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Mid 2009 Model A1278 / 2.26 or 2.53 GHz Core 2 Duo processor EMC 2326

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What should be my first upgrade?

I am a student and only use my computer for schoolwork (Access to the Web and Microsoft Word).

However my computer is extremely slow and can't load websites fast enough. Should I buy a new computer? If not, what upgrades should I do?

Hardware Overview:

  • Model Name: MacBook Pro
  • Model Identifier: MacBookPro5,5
  • Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
  • Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
  • Number Of Processors: 1
  • Total Number Of Cores: 2
  • L2 Cache: 3 MB
  • Memory: 2 GB
  • Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz
  • Boot ROM Version: MBP55.00AC.B03
  • SMC Version (system): 1.47f2
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First thing is to boost the RAM here. You should have 4 to 8 GB at least in your system, 2 GB is just too little.

While its nice to have a SSD it's not the only option here, a hybrid HD (SSHD) would be a better investment.

A SSD is quite costly when you get in to the 256 GB and larger sizes. Most people today need around 256 to 512 GB to have enough elbow room. Remember, you'll need to leave 1/3 of the drive free for the smaller SSD's and 1/4 on the 256 and larger SSD's so the SSD wear is more even.

You also may find the HD is in need of some TLC. Often a slow system (besides needing more RAM) needs a good cleaning of old junk freeing up space as well as defragmenting. While Apple has done a lot of work to lessen the need for defrag'ing you still need do it when a drive has not been cleaned out often enough. Here's a good app I use: Drive Genius.

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SSD definitely. Your one isn't a 2011 model if it is 2.26ghz c2d (think that's a 2009), but an SSD will definitely breathe new life into this :)

If it starts freezing (so you have to shut down by the button), fit more RAM, but if it is generally slow, SSD should improve this

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Marc Palucci will be eternally grateful.
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