Upgrade to 8GB RAM & an SSD OR purchase New MacBook Pro?

Question

Level 1

8 points

Upgrade to 8GB RAM & an SSD OR purchase New MacBook Pro?

I am looking at upgrading my older mid-2009 2,53 Mhz MacBook Pro to 8GB RAM PLUS a 240GB SSD for around $380. Is it worth doing this or biting the bullet and purchasing a new MBP...lots more expensive. I am not a professional graphics or photographer but have PS6 and LR5 installed and only 4GB RAM....very, very slow. I like doing photo editing etc. Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks

Macbook Pro 15", Mac OS X (10.6.2), w AirPort Extreme

Posted on Oct 9, 2013 10:43 PM

Reply

Answer 1

OGELTHORPE

Level 9

57,305 points

Oct 10, 2013 3:55 AM in response to notlob635

First I suggest that you go through this comprehensive trouble shooting document and see if you can optimize the performance of your MBP as is is currently configured. The monetary outlay will be zero.

https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3521

If you look at the Crucial web site, you should be able to install 8GB RAM and a 240 GB SSD for $282.

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=MacBook Pro (15-inch%2C Mid 2009)&Cat=RAM

Personally, I would install the RAM first and see if that makes a meaningful difference. Install the SSD only as a last resort. I have an antipathy towards SSDs based mainly on cost. Others have different opinions.

Also update your OS to 10.6.8.

Do not be seduced by quad core CPUs. They will perform faster only if the application is designed to take advantage of all cores. Most applications are not (at least the older ones).

Ciao.

Reply

Answer 2

notlob635 Author

Level 1

8 points

Oct 10, 2013 7:34 PM in response to OGELTHORPE

Thanks very much Ogelthorpe! The discussions site you gave is really informative. Good info. I will probably do as you suggested! Many thanks!

Reply