Upgrading an early 2008 13.3" MacBook. Need new SSD, RAM, and Battery.

kassuba39

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Nov 27, 2012
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I just picked an early 2008 MacBook for free. Now, I want to upgrade some hardware. As of now now, it only has 1GB or two 512MB sticks of memory installed in it. According to Apple, the motherboard accepts up to 4GB. I have a Dell Inspiron 1545 laptop and I ripped 3GB out of it. One 2GB stick and one 1GB stick. Would that be compatible with the MacBook?

As for the hard drive, I think right now all it has is a 120GB 5400RPM drive. Temporarily, I will replace it with my 500GB Toshiba drive from my 1545 but, I want to put a SSD in it soon enough. Would any SSD work? What you recommend me getting for a SSD?

All I plan on doing with this laptop is surfing the web and some miscellaneous Photoshop tasks. Would it do fine with those tasks? Also, although the graphics are integrated, would it be okay with Minecraft at my native 1280x800 resolution after I upgrade the memory?

The last thing I need to get is a new battery. The battery in it right now is currently dead and it only runs off of a charger. Where is a cheap spot to get a good battery as a replacement?

Here are the current specs if that helps with anything:
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo 2.1GHZ (Dual Core)
GPU: Intel GMA X3100 graphics processor with 144MB of DDR2 SDRAM shared with main memory
RAM: 1GB (two 512MB) of 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300); supports up to 4GB
HDD: 120GB Serial ATA; 5400 rpm

Thanks for your help!
 
Solution
Check on Amazon for the battery. (where I purchase mine for repairs) And yes, that RAM will be compatible with it.

I consider 120GB to be a minimum size. You will want to put all your programs on it and who knows you may want more than 1 game. With a 64GB model that will not be possible. Some games can be ~20GB all by themselves. Also remember you need to keep at least 20% of an SSD as free space for TRIM to function correctly an for the drive to stay fast.

The Samsung 840 or 840 Pro would be my choice. Samsung is the only company to make every part in their drives from manufacturing the NAND to making their own controllers. They have the best reputation for reliability and the 840 Pro is about the fastest drive on the market.

You...

MacStudio

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Jul 2, 2013
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Check on Amazon for the battery. (where I purchase mine for repairs) And yes, that RAM will be compatible with it.

I consider 120GB to be a minimum size. You will want to put all your programs on it and who knows you may want more than 1 game. With a 64GB model that will not be possible. Some games can be ~20GB all by themselves. Also remember you need to keep at least 20% of an SSD as free space for TRIM to function correctly an for the drive to stay fast.

The Samsung 840 or 840 Pro would be my choice. Samsung is the only company to make every part in their drives from manufacturing the NAND to making their own controllers. They have the best reputation for reliability and the 840 Pro is about the fastest drive on the market.

You can get the 120GB 840 for $92.
 
Solution

kassuba39

Honorable
Nov 27, 2012
30
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10,590


Alright thanks! How will this system do once upgraded in playing a simple game like Minecraft or CSS?