Apple MacBook is one of the most expensive laptops on the market these days and of course, previous days. If you have one of those older MacBooks, now you are probably thinking about upgrading it, right? Today, BestCaseEver.com is going to tell you about how cheap you can do that! Yes, you read that correctly, after reading this you are going to upgrade your MacBook just under 100$.
In this article we are talking about upgrading the Mid 2012 MacBook!
The main reasons for a slow MacBook are outdated Random Access Memory (RAM) and the Hard Disc Drive (HDD). So in order to upgrade those items you have to follow up several steps, carefully.
Here are those steps in short.
- Cloning the data
- Removing the back cover
- Replacing the memory cards
- Replacing the hard drive
- Finishing
1. Cloning the data
If you are going to replace your Hard drive with a new Solid States Drive (SSD) you should clone your data on the MacBook. When the SSD is placed on the Mac, you can use the cloned data to carry on your work without any worries.
First you should download a proper software to clone the data. (I will put a link to the best app I have found). Go to the link and download the 30-day Trial version only, you don’t have to purchase it. After downloading, run the application. You will be asked to provide a source and a destination device. You should have a pen drive or an external hard drive for provide as the destination (it is best if you can use the SSD as the destination device). Then click on the ‘clone’ button and it will take some time. You can use this cloned data to boot up your MacBook when the SSD is attached.
Here is the link to the cloning application
2. Removing the back cover
You can’t just remove this back cover with your hands. You should get a Screwdriver Kit specially made for electronic equipment. So if you already have a kit that’s good but if you don’t have a one you have to buy a one (also you can ask a friend for one). Thinking about which one to buy? Don’t worry, I will tell you the cheapest and the best Electronics Toolkit with a 12-piece bit set that is just perfect for this (actually you can use this Toolkit on almost any electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops).
Hyper Tough Electronics Toolkit
There are about 10 screws in the back cover. Take them out one by one carefully and place them separately so they will not get mixed up with others. Since the back cover is removed you can now see the RAMs, Disc Drive and the Battery.
3. Replacing the memory cards
Once the back cover is removed, you must unplug the battery from the motherboard so it will not cause any accidental damages to the motherboard or to the RAMs (don’t remove the battery from the laptop just unplugging it is enough).
Replacing the RAM is the easiest thing in this process. Just move the locks on the sides of the RAM using your fingers. It is quite easy but do it carefully. After removing the RAM or RAMs you should place your new RAM in the laptop. New RAM? WHAT IS THAT? Don’t get panicked, I have the best solution for you.
Using a RAM card with higher speed (MHz) will definitely fasten up your MacBook. So using a 1600MHz RAM kit with a lifetime warranty is the best thing you can do when replacing the memory cards.
Does RAM speed matter? Of course it does! Using a RAM with a higher clock speed (MHz) not only speeds your device but also gets rid of the system instability and sudden crashes, freezes. So it is very important to use a RAM with a higher clock speed. Remember to use a 1600MHz RAM card, not the 1066MHz ones. I will provide a link for that for your convenience.
Okay now, enough about that. Let’s go back to replacing the RAM. Take a RAM into your hands and turn it to the correct side up. Then carefully fit it into the RAM socket, then take the other RAM and do the same. (remember how you removed the old RAM? Just do it backwards when fitting a new one)
Alright now, replacing the memory card step is over!
4. Replacing the disc drive
When you are going to replace the hard drive, you will have to remove the hard drive carrier first. It is a small and long plastic (or something like that) part located in the side of the hard drive. Since you have the Toolkit, you can remove it easily. Remove the bolts and pull it up.
Then you can use your fingers to lift up the hard drive. Don’t pull it fast because it is still connected to the motherboard. Just lift up the hard drive and remove the connector from the hard drive using your fingertips. Then take that hard drive to the hand and look closely. There are four bolts in the sides of the drive. Use the suitable piece from the Toolkit and remove the bolts and the standoffs.
When choosing a SSD you should consider about several factors. Those are, the price, the size and the speed. Since we are doing this a cheap as we can, I will suggest you the most affordable yet the best SSD you can get. If you are planning on to buy a different SSD, make sure it is having a 2.5″ port. (you can also use a normal hard drive with a bigger capacity but it will not speed up the system). So, I’m recommending this 480GB Internal Solid State Drive.
Now take the SSD and attach the removed standoff to it. Then take the connector and plug it into the SSD and place the SSD in the exact place where the hard disc was. Now you have to reattach the plastic piece (carrier) that you removed.
Now plug in the battery!
5. Finishing
Ok, now you have done all the things correctly. Reattach the battery to the motherboard and close the back cover. Tighten the screws gently and carefully. Now use the cloned device and boot up the MacBook. You will clearly see huge improvement in boot process. Try opening something like Google Chrome and feel the difference!