[schakravarthy]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

Can't you just up the Ram to 4 gigs?

Eventually..but not right now. For now, I want to know whether by updating the OS X I can resolve the issue or will the system slow down further? If updating won't slow it done, then I'll have a faster system again with all the little things like iPhone sync, flash support on chrome, etc., that I've come to miss.
I'm currently running Leopard. My system can run Lion. So I will have to buy 2 OS, Snow leopard and Lion. Will the RAM update and OS cost exceed the price of a new notebook? The bigger question is when will Apple pull the plug on Lion??

[Rohit Manohar]

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

I have a 2009 Macbook (2.4GHz core 2 duo, 2gb ram) running OS X 10.5.8. I have stopped receiving updates for most of the applications as the OS is outdated. Does it make sense to update the OS and continue with this Macbook for a few more years or should I just scrap it and buy a new one? Ps- My usage is mainly browsing, video calling and other such light activities.

Would make more sense to upgrade to at least Snow Leopard or Lion. Mavericks isn't that great though, wouldn't suggest it, even though its a free upgrade from any version including and after Snow Leopard. Again, the latest iTunes isn't available to Leopard users along with a few other updates. The processor and model of the Macbook seem to be good enough for an upgrade, but 4gb ram is recommended, if not essential.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

Any other tweaks or tricks?

There is a limit to what you can do also. All I am saying is, you may be able to recover some of the speed back. It may not be like what the current day machines are, but I presume it should be definitely good browsing, mail etc.

[Red Liner]

Originally Posted by ampere

There is a limit to what you can do also. All I am saying is, you may be able to recover some of the speed back. It may not be like what the current day machines are, but I presume it should be definitely good browsing, mail etc.

His s system will fly after the 4 GB update. It costs next to nothing if you buy the regular non Apple Ram and swap it yourself.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by Red Liner

His s system will fly after the 4 GB update. It costs next to nothing if you buy the regular non Apple Ram and swap it yourself.

I am not denying that aspect. All I meant was that for the given system without changing anything there is a limit to what can be done.
Also what is the memory on the machine? DDR2 or DDR3? I think it would be a DDR2 running at about 667. Today it may be difficult to procure one. And he might have also to pay more to get an older part.

[schakravarthy]

Originally Posted by ampere

Also what is the memory on the machine? DDR2 or DDR3? I think it would be a DDR2 running at about 667. Today it may be difficult to procure one. And he might have also to pay more to get an older part.

You are spot on. It's a DDR2. The model identifier is MacBook 4,1

[tilt]

@schakravarty:

Update your 'book to whatever the latest OS it will support, and use it for the next few years until it practically falls apart.


Macs last a long time. I have a 2003 Mac Mini (PowerPC, not even Intel) that is still running strong and I still use it a lot.

Mac machines are way better than PC machines in terms of build quality, and even so-called-obsolete ones still run absolutely fine.

Since you mentioned that your usage is not under the power user classification (browsing etc.), please continue using your existing machine for as long as it runs.

Please do not fall into the better-than-the-Joneses phenomenon here. You do not need the latest ad greatest, yet.

Cheers

[schakravarthy]

I'm back for more help and advice.

My sister stays in the States and is scheduled for a visit soon. Coincidentally, I've decided that Santa Claus exists, so I want to pass on my Christmas wish list. (She..oops..He will have to bring gifts to others too, so I don't want to 'tax' Santa excessively. )
I've decided to go in for a RAM upgrade as well as update the OS X to Lion (from Leopard). Now, which RAM would be better? AFAIK, my system supports 6GB, but I read that both the slots running same memory will yield a better result.
Please check the below links and help me decide on the make and capacity of the RAM.

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/app...mory-upgrades/

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/MacBook/DDR2/

If there are any better deals to be had elsewhere, do point me to them. (RAM, as well OS X, will be bought there ).

PS- Er..i am looking at the right product, am I not? It would be really hilarious if I end up buying the wrong item after all this 'research'!

"Processsor: 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, Memory: 2 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM, Model Identifier: MacBook 4,1."
If you need any additional details, please let me know.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

I've decided to go in for a RAM upgrade as well as update the OS X to Lion (from Leopard). Now, which RAM would be better? AFAIK, my system supports 6GB, but I read that both the slots running same memory will yield a better result.

System should support a max of 8GB and NOT 6 I think.

I think 4GB (2x2GB) should be good enough for you. You dont need to order from US.

See this :

http://www.flipkart.com/transcend-dd...1-abf229b640d5


Order 2 of them and you are good to go.

Do note its laptop RAM and not desktop RAM. (You may be aware of it already, but just thought I would re-iterate that fact).

[schakravarthy]

Originally Posted by ampere

System should support a max of 8GB and NOT 6 I think.

I think 4GB (2x2GB) should be good enough for you. You dont need to order from US.

See this :

http://www.flipkart.com/transcend-dd...1-abf229b640d5

Order 2 of them and you are good to go.

Do note its laptop RAM and not desktop RAM. (You may be aware of it already, but just thought I would re-iterate that fact).

Ordering from the US is not a necessity, its a choice.
That said, I read somewhere that updating my OS X to snow leopard is sufficient as I can then directly free update to Maverick. Is that true?

[saket77]

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

I've decided to go in for a RAM upgrade as well as update the OS X to Lion (from Leopard). Now, which RAM would be better? AFAIK, my system supports 6GB, but I read that both the slots running same memory will yield a better result.

Originally Posted by ampere

System should support a max of 8GB and NOT 6 I think.

I think 4GB (2x2GB) should be good enough for you. You dont need to order from US.

[/url]


Order 2 of them and you are good to go.

Do note its laptop RAM and not desktop RAM. (You may be aware of it already, but just thought I would re-iterate that fact).

Hello Folks!

What I have come across in reading is that the 4.1 Macbook will support a max of 6 GB of RAM in 4+2 combinations. However, some one tried to install 4+4 = 8 GB but his observation was that after the RAM usage crosses 6 GB, the performance deteriorates. Have no such experiments to my credit though; running the same model on stock 2 GB!

About OS Upgrade, probably 4.1 Macbooks cannot run Mavericks. Snow Leopard is a decent choice and a worthy upgrade over Leopard.

Here's the link if you want to read more: http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...grade-ram.html

Regards,
Saket

[ampere]

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

That said, I read somewhere that updating my OS X to snow leopard is sufficient as I can then directly free update to Maverick. Is that true?

The saving I see is a max of 700-800 Rs/-.

Also it surely cant upgrade to Mavericks. Snow Leopard Yes. Check for Lion upgrade. I think you can upgrade till Lion.

Saket, typically balanced Memory loading is good. I am not sure about the 6 Vs 8 though. 4 in this case all said makes best possible sense.

[schakravarthy]

Originally Posted by saket77

About OS Upgrade, probably 4.1 Macbooks cannot run Mavericks. Snow Leopard is a decent choice and a worthy upgrade over Leopard.

Originally Posted by ampere

Also it surely cant upgrade to Mavericks. Snow Leopard Yes. Check for Lion upgrade. I think you can upgrade till Lion.

You're right. No Mountain Lion, or Mavericks for me. Lion is the last update option available.

So, its decided then, I'll go for a 4GB RAM (2+2) and a Snow Leopard+Lion OS X update.

Are there any combo offers available on OS?

PS- Which RAM brand do I buy? Any suggestion? There's Samsung, Micron, OWC and DMS to choose from. Please help me select a make and model from the links I shared yesterday.

Also, a 4GB upgrade essentially means that I'll be replacing the RAMs present in my system with the new 2+2 GB combination, right? Or, are there 2 slots (having the present 1+1 GB) + 2 additional slots?

[ampere]

Originally Posted by schakravarthy

Also, a 4GB upgrade essentially means that I'll be replacing the RAMs present in my system with the new 2+2 GB combination, right? Or, are there 2 slots (having the present 1+1 GB) + 2 additional slots?

There are only 2-slots. So you take out the 1+1 and plonk in 2+2. Brand wise I would say Trascend/Kingston. Dont know much about others.

Originally Posted by saket77

The 4.1 can run max 10.7.5 Lion. For RAM, I would like to go with Transcend. They are pretty reputed in memories.

On second thoughts, I think I am also running Lion and not Snow Leopard. I stopped tracking S/W updates for some time on this machine, and hence mentioned earlier, that its running Snow Leopard.

[saket77]

Originally Posted by ampere

Saket, typically balanced Memory loading is good. I am not sure about the 6 Vs 8 though. 4 in this case all said makes best possible sense.

Yes Sir, 2+2 combination would be best and a safe option; much better than experimenting and hoping for the best.

The 4.1 can run max 10.7.5 Lion. For RAM, I would like to go with Transcend. They are pretty reputed in memories.