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Early 2011 Model: A1278 / 2.3 GHz i5 or 2.7 GHz i7 processor

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Should I Upgrade to an SSD or my Ram?

I have a early 2011 macbook pro, and I’ve been meaning to get an upgrade. I’m on a strict budget and I can only spend $100-140 dollars or less.

Should I update my Ram to 8/16gb or get a 250GB SSD to replace my HD? I will only be using this computer for 3 more years so I don’t want to spend extensive money. Based on what I am using my computer for (below), what do you guys think I should do? Is there a way I can update both my Ram and SSD under my budget? Are the specs on my computer (below) good enough for my usage, if I want no lagging/speed and decent space on my computer? Let me know! Thanks!

What I use my computer for:

- Doing research for Model United Nations

- Multiple tabs open

- Want speed

- Taking notes on many things (I will be holding the class office position of secretary as well as the same position in my MUN club.)

- Organizing multiple things

- Planning budgets on excel (Plus other work that Treasurers do)

- Download a few files

- Minor editing through iMovie

- Usage in competitions (Speech and Debate/Model UN)

- Want no lagging to ensure no complications during competition

- Downloading of large dropbox file

- School work

- (Maybe) Art and a lil bit of graphic design idk

Specs:

2.3 GHz Intel Core i5

4 GB 1333 MHz DDR3

Macintosh HD

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With a limited budget I'l go with a Seagate FireCuda 500 GB hybrid drive and take it to 8 GB of RAM, always nice to do both upgrades.

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will i see a difference in speed? that’s a big factor for me because i want to work efficiently as well as have enough space for my work. although i also don’t wanna spend too much as i’m getting a new computer in 2-3 years. what’s the difference between seagate firecuda and seagate momentus xt?

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Lots of speed. Hybrid technology from Seagate combines SSD and traditional hard drive technology to provide SSD speeds from an affordable high capacity hard drive. Adaptive Memory technology keeps the files and file types you access the most ready and available for instant transfer from SSD.

No software or operating system requirements, Adaptive Memory technology is self-contained and works like any SATA drive.

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also, i saw that ots only 5400rpm (which is what might computer already has.) is that a big deal that has to do with speed? should i get a 7200rpm sshd? thank you so much btw!

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7200RPM is faster, not sure if noticeably, heres a comparison between 5400RPM and 7200RPM HDDs not SSHDs. same results still apply relatively.

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Not sure what country you're from but in Aus you're be able to get a 250gb ssd second hand for $75-$85, as for an 8gb ram upgrade that seems to float around the $70 mark on eBay. Would only assume it would be cheaper for people overseas.

Personally if you can only afford one or the other i would 100% do the ssd it makes so much difference.

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