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Level 1

4 points

Upgrade RAM or SSD - 2011 Macbook Pro

Hi,

My late 2011 MacBook Pro has become very slow. I plan to use my laptop for another 1-2 years and I was told to upgrade my RAM or move to SSD to increase its performance / speed.

Here is my current specs:

Late 2011 Macbook Pro 13"
OS: Sierra
Processor: 2.8 GHz Intel Core i7
RAM: 4 GB (2x 2 GB) 1333 MHz DDR3
Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB
Storage: 750 GB SATA drive (350 GB used)

Note 1: I use my laptop for everyday things like a) Checking mail b) Working on MS office tools c) Browsing the net (opening multiple tabs). Most of the time I do all these simultaneously.

Note 2: My RAM mostly run at 80%-90% capacity all the time and it goes to 90%+ when I use multiple tabs for browsing in Safari/Chrome.

Due to financial constraints I can't upgrade my RAM and move to SSD at the same time and I need to choose one option.

Option 1: Upgrade to Crucial 16 GB (2x8 GB) RAM ~ $85 USD

Note 3: Apple recommends 8 GB max for my late 2011 MacBook Pro but unofficially it can support up to 16 GB.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTBJK2/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&col id=39ZVGXQRF3CZY&coliid=I3QILLSMY8PB0J&p…

Option 2: Move to Samsung 500 GB SSD ~ $130 USD

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OBRE5UE/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&col id=39ZVGXQRF3CZY&coliid=I3TS6MX0EZ9XCW&t…

I need to know which option I should do first. I can't afford to do both together.

Thanks

iPhone 5s, iOS 7.0.4

Posted on Nov 29, 2016 4:54 PM

20 replies

DavesMac

Level 2

214 points

Dec 1, 2016 3:38 AM in response to rejo_mj

I have the same 2011 MBP. I upgrade both the ram and the SSD. The ram made some difference. The SSD made an AMAZING difference (Samsung 850 pro). With both upgraded, the 2011 MBP is just as fast as my souped up 15-inch 2016 MBP at common day to day activities. Obviously, for processor intensive tasks like using Handbrake or rendering video, the 2016 MBP will destroy the 2011 MBP. Otherwise, I'd be hard press to tell the difference when looking at email, surfing, using Word, doing spreadsheets, etc.