Macbook Pro is barely usable after upgrading to Mac OSX 10.9 Mavericks

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Macbook Pro is barely usable after upgrading to Mac OSX 10.9 Mavericks

I have a late 2008 Macbook Pro that is barely working after upgrading the software to Mac OSX 10.9 Mavericks.

For instance, when I restart my computer (after running disk utility and repairing the disk) I can't even use finder without waiting 10 seconds at a time for a preview image to load or to simply scroll through files. Using on window in Safari and having Finder open at the same time shoots my inactive memory to 700-800 mb and significantly slows down the performance before I clear it out using "Memory Clean." It gives me temporary relief by cleaning out the "Inactive Memory," but within a few minutes my computer gets bogged down again. It appears to slow down whenever the inactive memory is full. Just filling out the form to post this comment gave me the spinwheel. I haven't had issues like this until upgrading my software. I'm thinking about taking it in to upgrade the RAM to 4 GB or so, but I would still like to find out what the issue is here.

Any help is greatly appreciated since I am no longer covered by apple care.

Thank you,

Emma

Specs:

Processor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory: 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB

Software OS X 10.9 (13A603)

Macintosh HD 200 GB SATA Disk: 97.98 GB free out of 199.19 GB

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9), Late 2008 Model

Posted on Nov 3, 2013 12:06 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 3, 2013 12:13 PM in response to EmeraldV

Memory: 2 GB

Is the minimum requirement to run Maverick. You really need to max out your RAM since you are using a 5 yr old MBP. Also, suggest that you read Maverick's system requirements to make sure you meet ALL of its requirements.

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Answer 2

Nov 3, 2013 12:33 PM in response to Baby-Boomer-USofA

Regrettably this is a pretty widespread issue, not just your computer - other forums are full of discussions about the go-slows, application issues and fails, hot running etc etc after loading Mavericks. It's all pretty appalling. My store erased and re-installed it for me and it still isn't working properly. May have to ask them to take me bakc to Mountain Lion...

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Answer 3

EmeraldV Author

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Nov 3, 2013 4:06 PM in response to EmeraldV

Thank you for your responses. I am a little dissapointed that the "minimum requirements" aren't really enough, but I upgraded my ram to 4 gb an hour ago and it seemed to speed things up.@billpilgrim, my computer was also running hot. If I didn't go ahead and pay for the RAM upgrade, I would've preferred getting rid of the new operating system.

Thanks,

Emma

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Answer 4

Nov 4, 2013 1:28 AM in response to EmeraldV

Do you mind me asking how much that was Emma? Think I may have to go the same route...

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Answer 5

EmeraldV Author

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Nov 4, 2013 11:33 PM in response to BillPilgrim

I went to the local Mac Fusion store and the charged me $40/gb and $39 for installation. I've heard apple is a lot more expensive and it's a quick fix, so I would go through a 3rd party if you don't want to put a lot into an older computer.

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Answer 6

Nov 5, 2013 12:30 AM in response to EmeraldV

Thanks Emma, that's useful. I'm still getting issues but it is workign...sort of. I do actually have 4GB (had to check!) but still had these problems so there may be something else with mine. Good luck anyway!

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Answer 7

Nov 8, 2013 6:42 PM in response to EmeraldV

I had the same problem on my Late 2011 MBP 4GB of RAM. I figured it was a RAM problem because Activity monitor show the whole 4GB was being used. Today I installed 16 GB of Ram and it runs like new, but just in idle mode ie nothing running but the Finder and miscelaneous background apps it uses over 4GB of RAM. Right now with Finder, AirMail and Safari running its using 5.135 GB. Just order a 16GB kit for my wife's MBP which is a 2010 model. I wonder if Apple tests these OSs on older machines before they make blanket statements about how much better everything is going to work. Memory usage certainly should have had a few caveats.

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Answer 8

Mar 8, 2014 5:18 AM in response to EmeraldV

Maybe I can share something

I just upgrade my 2009 MBP, replace my harddisk with SSD from Kingston, 120 GB. I have to activate the TRIM support using sudo command,

I use only 2GB of RAM, and recently I decide to upgrade from 10.7 to Maverick. All working good, compare to 10.7 maybe a little bit slower, like loading Illustrator i.e. with Maverick take 7 second but with 10.7 take 4-5 second. I dont mind to wait addition 2 second, it is just a blink of eyes.

I checked using activity monitor, the system used virtual memory, and because SSD is fast, then the delay is nothing. But is using harddisk as virtual memory, then it will be a nightmare

Hope this could help

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