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Mid 2012 model, A1278 / 2.5 GHz i5 or 2.9 GHz i7 processor.

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Upgrade RAM and/or Memory - helpful and which one first/both?

I own a MacBook Pro 13'' Mid 2012 (last three serial numbers: TY3; memory: 4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3; 500GB SATA; processor: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5).

It's extremely slow, more than 5 tabs can't be open, it just hangs up most of the time... But I don't want to give it up yet and try to replace parts first.

1.) Does that make sense or should I invest in a new one? (Updates are no longer available after Mojave.)

2.) Does it make sense to use an SSD (if so, what size)?

3.) Does it make sense to increase the RAM to 16GB?

4.) Do I start with the SSD or RAM?

Thank you very much - I would be happy to get an answer.

Greetings Anna 

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Ich besitze einen MacBook Pro 13'' Mid 2012 (die letzten drei Nummern der Seriennummer: TY3; Speicher: 4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3; 500GB SATA; Prozessor: 2,5 GHz Intel Core i5). Er ist extrem langsam, mehr als 5 Tabs können nicht offen sein, er hängt sich meistens nur noch auf... Aber ich will ihn noch nicht aufgeben und erst einmal versuchen, Teile zu ersetzen.

1.) Ist das sinnvoll oder sollte ich in einen Neuen investieren? (Updates gibt es jetzt nach Mojave nicht mehr dafür.)

2.) Macht es Sinn, eine SSD einzusetzen (wenn ja, welche Größe)?

3.) Macht es Sinn, die RAM auf 16GB aufzustocken?

4.) Beginne ich mit der SSD oder der RAM?

Ganz herzlichen Dank - ich würde mich über eine Antwort freuen.

Liebe Grüße Anna



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Thank you so much, Ben!

Das hat mir wirklich sehr geholfen! Dann werde ich mit der SSD starten - nur gerade jetzt sind alle Größen für die Upgrade Bundles ausverkauft.

Und ich glaube das Hard drive Kabel wurde bereits ausgetauscht, weil es Probleme gab - das muss ich (sobald ich die Werkzeuge hab) anschauen, ob das nochmal nötig ist.

Für Interessierte (der hier ist es): https://everymac.com/systems/apple/macbo...

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1.) Does that make sense or should I invest in a new one? (Updates are no longer available after Mojave.)

Depends on what you use it for. If it’s for web browsing, word processing (documents), reading emails all that stuff it is worth speeding it up again.

2.) Does it make sense to use an SSD (if so, what size)?

Definitely yes over the stock hard drive that comes with the MacBook, these tend to have a lifespan of around 5 years and when it gets past that they tend to start going bad rather quickly without any obvious symptoms other than the slow down you are having.

If you store lots of photos and backups on the Mac I would go for 480GB. If it’s the general work word processing browsing 240GB will do, price difference is not too bad so 480GB might be the sweet spot.

3.) Does it make sense to increase the RAM to 16GB?

I think this MacBook in particular most likely yours is a MacBook Pro 13” Unibody Mid-2012 (A1278) can only be upgraded to a max of 8 gigabytes. From experience 4GB is sufficient for that use case mentioned above.

4) Do I start with the SSD or RAM?

Start with the SSD. Ram can be upgraded at any time if needed. Most users are fine with 4GB on MacOS Mojave.

When doing the SSD Upgrade I also recommend replacing the hard drive cable. These cables tend to go bad a lot on the A1278 due to the design, debris like dirt / sand or other foreign material will scrape over the thin flex cable causing abrasions which in result damage the cable.

I will link parts and guide for hard drive cable below:

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody Mid 2012 Hard Drive Cable Replacement

You can input your serial number in this lookup page to identify your macbook model:

https://everymac.com/ultimate-mac-lookup...

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable Image

Product

MacBook Pro 13" Unibody (Mid 2012) Hard Drive Cable

$34.99

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Anna will be eternally grateful.
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