Hi
Im currently using MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)
Processor - 2.3Ghz Intel Core i5
Memory - 4GB 1333 MHz DDR3
So my question is if I upgraded the HDD to a SSD and the RAM unto 16GB would this help. it run faster/smoother?
Or ....
I'm a better off just buying a new machine?
Thank You!
MacBook Pro 2011 models are only officially supported through 10.13 High Sierra. But if that is working for you, you can give that older Mac a "new lease on life" by upgrading beyond 6GB RAM (it will accept up to 16GB, but once you get above 6GB it is a diminishing return) and replacing the old slow rotating drive with an SSD drive ≥500GB.
(Consider replacing the drive cable at the same time, or install MacOS in an external enclosure and set everything up before doing the "surgery" to place it inside your Mac.)
Users who do this report, "It's like getting a whole new computer!"
The speed of the rotating drive is the bottleneck to performance, but no one knew that until we had SSD drives to install. When Apple noticed the performance increment was so great, they now use ONLY SSD Boot drives going forward.
MacBook Pro 2011 models are only officially supported through 10.13 High Sierra. But if that is working for you, you can give that older Mac a "new lease on life" by upgrading beyond 6GB RAM (it will accept up to 16GB, but once you get above 6GB it is a diminishing return) and replacing the old slow rotating drive with an SSD drive ≥500GB.
(Consider replacing the drive cable at the same time, or install MacOS in an external enclosure and set everything up before doing the "surgery" to place it inside your Mac.)
Users who do this report, "It's like getting a whole new computer!"
The speed of the rotating drive is the bottleneck to performance, but no one knew that until we had SSD drives to install. When Apple noticed the performance increment was so great, they now use ONLY SSD Boot drives going forward.
Waaaay faster. Best thing you can do to your Mac.
SSD is the most important upgrade to older machines, plus 16GB os RAM, you'll love it!
If you're willing to go to Big Sur, you'll need a new one anyway. But if your Mac still serves you well, you'll be very pleased by the speed increase provided by this intended upgrade.
Anyway, if you decide that the upgrade was not for you, you can always sell the Mac and the parts you got and get a new Mac. But I think you'll be happy with SSD and RAM for like the next 2 years, til you decide to go for a new Mac. And in 2 years we're going to have a complete new line of Mac's with Apple Silicon, so you can start with the new architecture.
Have in mind Apple is transitioning Mac to ARM too. This year we might see some of the less powerful machines equipped with the first version of their ARM Macs.
I advise you to wait for them to launch the entire product line with Apple Silicon, see the performance, the price, etc.
Plus, an 512GB SSD is like what 50 bucks? Don't go for 16GB, go for just 8 and it'll be like 60 bucks or so. It's a good value and you'll be happy while Apple Silicon takes place. Once transition is done you'll have the benchmarks, real life performance info, specs, consolidation of the hardware.
Oh, If you absolutely need Windows, just buy an Intel Mac now and you're good to go.
I would not spend any money on an obsolete/vintage computer.
So better to do these upgrade rather than buy a brand new machine?
I was editing my answer LOL. Please, read the rest I added.
Yeah I know there absoulty nothing wrong with the machine itself tho its just a tad on the slow side.
Looks like I'm going to have to get my bank card out.
marcfromsheffield wrote:
So my question is if I upgraded the HDD to a SSD and the RAM unto 16GB would this help. it run faster/smoother?
Yes.
I'm a better off just buying a new machine?
Yes.
That 2011 computer is never going to be as fast as a new one. It also cannot run current software. Plus, the internal components degrade over time. You may only get a couple of more years out of it at best.
SSD and RAM Upgrades.
