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View Full Version : [SOLVED] Buying a Mac - is the extra Ram worth it?

H3retic
May 23rd, 2008, 03:01 PM
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1428/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/step2_beautyshot_mbblk_060509.jpg

Hey guys.

I'm getting a macbook as a grad present, and I'm wondering if the extra 200$ to go from 2 to 4 gigs is worth it. Is the performance improved enough to be worth it?

Prices + ram type here (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/91214005/wo/3e2Vl1zrTPia2MvU76ECbTV1b7i/2.?p=0)
Steve413z
May 23rd, 2008, 03:15 PM
I don't think adding your own RAM voids the warranty, and usually apple charges way too much for RAM anyway.


DISCLAIMER: Check with Apple before you do it!!!
smoker
May 23rd, 2008, 04:34 PM
more ram can't hurt (especially if someone else is paying:-) )
chris_nava
May 23rd, 2008, 04:37 PM
Yes! If you buy third party RAM. Apple's RAM is overpriced.
handy
May 23rd, 2008, 09:18 PM
http://a248.e.akamai.net/7/248/2041/1428/store.apple.com/Catalog/US/Images/step2_beautyshot_mbblk_060509.jpg

Hey guys.

I'm getting a macbook as a grad present, and I'm wondering if the extra 200$ to go from 2 to 4 gigs is worth it. Is the performance improved enough to be worth it?

Prices + ram type here (http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/canadastore.woa/91214005/wo/3e2Vl1zrTPia2MvU76ECbTV1b7i/2.?p=0)

Apparently not just any RAM will work, if you do a little googling you will find the brands that do work.
H3retic
May 23rd, 2008, 10:18 PM
Apparently not just any RAM will work, if you do a little googling you will find the brands that do work.

Ehh... I shrink back from installing ram on a laptop on my own. I was more wondering if the applications get enough of a boost to justify the expense.

more ram can't hurt (especially if someone else is paying:-) )

I swing toward your logic. ;)
Redrazor39
May 23rd, 2008, 10:27 PM
It's not really a boost unless you're running almost all of the apps at once. 2 GB is plenty.

I have that on my 24" iMac and it never, ever slows down. I run about 6 full applications at once on average and it's just fine.

But, if you're doing really hard stuff (big games, etc.) go with 4 GB
handy
May 23rd, 2008, 10:56 PM
Ehh... I shrink back from installing ram on a laptop on my own. I was more wondering if the applications get enough of a boost to justify the expense.

It is really quick & easy to install, you will very likely have a guide in your Apple handbook, there is one in my iMac handbook.

All that is required to do the job (adding removing RAM) is attention to detail, & there are very few details to attend to!

I have only 1Gb of RAM in my iMac, & it is all I need. If I were editing/recording video, multi-track audio recording, doing CAD or 3D modeling & texturing then I would want all the RAM that the machine could handle.

I doubt there is a game available for the Mac that would want more than 2Gb of RAM? Your graphics card will end up being the major limiting factor in the gaming world.
Joe
May 24th, 2008, 02:17 AM
[QUOTE=H3retic;5029625]Ehh... I shrink back from installing ram on a laptop on my own. I was more wondering if the applications get enough of a boost to justify the expense.

Do not buy ram from Apple. Pick it up from a third party. Installing it in a Macbook is as easy as it gets.

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=303721
+Eric
May 24th, 2008, 02:39 AM
One thing to remember, is that if you order 2gig, it's very likely they'll do 2x1gb. And since a laptop is only likely to have two ram slots, doing an upgrade past that is not as simple as buying one 2gb stick to pop in. You'll need to buy 2x2gb, further increasing your cost and in the process having to shelve, or sell your 2x1gb.

The link did not work for me, so I coudldn't see how it was listed, but most companies will do that.

The fact is, it's still likely cheaper to buy from a third pary (like crucial.com), than pay 200 bucks for 2gb, because in the end, you can sell the ram that comes in it.

I also agree with the people that said unless doing hardcore video/photo editing, CAD or very heavy gaming... likely not going to see much use of 4gb. And with the gaming, like someone else pointed out, video card is going to hold you back anyway.

If it were me, and it was an option, I'd upgrade the HD to 7200rpm. That, imo, makes a laptop feel so much more snappy.
handy
May 24th, 2008, 04:04 AM
Unless you have a need for it, I'd forget about the RAM, it will be cheaper later anyway.
K.Mandla
May 24th, 2008, 09:08 AM
Moved to Mac OSX forum.
H3retic
May 24th, 2008, 05:55 PM
Unless you have a need for it, I'd forget about the RAM, it will be cheaper later anyway.

It's not really a boost unless you're running almost all of the apps at once. 2 GB is plenty.

I think that is all the answers I need. Thanks for the tips everyone!
H3retic
May 26th, 2008, 08:28 AM
Update

I just picked it up yesterday. Even with several programs up (gimp, ff3, adium, itunes, neooffice) it's remarkably responsive. All appearances point that 2gig is more than enough.
handy
May 26th, 2008, 11:08 AM
Update

I just picked it up yesterday. Even with several programs up (gimp, ff3, adium, itunes, neooffice) it's remarkably responsive. All appearances point that 2gig is more than enough.

Good to hear, enjoy your new companion. :-)