Will my MacBook Pro run Mountain Lion?

[streether]

have a 13 inch, mid 2009 MacBook Pro. I have 2gb RAM and a 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor. I'm currently running Leopard 10.5.8.
I figure it's time for an upgrade and want to move up to Mountain Lion as it looks great and will sync with my iPhone. I know Apple says that Mountain Lion will work with a mid 2009 pro, but how slow will it be with my specs? Is it worth running? I was going to upgrade to 5gb RAM eventually, and thought that this would be a good time to do it, but would it be worth upgrading to ML before I upgrade my RAM in a few weeks time? I'll probably upgrade the RAM mid August, so how bearable do you think it'll be between now and then?? Worth it? As I REALLY want ML.

 

[miles01110]

An upgrade to 4 or 8 GB of RAM (5??) plus ML will probably be fine for you.

 

[streether]

I figured if I buy a 4gb to go in one slot and keep the 1gb in the other, then that makes 5gb? But are you saying that ML should work fine until I do that?

 

[iThinkergoiMac]

I have this exact Mac with 8 GB RAM, ML runs beautifully. That being said, I'm using just over 2 GB of that RAM and it's been running for several hours. Lion was usually up to almost 4 GB RAM by this point.

Remember, to get ML you're going to have to install Snow Leopard, then purchase and install Mountain Lion.

 

[jhyt89]

I figured if I buy a 4gb to go in one slot and keep the 1gb in the other, then that makes 5gb? But are you saying that ML should work fine until I do that?

memory is cheap enough these days. get 8gb of ram for £35.

 

[streether]

memory is cheap enough these days. get 8gb of ram for £35.

I would, but I'm a little short on cash at the moment - just been on holiday, which is why I'm putting off buying the RAM too.

So, do you guys think it's worth getting ML now, with 2gb, and updating RAM in just under a month? How bearable will it be??
Also, does anyone know how Adobe CS4 works on ML? Does it work ok? I obviously wouldn't use it while ML is on with 2gb, but how well would it work with 5gb?

 

[lambertjohn]

I would, but I'm a little short on cash at the moment - just been on holiday, which is why I'm putting off buying the RAM too.

You're going to spend $19.99 on ML, but not $45 on 8 GB of memory? I'd buy the RAM first before I buy ML. You'll notice a world of difference on the operating speed of your current setup. Do it! crucial.com

 

[yanki01]

You're going to spend $19.99 on ML, but not $45 on 8 GB of memory? I'd buy the RAM first before I buy ML. You'll notice a world of difference on the operating speed of your current setup. Do it! crucial.com

agreed.

 

[K4LK]

I figured if I buy a 4gb to go in one slot and keep the 1gb in the other, then that makes 5gb? But are you saying that ML should work fine until I do that?

I think both sticks have to be identical.

 

[scaredpoet]

The RAM modules don't have to be identical, but it helps with speed if they are. Having two identical sticks means the macbook pro can make the best use of dual channeling to speed up memory IO. If the sticks aren't the same, the mac might not be able to dual-channel as efficiently, or maybe not at all.

If the OP gets a 4GB ram stick and uses it alongside a 1GB stick, they will probably see a slowdown because of it. If they really can't afford 8GB, then it's better to just get two 2GB sticks.

 

[Synergie]

OP where are you located? I have two x 2 Gb sticks that came out of my 2009 MBP when I upgraded it to 8 Gb. It was the original 4 Gb that came with it. (I had the higher end model 13" MBP so it came with 4 Gb RAM)

I will give it to you for FREE if you pay for the shipping... PM me if you want it.

 

[chrisherbert]

You know that you'll also have to upgrade to Snow Leopard before Mountain Lion, right?

Also, get the RAM first. I'd go with 8 (because why not?) - two 4GB sticks. Then upgrade to Snow Leopard and see if you like it. Although it's old, a lot of people still think that's the best version of OSX.

 

[Tunemaster]

Memory still available?

Synergie -

Do you still have the memory available? If so, would you be willing to ship it to USA?

Thanks!
Tunemaster