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I have a mid 2009 MacBookPro which has recently been a bit poorly. It stopped booting completely and I'm pretty sure I have managed to trace it to a faulty memory stick. I couldn't reinstall OSX or Windows without it crashing during install. Took one stick out, same. Took the other (and put the first back) and have since managed to install both OSX and Windows 8.1. If I now put the suspect stick back in on booting I get the loud bleeps suggesting the fault is confirmed. I don't think one single 2GB stick is going to cut it so I have a few options. Track down a single 2GB stick, a fresh pair of 2GBs, or a pair of 4GBs to give 8GB. As everything is going to be a fresh install an SSD is also an option. Currently the original 500GB HD is installed but I don't really need that much space, all my media is on my servers. It used to be a work machine, I was a freelancer when I bought it, but these days it rarely does anything intensive and is more just used for browsing and a bit of media consumption. Saying that, I would keep an OSX instal. I prefer Windows but having OSX would be handy for work if I ever need any Mac only tools. My worry is it's already getting old, and that I could spend £150+ going the SSD route and 8GB kit only to have something else fail. It does get quite hot underneath (from the middle to back left corner looking at the keyboard). I'm happy to spend the money if it's going to last, as I love the screen and the battery life is superb. The processor may be a bit old now (2.8GHZ Core 2 duo) but as said it's not for gaming or anything overly intensive. If I had to replace it I would be looking at something light and well with a good 15"+ screen so really an ultrabook which wouldn't be cheap. What's the likely hood that it should give a good few years more service with a new SSD and memory? Anything I can install to do a solid diagnosis of the other components? Currently only running 10.5.7 as that's the install disc I have if thats an issue. |
Mid 2009 MBP, worth upgrading
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gamingdave 5,087 posts
Seen 3 days ago
Registered 17 years ago -
gamingdave 5,087 posts
Seen 3 days ago
Registered 17 years agoHad nothing gone wrong with it then a new machine was never going to be on the cards. It's only the worry that other components are going to fail that is making me cautious.
If I am going to have to spend £33 to get back to 4GB I may as well spend £66 to double up. OSX may not need it but I am sure Windows will benefit from it.
I can get a 240GB SSD (500 read, 250 write) for £85 which seems very reasonable.
When I stuck an SSD in my work laptop the difference was incredible, Same in my gaming/HTPC. I suppose if the laptop totally dies the SSD would still be useful as an extra drive in my gaming machine or one of the servers so not money wasted. -
It'll feel like a new machine and do you for another year or 2, there's always the risk of something else going bit I'd take that risk.
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