My macbook is getting old

[arikara]

I added new memory a couple years ago and the hard drive is getting full so I'm starting to shop for a new computer. I just found out that the new macbooks can't be upgraded from whatever you buy anymore. I was told they are meant to last 3 years then you replace it.

If there is no way around this I think its time to look at something different, but I hate windows too. Does anybody here use linux?

[LiberalArkie]

1. The new MacBook Pros can be upgraded, but not the air or retina.

The 3 year thing I think is strange. I have 2010 Mac Mini and 2012 Pro. Fantastic machines. And still very fast. The mini is the slowest with an i5 the pro is i7. My brother in aw still uses my old 2009 macbook pro and prefers it over his windows machine.

What year is your Mac?

[arikara]

4. Its an early 2009 model.

I've upgraded the memory but not the HD, not sure if I can.

The kid at Best Buy seemed really disgusted with what Apple is doing too but I'll check at the Apple store and get more info.

[LiberalArkie]

6. goto crucial.com. you can download an app that will tell you what you can put in it.

I have changed mine to 500gb SSD, they make it like a new one.

[RoccoR5955]

15. True dat!

I scored a 960GB SSD, and it boots up in less than a minute.

[Baobab]

18. I use Linux and have an older macbook like you.

I have for 15 years.. have had a long chain of Macs going back to my first - a 512k Mac . Maybe 1988 or 89 (Also got a demo of the first Apple as a high school kid "maker".)

If your Macbook is 64 bit you likely can free up some hard drive space, add memory, it may feel like a new machine. What OS version do you use?

You likely can run a current OS...

3 years is refering to Applecare. Which fixes some things but not others.

If money is tight, you should not give up on your MB, it likely just needs some TLC.

[emulatorloo]

2. Linux = user interface designed by programmers to mimic Windows

but even less intuitive. You would hate it.

Have you called up the Apple Store about this? I am not sure that the rumor you heard that they are not upgradable is correct?

Just an FYI, you can save some money if you get a Apple-refurb from the Apple Store. Same warranty, completely and stringently restored and tested.

A fair number of my macs have been Apple-refurbished, as well as an iPod touch. All been great!

[arikara]

3. Thanks for the linux and refurb info

I do plan to go to the apple store. Awhile back I heard some weren't upgradeable but the other day I checked in at Best Buy and the kid said none are anymore. If this is true, it really sucks.

Mine is early 2009, I will see if I can upgrade it once more. Its again reached the stage where itunes won't update and I can't connect with my tablet which is a hassle.

[emulatorloo]

5. So the hard-drive is too full? Is that the problem?

A bit of a nerd here, would be happy to research a little about MacBook upgrades.


Which model is it? Should say on "about this Mac".

[Baobab]

19. Check XLR8yourmac.com

...

[arikara]

8. Thank you for the info guyton

I don't use the cloud at all and would rather not. I've had 3 computer systems in I guess nearly 20 years, I like to buy a really solid system then upgrade to make them last 6 or 7 years.

I probably will move some stuff off the hard drive. I have a lot of photos and music so it shouldn't be hard to free up enough space to update the operating system. I'm just kind of miffed to find out about the 3 year thing because I was going to splurge on a new macbook. Much as I like mac I'm not willing to pay their price if thats the game they are going to play now.

[Zorro]

9. If storage is an issue...

128GB Sandisk Ultrafit USB thumb drives are ~$30 on Amazon.

I think early 2009 MacBooks can't be upgraded to the latest OS due to deprecated video processing hardware.

[Elwood P Dowd]

10. I have a mid-late 2009 Macbook Unibody I'm hoping to run a little longer.

Recently contacted OWC and purchased 8GB of RAM, and that helped quite a bit. Also thinking about a new SSD to speed it up even more. A friend did both with his 6-year-old MacBook Pro and said it's flying now with El Capitan installed, but it struggled some with El Capitan before adding the SSD.

Under "About This Mac", what are your specs and Model Identifier? Mine is 2.26 GHz with model ID 6.1, which can run the latest OS according to most reports. Is yours a 5.1?

I'm still debating whether to spend anymore money (SSD) on this old one or just keep plugging until I can save enough for a refurbished MacBook Pro. Like others have said, you can find some great deals from time to time on refurb older Macbook Pros at the Appie site. They can still be upgraded.

One problem I've run into about spending more on an SSD for the old Macbook and upgrading the OS is that the old Airport Express I purchased with it does not presently work with El Capitan. I read somewhere they are working on this, but as of now there are issues.

[arikara]

11. This is what I have

Model Identifier: MacBook4,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 3 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MB41.00C1.B00
SMC Version (system): 1.31f1

This became a non-issue overnight. To make a long story short the outgoing sewer line developed a crack probably assisted by the earthquake last week, and the plumber absconded with my mac money.

[Elwood P Dowd]

12. Damn, I know that feeling. Every time I think there might be a way to upgrade something

like the computer or stereo, some unexpected expense bursts the bubble. Sounds like you just need to get a cheap flash drive to hold you over until better days and get that existing HD some relief. Macs don't work to well with an HD that's more than 80-85 percent full.

[emulatorloo]

13. Have you visited the ifixit website?

https://www.ifixit.com

They should have diy guides to upgrading ram, harddrive etc.

I can't quite tell which exact model you have, but this site should clarify which MacBook model you should search ifixit for:

Mac specs by year:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_year/macs-released-in-2009.html

[47of74]

14. I had an early 2011 MBP.

I wound up that 2011 machine with an Air back in 2013 because of the infamous video problem. That was about a year before I planned. I know Apple eventually said the motherboards could be replaced for free but I had the Air working OK and decided against it. I still have my white early 2008 MacBook that still works, and I keep it as a spare machine.

My brother still has his old 2008 MacBook - he went and got the unibody one as soon as Apple released them for sale. He still uses it from time to time, but these days he uses an iPad instead for most of his internet surfing. Otherwise his MacBook still works fairly well for him. (I have an iPad too but I use it more for reading or watching movies than straight up web surfing - which is what I use my Air for). He says that when the time comes to get a new machine he's going to probably get a mini since everything he used the MacBook for he does on an iPad now.

I also have a custom built desktop machine at home where I keep my photos and other media since there isn't enough room on my Air for all that. I went that route since I could have it built to my own specifications and could get it without an operating system. They were able to get me the most compatible hardware for Ubuntu on the server.

I'm in no hurry to get a replacement for my current Air. Maybe in three or four years. And I think then I'd probably go back to a MacBook Pro.

[StandingInLeftField]

16. Late 2008 Unibody Macbook (1st generation of the unibody)

Running El Capitan with 8 Gb of recognized RAM and a 250 Gb SSD. I'll be replacing the CD drive with a 2nd hard drive set up as a FUSION drive. Boots El Cap from chime to sign in screen in 16 seconds.

Your 2009 can definitely be upgraded! Mine runs like new with all updates, security or otherwise.

SORRY, this was supposed to be a reply to the OP.

[47of74]

17. My brother has one of those.

I think I mentioned that before. He still uses it occasionally.