The MacBook Pro is Apple’s most powerful range of laptops. The devices have a long lifespan, since so many users are in no hurry to replace their old laptops, which are doing fine after 5–7 years.
But advances still need to be made; even casual browsing requires higher performance. Here’s a look at what MacBook Pro parts you can replace to get the best performance from your Mac.
SSD: More Memory For Work And Fun
Apple has been using Solid State Drives (SSD) in its laptops for quite some time, and their read and write speeds are good enough for comfortable operation.
The only limitation is the amount of internal storage. Admittedly, file sizes have increased dramatically in recent years, with photos, videos, games, and applications, even documents taking up more space on the drive.
If you frequently have to monitor your SSD’s available space or constantly see a message that your Mac’s memory is full, it’s worth replacing it with a larger capacity option.
Of course, not all MacBook Pro models allow you to unplug the old drive and install a new one, but many pre 2017 models do.
And in more recent models, you can replace the logic board with the module with more memory.
Processor: Cores And Gigahertz Affect Many Things
Many laptop users are aware that the processor is responsible for the lion’s share of performance.
Regarding the MacBook Pro, you can find models with different chips (Core i5, i7, or i9) and a device with the same chip class but different frequencies within the same year.
In either case, “more” means “better,” so swapping out the processor is the quickest way to boost the overall performance of your MacBook Pro.
If you decide to put a different logic board with the processor from the older version of the MacBook Pro, remember that you can’t use a part with a discrete graphics card in a laptop that originally had a board with an integrated GPU.
They are not interchangeable regarding component layout, power consumption, and cooling system. You can only upgrade if the new board contains an identical graphics card type.
RAM: Multitasking Without Limitation
RAM is an essential component in a laptop, as even the fastest processor cannot give you maximum performance if the amount of RAM is limited.
The current RAM standard has doubled in the last five years, requiring at least 16GB of RAM for comfortable browsing and running applications.
You probably had enough when you bought your MacBook Pro with 8GB of RAM. Now you only need that much memory to keep open tabs from reloading.
The good news is you don’t need to buy a new laptop to surf the net. You can increase the amount of RAM, and it will cost less.
The MacBook Pro has had separate RAM cards for a long time (since 2012), but you can always put in a motherboard from an older model to boost performance.
The Battery Is The ‘Gray Cardinal’ Of Performance
Although the battery in your MacBook Pro doesn’t directly affect your computer’s performance, a lot depends on the condition of this component.
For example, if the battery is quite old and its capacity is 50–60% of its original capacity, you may experience sudden shutdowns, freezes, and insufficient device performance.
The fact is that the battery needs to supply enough current to the components for them to work correctly. But a faulty battery doesn’t do that, so you end up with a less productive gadget.
Replacing the battery is the easiest of all the MacBook Pro repair options. Fortunately, Apple didn’t have time to solder the batteries onto the circuit board, but in some models, you can replace the battery with the top case.
However, in most cases, removing the cover, disconnecting the cables, carefully removing the battery, and fitting a new one is sufficient.
The Cooling System Is Something Everyone Forgets About
Every component in a laptop generates heat, and the temperature becomes critical at some point.
To avoid this, the MacBook Pro has an active cooling system that includes coolers, heat sinks, and other components to keep the temperature within limits.
For sure, every mechanical component has a lifespan. Over time, coolers stop working at their best efficiency: they spin less or stop working altogether.
If you find that your cooling system is malfunctioning, replace it immediately.
Appleparts.io, for example, offers a wide range of spare parts for cooling your laptop, such as genuine cooling fans, genuine CPU heatsinks, and more.
All the components are fully-tested by their staff, making them quality pieces.
Replacing parts on your MacBook Pro is one option to make it perform better. In most cases, this is enough to keep the device running smoothly for several years. Fit new hardware, and you’ll be surprised at what your old laptop can do.