My computer is 3 years old and runs very slowly. Is it time for a new computer, or just more RAM?

I don't want to invest in a brand new computer, but I've never installed RAM, so I don't know how it affects the computer and whether that will really help me or not.

I recently rejuvenated a MacBook by adding more memory and a faster disk. I am pleased with the results. For me, it was a good $200 investment ($100 memory + $100 disk).
What model MBP do you have (size, season and year) (e.g, 13” Mid 2010)?
You can find this information at  > About This Mac > More Info...
It came with 4 GB of RAM, unless it is the low end of the original 2009 model which came with 2. MBP memory is upgradeable to at lest 8 GB (~$100).
Installation is not hard, especially if you purchase this $5 toolkit that has the necessary tiny screwdriver.
http://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/TOOLKITMHD/
See the installation instructions
http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1270
and/or videos at OWC (macsales.com) or ifixit.com.
OWC (macsales.com) and Crucial are good sources for memory.
The other common upgrade is to replace the disk with a faster one. The hybrid SSHD drives are now much faster than standard 5400 RPM drives. They are also easy to replace. OWC is having a sale on these for $100, including a handy installation kit. (Seagate 1 TB hybrid SSHD 2.5”)

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I have an older version of Adobe Digital Editions (around 3 years old) and was very happy with it. Then I had problems with my Kobo Reader and asked a friend who works in IT to assist. She could not fix the Kobo but she messed up my Addobe. She downloade

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dietmarfromdeu,
if you start up your iMac in Safe mode, do you still have Bluetooth problems with your Apple wireless keyboard and Magic Mouse?

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As far as I know you don't need to turn off home sharing as such, however you will have lost one of the 5 "authorizations". You can't release these individually unless you are running iTunes on the authorized operating system you want to deauthorize.
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iTunes Store: About authorization and deauthorization
tt2

Why is Firefox taking up a lot of CPU and running very slowly?

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Check out what's available in the refurb store. They are virtually indistinguishable from new retail stock and come with a full warranty. You can save hundreds.
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac

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Welcome to Apple Communities
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Hi!
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Firefox 6.8 is taking 5 minutes or longer to load when I first start my computer (a 5-year-old Dell running XP).

Once it finally loads it works fine. I'm using Comodo firewall and Microsoft Security Essentials.

I can just about guarantee you it's your security system (and possibly the number of items you have initiated at start up) that is delaying the start up of your machine. I just installed Windows 7 Ultimate (over a Windows Vista Home Premium) and it did not load properly because of features of Norton 360 even though I had (in theory) disabled Norton 360 during the installation of Windows 7. It was taking 28 minutes to start up. Microsoft representative fixed it by disabling/removing Norton 360 and it took about less than one minute to start up (and fixing some inconsistencies with Windows 7 during the installation). By re-enabling Norton 360 after it was reinstalled it now takes about 3+ minutes to start up. So security devices I am guessing adds about 2.5 to 3 minutes of start up time. My computer is relatively new and almost all start up devices are disabled so that could explain why yours may be taking a bit longer.
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Hmmmm... why do PC's take so long to boot up and my wife's iPad is instant start and I can be on the web via safari in under 15 seconds. I wonder .....

My computer is 3 years old and runs very slowly. Is it time for a new computer, or just more RAM?

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