Replace or repair macbook

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Hey guys

So here's the deal. I have a macbook that I got in 2009, 150GB, running Leopard. However recently I've been hearing ticking noises from the hard drive, which google tells me means my hard drive is about to die. The battery is also not nearly as good as it used to be, although that isn't a huge issue for me.

So, obviously I have a fairly old macbook, and the logical thing would be to buy a new one. However, I am a starving student with no money. I've backed everything up from my HD, so I could buy and replace the hard drive myself (and maybe the battery) for far less than buying a new macbook.

Basically, is this the right decision? Or will my mac become obsolete so soon that it's just worth hoping my HD lasts until I can afford a new macbook (Christmas, basically)
 

RavingMac

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Hey guys

So here's the deal. I have a macbook that I got in 2009, 150GB, running Leopard. However recently I've been hearing ticking noises from the hard drive, which google tells me means my hard drive is about to die. The battery is also not nearly as good as it used to be, although that isn't a huge issue for me.

So, obviously I have a fairly old macbook, and the logical thing would be to buy a new one. However, I am a starving student with no money. I've backed everything up from my HD, so I could buy and replace the hard drive myself (and maybe the battery) for far less than buying a new macbook.

Basically, is this the right decision? Or will my mac become obsolete so soon that it's just worth hoping my HD lasts until I can afford a new macbook (Christmas, basically)

I have a 2007 MBP that still does everything I need and probably will for several more years.
Backup your data and buy and new HD (less than $100). Directions to install can be found here.
MacBook Repair - iFixit
 
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If you want to really give your machine a blast, put in an SSD instead of a HD. It will cost more, but they are blazing fast. You can use the old drive as an external drive to get some extra space really cheap, or also buy a portable external that is also pretty cheap these days. The SSD form factor is the same as any other 2.5" drive so they are directly swappable. You'll feel like you've bought a brand new machine.

Just be sure you have a backup of some type whatever you do, plus the original install disk.

Update to SL or Lion if you wish.

(I missed the starving student argument, but if you can scratch up the money the SSD is BETTER than buying a new machine.)
 

RavingMac

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Sounds good. Would you recommend I update to Snow Leopard/Lion while I'm at it?

I would definitely pop the $29 for Snow Leopard while you are at it.

As was suggested, an SSD would probably give you a speed boost, but they're still pricey if dollars are tight.
 
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If you want to really give your machine a blast, put in an SSD instead of a HD. It will cost more, but they are blazing fast. You can use the old drive as an external drive to get some extra space really cheap, or also buy a portable external that is also pretty cheap these days. The SSD form factor is the same as any other 2.5" drive so they are directly swappable. You'll feel like you've bought a brand new machine.

Just be sure you have a backup of some type whatever you do, plus the original install disk.

Update to SL or Lion if you wish.

(I missed the starving student argument, but if you can scratch up the money the SSD is BETTER than buying a new machine.)

To be honest, I'm not a gamer or anything, so speed has never really been an issue.

BUT more importantly, turns out that the clicking was just the case being a tad loose. I'll probably replace the RAM and battery instead of the HD now.
 

RavingMac

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To be honest, I'm not a gamer or anything, so speed has never really been an issue.

BUT more importantly, turns out that the clicking was just the case being a tad loose. I'll probably replace the RAM and battery instead of the HD now.

Good call. But, a reminder, if you don't have a backup system for your data you need to set one up. Hard Drives fail and they almost always fail at the worst possible time.
You can replace hardware but memories (and photos) are often irreplaceable.
 

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