Forum - Main Forums : Mac Music

Today's Active Topics · FORUM INDEX · Search Forum · Who's Online? · FAQs/Help · Calendar

Main Forums >> Mac Music

Print Thread

Pages: 1

tomdot

Joined: 05/01/12
Posts: 147

SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

#993827 - 21/06/12 07:33 AM

Hello

I would sincerely love a new MacBook, but I can't justify spending the prices that are being touted by Apple (£2500 on finance) what with life to pay for and everything. I upgraded my memory to 2GB a while ago, but am thinking of now upgrading the HD to a SSD seeing as the MacBook is still performing OK, just a bit lagging behind the times.

For the record, my MacBook is the 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (13-inch White) MB061LL/A version. I have upgraded the HDD 2 or 3 times since this purchase in 2008. The current RPM is 5400, but I have just found out I was missold as I have never knowingly bought a HDD other than 7400rpm because they have always been used for music recording.

Crucial recommend this - http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=AEA71428A5CA7304 - but I know that the HD controller in my model is 1.5Gb...meaning is this actually worth the upgrade?

To give some idea on usage, I mainly surf the internet for long periods so no real heavy usage apart from spinning or streaming a film now and again, but will now be looking to use this as my main music recording computer due to my dedicated PC dying (sadface definitely). I would be using Garageband/Logic and a Focusrite Saffire Pro 10.

An answer in another forum suggested that there would be a problem with the SSD hanging every 30 seconds due to paging file issues given his tests which would be a deal breaker, however, if anyone can share any real world stories then it would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Tom

Post Extras:

Scope

Joined: 03/07/06
Posts: 2152

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 [Re: tomdot]
#993960 - 21/06/12 03:00 PM

Got to say:-
Given the age of your CPU, a faster HD is not going to give you the kind of boost you might be expecting.
The problem is everything in your machine is running off a 667mhz bus, which is not exactly quick, in this day and age.

You would definitely get more audio tracks & overall the machine will be quicker, but with a 2ghz C2D, you will always be limited to what plugins you are able to use.

I would consider a newer machine over any more upgrades, that way, the whole system gets a speed boost.

Post Extras:

Tui
active member

Joined: 02/09/02
Posts: 3214
Loc: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

[Re: tomdot]
#993994 - 21/06/12 06:00 PM

I recently upgraded my MBP C2D with maximum RAM (which unfortunately is only 3 GB) and a SATA SSD from OWC:

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandfo rce/Solid_State_Pro

My machine has similar specs to yours, 2.33 GHz CPU, 667 MHz bus. The SSD makes a big difference, apps now load instantaneously. It is as if you're getting a new computer.

So, unless you're running huge sessions with CPU-hungry plug-ins and RAM-busting orchestral libraries, I'd say, go for it.

This is my second SSD from OWC, I've also got one in my Mac Pro. I can highly recommend them. I paid $213.10 for a 120 GB SSD, 3 GB RAM and express shipping right to my door.

Post Extras:

frontandcenter

Joined: 29/01/06
Posts: 62

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

[Re: tomdot]
#994051 - 22/06/12 01:21 AM

Hello-
I have the exact computer that I inherited from my father. I put in 4 gigs of ram (It will use 3.3 gigs of that) and a ssd. It made a huge difference and I no longer lust for a shiny new macbook pro.

Post Extras:

Richie Royale

Joined: 12/09/06
Posts: 3356
Loc: Bristol, England.

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

[Re: tomdot]
#994076 - 22/06/12 07:41 AM

I put an SSD into my Mac Pro tower for the OS and applications. It is certainly quick at loading and various finder actions. I got a Crucial one from Amazon as it was the cheapest place.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Crucial-CT128M4SSD2-128GB-M4-SSD/dp/B004W2JKZI

The only problem is the capacity is low, so for me it is just an OS disk, I have other internal drives for iTunes and my music projects.

--------------------
http://soundcloud.com/richie-royale
http://www.mixcrate.com/richieroyale

Post Extras:

tomdot

Joined: 05/01/12
Posts: 147

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

[Re: Scope]
#994106 - 22/06/12 09:35 AM

Whoops - just noticed the link error in my OP - if an admin could fix it that would be helpful!!!

Quote Scope:

I would consider a newer machine over any more upgrades, that way, the whole system gets a speed boost.

I simply can't afford to purchase a new Apple system, but I can upgrade the bejesus out of my current model. My initial though was to buy new, but I really have researched it and I just can't afford it and I'm not willing to go on the finance route.

Quote Tui:

This is my second SSD from OWC, I've also got one in my Mac Pro. I can highly recommend them.

I've not head great things about OWC tbh - have you not had any issues at all with them, even minor?

Also, does anyone have any advice on something I've heard regarding reading/writing large files to and from an SSD? I've read a comment saying that this is not a good idea.

Thanks
Tom

Edited by tomdot (22/06/12 09:37 AM)

Post Extras:

Tui
active member

Joined: 02/09/02
Posts: 3214
Loc: Chiang Mai, Thailand

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

[Re: tomdot]
#994109 - 22/06/12 09:58 AM

Quote tomdot:

I've not head great things about OWC tbh - have you not had any issues at all with them, even minor?

Also, does anyone have any advice on something I've heard regarding reading/writing large files to and from an SSD? I've read a comment saying that this is not a good idea.

No issues, the SSDs and RAM work as advertised. I chose OWC because they have a good reputation - what is it you've "heard" about them?

About reading/writing large files, there's nothing specific to SSDs I'm aware of. I use my SSDs just like any other drive. However, I expect my SSDs to last longer than most, considering they also have SandForce controllers.

http://www.sandforce.com/index.php?id=161

Post Extras:

tomdot

Joined: 05/01/12
Posts: 147

Re: SSD Upgrade for MacBook Mid 2007 new

[Re: Tui]
#994117 - 22/06/12 10:25 AM

Quote Tui:

what is it you've "heard" about them?

I though I had read that the build quality was suspect in some cases? Maybe they have improved now though.

I had also read that generally you stay away from manufacturers that don't build everything (ie drive, controller etc) in house as there's more room error with re-badged drives.

I'm looking to Crucial because they have clear "this is what's supported" info, are reputable to me and I thought they manufactured everything in house also.

Post Extras:

Pages: 1

Extra Information
1 registered and 21 anonymous users are browsing this forum. Moderator: David Etheridge, James Perrett, zenguitar, Martin Walker, Forum Admin, Hugh Robjohns, Zukan, Frank Eleveld, Will Betts,	Forum Permissions You cannot start new topics You cannot reply to topics HTML is disabled UBBCode is enabled	Rating: Thread views: 2440