My girlfriend has the aforementioned Macbook Pro. She is going back to school in the fall and would like a new, lighter machine, but not sure it is in the budget. So, I was thinking it may be best to put some upgrades into her machine instead. The RAM has already been boosted up to 4GB (2x 2GB). So here is what I was thinking:

1. Get a new battery for the unit. Using Coconut Battery (http://www.coconut-flavour.com/), it shows her machine can only get a 73% charge. How much would I expect to spend on this and where in the GTA should I source it?

2. Upgrade the RAM from 4GB to 6GB (http://tidbits.com/article/9839). I know this would mean I would lose dual channel support, but I think the 2GB upgrade would probably outweigh whatever speed gains I am getting by dual channel? I would need to source a 4GB stick of 667mhz DDR2 SDRam. Again, any idea how much I would be looking at and where to source it?

3. Upgrade the hard drive from a 120GB stock drive to an SSD drive. I am aware that SSD may affect battery life (http://www.ehmac.ca/anything-mac/100791-ssd-decreases-battery-life-macbook-pro.html) (all the more reason for a new battery), but from looking on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqikxCMbuhQ&feature=related) and the like the people have done this have seen a noticeable difference in boot time and speed of the computer. However, how do these SSD sit/mount into the laptop? I figure the hard drive in there now is just screwed in. Would the SSD screw in the same place or would I need some sort of adapter/mount? Also, SATA 2 or SATA 3? I take it any SATA drive I buy would work. Any recommendations on a model to get?

Thanks for the help.

I looked around the GTA, and ended up buying a new battery straight from Apple,

SSD, mounts same as HDD, DM me if you need help with replacement, unless you are comfortable doing it yourself.

RAM upgrade would be a speed boost for sure,

Keep both battery's around, So when she's at school she can swap battery's as needed.

Luckily mid-07 MBP's are on the list for Mountain Lion compatibility, I just bought and rebuilt a 2008 MacBook Pro. (Pre-Unibody)

-M

Yep, with OS 10.8 coming out, I figure this machine is going to need the extra boost. Plus, if I go to SSD it will be a clean install which I am sure will help as well. Who knows what she has on this thing. Heck, her Download folder had stuff going 3 years back until I told her to dump it the other day.

How much was the battery from Apple?

Any idea on the RAM upgrade?

The SSD, its just a 2.5inch one I need, correct?

The single 4 GB RAM upgrade is $86, message me for details
A third party battery is $83, message me,
from Apple is $159
SSD, it will help your boot time and application load times, won't do much if anything to improve processor-dependent functions.

PC2-5300 RAM is expensive these days, close to $90 for a single stick. However you could probably get $30-$40 for a 2GB stick if you want to sell, or keep it in case.

Slower SSDs will generally use less power. You only have an SATA1 connection anyway which is only capable of 150MB/s, I would stick with a slower SSD. OWC Electra 3G will be a great choice, low power consumption and especially made for Mac. Intel 320 is another good one, a bit expensive but worth it. Samsung's another good one but also pricey. The only problem with Intel or Samsung is that you have to get a third party app which enables TRIM function to keep your SSD running fast. You'll want to stick with a super reliable drive, those 2007s are not a walk in the park to open up. I also want to note that even with your slower SATA1 connection, you will see a noticeable improvement in boot, sleep/wake, and app load times over a standard hard drive.

You can also pick up a NewerTech battery for $100. They're one of the best third party batteries out there, arguably even better than Apple OEM batteries which will set you back $160.

Would it be fair to say the extra 2GB jump would outweigh the loss of dual channel mode?

I probably will need the extra RAM for Mountain Lion, no?

My girlfriend has the aforementioned Macbook Pro. She is going back to school in the fall and would like a new, lighter machine, but not sure it is in the budget. So, I was thinking it may be best to put some upgrades into her machine instead. The RAM has already been boosted up to 4GB (2x 2GB). So here is what I was thinking............

I would reconsider spending the money on all those upgrades....

Compare what that would cost you plus what you can get for your old Mac vs buying a MacBook Air which will be much lighter and of course newer.

The MacBook you have is probably worth about $550.- plus $100 each for additional RAM and battery and the cost of the SSD vs an 11 or 13-inch refurbished MacBookAir with an SSD and a new battery and a new power adapter (that's the item that goes as well) and you get a full one year warranty.
I think you will find the delta you have to come up with is only a few hundred dollars and you have a lighter, newer machine and guaranteed no problems that you have to fix and pay for for a year (or three with Applecare)

I just got a sales email from NCIX for a 240 SSD at $190, then you have the work (or cost) to install the drive.
The RAM installation is easy, the drive a bit more work (or cost) but I think you will be well into $400 with all these upgrades.
And then it's still a 2007 MBp with no warranty and a much more limited life going forward than a 2011 refurbished one.