MacOS Sierra

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
That's awesome! My older Mac hardware consists of an old G3 Macbook, a couple of iMac's (the first LCD one and the original bubble style one in red) as well as an original Mac Plus which I believe still works but I haven't had on in a while. Sounds like you have a far more useful collection

Thats actually one of the best things about Mac. Their stuff runs really well even after a few cycles of upgrades.

Im still running a G3 mac mini from 2004 or so. I did swap in an SSD via a converter, but just imaged over the OS. Runs great for archiving emails.

We have two C2D macbook pros, one is still used daily, running El Capitain, the other is used intermittently as a dual boot with W7, and runs high end atomic modeling SW.

I can't get more than three years and one OS upgrade out of a Windows computer for whatever reason...

 

[SEMI_287]

Just installed Sierra on my late 09 MacBook. RAM usage seems to be more in check than on El Capitan. I still want to ditch the 2 gigs for 4 gigs.

 

[bunnspecial]

I've never run El Capitan on my '10 Macbook, but it dual boots Sierra and Snow Leopard(shipping OS).

When I bought the computer a few months ago, it had the factory 2gb of RAM and 5400rpm platter drive. Sierra was so slow as to be unuseable-i.e. even opening "about this Mac" would beachball it for 30 seconds.

If you're going to upgrade the RAM, I'd suggest getting 8gb, as the cost difference between 4 and 8 is not that great these days. You could really treat yourself and get 16 for not a lot more, but I'd put the extra money toward an SSD.

In any case, when purchasing RAM, this is one of those few cases where I would suggest spending money for "Mac" RAM that is specifically stated to work with your computer. Working from memory, I think you need PC3-8500. The memory controller is VERY picky and the computer generally will not work with faster RAM. I had the factory PC3-1066 that I pulled from a Macbook Pro when I upgraded it, and my Macbook would not chime with that installed.

Depending on how much you want to dig, this might even be a case where it's worth paying the OWC mark-up to be sure you're getting RAM that works.

 

[SEMI_287]

Late 09 Macbook can handle 16 gigs? I was aware they took the 8 but not that much, that's more than my gaming PC! I don't mind paying a few extra bucks so I don't get boned. My Macbook has been an AWESOME! My wife's Windows laptop is garbage.

 

[bunnspecial]

Originally Posted By: SEMI_287
Late 09 Macbook can handle 16 gigs? I was aware they took the 8 but not that much, that's more than my gaming PC! I don't mind paying a few extra bucks so I don't get boned. My Macbook has been an AWESOME! My wife's Windows laptop is garbage.


Okay, sorry I was wrong on that. The late '09 can only go to 8, while the mid-2010 can go to 16. I get them mixed up since they're otherwise so similar and my(working) one is a 2010.

Even so, if you want safe and hassle free definitely go the OWC route even though you will pay a mark-up on it. Honestly, the time I spent researching the right RAM for mine probably wasn't worth what I saved on it. I think an 8gb(2x4gb) cost me around $40, and you might pay $50 or $60 from OWC.

For those who don't know, the "OWC" I'm referring to is Other World Computing. They are a Mac specialist vendor, and offer both replacement and upgrade parts for computers that Apple no longer supports. Among other things, they are the only non-Apple source for batteries that I actually trust and meet or exceed their rated life(without being dead as a door nail in 6 months). I've bought a fair number from them, and the most direct comparison I can make(having owned "fresh" examples of both) is between pre-Unibody Macbook batteries. The OWC ones don't fit quite as well as Apple ones but are miles ahead of most $20 China specials. The run time exceeds a fresh Apple battery and I'm at better than 80% health on one battery with 400 odd cycles(Apple guaranteed removable batteries to hold 80% at 300 cycles, although non-replaceable ones are now rated for 1000 cycles and 80%). OWC is also the only place I know of where I can readily find the oddball Mac-specific EDO RAM used in a lot of mid-90s PowerMacintoshes.

 

[bunnspecial]

I need to give Killer223 a big thanks.

Earlier in this thread, he offered me a Powerbook 520C for the cost of shipping, which was a very generous offer.

The 500 series PowerBooks were an interesting place in Apple history. They were the last professional laptop with a Motorola 680000-series processor(68LC040 specifically) and also the first Apple laptop with a trackpad instead of a track ball.

He didn't have a charger for it, but I was able to locate one on Ebay with a little bit of patience(this is actually somewhat an in-demand item, and I went ahead and bought two of them). The chargers arrived today, and after a chime I was greeted by the warm sight of a Happy Mac.

The computer is running OS 8.1, and has 36mb of RAM. When this was a new computer, that much RAM would have cost a pretty penny. Like most Apple laptops up to the late 1990s, the 500 series has 4mb soldered to the logic board and uses a proprietary RAM daughter card for expansion.

All I can do his thank him for his generous gift-it will fit well in my Apple collection, and is actually my first 68K laptop.

 

[OVERKILL]

That's awesome!!!

 

[wilnis]

Hi-I have a mid year 2010 MBP that was still running leopard and 4g ram. I also went the OWC route, got 16g of 1066 ram, 250 SSD, and bought Sierra off ebay and spent an hour last night installing the drive and booting it and then putting in the 16 or ram as I was told one had to have at least Lion to recognize over 8g.
It's a new machine!! I don't even recognize it. Spending time reinstalling my sites, and enjoying it. I don't have big computer demands so this is great for me.
Bill