I am going to get a used 2008-2009 macbook pro, I am wondering if I can update it to work like a brand new macboook?

I currently have a Dell computer that I have had for a few years and I don't like it. I want to get the macbook pro 15" but they are out of my budget. I think the best option would be a used one probably from 2008-2009. I'm hoping that I can update the software so it works like a brand new macbook. And in the fall, will I be able to update it to Yosemite? Please let me know if you know of any other ways to get a macbook cheaper.

Upgrading to Mavericks
To upgrade to Mavericks you must have Snow Leopard 10.6.8 or Lion installed. Download Mavericks from the App Store. Sign in using your Apple ID. Mavericks is free. The file is quite large, over 5 GBs, so allow some time to download. It would be preferable to use Ethernet because it is nearly four times faster than wireless.
    OS X Mavericks- System Requirements
    Macs that can be upgraded to OS X Mavericks
         1. iMac (Mid 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 7,1 or later
         2. MacBook (Late 2008 Aluminum, or Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 5,1 or later
         3. MacBook Pro (Mid/Late 2007 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         4. MacBook Air (Late 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 2,1 or later
         5. Mac mini (Early 2009 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         6. Mac Pro (Early 2008 or newer) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
         7. Xserve (Early 2009) - Model Identifier 3,1 or later
To find the model identifier open System Profiler in the Utilities folder. It's displayed in the panel on the right.
     Are my applications compatible?
         See App Compatibility Table - RoaringApps.
See the above for what you need if you want to run Mavericks or Yosemite. I would recommend sticking with a 2009 model. Avoid the 2010 models because they have had awful GPU failure issues. Late 2011 is a pretty reliable model. Stick with models that will accept at least up to 8 GBs of RAM. This should include all that I have suggested.
You can upgrade the HDDs and/or add an SSD, but you can't change the CPUs or GPUs, so they will not be as fast as a new model.

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Express cards and 2008/2009 MacBook Pro

Just curious to know if anybody here is using an eSata or any other express cards and do not have any problems at all with it. I understand express cards do not work well on these notebooks.
Message was edited by: Freddie Herbst

On the early 2008 MBP I had I used for 2.5 years and used some kind of card in the ExpressCard slot the whole time. Never a problem.
I used an eSATA 2 port controller for a few months as well, I had an Wintec 48GB SSD ExpressCard. I had a couple of problems with the SSD until a firmware update from Wintec resolved issue.
Some of the commentary you may be thinking about related to this is the speed of the eSATA bus being stepped down to 1.5MB vs it's capable 3.0. It's a topic of technical debate perhaps but has nothing to do with the actual reliability and usefulness of the ExpressCard feature. Actually I sure wish the current model 15" MBP still had ExpressCard.

Ok so am in 9th grade and for christmas i can get a macbook pro i was wondering if i can get the education pricing and am in public school i read it and it says k - 12 school

please respond

It doesn't appear so. :-(
If either of your parents works for a school, or you have a sibling in college or accepted to college, they would qualify for the discount:
Apple offers special education pricing on Apple computers, software and select third party products to college students, parents buying for a college student, or teachers, homeschool teachers, administrators and staff of all grade levels. Students who have been accepted to college are also eligible.
K12 - Any employee of a public or private K-12 institution in the United States is eligible, including homeschool teachers. In addition, school board members who are currently serving as elected or appointed members are eligible. PTA or PTO executives currently serving as elected or appointed officers are eligible.

HT1527 I just brought a game for my MacBook Pro, however, after I purchase the game I notice it was for IPADS I brought it for my IPAD 2 yrs ago. So how do I get the game on my macbook pro or my money back.

I just brought a game for my MacBook Pro, however, after I purchase the game, I notice it was for Ipad 2 years ago, So how do I get the game on my macbook pro or get my money back.

Marilyn98 wrote:
I just brought a game for my MacBook Pro,
You mean you just bought a game though iTunes thinking it was for your MacBook Pro.
So how do I get the game on my macbook pro
You don't. You can go to Apple menu > App Store to purchase games for your MacBook.
or get my money back.
Contaact iTunes support here -> http://www.apple.com/support/itunes/contact/

Late 2008 aluminum Macbook Pro (15in 2.4GHz) using 8GB of RAM

Hi everyone,
I have a quick question to ask, What I'd like to know is why the Late 2008 aluminum Macbook Pro motherboard has a chipset (Nvidia) that can support up to 8GB of RAM but Apple are stating that the system can do only 4GB?
According to NVidia, The motherboard is fully capable of using 8GB of RAM but has been limited to 4GB by Apple and that this can be resolved by a simple EFI update.
The links below show a well known Apple parts dealer running tests on the system using 8GB RAM and claims that the OS X can read it perfectly but the programs will not use more then 4GB of the RAM.
I really don't understand why Apple would limit the system to use only 4GB of RAM and if Apple have any plans on releasing an EFI update.
Thanks for reading guys
----Links----
(http://blogs.computerworld.com/nvidiasays_new_macbook_pro_can_do_8gb_ofram)
(http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/24/new-macbook-pro-does-not-support-8gb-ram-for -now/)
(http://forums.macrumors.com/showpost.php?p=6493933&postcount=49)

I really don't understand why Apple would limit the system to use only 4GB of RAM and if Apple have any plans on releasing an EFI update.
Economics 101: So if you want 8GB, you have to go buy a new MBP and pay another grand for the memory. After all, they are in the hardware business, right?
Dave M.
MacOSG Founder/Ambassador  An Apple User Group  iTunes: MacOSG Podcast
Macsimum News Associate Editor  Creator of 'Mac611 - Mobile Mac Support'

Purchased a used Late 2011 Macbook Pro and cannot get find my Mac to work. What do I need to do?

So I purchased a used late 2011 Macbook Pro from a friend. I am trying to get the find my Mac app set up but it won't let me because I believe he still has it as one of his devices. I texted him a couple days ago to ask him to remove it, but it doesn't seem he has or is in any rush to do that. I was debating re-installing the entire OS to give myself a fresh start. Will this give me the ability to set my computer up on the find my Mac app or is it tied to something more than the hard drive/OS.

Esteban1015 wrote:
I actually think I will be upgrading the hard drive size. So to confirm, when I reinstall the OS on this new hard drive, I will be able to add this as my own device within the Find my Mac app?
Yes, after you zero out the drive.
Which os is installed?
Just out of curiousity, what happens on my friends end to this device?
It's your friends problem not yours. Your friend will have to get his "Find my Mac" app.

How do I connect TC to a new ethernet and share a new ethernet DSL with a new PC and use with my macbook Pro? I tried and get no internet on the PC or Macbook Pro?

how do I connect TC to a new ethernet and share a new ethernet DSL with a new PC and use with my macbook Pro? I tried and get no internet on the PC or Macbook Pro?

Ok.
I am connected to wi-fi through TC connected to a specific router and is working perfectly and saving data through TM without any issues.
The TC version is 7.6.1 and am using OS 10.7.3
The router mode is on Bridge mode and router is connected to TC through USB cable, I suppose for internet access. My Mac is on wi-fi through TC
I have another location, much further, which recently have been installed with wi-fi through router that has WPA accessibiulity with password, 100% different than the current one.
Since, I will be most of my time in this new location, I wish to move my TC to this new location, and configure it in similar fashion like what I am having right now.
Naturally, I do not wish to lose any saved data on the TC.
Hope I managed to provide enought info.
Thanks in advance

Since upgrading to Mavericks I am finding that I am lucky to get 2 hours (when connected to WiFi) of use from my macbook Pro.

Since upgrading to Mavericks I am finding that I am lucky to get 2 hours (when connected to WiFi) of use from my Macbook Pro. I have turned off Bluetooth ( which was not an issue previously), uninstalled Chrome, again not an issue before I upgraded, and have not seen any improvement.
I was using an older OS system (Snow Leopard) on my 2010 Macbook Pro. I am wondering now if the upgrade was an unwise move?

jbuckworth,
which apps do you run under battery power? Are any of them identified as “apps using significant energy” when you click on the battery icon in the menu bar? If you have a 15-inch or 17-inch model, are your apps using the discrete GPU (which consumes more power than the integrated GPU)?
How many charge cycles has your battery accumulated?
How long have you had Mavericks installed? Is Spotlight still reïndexing your boot drive? (It does that whenever your OS is upgraded, because so many files change in an OS upgrade.)

I am going to get my iphone 4 screen fixed and i was wondering how can I take down my photos without deleting them or losing them?

I am going to get my iphone 4 screen fixed and I was wondering how do I take down my photos without deleting them or losing them because I don't want the people looking at my photos??

There's this magical thing called "Google" which coincides with the word "research" but since you're here, and obviously needy, here ya go:
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht4083

I use an older Macbook Pro from 2007 with OS X 10.7 – had issues with Mavericks, so I uninstalled it. I want to get a trial version of AE CS6 but I need to know the specs for it.

I use an older Macbook Pro from 2007 with OS X 10.7 – had issues with Mavericks, so I uninstalled it. I want to get a trial version of AE CS6 but I need to know the specs for it.

System requirements | After Effects

Can my Early 2008 model MacBook pro able to use two olld model of 23" apple cinema display ?

Hellow everyone,
Just want to know " Can my Early 2008 model MacBook pro ( not the unibody )able to use two olld model of 23" apple cinema display ?"
Thanks so much

Yes. You will need the proper adaptor to connect: Mini DVI to DVI.

I am now using a different MacBook Pro, and want to install my CC, I have done that and downloaded the Photoshop App but its a trial version. How do I get the full version of the apps?

I had a new MacBook Pro that was damaged and I am now using a different MacBook pro as my primary computer (running yosemite 10.10.1).
I did uninstall the Creative Cloud off the old MacBook before I stopped using it.
I have downloaded the Creative Cloud and signed in using my adobe username and password, but when I went to download the Photoshop App it is only giving me the TRIAL VERSION.
How do I make sure that the apps are the full version that I have already paid for? (I do know that my subscription is still current)
Thanks for your help
- Shawn

Shawn I would recommend utilizing the steps in Sign in, activation, or connection errors | CC, CS6, CS5.5 - http://helpx.adobe.com/x-productkb/policy-pricing/activation-network-issues.html to resolve the connection error which is likely preventing the software from authenticating.

My 2008 15in macbook pro randomly shuts down while in sleep mode. What can I do?

I have a 2008 15in macbook pro that when it goes to sleep it will randomly shut down. Most times when I try to wake it up from sleep it will just shut itself down as well as when I close and reopen the computer it will just shut down. When I try to turn it back on it generally takes 2 to 3 tries to get it to finally come back on. What should I do? I think it might be a Hard Drive problem. Anything helps!

Hello californiabears and welcome to Apple Support Communities,
Try resetting SMC:
http://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201295
If you think you have a HD problem look at the HD in System reports:
Apple menu - About this Mac - More Info - System Report - SATA
Under SMART status does say "verified"?
Otherwise:
Using Disk Utility to verify or repair disks - Apple Support
Is that the original disk from 2008? If so it's due.

Just bought a used Oct '13 MacBook Pro and I can't sign into the App Store as it still displays the old owners user ID in the login box (in fixed grey text). Any ideas of how I what I could do? Thanks.

Just bought a used Oct '13 MacBook Pro and I can't sign into the App Store as it still displays the old owners user ID in the login box (in fixed grey text). Any ideas of how I what I could do? Thanks.

The first thing you should do with a second-hand computer is to erase the internal drive and install a clean copy of OS X. How you do that depends on the model, and on whether you already own another Mac. If you're not sure of the model, enter the serial number on this page. Then find the model on this page to see what OS version was originally installed.
1. You don't own another Mac.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.4 or 10.5, you need a boxed and shrink-wrapped retail Snow Leopard (OS X 10.6) installation disc, which you can get from the Apple Store or a reputable reseller — not from eBay or anything of the kind. If the machine has less than 1 GB of memory, you'll need to add more in order to install 10.6. I suggest you install as much memory as it can take, according to the technical specifications.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.6, you need the installation media that came with it: gray installation discs, or a USB flash drive for some MacBook Air models. If you don't have the media, order replacements from Apple. A retail disc, or the gray discs from another model, will not work.
To boot from an optical disc or a flash drive, insert it, then reboot and hold down the C key at the startup chime. Release the key when you see the gray Apple logo on the screen.
If the machine shipped with OS X 10.7 or later, you don't need media. It should boot into Internet Recovery mode when you hold down the key combination option-command-R at the startup chime. Release the keys when you see a spinning globe.
2. You do own another Mac.
If you already own another Mac that was upgraded in the App Store to the version of OS X that you want to install, and if the new Mac is compatible with it, then you can install it. Use Recovery Disk Assistant to create a bootable USB device and boot the new Mac from it by holding down the C key at the startup chime. You will need the Apple ID and password that you used to upgrade. Note that if your other Mac was never upgraded in the App Store, you can't use this method.
Once booted from the disc, the USB device, or Internet Recovery, launch Disk Utility and select the icon of the internal drive — not any of the volume icons nested beneath it. In the Partition tab, select the default options: a GUID partition table with one data volume in Mac OS Extended (Journaled) format. This operation will permanently remove all existing data on the drive, which is what you should do.
After partitioning, quit Disk Utility and run the OS X Installer. When the installation is done, the system will automatically reboot into the Setup Assistant, which will prompt you to transfer the data from another Mac, its backups, or from a Windows computer. If you have any data to transfer, this is usually the best time to do it.
You should then run Software Update and install all available system updates from Apple. If you want to upgrade to a major version of OS X newer than 10.6, get it from the Mac App Store. Note that you can't keep an upgraded version that was installed by the previous owner. He or she can't legally transfer it to you, and without the Apple ID you won't be able to update it in Software Update or reinstall, if that becomes necessary. The same goes for any App Store products that the previous owner installed — you have to repurchase them.
If the previous owner "accepted" the bundled iLife applications (iPhoto, iMovie, and Garage Band) in the App Store so that he or she could update them, then they're linked to that Apple ID and you won't be able to download them without buying them. Reportedly, Apple customer service has sometimes issued redemption codes for these apps to second owners who asked.
If the previous owner didn't deauthorize the computer in the iTunes Store under his Apple ID, you wont be able to authorize it under your ID. In that case, contact iTunes Support.

Early 2008 15" Macbook Pro acting very strange

So long story short, I bought a used early 2008 15" Macbook Pro and I keep having issues with it. I replaced the hard drive, replaced the thermal paste (after removing the old paste of course), cleaned her inside and out, updated software, firmware, & reset the pram/smc. None have totally solved the issues. I constantly have files from the hard drive disappear, then reappear whenever they want. The backlighting on the keyboard doesn't want to work if I am doing multiple things like, iTunes, TuneUp, & surfing the net, it just suddenly stops and if I try to activate by using the F6 on the keyboard I get a symbol of a circle with a line through it. The only way to get the keyboard to light up again is to reboot it. The hard drive I replaced with the old one is 500 gigs at 7200, 32mb cache. She also warms up rather quickly even though I used the artic silver thermal paste. I can never seem to get her temp below 45-55 Celsius. I even took apart the tiny internal fans and cleaned them thoroughly. I build desktop systems as well as repair laptops so I do know more than the average user but I am at a total loss here on what else could be the cause of all this strange behavior. I don't know what, if anything the previous owner did with it, which makes it even harder to figure out. Could this be a logic board or power supply issue? There are no other problems with power other then needing to replace the battery, but since it is plugged in everytime I use it, I really don't think this is the cause. Any suggestions are welcomed :-)

check out everyting here
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3046
https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3172
https://discussions.apple.com/community/notebooks/macbook_pro?view=documents

I am going to get a used 2008-2009 macbook pro, I am wondering if I can update it to work like a brand new macboook?

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