Poor Performance: 1.83 Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 2GB Ram

Running OSX 10.5.8
I am nursing along my MacBook from my college days, and I was hoping to get at least a few more years out of it as a web surfer before having to donate it. When I first got it it was screaming fast for it's day with a boot time of 35 seconds or less. It now take a couple of minutes to boot.
I am sure part of the slowness has to do with the prossessor and the newer version of OSX that it wasn't really designed to run. I am also having major slowness using Safari, so I have switched to Firefox completely, it has MS Office 2K8 installed as well, but I probably use it for surfing, MS Word, MS Excel the most.
Is ther anything I can do to clean things up a bit and get some better performance?

You can add more RAM - up to 3 GBs from 2 GBs will help. You might consider backing up everything, then erasing the drive and reinstalling OS X from scratch. I recommend upgrading to Snow Leopard:
Upgrading to Snow Leopard
You can purchase Snow Leopard through the Apple Store: Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard - Apple Store (U.S.). The price is $19.99 plus tax. You will be sent physical media by mail after placing your order.
After you install Snow Leopard you will have to download and install the Mac OS X 10.6.8 Update Combo v1.1 to update Snow Leopard to 10.6.8 and give you access to the App Store. Access to the App Store enables you to download Mountain Lion if your computer meets the requirements.
     Snow Leopard General Requirements
       1. Mac computer with an Intel processor
       2. 1GB of memory
       3. 5GB of available disk space
       4. DVD drive for installation
       5. Some features require a compatible Internet service provider;
           fees may apply.
       6. Some features require Apple’s iCloud services; fees and
           terms apply.
Update your applications to be sure you are using the latest versions compatible with Snow Leopard. Stick to using Safari instead of FireFox. Don't try running too many applications concurrently since that model does not allow enough RAM for that.
Be sure you have adequate free space on your hard drive - 20 GBs at least. Consider replacing the hard drive with a larger, faster drive.

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Macbook 2.2GHz Intel Core 2 Duo W/2GB RAM VS Latest MBP

Hey All, I have a macbook and my friend has a MBP the latest 15 inch with 4gb of ram , i think his processor speed is 2.6 core 2 duo. Well i was wondering, we were doing screen sharing and my macbook was warming up and i went to look on his screen and his was normal temp with idling fans. What my question is why does mine heat up and his doesn't? I know he has a MBP but is it the processor speed he has or the 4gb of ram?
Thanks!

Juicy J wrote:
Hey All, I have a macbook and my friend has a MBP the latest 15 inch with 4gb of ram , i think his processor speed is 2.6 core 2 duo. Well i was wondering, we were doing screen sharing and my macbook was warming up and i went to look on his screen and his was normal temp with idling fans. What my question is why does mine heat up and his doesn't? I know he has a MBP but is it the processor speed he has or the 4gb of ram?
Thanks!
The integrated graphics on the MacBook will tend to heat up faster in my experience.
The 2 fans were also mentioned, as well as the aluminum case.

Help with InDesign and using MacBook Pro with 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB

Have a Mac Book Pro running 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB RAM is there anyway to use InDesign and if so what version would run on this machine and would I still be able to interface with a printer to produce a magazine? Or is it possible to upgrade/gut this machine for a new processor and RAM, if that is even possible, and could I then run a CS program say 5.5?

Thanks for all the help - it is confusing though. I tried to download the trial version of CS5.5 to explore before buying the student version and the program download froze. I have deleted the doadload assistant and spoke with Adobe who told me my machine would not be compatible unless I upgraded - maybe the RAM to 4GB.
You got bad (wrong) advice.
If the download didn't work, it has nothing to do with the performance characteristics of your machine. You could download CS5.5 on a low-end PC from 10 years ago, it doesn't take much.
Unfortunately Adobe's download manager is a bit flakey. Best advice is to use Firefox and try the download again.
It doesn't have anything to do with the power of your computer, be it speed, processor type, or RAM.
Make sure you're using FIrefox (if not, download and install it first), and then try the download again.
Also, the download manager depends on Java. Make sure you have Java installed (but I think you must, because otherwise the download would not have started?).
If it still doesn't work, give us some more detail. Error message? Screenshot?

Will 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB 1067 MHz DDR3 running 10.7.5 supprt an upgrade to 10.8?

Will 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB 1067 MHz DDR3 running 10.7.5 support an upgrade to 10.8?

It matters more as to what model your laptop is than when you bought it - buying it refurbished in 2011 means it is a 2010 or older model.
Please click on the apple logo, then on about this Mac, and then on more info. After that, click on system report and report the model identifier for your laptop - it will show like this:
And no, you will not be happy with the performance with 2 GB RAM in Mountain Lion. In order to figure out what your maximum RAM is, we need to figure out the model identifier.

OSX 10.5.8 on a intel core 2 duo and 2GB memory, upgrade to Lion?

Hi, I am running OSX 10.5.8 on a intel core 2 duo and 2GB memory, what would I need to do to upgrade to Lion?
Thanks

Thanks for your answer, however I have not find a way to upgrade to Snow Leopard. Would I need to buy it from the store?
Thanks

I have an iMac S/N QP******VUW currently running OSX 10.5.8. 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB 667 MHz RAM. To what OSX level can I update this model?

I have an iMac S/N QP******VUW currently running OSX 10.5.8. 2.16 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB 667 MHz RAM. To what OSX level can I update this model?
<Edited By Host>

Noel Kuck wrote:
I tried adding more ram but the Mac would't even boot with 2x2GB installed. I figured that it was limited so I forgot about it. Wha's the advantage of adding it if it is not recognized?
Chances are you either did not install or correctly or added the incorrect RAM.

Software Update will not update 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo 2 GB RAM from 10.6.8 to 10.7

Current mac mini (Late 2009), 2.26 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, 2 GB RAM does not detect an update from Mac OS X 10.6.8 to Mac OS X 10.7 or Mac OS X 10.8 during run of Software Update.

It’s not supposed to. Download codes for Lion and Mountain Lion can be purchased from the online Apple Store, while Mavericks is available for free from the Mac App Store; you don’t need to go through 10.7 or 10.8 when upgrading.
(111545)

I have a MacBook 4,1 with Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory, what do I ned to do to be able to download Itunes 10.5 so I can use my new Iphone 4s?

I have a MacBook 4,1 with Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory, what do I ned to do to be able to download Itunes 10.5 so I can use my new Iphone 4s?

When I tried to activate my phone through ITunes it said I needed iTunes 10.5. I tried to download it and it wouldn't work. Do I need Snow Leopard?

Worth upgrading 2.16 Intel Core 2 Duo 3 GB Ram to new model macbook?

Talk some sense into me. I have a 2.16 Intel Core 2 Duo with 4 gb ram in it from OWC. OF course it only recognizes 3 GB. Would it be worth it to upgrade to the cheapest but newest Macbook (2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo) so it could take advantage of the full 4 GB ram? (This is assuming they bot use the same Ram chips). supposedly these newer Macbooks are of course "faster" also. Of course this would mean reselling my existing Macbook (and probably taking a nice loss.) Other options is to watch the refurbished page, or perhaps eBay for a newer MacBook parts machine.
Or maybe enough is enough, and I should be happy with my 3 GBs... it is just that 1 GB... just sitting there... perfectly useful... just sitting there...

To OP, to answer your question, you need to really assess whether or not you ever fully use the full 3 gigs you currently have. Even then I think its just a feeling of buyers remorse your having. Trustme, I'm planning on buying a Macbook within a month to take advantage of the Free iPod offer for students, and I'm pretty sure there will be an update of the Macbooks in the fall.
On a side note, you could always upgrade your harddrive to a faster one (faster rotation speed, more mb cache, etc). Because of course when ever you top out on RAM, it uses the harddrive to make up for deficit. And from what I've read, a new harddrive does not void the warrenty.
Just my two cents.
EDIT: I was reading on Wikipedia, and it says that your model with the 2.16 Ghz c2d has the capability of 4gigs of RAM... but it says 3.25 usuable. That means your wanting to upgrade for 750mb of RAM. IMO definately not worth it. Also I read on another forum that a guy with the same setup (4gigs in 2.16 cpu macbook) runs several apps while doing photoshop cs3 work and has never topped out on RAM usage. I think you are plenty fine unless your using your macbook for heavy audio or video production... and even in that case I would recommend getting a faster harddrive anyway.
Message was edited by: iNew2maCs
Message was edited by: iNew2maCs

Can my macbook 2.33 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo take 4gb RAM?

Hi All,
I'm sure this has been asked before, although I couldn't find a definitive answer in the forum....
Is it possible I could put 2x2gig ram into mt macbook? I currently have 1x2gig and 1x1gig installed.
I purchased my MBP Jan 07
Cheers.

Hey MagicDave,
Long time, long time
I have been researching this topic as well and it can be hard to work it out. It seems to depend on which variant of the Core 2 Duo chip which you have and the model of MBP (see here http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1586222&tstart=0 ). I wouldn't necessarily believe the crucial site which could be based upon the published apple specs....... ?
JohhnyMac

Will Final Cut Pro X work nicely on a late 2009 13" MacBook Pro 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo with 2GB RAM?

I want to get FCPX but I am not sure if it will be so good on this Macbook Pro... Will it work decently on it even with just 2GB RAM and a Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz and a 13" screen? I also have the lastest version of Snow Leopard 10.6.8

Check here to see if your graphics card is supported. Core i5 is fine, 8 GB RAM is fine but more is better.
You will need fast external drives (FW800 or TB). FCP X has a fully functioning trial version.

2.8ghz intel core 2 duo w/8gb ram and 240gb ssd

I have run across a lot of topics regarding upgrading your MBP late 2008 edition to 8gb of ram and that it is not possible. (only supports 6gb)
just wanted to let you all know that i just installed a brand new ssd, fresh install of 10.6, backuped my data, then installed 8gb of ram successfully...no hitches.
thanks.

I have the same MacBookPro3,1 OS X seems to handle 8GB but with undefinable glitches. Windows does not know how to handle over 6. I even tried Windows 7 x64 with SP1 Integrated. The installer seems to work but takes literally 10 hrs and does not complete. With 6GB everything is fine on the windows side and it installs in 30 minutes. Also with 6GB OS X side is rock solid stable.
Personally, I opted for a Seagate Momentus XT 500GB for the HD with 4GB SSD buffer. After the Momentus XT I tried an Intel 320 Series SSDSA2CW120G310 2.5" 120GB SATA but there didn't seem to be any noticable speed difference between the SSD and the Momentus XT. Some reading revealed that this was because Apple designed the MacBookPro3,1 with a negotiated link speed at SATA 1 speeds to accomidate the ide DVD drive. The ICH9 chipset supports SATA II, but SMC firmware limits it to SATA 1 on the MacbookPro3,1s. I tried operating the macbook without the dvd drive to see if it would negotiate at higher SATA 2 speeds, but no go.
BTW - If you swap out the top case/trackpad with one from a MacbookPro4,1 you get all the multitouch gestures.

MacBook 2.1 Intel Core 2 Duo 2GHz 2GB Late 2006. The harddrive died. Replaced with a WD 320. Have used TimeMachine with a WD160 for several months. Tried to install Snow Leopard and use restore from the TimeMachine backup. Will not start.

Harddrive died and replaced it with a new WD 320. Used Snow Leopard to intall OS Disk Utility to Restore from TimeMachine. It appears to have 'pasted' the backup from TimeMachine on to the WD320. Tried to start OS and it says that WD320 is a backup and won't run from it. What do I do?

I re-reinstalled Snow Leopard and restarted. It is working fine!!!!

My macbook randomly shuts down (2.4 intel core 2 duo 2 gb ram)

my macbook turns off in the middle of use. when the macbook is powered on the fan starts up full speed and stays that way for a while.
then 15 mins later is turn itself off in one second. what could be the problem.
thanks

This seems to be an obvious over-heating issue.
How old is this? I'm guessing it's a bit old and perhaps has the main fan obstructed with dust, etc.
Could you give us more info please? Also try to get some cpu temp apps if you don't already have one and let us know how hot it's getting.

Does FaceTime works with an iMac 2006 ? (intel 2Ghz Core 2 Duo with 3GB ram ?

I have an IMac 2Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo with 2GB ram. I have an Apple ID that is working properly for many years. When I want to activate FaceTime, it gives me an error of ID. I have checked my ID in iTune and it is fine. What should I do ?
My OS is Lion 10.7.1.

It is sometimes very peculiar to observe the side effects of some systems settings, but this would be an odd 'fix' if it were to work. Aside from anything else, the energy saver settings impact the system only when it's running since they are integral to MacOS. It's difficult to imagine how these could affect the cold-booting of the machine - though it isn't impossible of course, in as far as changing the energy saving settings might impact on parameter RAM.
However, even if it were to actually resolve this, you would need to switch back to the prior settings to make sure it remained 'fixed', since you hardly want a Mac that limits your choice of any settings that should be available to you.
And while I think, it may actually be worth resetting PRAM as follows:
-Shut down the computer.
-Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command, Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in the next step but one.
-Turn on the computer.
-Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys. You must press this key combination before the gray screen appears.
-Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
-Release the keys.

Poor Performance: 1.83 Intel Core 2 Duo w/ 2GB Ram

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