Help needed for a slow Macbook Pro early 2011

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parthtrivedi

parthtrivedi

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Aug 23, 2012
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Hello folks,

Greetings to the community, I need your help yet again.

I have this Early 2011 Macbook Pro specs are as follows:-

Core i5 dual core 2.3 Ghz
Intel HD 3000 384 MB graphics
4GB DDR3 1333MHz Ram
O.S : - 10.10.2 Yosemite
Hard disk:- Hitachi HTS545032B9A302:

Capacity: 320.07 GB (3,20,07,29,33,376 bytes)
Model: Hitachi HTS545032B9A302
Revision: PB3AC60Y
S/N: 110129PBS3004THM26TS
Native Command Queuing: Yes
Queue Depth: 32
Removable Media: No
Detachable Drive: No
BSD Name: disk0
Rotational Rate: 5400
Medium Type: Rotational
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Verified
Volumes:

The Problem is the that this machine is terribly slow. I tried doing a fresh install but it doesn't eliminate basic problems such as:

1) seeing the annoying rainbow circle while typing this. Its like an old typewriter I write what is need to write and see nothing on the screen till a few seconds and then the animation happens and it gets typed.

2) My main use is browsing, Emails , and MS Office. ( some music also), So opening office files takes forever. I need to show my company (powerpoint) presentation and it doesnt open for 3 mins after clicking on it.

3) Worst is when I listen to music on iTunes, it stops playing for a few seconds to show the annoying rainbow.

So after reading a bit on the WWW Im starting to understand that this problem is of the HDD having a terribly slow RPM and that the HDD is the BOTTLENECK.
Also I use windows on bootcamp to use programs such as revit and Sketchup and they work perfectly.

I'm ready to shell out a few bucks and put a SSD if that helps. I really dont want to buy a new system right now.

Please advice.

Thanking you all in anticipation. :)
 
Solution
octavecode
Your problem might not just be the HD.You might wanna try and reset the smc.
Shut donw the macbook and press Shift + Control + Option + Power keys.
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wolffex

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Aug 29, 2013
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definitely upgrade to an SSD and all your issues will be gone. I would personally suggest the samsung 850 pro. If you want to save some money then get the 840 evo/pro, it will still give you amazing speeds.

Here is what you do, you install OS X on your SSD and then use your old hard drive for all your files, photos, documents. A 128gb ssd should be more than enough for your operating system and applications such as office, adobe etc...
 
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parthtrivedi

parthtrivedi

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Aug 23, 2012
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Hey wolf,

Thanks for speedy and spot reply. I was Thinking to get the Crucial MX100 250 GB. that is not currently available in INDIA. If i use 850 EVO will I see any difference between the two? and I only have one USB port working on which I use the USB mouse, So I need a 250 GB where I can store Docs too, as external drive is a bit inconvenient.

But can you be absolutely sure that the problems that I'm facing is because of the terribly slow HDD and nothing else?

EDIT: Also I read because of the NAND or something the SSD will perform slower than its intended to if I always keep it near full.
 
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wolffex

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Yes, a standard hard drive has moving parts and it is very slow. SSD has no moving parts and is much much faster than a standard hard drive. Your computer will boot up in seconds, usually less than 20 seconds with an SSD. The reason I suggest a samsung ssd is because it comes with the software samsung magician and it is so easy to use, it will setup your SSD to perform at the fastest level. The 850 evo has much faster write speed than the crucial, it is faster by 200-250 MBps. Does your laptop not have a two hard drive slots? If not you can get a usb hub and that way you will have more usb slots
 
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parthtrivedi

parthtrivedi

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Thanks for your advice.
Well it does eliminate many of my basic problems, but still there is a lag that I feel.

anyways like wolf said its a huge upgrade, do you think it will change my paradigm about the way I have seen Macs function? :p
 
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parthtrivedi

parthtrivedi

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Aug 23, 2012
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Thanks for your advice.
Well it does eliminate many of my basic problems, but still there is a lag that I feel.

anyways like wolf said its a huge upgrade, do you think it will change my paradigm about the way I have seen Macs function? :p
 
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parthtrivedi

parthtrivedi

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Due to limited availability in my country, here are the options:

http://www.snapdeal.com/search?keyword=SSD&santizedKeyword=SSD&catId=&categoryId=21&suggested=false&vertical=p&noOfResults=20&clickSrc=searchOnSubCat&lastKeyword=SSD&prodCatId=&changeBackToAll=false&foundInAll=false&categoryIdSearched=&cityPageUrl=&url=&utmContent=&catalogID=&dealDetail=#plth|bcrumbSearch:SSD|Price:2500,10000|

1) the Kingston v300 is really cheap at 6000/- (around 100$) 240gb
2) PNY optima at 6570/-
3) Transcend at 7000/-
4) samsung 840 evo at 8870/-
 
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wolffex

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Go for the samsung 840 evo, it will last you a very long time and you can use it on your next computer as well for 10 years or even more. It is money well spent, you get what you pay for
 
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octavecode

octavecode

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