SL or ML 2009 white MB

[mindlessLump]

I have a late 2009 unibody style Macbook. Currently, I'm running Mountain Lion. I don't use it for much besides light MS Office use (2011 for Mac), iLife and surfing the web.

I recently had an "invalid node structure error" so I'm thinking of upgrading to a 7200rpm HD. Either way, it has a fresh format on it, and I haven't bothered installing any more software yet. I'm going to be using it as my main home computer now, so I am wondering if I will see any performance improvements by switching from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion?

I will be doing a clean install.

Thanks.

 

[Eug]

The best upgrade is to get an SSD. Otherwise you're not going to see much performance difference.

The second best upgrade is to get more memory (if you currently have 2 GB or less).

 

[slashbinslashbash]

LOL. By the title of this thread, I thought that it should have been in the Garage. I was still kind of puzzled though, "Why would they compare a Mercedes-Benz SL (sports car) with an ML (SUV)? And why both 2009 and white?"

I agree with Eug, performance differences are likely to be minor. Much better performance with an SSD and/or more RAM. RAM is so cheap now, there's no reason not to go ahead and max it out if it's not already.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

10.8 is okay. Maybe a little zippier but not OMGFAST or nuthin'.

I mostly upgraded for the iCloud features, actually.

++ on the SSD recommendation though.

An invalid node structure should be fixable with a utility like DiskWarrior, no?

 

[vailr]

Currently, I'm running Mountain Lion.
................
I am wondering if I will see any performance improvements by switching from Snow Leopard to Mountain Lion?

Not sure what you're trying to say?
I'd recommend obtaining a copy of the bootable ML installer on DVD or USB thumb drive. Then do a fresh ML install on your choice of newly-formatted storage medium.

 

[joshhedge]

From personal experience with older Mac laptops I'd stick with Snow Leopard over Mountain Lion. ML was a total dog on my 15" 2008 MBP whereas SL was smooth as silk, comparatively.

 

[Eug]

Mountain Lion is fine on my 2009 2.26 GHz 13" MacBook Pro, but it has an SSD and 4 GB RAM.

The specs of my MBP are very similar to the OP's white unibody MB.

 

[runawayprisoner]

Unless you have an SSD, stick with Snow Leopard.

In fact, even if you have an SSD, stick with Snow Leopard, and wait for Mavericks.

 

[joshhedge]

Unless you already know, you have to manually enable TRIM in OS X with non-native SSDs if you're going to upgrade to one. A few programs are available on the web that simplify the process.

 

[Oyeve]

In my experience switching to ml on my mid 2009 mbp turned it into a dog.

 

[Eug]

In my experience switching to ml on my mid 2009 mbp turned it into a dog.

How much memory? Do you have an SSD? It's fine on my mid 2009 MBP.

 

[Oyeve]

How much memory? Do you have an SSD? It's fine on my mid 2009 MBP.

6gb no ssd.