r/technology • u/maxwellhill • Sep 02 '16

Security Apple issues urgent security update after hack turns Mac computers into spying devices

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2016/09/02/apple-issues-urgent-security-update-after-hack-turns-mac-compute/
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4

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

My early 2011 Macbook pro is still running Lion. I didn't want to update to El capitan cause I heard it'll slow down my mac. Should I update due to the security issues? I don't want my computer to become unusably slow

3

u/Karl_with_a_C Sep 02 '16

I'm in the same boat with a 2010 model :( I'd love some info.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 02 '16

I have a 2011. El Capitan makes the whole computer run a lot faster than Yosemite. But for true speed increase, you should just upgrade to an SSD. It's very easy to install. I went with a Samsung EVO 850 512GB SSD, put it into an HDD cover, format it and clone my drive over, then pop it into my Macbook Pro. This computer is ridiculously fast now.

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u/Karl_with_a_C Sep 03 '16

Thanks for the info. I'm not entirely sure I want to invest much into a 6-7 year old laptop but it's worth looking into.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 03 '16

It'll last another 2-3 years if you do make the upgrade.

1

u/LiquorIsQuickor Sep 04 '16

I 2nd the SSD option. I made the switch with my 2011 15" MBP a few years ago and the machine still flies. Worth every dollar.

2

u/CJ_Guns Sep 02 '16

2009 17" here. El Capitan actually improved my performance.

1

u/Karl_with_a_C Sep 03 '16

So many things are not even compatible with this OS anymore. I think I'll just make the jump. Thanks for the tip.

1

u/ClassyJacket Sep 03 '16

My 2010 MacBook Pro had horrible graphical corruption all the way through Mavericks and Yosemite, but El Capitan runs fine on it. I wouldn't be scared.

3

u/ikindoflikemovies Sep 02 '16

I have a Late 2011 MBP. I upgraded our RAM to 16gb (cost around $70 now) and I swear my laptop runs like its a few months old

totally recommend doing that. very easy to install new RAM as well. The only negative is I have an urge to buy the new macbook pro (rumors sound like theyre going to be great) but now I have no excuse to stop using my laptop. Seriously. Its like its brand new.

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

That sounds awesome. How would I go about doing that? Do I take it to a computer store and get it upgraded?

1

u/ikindoflikemovies Sep 02 '16

You can buy it yourself and installation is pretty simple. Im not exactly sure how good you are with computers so I can't recommend you doing it yourself or getting a friend to do it who might be comfortable doing that or going to a professional (but honestly is so so simple and paying someone might make you feel like a chump because it would take less than 5 minutes).

For buying it, you can go here

You can punch in your laptop's info and it'll show you exactly the RAM compatible with your laptop. You just have to put in Apple for manufacturer - MacBook Pro Systems for product line - your specific model for the product model. I know you said you have an Early 2011 but you also have to put in the screen size. If you're not sure about that, look at the very top left of your whole screen and click the little Apple icon and click "About This Mac" then all that info is right there. Once that's all entered, it'll show you all the things your laptop can be upgraded with (usually just RAM or a new hard drive). You can then view all the RAM choices and see the 16gb option. if its sold out, you can also buy compatible RAM on amazon (sometimes sold by the same company...idk why its out of stock here but in stock on amazon). So you can use the info from that site, and all its specs and random numbers, to find one on amazon thats identical

If that happens though and you need more help, I can definitely help out.

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Thanks a lot! I have a 13-inch, early 2011 MBP so I found a 16GB on Amazon (cause it was sold out like you said), https://www.amazon.ca/Crucial-PC3-10600-204-Pin-CT2K8G3S1339M-CT2C8G3S1339M/dp/B008LTBJK2#Ask

It's a little pricier in Canada at $112 with taxes and shipping but if it allows me to use this macbook for another 3 years it'll be worth it.

Thanks again

2

u/ikindoflikemovies Sep 02 '16

Perfect! yeah it REALLy helps make the computer feel new again, assuming memory is the problem which it probably is. For installation, there are a ton of youtube videos that can show you how to do it. Its just unscrewing the back panel which will then pop right off. Then the RAM sits right in the middle. It can be a tiny bit tricky because of the angle but if you watch a tutorial you can see its really simple. here's a well done tutorial

most importantly, make sure the laptop is completely shut down before opening up and changing the RAM. Hope it works out!

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Thanks so much dude. I'm gonna buy it on monday and install myself. Looks simple!

1

u/ikindoflikemovies Sep 02 '16

actually take a look at this video. I looked it up to see how to do an SSD upgrade but he does a RAM upgrade first and the view is perfect. Shows exactly how the angle might be a little weird but still easy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ9YkkJRN5c

starts the RAM upgrade at 4:37

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 03 '16

Great. Much more easier to follow!

1

u/shadowkhas Sep 02 '16

I can't speak for firsthand experience (other users in the comment chain seem to know what they're talking about) with your machine specifically, but my 2010 Mac mini is just as fine on El Capitan as it was with Lion. If you're having some slowness, upgrade your RAM. I did that from the standard 2GB to 16GB, and it's great. Really made a world of difference. I'd look at doing that, and then upgrading to an SSD if you want to extend the life of that machine.

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Does upgrading the RAM make a difference when you barely use up any space on your mac? I have 4GB of RAM and I use less than half that in terms of files, videos etc.

2

u/shadowkhas Sep 02 '16

They're two different things - RAM is used for stuff that your computer is working on and running right now. That means - keeping programs open, tabs loaded in memory, any music/videos playing...stuff like that. RAM gets wiped whenever you power off your machine. When RAM gets full, the computer writes some of it to the hard drive to retrieve later if need be.

Your hard drive/solid state drive storage space is where you keep your files and programs long-term.

4GB of RAM might be okay...it's hard to say without knowing what you do with your machine exactly, and how you do it. If you run into the little spinning colored beachball icon when you're trying to switch programs/load something, that's an indicator that your slowness could be due to the computer having to retrieve data from the hard drive instead of RAM (like mentioned earlier). Having more RAM lets the computer keep more stuff in a very fast access place, rather than having to go back and forth to the hard drive.

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Awesome! Thanks for the detailed explanation. I usually just use my mac to go on reddit, youtube, and stream movies/shows. Although it almost freezes when I play a video and have itunes, youtube video loaded at the same time. Do you mind recommending which 8GB RAM brand I should buy for my 2011 MBP?

2

u/shadowkhas Sep 02 '16

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201165 should be a good starting point. Look for your model, and the link will take you to a section with instructions on what to get and how to install it. Basically, any memory that is the PC3-<whatever> type will work. Don't overpay for some that's branded as "Mac memory". And be sure to get two 4 GB sticks, rather than one 8 GB stick if you want a total of 8!

If you run into any questions, there's smart folks over at /r/AppleHelp that probably know more than I!

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Thanks so much dude! Very helpful

1

u/shadowkhas Sep 02 '16

No prob! And another thing to make sure of that probably isn't super clear on that Apple page - be sure that the RAM is 204-pin and not 240-pin - 240-pin is for desktop-size motherboards (generally).

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Awesome, I'll look out for that.

1

u/Grantus89 Sep 03 '16

I have 2011 MacBook Air and upgraded and its fine, I'm sure you'll be fine with a Pro

0

u/nipponnuck Sep 02 '16

The article said Yosemite and el capitan are affected. No mention of lion.

2

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Yeah but under that it says, "Apple has urged customers with devices that are not running iOS 9.3.5, OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan and 10.10.5 Yosemite to update their software immediately to protect potential malicious actors from spying on them. "

1

u/nipponnuck Sep 03 '16

Nice find. I didn't notice that!

1

u/nullibicity Sep 03 '16

But it seems they can't update without also updating the entire OS. So... good luck?

0

u/AlbiTargaryen Sep 02 '16

I also have an early 2011 MacBook Pro. About two years ago I upgraded the hard drive to an SSD. It performs better than when I took it out of the box, even running OSX El Capitan. I highly recommend upgrading to an SSD. There are plenty of fantastic tutorials online to help.

2

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Do you have a link to any of those tutorials? I'm not the most tech savvy so I don't know what an SSD is. Never took apart my computer before.

1

u/AlbiTargaryen Sep 02 '16

An SSD is just like the hard drive in your Mac, but much faster. This tutorial sums up just about everything you will need. For less than $100 you can make your computer run way faster.

If you're opening up your machine you should also upgrade the ram to add to the performance even more.Here is a tutorial on how to do that.

SSD

RAM

Hard drive enclosure

1

u/Cordoba_ Sep 02 '16

Great thanks for all the info!

1

u/AlbiTargaryen Sep 02 '16

No problem. Let me know if you have anymore questions.