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Started By
Message
Best Practices for Speeding up Older Macbook?
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:05 am
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:05 am
I’ve got a 2012 Macbook Pro that usually runs at what i’d call a below average speed. In some instances it’ll run very fast and smooth even with 6-7 tabs open in a browser. Other times the little pinwheel comes up nonstop and things come to a screeching halt for minutes at a time.
Its about 50-60% full from a memory standpoint(pics, vids,documents, etc).
What are some things i can do to get a more consistent, faster speed? Also, would moving a ton of my files to an external hard drive help any or does it probably have more to do with my RAM at this point?
Not so much worried about internet speed, more just computer performance.
Its about 50-60% full from a memory standpoint(pics, vids,documents, etc).
What are some things i can do to get a more consistent, faster speed? Also, would moving a ton of my files to an external hard drive help any or does it probably have more to do with my RAM at this point?
Not so much worried about internet speed, more just computer performance.
5
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:25 am to jp90
I went here https://www.macsales.com/
BUT you can get an SSD and RAM on Amazon as well. You want an SSD and at least double your RAM. I plugged the new SSD into my older macbook(as an external drive), installed Sierra specifying the SSD as install drive. Once that was done, I shut everything down and changed out the old HDD for the SSD, installed new RAM and it fired right up. This was a 2010 macbook and it runs like a beast now. just my $0.02...
EDIT
I got a package deal that came with the external HDD case, now I use the older HDD as external storage.
BUT you can get an SSD and RAM on Amazon as well. You want an SSD and at least double your RAM. I plugged the new SSD into my older macbook(as an external drive), installed Sierra specifying the SSD as install drive. Once that was done, I shut everything down and changed out the old HDD for the SSD, installed new RAM and it fired right up. This was a 2010 macbook and it runs like a beast now. just my $0.02...
EDIT
I got a package deal that came with the external HDD case, now I use the older HDD as external storage.
This post was edited on 12/13/17 at 2:59 pm
Posted on 12/13/17 at 10:34 am to mooseofterror
I’ll have to look into that. Actually sounds like a very solid option. I’d be a bit nervous about opening up my computer and possibly screwing something up but I’m sure there are good video guides out there on that kinda thing. Thanks!
Posted on 12/13/17 at 11:05 am to jp90
It was very simple for my macbook. the macsales website also has videos detailing the installation process for the upgrades.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 11:09 am to mooseofterror
quote:
BUT you can get an SSD and RAM on Amazon as well.
This is sure fire.
Posted on 12/13/17 at 1:43 pm to mooseofterror
quote:
BUT you can get an SSD and RAM on Amazon as well.
Do this. Upgraded the RAM on my 2011 MacBook Pro and it went from being unusable to running like it was brand new. I was just about to buy a whole new computer when all I needed was a $35 upgrade to the RAM.
ETA: Also download and use Memory Clean in the app store.
This post was edited on 12/13/17 at 1:48 pm
Posted on 12/13/17 at 1:54 pm to jp90
What are the specs? If you already have 8gb of RAM, there's no need to upgrade. You will notice an incredible difference adding in an SSD
Posted on 12/13/17 at 2:26 pm to jp90
How about the 4chan revelation about low iPhone batteries slowing the unit down applying to MacBook?
I'm not a Mac/Apple guy so I'm just tossing out "maybe's"
I'm not a Mac/Apple guy so I'm just tossing out "maybe's"
This post was edited on 12/13/17 at 2:28 pm
Posted on 12/13/17 at 2:29 pm to stat19
Or, I don't know, just typical older PC hardware becoming obsolete?
Posted on 12/30/17 at 2:21 pm to bluebarracuda
quote:
What are the specs? If you already have 8gb of RAM, there's no need to upgrade. You will notice an incredible difference adding in an SSD
4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
2.5 GHz Intel Core i5
That being said, what say you guys on my best option?
Posted on 1/1/18 at 11:39 am to jp90
The SSD will give you the best improvement.
Posted on 1/1/18 at 7:19 pm to jp90
Everybody else is right about swapping out for an SSD. I went with a Samsung 850 Evo. It's easy to do, too.
Tip:
- If you don't have one, you should get either a USB drive "dock" ( Example at B&H), or a USB cable that will plug directly into a harddrive connector.
- connect new drive to computer using that cable or dock
- use Carbon Copy Cloner (or similar app) to copy ALL contents of your existing drive onto your new SSD.
- shutdown and then start-up from the new SSD (hold down Option key when restarting) to make sure it works fine
- if everything works, then shutdown again, open it up and swap out the drive
Edit: messed up link...
Tip:
- If you don't have one, you should get either a USB drive "dock" ( Example at B&H), or a USB cable that will plug directly into a harddrive connector.
- connect new drive to computer using that cable or dock
- use Carbon Copy Cloner (or similar app) to copy ALL contents of your existing drive onto your new SSD.
- shutdown and then start-up from the new SSD (hold down Option key when restarting) to make sure it works fine
- if everything works, then shutdown again, open it up and swap out the drive
Edit: messed up link...
This post was edited on 1/1/18 at 7:26 pm
Posted on 1/2/18 at 12:59 pm to jp90
I would recommend doubling the memory from 4GB to 8GB, minimum. The results you'll encounter will be as if the laptop were much newer than a 2012 model. OWC (MacSales), mentioned here is my first go-to place for Mac improvements, as it's my perception that they speak Mac better than the competition. However, if you have more familiarity and confidence in, say, Amazon or Newegg, they're certainly as reputable.
An equally reputable, respected source for upgrade how-tos is ifixit.com---here are the pages for the 13 inch MBPro: LINK as well as the 15 incher: LINK
It's also been suggested to replace your spinning platter hard drive (if that's in fact what's currently installed) with an SSD (solid state drive). Along with a RAM upgrade these two upgrades will endow your machine with digital Viagra!
An equally reputable, respected source for upgrade how-tos is ifixit.com---here are the pages for the 13 inch MBPro: LINK as well as the 15 incher: LINK
It's also been suggested to replace your spinning platter hard drive (if that's in fact what's currently installed) with an SSD (solid state drive). Along with a RAM upgrade these two upgrades will endow your machine with digital Viagra!
This post was edited on 1/2/18 at 1:03 pm
Posted on 1/2/18 at 1:55 pm to jp90
#1 cheapest and easiest is to upgrade RAM. It's the first bottleneck that most people notice, too. I am assuming your MBP is the "Mid-2012" version with the specs you have given. (Confirm by clicking apple on top left --> about this mac.)
HERE is a video on how to do it. RAM is probably the easiest upgrade on computers. 10 minutes from start to finish MAX.
Your RAM you are looking for is 1600 MHz DDR3 PC3-12800 SO-DIMM. (When you look for it, it may not have all the terms. Key is DDR3 1600.) Your MBP officially supports 8GB, but can actually do 16GB. However, 8GB is plenty for the majority of people. There are two slots, so whatever your end goal is you need two halves. (4 GB x 2 sticks for 8GB). It's not necessary, but can save headaches.
People mention OWC and Amazon, but whenever I upgrade RAM I just buy it from BestBuy because I don't care to wait. HERE is what you want to buy two of at BB.
If not satisfied after that, then do the switch to a SSD.
HERE is a video on how to do it. RAM is probably the easiest upgrade on computers. 10 minutes from start to finish MAX.
Your RAM you are looking for is 1600 MHz DDR3 PC3-12800 SO-DIMM. (When you look for it, it may not have all the terms. Key is DDR3 1600.) Your MBP officially supports 8GB, but can actually do 16GB. However, 8GB is plenty for the majority of people. There are two slots, so whatever your end goal is you need two halves. (4 GB x 2 sticks for 8GB). It's not necessary, but can save headaches.
People mention OWC and Amazon, but whenever I upgrade RAM I just buy it from BestBuy because I don't care to wait. HERE is what you want to buy two of at BB.
If not satisfied after that, then do the switch to a SSD.
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