13" MacBook Pro 2009 - need upgrade opinions

gnomishninja · gnomishninja #1 (**permalink**)

02-05-2012, 11:57 AM

Hi everyone.

I am considering upgrading my 2009 unibody 13" MacBook Pro's Ram OR buying a new 13" MacBook Pro with my tax return. If I don't replace the whole machine I can get an iMac.

I usually websurf, run iTunes, and watch online videos on the MBP. The iMac would be for managing photos and would take over for iTunes and hosting my video collection.

So the main focus of my question is if an upgrade from 2 GB of RAM to 4 GB or 8 GB would keep my '09 in good shape until at least until 2013. Would I see a noticeable difference in going from 2 gigs to 4? And is swapping out the RAM really as easy as the videos on YouTube and OWC make it look?

josephfazioli · josephfazioli #2 (**permalink**)

02-06-2012, 06:45 AM

Upgrading from 2 to 4 will be a noticeable difference when running multiple apps. It doesn't sound like you use many processor-intensive programs like video and audio editors, so an upgrade to an i5 or i7 may not be necessary.
Upgrading to 8 would be great, but quite a but more money. Are you playing games often? If the iMac became your primary photo editing machine, I bet the MacBook pro with 4 gig ram would suit you for at least 2 more years.

The ram swap is pretty easy. I went from 2 to 4 about 2 months after I bought it with little effort.

ycl1688 · ycl1688 #3 (**permalink**)

02-06-2012, 10:17 AM

as for the ram swapping this is the link easy one, you do not have to follow step 3 about battery removal, a piece of cake
Installing MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2010 RAM - iFixit

gnomishninja #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 02, 2006 Posts: 44	02-05-2012, 11:57 AM Hi everyone. I am considering upgrading my 2009 unibody 13" MacBook Pro's Ram OR buying a new 13" MacBook Pro with my tax return. If I don't replace the whole machine I can get an iMac. I usually websurf, run iTunes, and watch online videos on the MBP. The iMac would be for managing photos and would take over for iTunes and hosting my video collection. So the main focus of my question is if an upgrade from 2 GB of RAM to 4 GB or 8 GB would keep my '09 in good shape until at least until 2013. Would I see a noticeable difference in going from 2 gigs to 4? And is swapping out the RAM really as easy as the videos on YouTube and OWC make it look? I am gnomishninja's clever signature. Last edited by gnomishninja; 02-05-2012 at 12:05 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Macbook Pro 13in mid 2009 1tb hard drive upgrade	MrKay	Apple Notebooks	11	01-30-2012 10:22 AM
13" Macbook Pro 990 LL (209) display vs. Macbook Aluminum	DunnInLA	Apple Notebooks	2	06-10-2011 03:43 PM
Macbook Pro 13 2009 RAM upgrade	jackowild	Apple Notebooks	1	01-31-2011 12:19 PM
New Macbook 13" vs. Macbook Pro 13"	arwelsh510	Apple Notebooks	8	12-05-2010 05:33 PM

13" MacBook Pro 2009 - need upgrade opinions

Internet Services

Web Development

Digital Marketing

Consumer Tech

josephfazioli #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 03, 2009 Location: upstate ny Posts: 62 Mac Specs: MBP 13. 2.26. 4 gig.	02-06-2012, 06:45 AM Upgrading from 2 to 4 will be a noticeable difference when running multiple apps. It doesn't sound like you use many processor-intensive programs like video and audio editors, so an upgrade to an i5 or i7 may not be necessary. Upgrading to 8 would be great, but quite a but more money. Are you playing games often? If the iMac became your primary photo editing machine, I bet the MacBook pro with 4 gig ram would suit you for at least 2 more years. The ram swap is pretty easy. I went from 2 to 4 about 2 months after I bought it with little effort.
	QUOTE Thanks

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)