be bootable.


    Kim


  • by strathglass,

    strathglass strathglass Mar 2, 2016 6:39 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Mar 2, 2016 6:39 AM in response to strathglass

    OK, thanks all for the input: you've raised some good points I hadn't thought about.

     

    Conclusion: I like the idea to keep the DVD drive and just install battery+larger 1TB SSD (which as noted can be repurposed if the mac dies).

     

    LAST QUESTIONS: Re 1TB SSD and the extra $48 to move from OWC Mercury Electra 6G ($345) to OWC Mercury Extreme Pro 6G ($393):

    Is the price difference going to be worth it on my MacBook Pro?

    Also, is there a better alternative than OWC? I see Crucial top end 1TB drive (MX200) is $350 and if I read the specs correctly, this would be equivalent to the more expensive OWC drive.

    So maybe go Crucial?

  • by Courcoul,

    Courcoul Mar 2, 2016 7:37 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 6 (14,193 points)
    Mar 2, 2016 7:37 AM in response to strathglass

    In spirit of cost control, you can consider a hybrid drive instead. The cost will be much lower, capacity much higher (for a given cost) and real-world performance virtually identical.  A hybrid has a large-capacity mechanical backend and a smaller solid state frontend that works like a cache that handles immediate and repetitive I/O requests.

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Mar 2, 2016 7:55 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 9 (52,531 points)
    Mac OS X
    Mar 2, 2016 7:55 AM in response to strathglass

    Personally I do not think that the Pro OWC is needed.  The less expensive one will be adequate.

     

    I have three Crucial SSDs installed and they have performed well.  For me it is a coin toss which to install., OWC or Crucial.

     

    Courcouls suggestion of a Hybrid drive is a good one.  I have had two of those installed but when I replaced them with the SSDs, there is a a noticeable performance increase with the SSD vs. the SSHD.  If the bank account is thin, then the SSHD is a good option, but long term, the SSD makes more sense.

     

    Ciao.

  • by ignatiusreily,

    ignatiusreily ignatiusreily Sep 26, 2016 8:57 AM in response to strathglass
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Sep 26, 2016 8:57 AM in response to strathglass

    Hello,

     

    I was wondering if you went ahead with your upgrades.  I have the same MacBook but the issue I am having is running Adobe's new software with the graphics card - AMD Radeon HD 6770M.

     

    Did you upgrade yours?  I read somewhere that it might not be possible? 

     

    Thanks in advance.