RAM upgrade or new MacBook

[div_2019]

Greetings all,

I run a mid 2010 MacBook, the white unibody one, model MC 516 B/A.

It’s not been used much over the years compared to some I guess. I’ve been looking into an 8GB (2x4GB) upgrade so I can update the iOS, and have been told that my Mac is capable of running up to 16GB (2x8GB) despite what the tech spec says via apple. I found a video on YouTube and the physical RAM installation looks straightforward enough.

My question is, is it worth upgrading due to the age of the MacBook?

It only sees light use, but I wouldn’t want to buy/upgrade the RAM if the rest of the hardware would be obsolete anyway, so to speak.

Also, if a RAM update is possible, would there be anything I would need to do configuration wise? And how do I update the iOS?

All input is gratefully received, I’m not techy at all as you may have guessed!

Thanks

 

[jmiddel]

It was a great machine, but totally obsolete since it can’t run either Mojave or Catalina. Also you would have to upgrade the hard drive to an SSD to see any performance increase, RAM alone won’t do much for performance.

 

[NoBoMac]

Eh, it can run High Sierra, so, might be good enough for light use.

But, yes, better performance would be had via an SSD vs doing a RAM upgrade.

 

[mmomega]

Buy RAM for $52.
Buy MacBook Pro for anywhere between $1,300 - $5,200 + tax.

So the "worth of upgrading" lies in your hand.
Noone has to be techy to determine if usage per dollar is worth it to them.

Given use case, my opinion would be purchase the RAM if that is important.

 

[satcomer]

Watch this video on how to install an SSD here.

Here is a video on memory install.

 

[div_2019]

Thank you everyone for your advice. It’s appreciated 😀

 

[Fishrrman]

One thing to be aware of if you do upgrade it:
Be careful taking the back off.
There are a couple of "hooks" (for lack of a better term) that keep the back cover from lifting off "straight away".
You have to fiddle and finagle it a bit to get it to come away...