is there a way to upgrade a mid 2009 macbook pro 17"

JanRed wrote:

Would like to ask the apple community if a mid 2009 macbook pro 17" is possible to upgrade in any way?

Is it worthwhile? My macbook is still in immaculate condition.

Upgrade HD to SSD yes

OWC SSD Upgrade Kits For MacBook Pro (2008 - 2009)

Upgrade RAM yes

Usually a lifetime guarantee on RAM from third party source like:

https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade

JanRed wrote:

Thanks a stack for the response Leroy. Would the above make it possible to upgrade OS X to at least the 10.12 version? My Macbook currently still run on 10.11.6

< mid 2009 macbook pro 17" >

No. Your Macbook Pro is maxed out at macOS 10.11.6

reference the tech specs below—

How to upgrade to macOS 10.13 High Sierra

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208969

MacBook (Late 2009 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

MacBook Air (Late 2010 or newer)

Mac mini (Mid 2010 or newer)

iMac (Late 2009 or newer)

Mac Pro (Mid 2010 or newer)

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If you can run macOS 10.12 Sierra, you can run macOS 10.13 High Sierra (hardware specs are the same)

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/macos-sierra/id1127487414?ls=1&mt=12

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208202

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OS X 10.11 El Capitan - Technical Specifications:

https://support.apple.com/kb/SP728

How to upgrade to OS X El Capitan - Apple Support

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT206886

download direct:

http://updates-http.cdn-apple.com/2019/cert/061-41424-20191024-218af9ec-cf50-4516-9011-228c78eda3d2/InstallMacOSX.dmg

MacBook (Early 2015) (Only 10.10 and 10.11)

MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer)

MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer)

MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer)

Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer)

iMac (Mid 2007 or newer)

Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer)

Xserve (Early 2009)

10.11 El Capitan is the latest MacOS that will run on the 2009 MacBook Pro. There are NO upgrades you can perform (except complete replacement with a newer Mac) that can allow you to further upgrade that 11-year old design and get adequate performance.

The graphics are considered incapable of supporting later versions of MacOS.