Shusby
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Q: macbook 2008

My friend is selling his 2008 macbook pro and i was wondering if i bought it for cheap i could install newer parts inside it. so is the 2008 model is compatiable with the newer internal parts, like the 2011 logicboard, i5 processor, hard-drive, 4-6 gigs of ram etc?

Posted on Jan 12, 2012 6:15 PM

by Shootist007,Solvedanswer
Shootist007 Shootist007
Level 6 (16,660 points)
A:

You won't be able to install any newer parts inside except for a new hard drive and more memory if it doesn't already have the max amount installed. And if you could about the only place to buy them from is Apple. By the time you were done replacing the parts you could buy 2 new MBPs.

 

Also on some late 2007 and early 2008 models there is a problem with the video/graphic card.

Posted on Jan 12, 2012 6:19 PM

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Q: macbook 2008

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  • by Shootist007,Solvedanswer

    Shootist007 Shootist007 Jan 12, 2012 6:19 PM in response to Shusby
    Level 6 (16,660 points)
    Jan 12, 2012 6:19 PM in response to Shusby

    You won't be able to install any newer parts inside except for a new hard drive and more memory if it doesn't already have the max amount installed. And if you could about the only place to buy them from is Apple. By the time you were done replacing the parts you could buy 2 new MBPs.

     

    Also on some late 2007 and early 2008 models there is a problem with the video/graphic card.

  • by eww,Helpful

    eww eww Jan 12, 2012 6:23 PM in response to Shusby
    Level 9 (52,994 points)
    Jan 12, 2012 6:23 PM in response to Shusby

    It can't use any parts from a 2011 model except the hard drive.

  • by Shusby,

    Shusby Shusby Jan 12, 2012 6:29 PM in response to Shusby
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jan 12, 2012 6:29 PM in response to Shusby

    alright, thanks very much! i have wanted a mac for a while but couldn't afford it, i though if i got it for real cheap from him, i could have just built it up for about $1200 or less if i shopped at the right places for decent prices.

     

    Thanks!

  • by Allan Jones,

    Allan Jones Allan Jones Jan 12, 2012 6:37 PM in response to Shusby
    Level 8 (35,316 points)
    iPad
    Jan 12, 2012 6:37 PM in response to Shusby

    To see if this 2008 MBP is one affected by the video chipset curse that Shootist007 wisely points out, do "About this Mac" from your Apple menu and, in the resulting window, click "More Info..." That launches System Profiler. The main Profiler screen looks something like this in OS 10.6:

     

    SysProf_main_forASC.png

    Note the SECOND line. If the code there is MacBookPro3,1 or MacBookPro4,1, the computer has the Nvidea GeForce 8600M GT that is of concern. Apple fixes these only if they fail and only within 4 years from date of purchase, which is coming up fast for most of the affected units.

     

    The only test you can do to see if the video chipset is on its way to an early grave is, while still in Profiler, select "Graphics/Displays" from the left-hand "Contents" pane:

     

    SysProf info on video hdwe.png

     

    If the FOURTH line, "PCIe Lane Width," is any value other than x16, the chipset is suspect.

     

    Info on the Apple program to fix the probelm is here:

     

    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2377

     

    I have a late 2007 MBP with that chipset and it is--knock wood--still going strong with the original 2GB RAM. I have no performance complaints about this unit. I did stop testing games with intense 3D graphics after hearing of the Nvidea issue, which is heat-related. I keep and eye on the temps and leave the gaming for the i7 QuadCore iMac.