Upgrading the MacBook Pro 13" (mid-2012)

Posted by Damian on August 27, 2012 02:00 pm 13

So i needed a new laptop and I did not have time to save up for a new Retina Display MBP. I went with the 13" MBP over the air due to the ability to upgrade the hardware. Specifically the RAM and Hard Drive.

Currently this laptop has a 500GB 5,400 RPM drive, this needs to change soon! I will list my upgrade process and ask you guys a few questions. Here are the specs.

Processor 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5 (dual-core)

Memory 4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3

Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 384 MB

Storage 500GB 5,400 Hard Drive

Memory:

I work heavily in design, video, and I do some gaming here and there. I would like to up the RAM on this thing since, while in photoshop, I can usually pull about 5-6GB of RAM. Now I would think that 12GB is the logical step... but I want to go big. MacSales.com has a 16GB upgrade kit for $150.

160GB of DDR3 RAM - $150

Expansion:

No one uses the disk drive anyone, at least I dont. So I am going to nix that for another spot for an SSD. With OWC (MacSales) Data Doubler I can turn my Disk Drive slot into a housing for an SSD.

OWC Data Doubler - $60

Storage:

Next up we have the big one, storage. The boot time on this laptop is a little sluggish, this is due to the 5,400 RPM drive. So lets up that and bring this guy to about 250GB of SSD. I am almost positive that the average SSD will physically fit in this laptop, I hope it does... So the best deal I have found is $120 for the Corsair Force Series GT. Basically $1 per GB.

x2 120GB Corsair Force Series GT - $240 (two drives)

So far this is what I am looking at. Do you guys think I will get use of the 16GB or will the rest of the hardware in the machine bottle neck me? I would assume I can take advantage of it with applications such as Photoshop, Premere Pro, Final Cut Pro X, and InDesign. When I work I usually have Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator open. So the use of this RAM consumption is daily and usual. For example while writing this I only have 1GB of RAM free. That is with no heavy apps running.

Does anyone have any suggestions for an external graphics card? Something I can use on the Windows side when i game? I know this was somewhat impossible a few years ago but since this thing has Thunderbolt I am wondering if anyone has come out with a solution.

Thank you for your thoughts and advice.