Upgrading a MacBook Pro 2011?

I have been using my MacBook Pro 13 "basic since 2011. Therefore this laptop is one of the oldies, it is very slow. But I use it for almost everything. But how it came about, the Mac has slowed down. I need it lately the Mac a minute to open Word or even longer, I have already set up the Mac, etc. It is very, very old.

But when I saw a video from a YouTuber today (video is linked) that cuts videos, plays games etc. With the same model (except RAM and graphics card) I thought I would upgrade my Mac. So now I have a few questions:

What should you definitely upgrade?
What tools do you need?
What do I have to consider

My specs:

MacBook Pro (13-inch, Late 2011)
2.4 GHz Intel Core i5
4 GB 1333 MHz DDR 3 RAM
Intel HD Graphics 3000 384 MB
500 GB SATA

The video:

RAM and graphics matter a lot! (Especially the latter ;-))

So, you can and should upgrade RAM and in any case the SATA HDD!

coincidentally i just upgraded one MB pro 2012 with RAM and SSD.

You can use RAM (you get a maximum of 16GB):

Corsair CMSA16GX3M2A1600C11 SO-DIMM Kit Apple Mac 16GB (2x8GB) (DDR3L 1600Mhz CL11 1.35V Apple Certified) https://www.amazon.de/...009EH010E/

SSD (is a must for you ;-) - Samsung EVO would be enough, the PRO lasts longer, but is also more expensive. You will not notice the higher S / L speed of the PRO on your MB):

Samsung MZ-76E500B / EU 860 EVO 500 GB SATA 2.5 "Internal SSD Black https://www.amazon.de/...078WQT6S6/

This will make your MB very fast again!

greetings

Ps: do you have at least some experience with upgrading? As such, RAM and HDD swapping shouldn't really go wrong. You need a small Phillips screwdriver and a Torx screwdriver. You should be well looked after with such a set:

Meister precision mechanic set 108 pieces - repair set for smartphones, tablets, PCs, consoles, cameras, watches, glasses, model making & Co. / repair tool kit / precision screwdriver set / 3387780 https://www.amazon.de/...07666T8CR/

Current operating system?
Swap Sata hard drive to SSD

Yes, I have the latest macOS that is compatible (macOS High Sierra).

Thank you!

With pleasure. If you have any further questions, please write here ;-)

Uhh… Then I would have another question ;-). RAM = RAM (understandable how to change it). SSD also clear. But what exactly is the "Intel HD Graphics"? What is this related to? So can you change them at all?

The Intel HD Graphics is the graphics chip. You can't exchange it directly. The graphics chip can only be replaced with a logic board / mainboard exchange, because soldered.

Thank you. And I thought about expanding the CD player so I never use it and because it is broken. The huge advantage would be that the Mac would then be lighter. The disadvantage would be weight shift. Then I have to take a look at the mainboard.

With pleasure! What you can also do is buy this adapter and install a second SSD. Then you have more storage space ;-)

HDD / SSD SATA III Caddy compatible with Apple MacBook (Pro) 13 "15" 17 "(replaces SuperDrive) - 9.5 mm hard disk frame mounting frame (SATA to SATA) - TheNatural2020 https://www.amazon.de/...0090KFOYS/

but please do not take a hard drive and install it. An SSD would be quieter, lighter and usually last longer ;-) (you won't really feel that with the weight shift - a drive doesn't weigh so much).

Uhh… I'm looking forward to converting it! Thank you! I have one more thing to do now. I want to change the motherboard. I watched a few videos where many used the MBP 2012 motherboard. I think that's a good idea. And a new battery is also being planned. My battery has now completed the 1000 charging cycles (since yesterday). Stay healthy!

That would be practical, of course, since you can install MacOS Catalina from MB Pro at the end of 2012.

You have some plans. Have lots of fun with it ;-)

I would order the parts all the same but I just notice that the logic board of the 12 model needs different RAMs.

The RAMs I posted for you should fit your Late 2011?

"Compatible with MacBook / MacBook Pro systems that ship between mid 2010 and late 2011 and iMac systems that ship between mid 2010 and mid 2011"

But I'm installing the mainboard of a 12 model.

Yes, that's right! However, in a Mid 2012 I installed these RAMs and they fit perfectly. Would. So also fit.