Hi all, I'm not too sure whether to upgrade my MBP or sell it to buy a more recent used machine...a new MBP is out of my financial reach at the moment.
The Current specs are the original shipped specs (apart from the RAM upgraded from 4GB to 8GB):
MacBook Pro 5.2, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 9600M graphics with 512MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared memory, 500GB HDD, and a 17" anti-glare/matt 1920 by 1200 display.
I have upgraded the ram to the max of 8GB, and am considering upgrading to an SSD, but before doing this, I need some informed advice from the MacRumors community.
If it is worth upgrading to SSD, are any of the three SSDs I have so far found online to be the best option for me (especially re future-proofing as much as possible). (1) Crucial MX300 525 GB (6Gb/s). (2) Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB (6Gb/s), Or (3) OWC Mercury Electra 6Gb/s 480GB, I believe they are all backward compatible to the 3 Gb/s that my old MBP supports. If it will predominantly be used for video editing (ie Final Cut Pro - but an older version FCP-7) short length SD or HD but not UHD video), Photoshop, etc. Are any of the three vastly better at handling video editing (I realise that my MBP will be nowhere near the capability of current models, but I really can't afford a new model, so am trying to learn what the maximum I can get out of it if I upgrade to one of the above SSDs, and hopefully be able to get some more millage out it).
Regarding 'future-proofing', it appears that RAM, CPUs, SSDs and Graphics cards are advancing at such a pace these days that it has occurred to me it may be bordering on pointless to buy A 6GBps SATA III rated SSD when in reality by the time I am able to buy a new unit this too will be of little value/use with the new generation of CPUs etc - if others agree, should I just get a more appropriately rated 3 Gb/s SSD for my unit...which would be marginally cheaper.
If upgrading to an SSD is not considered worthwhile at all, what ball-park amount should I try and achieve (I live in the UK) if selling it.
Any help or advice on any or all of the above will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any given.
The Current specs are the original shipped specs (apart from the RAM upgraded from 4GB to 8GB):
MacBook Pro 5.2, Intel Core 2 Duo 2.8GHz, 8GB 1066MHz DDR3 RAM, NVIDIA GeForce GT 9600M graphics with 512MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory, NVIDIA GeForce 9400M with 256MB of DDR3 SDRAM shared memory, 500GB HDD, and a 17" anti-glare/matt 1920 by 1200 display.
I have upgraded the ram to the max of 8GB, and am considering upgrading to an SSD, but before doing this, I need some informed advice from the MacRumors community.
If it is worth upgrading to SSD, are any of the three SSDs I have so far found online to be the best option for me (especially re future-proofing as much as possible). (1) Crucial MX300 525 GB (6Gb/s). (2) Samsung 850 EVO 500 GB (6Gb/s), Or (3) OWC Mercury Electra 6Gb/s 480GB, I believe they are all backward compatible to the 3 Gb/s that my old MBP supports. If it will predominantly be used for video editing (ie Final Cut Pro - but an older version FCP-7) short length SD or HD but not UHD video), Photoshop, etc. Are any of the three vastly better at handling video editing (I realise that my MBP will be nowhere near the capability of current models, but I really can't afford a new model, so am trying to learn what the maximum I can get out of it if I upgrade to one of the above SSDs, and hopefully be able to get some more millage out it).
Regarding 'future-proofing', it appears that RAM, CPUs, SSDs and Graphics cards are advancing at such a pace these days that it has occurred to me it may be bordering on pointless to buy A 6GBps SATA III rated SSD when in reality by the time I am able to buy a new unit this too will be of little value/use with the new generation of CPUs etc - if others agree, should I just get a more appropriately rated 3 Gb/s SSD for my unit...which would be marginally cheaper.
If upgrading to an SSD is not considered worthwhile at all, what ball-park amount should I try and achieve (I live in the UK) if selling it.
Any help or advice on any or all of the above will be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any given.
