Macbook Air viability

[johnalever]

Hello,

My main platform is a 2011 vintage MacBook air, that I use for normal tasks, plus some rather intensive photo editing with LightRoom, Photoshop, and some dedicated HDR processors. This is a 4GB RAM machine, and its performance is often abysmal, including memory hits from Safari and its content.

Apart from a new machine, and I know a memory upgrade is not possible, would there be any real effect of increasing the 256GB SDRM with the Transcend 960GB JetDrive 500, 960 GB. i've read that some users have greatly benefited from its faster throughput.

Or is this just a lost cause? The final solution would be a 15" MacBook Pro, with 16GB RAM, but I'm not ready for that capital outlay just now.

Thanks in advance.

 

[nickyr]

Hi John

Fellow LR/PS user here.

I would agree that 4GB of RAM is probably not quite enough for intensive phone editing, etc. but the processor on your MBA probably isn't helping either. But I would try the following before binning your computer:

- download Onyx for your OS and run the automated tab. This can often help with performance. ( http://www.titanium.free.fr/onyx.html )
- download and run Malwarebytes ( https://www.malwarebytes.com/mac/ ) to see if this helps re Safari problems
- if your HD is nearly full, try pulling some stuff off it and onto an external hard drive to create some space and just have the photo(s) you are working on stored on your native HD. If this helps then a HD upgrade might just help a little but you'll still be constrained by your RAM and processor.

Hope this helps, Nick

 

[pigoo3]

My main platform is a 2011 vintage MacBook air, that I use for normal tasks, plus some rather intensive photo editing with LightRoom, Photoshop, and some dedicated HDR processors. This is a 4GB RAM machine, and its performance is often abysmal, including memory hits from Safari and its content.

Apart from a new machine, and I know a memory upgrade is not possible, would there be any real effect of increasing the 256GB SDRM with the Transcend 960GB JetDrive 500, 960 GB. i've read that some users have greatly benefited from its faster throughput.

The 960gig storage upgrade costs more than the computer is worth. The 960gig storage upgrade costs about $500...a 2011 MacBook Air with 4gig of RAM is worth around $400ish. I personally would not recommend this upgrade.

Also...the slowness of the computer is most likely due to it being an older computer (2011)...the 4gig of non-upgradeable RAM...AND...the slow Intel HD 3000 graphics hardware.

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. Of course your computer may just be suffering from a lack of maintenance. Most definitely try the excellent suggestions member nickyr mentioned.