Should I upgrade RAM, add drive or just buy new laptop?

[peebok]

Hi all,
I'm a bit late to this technology so excuse my ignorance. I have a late 2011 MacBook Pro 15" with a 2.2 GHz Intel core i7 and 4GB memory. I really love this machine, it's served me well as a screenwriter, with only 1 glitch (the Intel graphics card which Apple repaired for me about a year ago). But the whole system is now heading south fast - it's struggling to run Sierra and the beachball is taking over my day's work. I'm worried the hard drive is on its way out. It's the worst timing as we've just bought a new house and maxed out the savings. What I need advice on is whether a new drive (a SSD?) or upgrading the memory would help or if I'm just throwing good money after bad. Everything is backed up but still... Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[Lee_Bo]

We bought a 2011 iMac a few months back. It seemd to run ok but a bit slow. I did some research and decided to swap out the hard drive with an SSD. I did that then restored from Time Machine. Turns out the iMac would also hold 16 gigs of ram so I upgraded that also. Now with the upgrades and High Sierra running I rarely see the beach ball anymore.

Hope this helps.

 

[TwitchyPuppy]

Only an SSD usually does the job!

 

[TripleOne]

The SSD will help, but if you have extra cash I’d recommend getting a brand new MBP.

 

[jmr1015]

My ‘09 MBP runs like a champ. Upgraded to 8gb of ram a few years ago. Just upgraded to a Samsung Evo SSD last month. Faster than new.

 

[peebok]

Thanks guys. I'm picking up a Samsung Evo today and apparently I need a 6T torx-head screwdriver. Very excited.

 

[TripleOne]

Thanks guys. I'm picking up a Samsung Evo today and apparently I need a 6T torx-head screwdriver. Very excited.

No worries

 

[dallaslaventurasucks]

i got my macbook pro 15" 2016 at blackfriday, costs me only 1500 dollars