Upgrading MBP Late 2011 (i5/13")

[julee86]

So my Late 2011 MBP (8,1) has been running painfully slow for the past year or so. Instead of drooling over the new MacBooks, I guess it's best to upgrade to an SSD and perhaps 8GB of RAM?

Ideally I would love to get the 500GB SSD, but it's a bit pricey for me and I should really clean my HDD anyway!

So first off, i'm a n00b at this. Never really upgraded a computer/laptop before because the men in the house would do it for me! But this time around, my bf said this is something I should learn for a nerd So here goes...

250GB SSD: https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/cruci...00SSD1?cp=2320
8GB RAM (Should I get 8GB or 2x4GB? Can i put in 8GB + 2GB from my existing RAM slot?)
8GB - https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/cruci...N1-AMo-00-6970
2x4GB - https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/cruci...N1-AMo-00-2780

I would also need Torx T6 and Phillips #00 screwdrivers? Just checked the toolbox, we have them.

I'm planning to do a brand new install of Mavericks and manually transfer my data over. I need to create a bootable Mavericks install (Option#1 seems to be the easiest) - How to make a bootable Mavericks install drive | Macworld

Any other tips?

I'm planning to upgrade the HDD first, just in case I break it

[neophytte]

I would also use the free version of CCC to make a backup of the original drive first (if you have a spare HDD around) because, you never know ... https://www.bombich.com/

Also iFixit have a good guide for replacing the HDD: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook...placement/5895

Good luck, let us know how you go!

Cheers

Richard

[RodB]

So my Late 2011 MBP (8,1) has been running painfully slow for the past year or so. Instead of drooling over the new MacBooks, I guess it's best to upgrade to an SSD and perhaps 8GB of RAM?

Ideally I would love to get the 500GB SSD, but it's a bit pricey for me and I should really clean my HDD anyway!

So first off, i'm a n00b at this. Never really upgraded a computer/laptop before because the men in the house would do it for me! But this time around, my bf said this is something I should learn for a nerd So here goes...

250GB SSD: https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/cruci...00SSD1?cp=2320
8GB RAM (Should I get 8GB or 2x4GB? Can i put in 8GB + 2GB from my existing RAM slot?)
8GB - https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/cruci...N1-AMo-00-6970
2x4GB - https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/cruci...N1-AMo-00-2780

I would also need Torx T6 and Phillips #00 screwdrivers? Just checked the toolbox, we have them.

I'm planning to do a brand new install of Mavericks and manually transfer my data over. I need to create a bootable Mavericks install (Option#1 seems to be the easiest) - How to make a bootable Mavericks install drive | Macworld

Any other tips?

I'm planning to upgrade the HDD first, just in case I break it

You can also mix and match the module sizes in this machine, no problems. We've had 1000's of customers do it successfully over the years.

Drop us a line if you need any help!

[kyte]

Definitely clone your current drive (do the cleanup first) and then once you install the new one, its a simple matter to restore your system. If you really want to start from scratch, do that. I went with a cloning process, but I had not had the Macbook for very long before I did it. (Which reminds me its time to do another backup).

When I upgraded, I went with a Crucial MX200 250GB and 8GB RAM (can't remember the brand, it wasnt CRucial, some no-name mob. Works fine)

[The_Hawk]

Options Option Options

HDD upgrade and RAM upgrade in this machine should be very straight forward. Pop the bottom case, unscrew the HDD retianing screws and your pretty much done. Give it a go and I'm sure you will fly through it without issues.

As for what to put in, there are a few things to consider. According the Apples website that machine has a *minimum* 500GB HDD, maybe a 750GB. In either case a 256GB SSD is going to have less space than you currently have which may or may not be an issue for you. You can store stuff on external drives if you want or archive unused stuff, but when iPhones can store up to 128GB of stuff these days 256GB can be a little limiting.

Which leads to another (and more extreme!!) solution. Have you considered a data doubler?
These funky devices are essentially a plastic frame that allow you to remove your optical drive and put a second HDD in it's place. Yes you loose the onboard Optical drive, but the question is do you ever really use it? Having 500GB of extra space onboard for that massive iTunes library or photo library is probably better for most people and speed doesn't matter too much for those types of media (again for most people).

Here is a nice kit:
OWC DIY Kit: Data Doubler + 240GB Mercury Electra... in stock at OWC

You can also get an external case for your optical drive:
OWC USB 2.0 Enclosure for Apple SuperDrive from... in stock at OWC

If you don't want to use a data doubler, you can get a case to put your old HDD in so you can use it as external USB storage:
OWC DIY KIT: 240GB Mercury Electra 6G SSD + Express... in stock at OWC

You can also get RAM from here as well:
OWC 8.0GB (2x 4GB) PC3-10600 DDR3 1333MHz SO-DIMM... in stock at OWC

If you use macsales remember to account for delivery and converting back to AUD.


I've used both them and RAM City and recommend both.

For reference:
Datadoubler:
https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/mce-o...OBSATA0GB-MIX3

Optical enclosure:
https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/mce-o...TA0GB-MB15-ENC

USB HDD enclosure:
https://www.ramcity.com.au/buy/vante...l/NST-206S3-BK



As for backup/cloning of your existing drive, a backup is always highly recommended BUT.

Since you're having issues at the moment, while moving to an SSD is highly likely to speed things up dramatically, I'd still highly recommend a fresh install of OSX. After you're done just transfer your user data off the old drive.

[julee86]

I would also use the free version of CCC to make a backup of the original drive first (if you have a spare HDD around) because, you never know ... https://www.bombich.com/

Also iFixit have a good guide for replacing the HDD: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/MacBook...placement/5895

Good luck, let us know how you go!

Cheers

Richard

Thanks Richard, surgery went well! Typing this from a much faster MBP

[julee86]

You can also mix and match the module sizes in this machine, no problems. We've had 1000's of customers do it successfully over the years.

Drop us a line if you need any help!

Thanks Rod, the SSD arrived this morning. That is the fastest delivery I've seen!

Definitely clone your current drive (do the cleanup first) and then once you install the new one, its a simple matter to restore your system. If you really want to start from scratch, do that. I went with a cloning process, but I had not had the Macbook for very long before I did it. (Which reminds me its time to do another backup).

When I upgraded, I went with a Crucial MX200 250GB and 8GB RAM (can't remember the brand, it wasnt CRucial, some no-name mob. Works fine)

Decided to start fresh, too much junk in my old HDD since i had it over 3 years. I've backed up photos and important data to an external HDD, just a matter of time before moving them to the cloud (procrastinating!).

Options Option Options

HDD upgrade and RAM upgrade in this machine should be very straight forward. Pop the bottom case, unscrew the HDD retianing screws and your pretty much done. Give it a go and I'm sure you will fly through it without issues.

Thanks for the very useful links, was planning to swap out the optical drive in the future too. Baby steps No issue with installing the SSD, but creating a bootable USB was taking forever initially and it freaked me out a little. Not sure if it is because I used a $8 16GB SanDisk or my MBP was VERY slow. Installation was a breeze Not too bad for a first timer!

[The Guv]

Congrats! Which SSD did you go?