New MacBook Pro Computer- Or add SS drive? I have a 17 " MacBook Pro computer with 8 G Ram that is just a little over 3 years old. When it was new it flew like the wind but with all...

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I have a 17 " MacBook Pro computer with 8 G Ram that is just a little over 3 years old. When it was new it flew like the wind but with all the software I have added it has slowed down. Outside of that the computer functions fine. I moved my older photos to external drive, cleaned up my emails and downloads and it helped a little. This computer is maxed out at 8G Ram.

I run PS, LR, OnOne

* 2 Questions* (Cost is a factor but not the primary factor)

1. Would installing a SS drive improve performance on this computer?

2. If I buy a new computer should I get 16 G Ram or would 8 G Ram be sufficient with SS drive they now come with?

Please keep your answers simple as I have just enough computer knowledge to be dangerous.

*Wish to remain an APPLE user

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

I bought an Asus "World of Gamers" laptop with a 500 GB SSD (programs), 1 TB SATA internal drive (data) and 16 GB of RAM, NVidia high-end GL-capable video card. Connected my monitor, keyboard and mouse via a USB docking station with a 3TB external drive It screams. I am a regular user of Lightroom/Photoshop/3rd Party Filters and it keeps up with me. You can never have too much power if you want to get into photo editing.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Bob Yankle wrote:

I bought an Asus "World of Gamers" laptop with a 500 GB SSD (programs), 1 TB SATA internal drive (data) and 16 GB of RAM, NVidia high-end GL-capable video card. Connected my monitor, keyboard and mouse via a USB docking station with a 3TB external drive It screams. I am a regular user of Lightroom/Photoshop/3rd Party Filters and it keeps up with me. You can never have too much power if you want to get into photo editing.

Thanks Bob- BUT I should have added at the beginning- Apple only- I will add it now. 16 G Ram- eh.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

suntouched wrote:

Thanks Bob- BUT I should have added at the beginning- Apple only- I will add it now.

So, to answer your question directly ..... yes an SSD drive would speed up your computer as would 16 GB of RAM, regardless of the manufacturer.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

suntouched wrote:

I have a 17 " MacBook Pro computer with 8 G R... (show quote)

I will follow this as I have a macbook pro 2011 model with 8 ram and would love to know if an SSD would breathe new life into it. I mostly use it when I travel so I want to make it faster but not so badly I'm ready to fork over for a new one. The new MacBooks are very cute but appear to be totally useless to photographers since they have no ports, even the salesperson at the local Apple store admitted that.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Put in 16GB of ram regardless of computer.

An SSD drive will greatly improve the performance....especially on bootup.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I do recommend installing this, to keep track of your computer's memory...

http://memorykeeper.kromtech.net/

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Cdouthitt wrote:

Put in 16GB of ram regardless of computer.

An SSD drive will greatly improve the performance....especially on bootup.

Don't know about the other fellow but I'm maxed out at 8.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

minniev wrote:

I will follow this as I have a macbook pro 2011 model with 8 ram and would love to know if an SSD would breathe new life into it. I mostly use it when I travel so I want to make it faster but not so badly I'm ready to fork over for a new one. The new MacBooks are very cute but appear to be totally useless to photographers since they have no ports, even the salesperson at the local Apple store admitted that.

I agree. New is pretty pricey- if adding a SS drive will help significantly I'd rather do that.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Clint-
Ok- that's what I thought- so if I go new then I will upgrade to 16 G Ram -

I am maxed out at 8 G with current computer.

n0irw Loc: Perry, OK

minniev wrote:

I will follow this as I have a macbook pro 2011 model with 8 ram and would love to know if an SSD would breathe new life into it. I mostly use it when I travel so I want to make it faster but not so badly I'm ready to fork over for a new one. The new MacBooks are very cute but appear to be totally useless to photographers since they have no ports, even the salesperson at the local Apple store admitted that.

What ports do they not have that you really need??

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Cdouthitt wrote:

I do recommend installing this, to keep track of your computer's memory...

http://memorykeeper.kromtech.net/

Great information- thanks.

n0irw Loc: Perry, OK

My current 15" MacBook Pro,purchased in January 2015, has 2 USB ports, 2 Thunderbolt, 1 HDMI, 1 SD card slot and a headphone jack.....what else do you need??

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

suntouched wrote:

Great information- thanks.

no problem...and it's free.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

n0irw wrote:

What ports do they not have that you really need??

There aren't any, just the port where you charge it. You have to disconnect that to use it for anything else, and it isn't a typical USB port, so none of my stuff would work. I need a port to download pictures (or else a SD slot, also missing) and a port for the backup drive and I need all of it to work at once - if it's low on power I need it connected to the wall as well. I don't need to have to take turns charging the thing and using it. It would be way too fiddly and risky to use it for photography.