Upgrade Your MacBook Pro!!! SSD + RAM Upgrade for Better DAW Performance

In this video I upgrade a 2011 MacBook Pro with a 500GB SSD and 16GB of RAM to improve performance with music and audio production software. However, this upgrade is really applicable to anyone looking to improve their MBP's performance.

LINKS

OWC 5-Piece Mini Toolkit:

USB 3.0 to SATA Adapter:

Crucial - Check what RAM/Memory you need

Carbon Copy Cloner:

BlackMagic Disk Speed Test:

Chameleon SSD Optimizer:

[steveknowles]

Having done this upgrade myself two or three times - the last time just 3 weeks ago - I’d like to point out that the reason for the “slow” boot time is that you haven’t defined the new SSD as the default boot drive. This happened to me each time. After the fresh installation the Mac does not know that the SSD is its default boot drive and first of all waits for something like 15 - 30 seconds, to see if another boot drive will appear. Only after this wait period, does it actually boot.
To define the new SSD as the default boot drive, you have to go into System Preferences>Startup Disk>, select the SSD and press “Restart…”. The Mac restarts and as of then the initial boot will always be a lot faster, because it no longer waits the 15 - 30 seconds to see if another boot drive will appear.

[dandippery]

Dan Dippery
One of the best, clearest teaching sessions I have ever experienced, I'm a rank amateur at Mac tech, but you got me thru the whole damn process - a winner!!!
Old Mac Pro took off like an F-37...with much less investment. Thanks...and keep up the great work.

[jefftessier]

Thanks mate ! i followed all your steps and my macbook is now working like crazy ! my old buddy from 2011 still sharp as hell in 2022 !!

[charlesmcgehee]

Pretty nice presentation. This upgrade does an amazing job at speeding up these Macbooks.

[mrmartywaring]

I found a 2012 MacBook Pro on Craigslist for $120. I upgraded the HDD to an SSD & the RAM from 4GB to 16GB. It's a really fast backup device

[dailygrind]

This is by far is the most detailed video tutorial. thank you

[deathsshadow]

I have a non retina mid 2012 MacBook Pro, and it has a CD/DVD drive, and SATA HDD connection.

[djsheedYT]

You didn't need the cloning app. You could've restore the SSD in the recovery mode and then switch over the drives.

[robertmurphy]

Thank you, MusicTechHelpGuy. I am freakin' ecstatic with the results. Followed this to the letter and my Mac is blazin'.

[Acidman]

I recommend disconnecting the battery! so no power runs trough the macbook :) nice tutorial though!

[elteettdk]

Thank you for this video. No problem and amazing speed and boot speed with Samsung 870 QVO 1 TB SSD + 2x8 GB Corsair SDRAM (204 pin). Updated from (on-line restored) Mountain Lion to Mojave in one step. ( MacBook Pro 13, Core i5, Mid 2012. And after 8, 5 years the batteries are still working very well, more than 4 hours : Best updatable MacBook Pro series ever.)

[bEASToUTtHEbOX]

🤔why couldn't you just format the SSD, then Restore Time Machine backup, which also restores OS X?

[MattHylom]

Thanks for the video! Super helpful. I've been considering the Samsung 850 EVO 500GB for my mid-2010 Macbook Pro. I've heard that there are problems with that combination. Any suggestions?

[benkirmse]

This seems so unreal because you start to talk and I don´t see the Logic Pro x Window hahaha :D You make the best tutorials about Logic on youtube man ! Keep going on ! :)

[emmerchacon]

I got a MacBook Pro mid 2009 and replaced the 360 5400rpm WD drive with a PNY SSD 480gb. The machine is really faster right now. Soon I will upgrade the memory from 4gb to 8gb and then replace the battery.

[chefdeprestigellc]

I got a 2009 MacBook Pro for free. Needs new battery, new 8gb ram sticks, new Samsung SSD, new OS. Any thoughts. Also adding a Carbon Fiber skin.

[carlosreices]

Man Dude, You ROCK and you very good info on all subject info. Thanks Bro

[MrGlueLantigua]

Fantastic! Thanks for posting. One question: Did you have to do anything in the BIOS (Whatever the equivalent for Mac is). or did the system immediately recognized the hardware once you booted up?

[raiderfly]

There is a unibody MacBook Pro from mid 2012 with a much better CPU and iGPU. It's a great laptop still.

[dnoelproductions]

Thanks SO much for this. Should we take out the battery as well before installation?