xxsashixx Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Ok well, I'm thinking about getting(my dad that is ) a MBP for my graduation present. I'm going to college doing just basic things but I also want to do some video, Photoshop, encoding/ripping, and gaming in my free time. My question is, should I stick with 2GB or get 4GB stick of ram, the difference is about 200$. 2GB model is 2k where as the 4GB model is around 2.2k. Also about upgrading the HDD to 7200RPM. Do you guys know if ANY 3.5inch HDD will work? Also if I do upgrade the HDD, how will I reload OS X 10.5? Since it doesn't come with it, will I have to buy it because I wouldn't want to. Thanks. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
rollcage Posted July 10, 2008 Share Posted July 10, 2008 Ok well, I'm thinking about getting(my dad that is ) a MBP for my graduation present. I'm going to college doing just basic things but I also want to do some video, Photoshop, encoding/ripping, and gaming in my free time. My question is, should I stick with 2GB or get 4GB stick of ram, the difference is about 200$. 2GB model is 2k where as the 4GB model is around 2.2k. Also about upgrading the HDD to 7200RPM. Do you guys know if ANY 3.5inch HDD will work? Also if I do upgrade the HDD, how will I reload OS X 10.5? Since it doesn't come with it, will I have to buy it because I wouldn't want to. Thanks. First off, you'll probably want the 4 gb. But you're going to be better off buying it with the 2 gb and upgrading later (it's a lot cheaper). I'd recommend this set: http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=...amp;dcaid=15889 (right now the cheapest place I could find it.) As for the hard drive, it uses a 2.5-inch drive. Also, replacing the hard drive yourself will void your warranty. So you may want to do that upgrade when you purchase. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-815091 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsashixx Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 I'm in Canada so I need a Canadian vendor for the ram. As for the hard drive.. is it easy to replace the hdd? And the OS X question.. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-815103 Share on other sites More sharing options...
iPirate Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Not easy to replace HDD (have to disassemble most of the computer). Get the 7200 RPM drive, it'll be worth it. For brute data storage, get an external drive (Firewire pwns USB for that) as well. The 7200 RPM drive gives significant speed improvements for loading applications, files, etc. The slight lessening of capacity is worth giving up for that alone. And by the time you'll actually need to replace the drive, the entire computer will be obselete anyway. For maximum speed though, get a FW800 External 3.5" Drive and use that for heavy work. You get Leopard and iLife install discs (2 discs) with the computer to install onto any Internal, Firewire or USB drive. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-815194 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsashixx Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 Thank you. So I'll get 2GB and upgrade to 4GB when I feel like the need for it as well as I'll see if I can get the store to upgrade to a 7200RPM drive Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-815221 Share on other sites More sharing options...
limini Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 As for the hard drive.. is it easy to replace the hdd? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-815287 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Descalzo Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 I upgraded the HD in my MBP. I swapped it with a WD Passport. It is not difficult if you're very careful about where you put your screws. However, I waited until the 1-year warranty was up. Ditto on upgrading the RAMs yourself. You get hosed if you buy Apple's memory. You're getting hosed with the HD anyway, but that's a warranty question. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-815997 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xxsashixx Posted July 11, 2008 Author Share Posted July 11, 2008 well with the student discount I can get, its 1.6k base, so I can probably just get apple to upgrade to the 7200RPM hd then swap the ram for 4GB at a 3rd party vendor, since its cheaper. I just don't want to upgrade the HD myself because I'm scared of breaking something Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-816036 Share on other sites More sharing options...
limini Posted July 11, 2008 Share Posted July 11, 2008 Ditto on upgrading the RAMs yourself. You get hosed if you buy Apple's memory. You're getting hosed with the HD anyway, but that's a warranty question. AFAIK upgrading RAM yourself won't void the warranty. There's tutorials in manual and on the Apple website showing you how to do it yourself. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/115116-thinking-about-getting-a-mbp/#findComment-816243 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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