Old 2009 Mac what to do

[kaz cooke]

Hi All,

I have an old Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch, Mid 2009 - 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo 4gb memory and 500HDD OS X El Capitan, i haven't really taken care of it i.e. clearing junk etc and only use it to move photos/files, download, browse online and watch movies. I originally bought it in 2009 to edit and create videos which I don't do any more and as its running really slow i'm at at point of what to do with it!!

I've cleared all important files off of it and onto an external hard drive and going to factory reset it to see if they helps in anyway, but do I decide that the laptop is to old and I should say goodbye and buy a new one or is there a way to revive it?

I can upgrade the memory to a max of 8GB (or can I go further???) and I can replace the hard drive to SSD but would that be enough to make a differance???

If my option is to buy new are there any thoughts on what I should do with the old Mac as i'm not really wanting to sell it as its my first ever Mac.

P.S. the battery on the Mac is dead and only use the cable with it but doubt that effects performance

thanks

 

[pigoo3]

I've cleared all important files off of it and onto an external hard drive and going to factory reset it to see if they helps in anyway...

A factory reset may help...depending on how full the hard drive was...how much maintenance had been done over the years...and how much stuff was installed & could have slowed things down.

I can upgrade the memory to a max of 8GB (or can I go further???)..

8gig of RAM is the max for this MacBook Pro...but 8gig is still a pretty decent amount.

...and I can replace the hard drive to SSD but would that be enough to make a differance???

It will make the computer feel faster...since the computer will boot up faster...apps will launch faster...and files saved faster.

I should also add...since this computer is 9 years old...it's also possible the current HD is failing. Slowness can be one sign of a failing HD...especially in an older computer.

If my option is to buy new are there any thoughts on what I should do with the old Mac as i'm not really wanting to sell it as its my first ever Mac.

If your plan would be to keep it (not sell it)...really hard to say what you could do with it. Only you know best what your interests & hobby's are.

P.S. the battery on the Mac is dead and only use the cable with it but doubt that effects performance

And now we get to the "meat & potatoes" of this discussion. You mentioned that you doubted that a dead battery could effect performance...this would not necesarliy be a good conclusion to come to.

Many times an Apple laptop/portable computer without an installed battery will run slower. I replaced the battery in my 2011 17" MacBook Pro recently. With the battery removed & the computer plugged "into the mains"...I ran a CPU benchmark test on it...and it only ran at 20% of what it was supposed to with a working battery installed. With the new battery installed (or the old still working battery installed)...it ran at 100% the speed it was supposed to.

In your case I'm not 100% sure if an installed (but dead) battery will be detected by the computer as no battery at all...but if it does...this could be the main reason why the computer is so very slow (a failing HD could also be a possibility).

HTH,

- Nick

 

[badshoehabit]

If my option is to buy new are there any thoughts on what I should do with the old Mac as i'm not really wanting to sell it as its my first ever Mac.

Use it as a chopping board? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r-ZQDioFfLQ

 

[pigoo3]

I was going to suggest use it as "frisbee"...but figured after a couple tosses...its days as an operational computer would be over!

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

Hey Nick

Thanks for the info about the difference between laptop performance with and without a battery. I knew there was a difference but didn't expect it to be that big. Learn something new every day.

 

[pm-r]

I have an old Apple MacBook Pro 17-inch, Mid 2009 - 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo 4gb memory and 500HDD OS X El Capitan, i haven't really taken care of it

I still have and use a 2007 15" MacBook Pro occasionally that I have taken care of over the years with adding maximum RAM, an SSD and replacement battery and it runs fine and does what I need to do when I use it when traveling.

But I also have a mid-2011 27" iMac as my daily user.





- Patrick
======

 

[pigoo3]

Thanks for the info about the difference between laptop performance with and without a battery. I knew there was a difference but didn't expect it to be that big. Learn something new every day.

Glad you found it useful.

I ran Geekbench 4 with & without the battery installed in my 2011 17" MacBook Pro. The computer usually gets 9,900-10,000 CPU score with Geekbench 4 (battery in place)...and was literally only getting 2000-3000 with the battery removed (easy math...only 20-30% of normal). Without the battery is was painfully slow.

- Nick

 

[Slydude]

I assume that running without the battery would also cause CPU temps and fan speeds to rise. My 2008 MB pro did that at one point. Just as I was getting up the courage to do a teardown and track down the problem it stopped. I don't remember if the problem was solved by a battery change but I think I did change the battery.

I have now tried two different third party batteries in that machine and neither of them gives me anywhere near the battery life I got from the original Apple battery.

 

[kaz cooke]

Thanks Nick,

that's a huge help especially on the battery side

 

[kaz cooke]

badshoehabit

not a bad idea as I could make/get someone to make a wood cover for the keyboard so i can chop on that while watching a movie ;D

 

[kaz cooke]

Found these on ebay, do you think going for second hand is safe or should I just go for new?


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-8GB-...532943?hash=item4b204e0bcf:g:ANsAAOSwc-Rajsvo

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Crucial-...848767&hash=item1a6104a4b2:g:TnUAAOSws29bu7fY

and for the battery is this correct?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07F3XFXTD/

 

[nancyspeed]

As the owner of a MacBook 2008 notebook, I think I am qualified to comment. The next thing that will possibly happen is corrosion at the site where you plug the cord in to run it. I loved my 2008. I replaced the hard drive, upgraded the memory, bought a new battery, and then discovered the corrosion. I have to have it "just" in the right spot to charge, and sometimes this involves a piece of duct tape. I grieved over my buddy's failing body. Finally I bought a new MacBook Pro. Was amazed at how far technology had come while I tried to stay in 2008. Still have my old notebook, mainly because I don't think anyone would want it. Good memories but it sure was nice to join the present.

I would just buy a new one.

 

[pm-r]

@nancyspeed

The next thing that will possibly happen is corrosion at the site where you plug the cord in to run it.

Hmmm…??? Some use of some good electrical contact cleaner on that contact area comes to mind that should get it back into some decent working shape.

Just a thought and a suggestion….





- Patrick
======

 

[pigoo3]

And use an old tooth brush for some gentle scrubbing.

- Nick

 

[pm-r]

And use an old tooth brush for some gentle scrubbing.

- Nick

And even adding some good toothpaste that can work as a good cleaner, may help as well. Or brass/silver cleaner/polish if preferred.

It's amazing how well a clean dry toothbrush can also clean and improve a keyboard working as well many other jobs.








- Patrick
======

 

[pigoo3]

It's amazing how well a clean dry toothbrush can also clean and improve a keyboard working as well many other jobs.

The trick sometimes is not confusing the old toothbrushes used for various cleaning jobs...for "new" toothbrushes. The "old" toothbrushes used for cleaning toilets not so fun for brushng the teeth!

- Nick

 

[nancyspeed]

I'll try those suggestions on the corrosion. I have tried some of them (toothbrush for example). I was scared to spray anything on it, but do have the spray cleaner already on hand. At least then I could offer it for sale.