hello all,

I have some newbie questions here to ask. Am planning to upgrade my MBP 13" to SSD and 8GB RAM. Since you guys mentioned in previous reply that should go for SSD first :

- current MBP is 500GB, can I only upgrade to the same storage capacity or higher?
- what are the recommended brands available? I have browsed thru LYN, recommended ones are Intel and Crutial.
- in order to choose which SSD model, I've to check on the read and write speed am i right?

one question on RAM :-

- which type of latency timing of RAM should i get? Just tried googling on the explanation of 9-9-9 but don't really understand. the lower the number the better isit?

1. It does not matter what size, you can go big or small. The question is, how big of a data you have stored in your hard disk currently. If it is more than the size of your intended SSD then you need to cut down the amount of data in your mac before you can make the change.

2. To be honest, can't really see much of a difference. I have used OCZ, Kingston, even the latest Vertex 4 with the Indilinx controller. Didn't encounter any problems but again your luck may vary. Most safest one would be the Crucial M4 but it is aging and not as fast as it used to be.

3. Sata. Check your SATA connection. That is important part.

hi. i have MBA 13" 2011 model 128GB on mountain lion -

if can upgrade SSD to 512GB what would be the best brand to use?

any compatibility issue? thanks

How do I check for the SATA connection?

If current RAM is DDR3 1600 so I must choose back the same range?

There is only one brand that you can use and that is OWC. They are about the only guys actually making SSD upgrades for the Macbook Air, and they normally include the equipment needed to actually do the upgrade.

You probably have the 13" 2012 version. Sata connection definately SATA III, so look for SSD that supports SATA III so you can get full speed on they system.

As for RAM, if you are upgrading to 8GB, you'll need to buy 4GB x 2 DDR3 1600Mhz. Don't get conned into buying expensive Apple branded RAM, you don't actually need that. 1600Mhz is the maximum speed your slot can use.

Please check your system information, especially the SATA and RAM panels to get the full spec that you need for the upgrade.

thank you for the info! people here are really friendly

currently on 8GB memory, do i need more?


Attached thumbnail(s)

anyone know any apple data recovery center (for mac ofcoz) in kl ??

Hi guys, just wanted some opinion on upgrading my MBP Mid 2010 13 inch. I know it's almost at it's last length since it's almost 3 years since it was launch, was wondering if it's worth it to change the HDD to SSD and if so, are there any recommendation of brands that can be found locally?

The question you need to ask is if the upgrade will make the mac faster, or are you missing out on features that has gone by after that three years have passed.

Now, this being a 2010 mac, you probably have the Core 2 Duo version, with the NVIDIA graphics - Unfortunately, here lies your main bottleneck now, since compared to even the 2011 Sandy Bridge macs they are a magnitude faster.

SSD these days are mostly SATA III but you can't take advantage of that speed also. However, they do provide a noticeable boost, even on older models - But compatibility is also another question. What OS are you running it on?

Currently running on Mountain Lion. Do you mean that my 2010 runs even faster than the 2011 Macs?

No, your 2010 runs even slower since basically the 2010 macs skipped a generation of Intel Processor (Nehalem, I think).

Still advisable to change it?

I would say.. No. If it was the 2011 macs with Sandy Bride processors, then my answer would be yes. 2010 Core 2 Duo, better save the money for the SSD, sell the 2010 second hand and get the latest mac you can afford.

You get more performance that way.

my 2010 mbp is still rocking on your ssd that you sold me 2 years ago... albeit on snow leopard...

Haha. Yep, the SSD does make everything seem snappier. If you think 2010 is fast, you should try the 2012 with SSD. . And 16GB RAM.

I just tested that with a Corsair SSD on a 2012 13" MBP with 16GB RAM... It's fast but that slight difference will not offset real-world applications... And I wouldn't trade that for running a shitty Mountain Lion...

just ordered a 120GB SSD from OWC, Electra 6G and waiting for shipping now. this is for mbp 13 2012.

was thinking to get 16GB ram now as I;m always lack of memory(8GB now) during my working time (unless i clear the inactive data but this might slow down my mac after clearing, need times for the speed back).

Anyone order ram from OWC as well? or I simply go digital mall and buy any brand with 1600Mhz will do?

any significant performance with those so called high speed/hyperX/ bla bla with a normal value ram?

I've bought many rams from OWC, some for my Mac Pro couple of years back and for my MBP 2 years ago... At that time, ram prices were sky-high. Bought a single piece of 4GB for 500 bucks including shipping costs, and another for 300 when the prices took a halfway-dive. A lot cheaper from OWC at that time when the local stores were offering 1k bucks for a single stick of Kingston KTA...

Nowadays ram sticks are dirt cheap, not sure if buying from OWC is cheaper than the one sold locally - haven't got the chance to buy ram since I'm still stuck with almost-expiring ACPP-ed MBP which can only maxed out at 8GB...

I bought Mushkin 977033A Apple certified - 8GB 1600MHZ for my mbp around rm205 if not mistaken from lingloong, thats was last year price anyway

This post has been edited by amirsubhi: Mar 31 2013, 05:34 PM