MacBook upgrades, any advice?

[bshot]

Samsung Pro SSD 256 brought my 4 year old Macbook Pro back to life. I would recommend this upgrade to anyone using a standard drive. Super easy to do as well.

[lorax3]

Amazon has a 240GB Crucial SSD for $109.99

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BQ8RM1A/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[ixta70]

We upgraded our 2009 MBP with 4GB of RAM and a Samsung EVO 250GB SSD not too long ago. The screen resolution is not optimal to me but it is sufficient. The battery is toast but that's not important to us.

RAM and SSD. Start with that. I'm partial to Samsung MLC SSDs but their TLC drives are acceptable too if budget is tight.

the screen is driving me crazy. I can't see the whole right edge. So if a new file ends up there, I can't see it unless I highlight something near by and drag it around.

Samsung Pro SSD 256 brought my 4 year old Macbook Pro back to life. I would recommend this upgrade to anyone using a standard drive. Super easy to do as well.

Did you do it yourself? If so what tutorial? Also did you replace the original hard drive or replace the optical drive?

Amazon has a 240GB Crucial SSD for $109.99

Thank you sir, I got my crucial ram on amazon. Cheaper than buying direct. Wish I would have gone with 8GB instead. Oh well. Lol

[bshot]

Did you do it yourself? If so what tutorial? Also did you replace the original hard drive or replace the optical drive?

I replaced the original hard drive using a fresh OS install. Note: remember where the screws are on the case because of different length screws.

Also I recommend reading this before you purchase your SSD HD: http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/...rk,3269-6.html

[bshot]

We upgraded our 2009 MBP with 4GB of RAM and a Samsung EVO 250GB SSD not too long ago. I doubt we are replacing it anytime soon. It serves the purpose of general web browsing and email access perfectly fine. The screen resolution is not optimal to me but it is sufficient. The battery is toast but that's not important to us.

RAM and SSD. Start with that. I'm partial to Samsung MLC SSDs but their TLC drives are acceptable too if budget is tight.

I replaced my battery (service battery indicator on) when upgrading my hard drive. I found a new replacement for $50 on amazon.

[eLeL]

the screen is driving me crazy. I can't see the whole right edge. So if a new file ends up there, I can't see it unless I highlight something near by and drag it around.

That is strange. Luckily we don't have that problem. Are you saying the icon is being placed beyond what you see on the screen and you have to side scroll off the right edge?

I replaced my battery (service battery indicator on) when upgrading my hard drive. I found a new replacement for $50 on amazon.

Thanks, we'll check it out!

[ixta70]

That is strange. Luckily we don't have that problem. Are you saying the icon is being placed beyond what you see on the screen and you have to side scroll off the right edge?

No like the screen pixels are dead on the right edge of the screen and new icons are placed in that area so I can't see them because of the dead pixels.

[e90bmw]

OP.
Don't bother playing with a 4 year old MB.
Leave it alone or buy a refurb 13" MB Pro or an Air.
Refurbed Airs start at $720 for 11" or $760 for 13".
A 13" MB Pro starts at $1000.

You could always buy a used machine.
Fixing the screen ($200) adding an SSD (256GB is ~150), etc is not worth it on a 4 year old machine that could break right after you do the upgrades.
You could be into a four year old machine for $400.
You would be better off buying a used machine

http://www.macofalltrades.com/MacBook-Pro-13-inch-G-2-53GHz-C2D-Mid-2009-p/mbp-13-253-m09a.htm

Just an example.