What is a SSD and can I install one into my 2008 Macbook Pro?

I searched through some older threads about this and have obtained some basic information. Mainly that I should install a SSD but I'm not 100% what that is. I'm not super tech savy though so any help would be most appreciated. when I took my MBP to the Apple store the genius there called my computer vintage and said I should just buy a new one because there wasn't anything I could do it to make it faster. was he right?
here's my macbooks specs.
MacBook Pro (15-inch Early 2008)
2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
4 GB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM
NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT 256 MB
thoughts? thanks!!!!

Replacing a HD with an SSD can give a remarkable boost in performance though you'd still have a vintage Mac. You can check out OWC as a reliable source for SSD's and look at their installation videos to see what the job is like.

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What is a SSD and can I install one into my 2008 Macbook Pro?

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