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You can very easily and inexpensively upgrade this laptop to 16GB of RAM. I highly recommend you do this, it makes a world of difference.

If you don't already have an SSD in this device I recommend you swap that out also.

I would like to echo the recommendation for Firefox + uBlock Origin - you will see big improvements in perceived performance.

(typing this on my 2011 MacBook Pro in FF)

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I agree, though OP is a little ambiguous if this is a 2012 Unibody (which has USB3 and one of the best old machines) or a 2012 Retina which he would be out of luck.

I've upgraded multiple 2011/2012 Unibody MBP for friends and family with 16gb ram and a 512gb ssd for about $150 in the past few years, it makes the machine feel completely new and "snappy".

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