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mikelets456

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 15, 2022
733
642
Bucks County, PA
I received a Mid 2009 Macbook pro (P8700) from my SIL as she said it didn't work and we could have it. I have used Windows based computers but have been using an Ipad and Iphones since 2017. I was determined to get this up and running. It originally had Snow Leopard, 4 GB ram, a bad battery and 256 GB HDD. First I was able to download El Capitan from the Apple website. It worked "okay" so I ordered 8 GB ram for $36 and I could see a difference already. I had a 750 GB hard drive from a few years back (7200 RPM) and researched how to make a clone from my Macbook. Swapped out the drives and that sped things up even more so I ordered a battery on Amazon for $23 on clearance. Installed, cycled the battery to calibrate it and I get about 3 hrs of actual use.
Then I was searching a few things and came across this:
" How to install macOS Mojave on Unsupported Macs..."

I thought, what the heck so I downloaded the patches, installed Mojave and 3 hrs later, voila, I have Mojave on my 2009 laptop. Dang! It's speedy on most programs I use and the "slower opening" program I leave them open as the cache and Ram is plentiful.
I don't want to break the rules by posting links but thought it would be worth mentioning for people with older Macbooks to give them new life.
 

mikelets456

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Feb 15, 2022
733
642
Bucks County, PA
Invest $60 and put a 500gb SSD in it to really see a speedy computer. This is what I use:
That's my next investment. However, I took a lot of time getting this up to speed that my wife started giving me the "stink eye"---However, I love the Mac and I will be getting an SSD but I'll be going with a 1 TB.
 
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