burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

You're welcome!

Someone else here makes a good point about the NEW Macs. If you get a new one, the RAM is soldered in place, permanently, so get the maximum RAM you think you'll need. 16GB is plenty for most people, now, but 32GB will be plenty in 3-5 years...

One thing I've learned in over three decades of computing is that when my main (startup) drive is more than half full, things do start to slow down. At 80% full or more, they crawl! So whatever I can move to an outboard drive, I move.

Operating systems like to establish parts of the hard drive as virtual memory — "swap" drive space that is used as if it were RAM. The OS will use a LARGE chunk of drive space for virtual memory, if it can find it. And the OS needs LESS virtual memory when there is more real RAM available!

Since an SSD is really just a container for static RAM, like the memory in a smart phone or tablet, it will speed up virtual memory like crazy, but only when the OS determines that there is enough space on the drive to do so. As I keep telling my teenage twins, a full smart phone or tablet will start to crawl when the memory is nearly full.

Net result, more RAM means less virtual memory is used, which potentially speeds up your computer because more code and open files stay in RAM, rather than getting swapped to the hard drive. You can also change the setting in Photoshop to give it more RAM when it starts, letting it run faster.

Faster input/output due to an SSD drive means faster boot times, and any time you open or save files, the computer seems snappier.

Adding an SSD and RAM won't make processor-intensive operations seem much faster. But when you think about it, most of the time you're using the computer, it's either idle, or doing input/output operations. That's why you'll read that you can never have enough RAM or drive space or drive speed. It's also why low power devices (iPad, iPhone, etc.) can be quick, despite having relatively slow processors.

Dik

Another spec that is becoming more important as applications evolve, is video RAM. The MBP 17"ers all have 1 GB VRAM + 348 MB shared RAM.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The entire reason to deal with a Mac accessory shop such as OWC is that they truly are Mac specialists, and have been, since the late 1980s. I've dealt with them many times since then...

I bought accelerated processors for a Mac SE, a PowerBook 540, and a PowerMac G4; RAM and hard drives for about ten different models including the Mini I'm using now; video cards for G4, G5, etc. Everything has worked as advertised. The accelerator in the G4 has been going for a decade. It's 3X faster than the stock machine was. I WISH that Apple's later machines could be sped up like that!

OWC and similar dealers do the homework for you, so you buy what has been tested in your model of Mac and proven to work. What they sell is ready for use in your Mac, or comes with very specific instructions on what to do to prepare it for your Mac.

nsainato Loc: Sun City, Arizona

I had the same problem with my almost three year old MacBook Pro. I took it to Apple computer and they removed cookies and such, did a diagnostic and now it is functioning fine. If you are out of warranty, I was told they would do a diagnostic and would not charge anything only if you need to replace parts there would be a charge. Hope this helps

bickfor903

The newest Mac Books (Air and Pro) only have a USB-C port. It's brand new! Another step in progress that makes us all buy new adapters for all of the external pieces we use. As elegant and efficient as Apple's machinery is, they don't seem to care much about ANY kind of retro-functionality.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Burk,
There's a controversy about pre 2010 Macbook Pro machines and those made post 2010 concernng max memory. I suggest the OP refer to the Apple Support website or an APPLE Tech in the store for accurate info. The Macbook users blog seems to have some users not being able to boot when 16 gig of RAM is installed. This might have to do with the BIOS installed in the machine so this needs some definitive rssolution. There may be an improved BIOS for these machines by now but I haven't been able to find this on the APPLE SUPPORT website.
This can only be resolved by having the machine's serial number and exact model number and do a search on the APPLE SUPPORT website or take the machine into an APPLE STORE for info. The tech will gladly clean up any bogus files and programs that are slowing this machine down at the same time and they do it for free.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

The original poster has a newer model (8,3 from 2011)... It does not have this issue.

Yes, there is a note about the need for BIOS update right on the memory upgrade page for the *2010* models at OWC:

"*NOTE: these models require the most current EFI version as well as Mac OS X v10.6.6 or later. Please visit this link for more information"

Apparently, lots of folks can't read the emails they get from Apple telling them to update their firmware (or they just ignore them!). I remember getting several such notifications when I had an early 2008 MBP...

Reinaldokool Loc: San Rafael, CA

The SSD will help, but it will help most if you use it, not for the photos but for the cache and the programs. PP software is always going out to load functions of the program and to store "stuff" in cache. Putting your actual images on the SSD is a nice luxury if you have a big enough one

Of course, I'm like Bob, I consider Macs to be overly expensive toys. For the same money, you can always buy 3-4 times the power and quality with a PC.

tomcat

At first, I found it odd that there was only the 1 port. But if you think about it, no photographer burns DVDs or CDs now. There are GB USB drives, so I just use those---much faster to download via USB than to wait for a stupid DVD to burn. Also the Cloud is where all data is exchanged now (like "All dogs go to Heaven"). In 3 years, a 4-year old won't have a clue what to do with a CD. Our movies are bought via Apple tv and stored on external HD via iTunes, so we no longer need to go to rental stores (hence Blockbuster's demise). Ports? "we don't need no stinking' ports"---lol

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

There's also the issue of superfluous junk in the boot strap that allows junk to be active during operations. This crapware and registry can easily be removed or cleaned up by an APPLE TECH for free. Seems a lot of MAC users just don't clean up their machines so they stay in clean and proper operation and this crapware is seriously slowing the machine down.
Also, when an OP has little experience with firmware upgrades like BIOS upgrades, they can very easily crash their machine if the upgrade is not installed properly. It's not like downloading an update for WINDOWS from MICROSOFT. To avoid any troubles for inexperienced users, using the tech support in the APPLE STORE is simpler, safer and will do the improvement correctly as well as clean up the registry files.

JMHO

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

If you are leaning toward a 15in MBP, check out this site on MacRumors - http://buyersguide.macrumors.com/#Retina_MacBook_Pro.

The 13in model has been upgraded recently but the 15in was not because of INTEL processor delivery problems.

If you browse the OWC site - http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade, they will tell you if you can add more memory to your computer and for that matter, add a SSD. There are videos explaining the upgrade process that are very clear. I have done three memory upgrades to my MBP's and found the process simple and the results satisfying.

Bill

Caysnowman Loc: MN & SC

Sorry for the double post.

burkphoto Loc: High Point, NC

But then you have to fight Windows, delete crapware, delete bloatware, and delete installware, and install tons of anti-adware, anti-virus software, and anti-malware that just slows everything down to a crawl! Then you get constant interruptions from various apps telling you you need to update them or dire things may happen.

I've (quite necessarily) used PCs along side Macs since the mid-80s. We have a Win 7.x box and a Mac Mini. Our entire family cannot stand to use the Windows box. We all fight to use the Mini. My wife has a super-expensive, high-end HP laptop at work and complains about it constantly. (I run Win XP and Win 7 on the Mini in Parallels, and like it better than the real PC... but not much).

My 70-year old sister, a municipal judge who is technologically challenged, could never tolerate computers — until a friend convinced her to get an iMac. Six years later, her husband can't pry her off of it sometimes. Now they both have iPhones and an Apple TV.

You DO get the experience you pay for. The Mac is just part of an entire Apple ecosystem that users are willing to pay for to be a part of. It's not snobbery, it's not a cult, it's not ignorance or any of those things... It's about the lowest *long term* cost of ownership and *especially* the fewest daily hassles in real world use!

If you've ever needed to spend time at the genius bar and had good service from them, as I have several times, you understand how their service is head and shoulders above the competition.

My 2005 PowerBook had a faulty screen due to use of bad Memory DIMMS from Kingston. Apple replaced the screen, free of charge, out of warranty! They sent the memory back in a bag, and I had Kingston replace it (lifetime guarantee).

My 2008 MacBook Pro had a bad nVidia video processor in it, and "woke up dead" one morning. Apple replaced the motherboard in two days, and overnighted it back to me.

I remember going to an Apple Store during the 2012 4th of July week. It was JAMMED with people. The Microsoft store in the same mall had fewer than ten customers. Of course, that's no wonder — You can just about buy a PC anywhere you can buy white bread. That's the problem! The margins are so small, there's no really good support.

singleviking Loc: Lake Sebu Eco Park, Philippines

Recent improvements to MICROSOFT STORES has made them a lot more like APPLE STORES. They sponsor free clinics and do software fixes and OS upgrades for free There's more to those MICROSOFT STORES than just selling PCs and gaming machines now.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Are you sure?
http://www.cnet.com/uk/news/add-16gb-ram-to-your-macbook-pro/

Apple has a tendency to give a maximum for ram that was available at the time. Only thing 8gb Sodimms are not so cheap.

SSD drives are nice, and will speed boot times but how often do you boot your mac? If your like me you just close the lid to suspend and when you reopen it its there.

Try running activity monitor see how much ram you are using and the terminal commands uptime and top.

If you're using all your ram and swapping out then more ram will help. Closing your web browser can release a lot of ram for image processing which may be enough to speed things up.

If your cpu is maxed out then the only way to get more speed will be a new computer.

Your 2011 Macbook pro is still a desirable machine and its up to you to figure if there is enough improvement in a newer model to justify the upgrade. I think in your situation i'd be tempted to go for a new mac pro and sell on your current mac pro.