IntermediateNovice
Level 1 (4 points)
Notebooks

Q: Is it possible (and worthwhile) to upgrade my Macbook Pro 2011(early)?

My Macbook Pro 2011 (early) 13" has served me very well. I have taken the approach of resisting many updates over the past 1.5 years or so).

Over the past 6 weeks, however, it has really begun to slow down. I'm not too keen on the storage options in the 2015 Macbook Pros so not sure I want to buy just yet. I've never tried to upgrade the macbook -- so I don't know how easy/possible/worthwhile it is to do so. These are my specs.. can anyone tell me if this can be upgraded and if so, if it's worthwhile ($-wise)?

 

2.7 GHz Intel Core i7

4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB

296 GB free of 498 GB

 

Contains 2 memory slots, each of which accepts a 1333 MHz DDR3 memory module. Each slot already has 2 GB.

 

No gaming -- I use it mostly for work (freelance marketing/communications - writing, presentations, art direction) and home (photos/home movies, internet, device backup).

 

Slow down mostly occurs in switching between programs, using MS products -- sometimes opening/closing new/old docs. Internet connectivity still generally ok but switching between windows in Safari slow.

 

Any suggestions, help would be very much appreciated. I want to make a decision soon before the whole thing starts to die.

MacBook Pro (13-inch Early 2011), OS X Yosemite (10.10.2)

Posted on Apr 14, 2016 7:31 AM

by ManSinha,Apple recommended
ManSinha ManSinha
Level 6 (10,250 points)
iPhone
A:

You could definitely use some additional RAM

Also you may want to consider shutting down at least every other night - the report indicates 5 days since last shut down

Posted on Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM

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IntermediateNovice

Q: Is it possible (and worthwhile) to upgrade my Macbook Pro 2011(early)?

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  • Helpful answers

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 14, 2016 7:41 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 14, 2016 7:41 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    Download and post an Etrecheck report:

     

    http://etrecheck.com/

     

    That will provide a snapshot of your MBP and may disclose some items that may be hindering performance.

     

    Ciao.

  • by IntermediateNovice,

    IntermediateNovice IntermediateNovice Apr 14, 2016 8:17 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 8:17 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Thanks. This is the report:

     

    EtreCheck version: 2.9.11 (264)

    Report generated 2016-04-14 10:59:32

    Download EtreCheck from https://etrecheck.com

    Runtime 5:10

    Performance: Below Average

     

    Click the [Support] links for help with non-Apple products.

    Click the [Details] links for more information about that line.

     

    Problem: Computer is too slow

    Description:

    Slow especially switching between apps, within MS products, switching windows.

     

    Hardware Information: ⓘ

        MacBook Pro (13-inch, Early 2011)

        [Technical Specifications] - [User Guide] - [Warranty & Service]

        MacBook Pro - model: MacBookPro8,1

        1 2.7 GHz Intel Core i7 CPU: 2-core

        4 GB RAM Upgradeable - [Instructions]

            BANK 0/DIMM0

                2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

            BANK 1/DIMM0

                2 GB DDR3 1333 MHz ok

        Bluetooth: Old - Handoff/Airdrop2 not supported

        Wireless:  en1: 802.11 a/b/g/n

        Battery: Health = Normal - Cycle count = 520

     

    Video Information: ⓘ

        Intel HD Graphics 3000 - VRAM: 384 MB

            Color LCD 1280 x 800

     

    System Software: ⓘ

        OS X Yosemite 10.10.2 (14C1514) - Time since boot: about 5 days

     

    Disk Information: ⓘ

        Hitachi HTS545050B9A302 disk0 : (500.11 GB) (Rotational)

            EFI (disk0s1) <not mounted> : 210 MB

            Recovery HD (disk0s3) <not mounted>  [Recovery]: 650 MB

            Macintosh HD (disk1) / : 498.88 GB (296.85 GB free)

                Core Storage: disk0s2 499.25 GB Online

     

        MATSHITADVD-R   UJ-898   ()

     

    USB Information: ⓘ

        Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver

        Apple Inc. FaceTime HD Camera (Built-in)

        Apple Inc. BRCM2070 Hub

            Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller

        Apple Inc. Apple Internal Keyboard / Trackpad

     

    Thunderbolt Information: ⓘ

        Apple Inc. thunderbolt_bus

     

    Gatekeeper: ⓘ

        Mac App Store and identified developers

     

    Kernel Extensions: ⓘ

            /Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.leapfrog.driver.LfConnectDriver (1.12.0 - SDK 10.10 - 2016-04-10) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions

        [not loaded]    com.leapfrog.codeless.kext (2.0 - 2015-10-08) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.olympus.CamBlockCommandsDevice (2.0.0 - 2015-10-08) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.olympus.CamBlockCommandsDeviceUP (2.0.0 - 2015-10-08) [Support]

     

            /System/Library/Extensions/OlympusDSCDriver.kext/Contents/PlugIns

        [not loaded]    com.olympus.CamFWSerialBusProtocolTransport (2.0.0 - 2006-11-30) [Support]

        [not loaded]    com.olympus.CamUSBMassStorageClass (2.0.0 - 2006-11-30) [Support]

     

    System Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    5 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    139 Apple tasks

        [running]    61 Apple tasks

     

    System Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    47 Apple tasks

        [loaded]    129 Apple tasks

        [running]    85 Apple tasks

     

    Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [not loaded]    com.adobe.AAM.Updater-1.0.plist (2012-03-27) [Support]

        [running]    com.brother.LOGINserver.plist (2015-03-12) [Support]

     

    Launch Daemons: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.SwitchBoard.plist (2012-03-27) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist (2016-04-05) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.leapfrog.connect.authdaemon.plist (2015-01-11) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist (2011-03-10) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.skype.skypeinstaller.plist (2014-11-06) [Support]

     

    User Launch Agents: ⓘ

        [loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist (2011-06-05) [Support]

        [failed]    com.apple.CSConfigDotMacCert-[...]@me.com-SharedServices.Agent.plist

        [loaded]    com.google.keystone.agent.plist (2016-03-02) [Support]

        [loaded]    com.leapfrog.connect.monitor.plist (2015-10-08) [Support]

        [running]    com.microsoft.LaunchAgent.SyncServicesAgent.plist (2016-04-08) [Support]

     

    User Login Items: ⓘ

        iTunesHelper    Application  (/Applications/iTunes.app/Contents/MacOS/iTunesHelper.app)

        Microsoft Database Daemon    Application  (/Applications/Microsoft Office 2011/Office/Microsoft Database Daemon.app)

        Solution Browser    Application  (/Applications/ConceptDraw Office/Solution Browser.app/Contents/MacOS/CDSBAutostart.app)

     

    Other Apps: ⓘ

        [running]    com.brother.utility.NETserver.63932

        [running]    com.brother.utility.USBserver.55128

        [running]    com.csodessa.solutionbrowser.CDSBupd.84380

        [running]    com.microsoft.Outlook.157936

        [loaded]    com.microsoft.SyncServicesAgent.49164

        [running]    com.microsoft.alerts.daemon.46324

        [running]    com.microsoft.autoupdate.fba.63364

        [running]    com.microsoft.outlook.databasedaemon.91480

        [running]    jp.co.canon.cijscannerregister.69044

        [loaded]    359 Apple tasks

        [running]    174 Apple tasks

     

    Internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        FlashPlayer-10.6: 21.0.0.213 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-07) [Support]

        QuickTime Plugin: 7.7.3 (2014-11-06)

        Flash Player: 21.0.0.213 - SDK 10.6 (2016-04-07) [Support]

        AdobePDFViewer: 9.5.5 (2013-05-17) [Support]

        Default Browser: 600 - SDK 10.10 (2015-02-10)

        SharePointBrowserPlugin: 14.5.5 - SDK 10.6 (2015-10-06) [Support]

        Silverlight: 5.1.10411.0 - SDK 10.6 (2012-09-21) [Support]

        iPhotoPhotocast: 7.0 - SDK 10.7 (2012-05-10)

     

    User internet Plug-ins: ⓘ

        CitrixOnlineWebDeploymentPlugin: 1.0.105 (2013-04-25) [Support]

     

    3rd Party Preference Panes: ⓘ

        Flash Player (2016-04-05) [Support]

     

    Time Machine: ⓘ

        Skip System Files: NO

        Auto backup: NO - Auto backup turned off

        Volumes being backed up:

            Macintosh HD: Disk size: 498.88 GB Disk used: 202.03 GB

        Destinations:

            My Passport for Mac [Local]

            Total size: 499.94 GB

            Total number of backups: 6

            Oldest backup: 2012-07-11, 4:12 PM

            Last backup: 2016-02-10, 7:24 PM

            Size of backup disk: Too small

                Backup size 499.94 GB < (Disk used 202.03 GB X 3)

     

    Top Processes by CPU: ⓘ

             6%    mdworker(8)

             2%    kernel_task

             2%    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(5)

             2%    Safari

             1%    hidd

     

    Top Processes by Memory: ⓘ

        970 MB    kernel_task

        856 MB    com.apple.WebKit.WebContent(5)

        135 MB    Safari

        70 MB    Microsoft Outlook

        66 MB    mdworker(8)

     

    Virtual Memory Information: ⓘ

        48 MB    Free RAM

        3.95 GB    Used RAM (313 MB Cached)

        44 MB    Swap Used

     

    Diagnostics Information: ⓘ

        Apr 13, 2016, 04:38:26 PM    /Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent_2016-04-13-163826_[ redacted].cpu_resource.diag [Details]

            /System/Library/StagedFrameworks/Safari/WebKit.framework/Versions/A/XPCServices /com.apple.WebKit.WebContent.xpc/Contents/MacOS/com.apple.WebKit.WebContent

  • by ManSinha,Apple recommended

    ManSinha ManSinha Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 6 (10,250 points)
    iPhone
    Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    You could definitely use some additional RAM

    Also you may want to consider shutting down at least every other night - the report indicates 5 days since last shut down

  • by OGELTHORPE,Apple recommended

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    First make certain that you have a recent backup.

     

    Additional RAM would help a little.  You MBP can accept up to 16 GB RAM but 8 GB RAM would probably be enough.  The best sources of Mac compatible RAM are OWC and Crucial.

     

    Boot into the recovery partition and select Disk Utility.  Run Disk Utility>First Aid.  (The Etrecheck report indicates poor performance with the HDD)

     

    You might consider installing El Capitan.  It has been suggested that it is more efficient than Yosemite.

     

    Make certain that you have the latest versions of all third party applications.

     

    Ciao.

  • by IntermediateNovice,

    IntermediateNovice IntermediateNovice Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 8:57 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    I was worried about upgrading to El Capitan. The last OS update I ran, really messed up my work but maybe time to bite bullet and update my apps.

     

    One last question, if you don't mind. Should I increase the RAM before updating my material? Or should I be good to update software before increasing RAM?

     

    thanks for all your help OGELTHORPE.

  • by KimUserName,

    KimUserName KimUserName Apr 14, 2016 9:05 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 4 (1,400 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 9:05 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    The first thing to do is make a complete backup as suggested by OgelThorpe.

     

    Get an external hard drive, they are quite cheap now.

    Then you can use a third party application such as Carbon Copy Cloner Carbon Copy Cloner (Not free, but worth the price) or Super Duper to copy all data from the internal HDD as well as the recovery partition.

     

    I also have a Early 2011 13" Macbook Pro.

    I am running El Capitan and have upgraded RAM to 8GB and have replaced the HDD with a 500GB Samsung 850 EVO.

    Both of these upgrades made a huge improvement in speed, especially the SSD.

     

    Also check out Roaring Apps https://roaringapps.com/apps to see which apps are compatible with El Capitan.

     

    Kim

  • by IntermediateNovice,

    IntermediateNovice IntermediateNovice Apr 14, 2016 9:09 AM in response to KimUserName
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 9:09 AM in response to KimUserName

    Amazing feedback from everyone here. Thanks KimUserName.

     

    (forgot to mention above - I do have an external drive. I back up almost monthly to it. Will definitely run a full b/u before touching anything else)

     

    Did you run any of the upgrades yourself? Or do you recommend I get everything done by a technician?

  • by KimUserName,

    KimUserName KimUserName Apr 14, 2016 9:19 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 4 (1,400 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 9:19 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    Note:

     

    There is a difference between backups done by TimeMachine and something like Carbon Copy Cloner.

    Carbon Copy Cloner makes a complete bootable clone of your hard drive.

     

    This can be important if for example you upgrade to El Capitan and decide you want to go back to Yosemite.

     

    Also you would be able to boot from the external drive into Yosemite if needed.

     

    Also here is some information which might be helpful:

     

    You can upgrade your RAM to 16GB and change your HD to an SSD.

    I have a Early 2011 13 inch Macbook Pro and I have done the same.

     

    OWC is a good place to go for upgrading your Macbook Pro.

    OWC SSD's: OWC SSD's

     

    I upgraded my Early 2011 13 inch Macbook Pro using a Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB SSD and I have seen a dramatic speed increase.

     

    Once you decide on an SSD, I suggest that you install it in an enclosure OWC external case or using a USB to SATA adapter USB to SATA adapter and connect it to your MBP via USB.

     

    Open Disk Utility>Erase and format the SSD to Mac OS Extended (Journaled) and a GUID partition.

     

    Then use a third party application such as Carbon Copy Cloner Carbon Copy Cloner (Not free, but worth the price) or Super Duper to copy all data from the internal HDD as well as the recovery partition.

     

    The clone will be a exact copy of your hard drive and it will be bootable.

     

    Boot the MBP with the OPTION key (Startup Manager) and select the new SSD. How to choose a startup disk on your Mac

     

    If it boots the MBP, perform the physical swap of drives.

     

    Also now that you have your computer open you may want to upgrade the memory. It is very easy.

    OWC OWC memory or crucial Crusial Mac memory are good places to get memory.

     

    You could look at a video guide to see how much is involved.

    OWC install videos

    Note the model identifier of the computer you have as most applications are shown in page.

     

    Check this link to identify your MacBook Pro model.

    • How to identify MacBook Pro models - Apple Support

     

    Data Doubler from OWC OWC Data Doubler

     

    Kim

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Apr 14, 2016 10:01 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 9 (52,094 points)
    Mac OS X
    Apr 14, 2016 10:01 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    IntermediateNovice wrote:

     

    One last question, if you don't mind. Should I increase the RAM before updating my material? Or should I be good to update software before increasing RAM?

    It makes no difference when you install additional RAM in regards to updating an OSX.  Do it when it suits your convenience.

     

    Ciao.

  • by IntermediateNovice,

    IntermediateNovice IntermediateNovice Apr 14, 2016 10:25 AM in response to KimUserName
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 10:25 AM in response to KimUserName

    May be a bit too complex for me but I'll take a look through the links, videos. Thanks a million for your time and advice everyone! :-)

  • by KimUserName,

    KimUserName KimUserName Apr 14, 2016 10:41 AM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 4 (1,400 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 14, 2016 10:41 AM in response to IntermediateNovice

    It probably looks more complicated than it is.

     

    1. Buy an SSD.

    2. Buy an external case

    3. Put SSD in external case

    4. Erase and format the SSD

    5. Buy and install Carbon Copy Cloner $40.00

    6. Clone your hard drive to SSD. Software will guide you through it.

    Now you have an exact copy or clone of your internal hard drive.

    You have not even removed the cover from your computer.

     

    Now shut down your computer and with the external hard drive (SSD) connected via USB boot your computer while holding Option key.

     

    At this point you will get a menu with your original HDD or the external SDD.

    Chose the SSD and it will boot your computer to SSD.

    At this point you are running on the SSD and you can test the system performance.

     

    If all has worked up until this point, you can open the case and replace the hard drive with the SSD.

    What the OWC install video first and it will show you how to remove the back cover and replace the hard drive.

     

    After replacing the hard drive with SSD, test it and if it works ok, you are done.

    If not put the original Hard drive back in.

     

    Kim

  • by Leopardus,

    Leopardus Leopardus Apr 14, 2016 12:20 PM in response to IntermediateNovice
    Level 4 (1,087 points)
    Desktops
    Apr 14, 2016 12:20 PM in response to IntermediateNovice

    It is only the clever ones that poses the right questions. Your questions really dealt with price vs performance. It is possible to post the complete study on upgrading exactly your model vs replacing the one's that we have with 35 new (at the time), ones taking the faster 1600Mhz RAM. In short, the answer for us were to upgrade, and the RAM prices and SSD prices have been in a steady decline! We are now upgrading the same one's again from 8 to 16GB Crucial RAM and some are now getting the 1TB MX200 Crucial SSD's. That for a little more than the equivalent of about $350 per Mac. The SSD's that we remove goes all in one stack. Nothing gets thrown away and the RAM modules will populate slots on some iMacs where applicable.

     

    The process has been described in detail above, and it is a solid guide. It will also serve you well to have a look at https://www.ifixit.com/Device/MacBook_Pro_13%22_Unibody_Early_2011 where you will find excellent guides for RAM replacement, HDD replacement and lots more.

     

    Have fun

     

    Leo

  • by IntermediateNovice,

    IntermediateNovice IntermediateNovice Apr 15, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Leopardus
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Notebooks
    Apr 15, 2016 10:48 AM in response to Leopardus

    Great info. An update is the way to go. thanks all!