MM's, DAB's, jef's and roscoryan's New Toy
- Thread starter MM
- Start date
13" Macbook Pro - got the basic model.
Upping the RAM to 4GB, and dropping in one of these: Newegg.com - Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - Laptop Hard Drives
Upping the RAM to 4GB, and dropping in one of these: Newegg.com - Western Digital Scorpio Black WD3200BEKT 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache 2.5" SATA 3.0Gb/s Internal Notebook Hard Drive - Laptop Hard Drives
Yeah, you can save a few bucks here and there, as well as have a little bit more control over the components. Just depends on if you fell up to doing the work yourself. (This all being as long as you are happy with the base CPU - the .27GHz difference from the 2.26 to the 2.53 in this case wasn't a big yank for me, since I was upgrading from 2.0.)
Apple wants $100 to bump up to 4GB of RAM, and another $100 for the bump to 320GB, and only 5400 RPM at that.
Spent $65 for 2GB of RAM from Otherworld Computing (Find the latest Performance Upgrades, Firewire and USB Hard Drives, SATA, Memory, Laptop Battery, and more at OWC) and about $80 for the 320GB WD Scorpio Black 7200RPM drive from Newegg. Otherworld also sells the drive, but they want about $100.
So double the RAM and HD space - plus a faster HD - for about $65 less than Apple's prices. Apple's prices have really come down in recent years for these upgrades enough that I'd consider letting them do the upgrades. But since I wanted a 7200 RPM hard drive, and Apple doesn't offer it, I also figured I'd just do the RAM upgrade myself to save a few extra bucks.
Loving this thing, btw... beautiful display, and the glass trackpad is like sex.
So on a Mac how do you handle a new hard drive? Do they provide restore disc?
I think saving money where you can is a good idea! I agree with you on the .27 difference in processor speed.
What's your feelings on the graphics, that seems to be a hot bed of contention with these newer McBookPro's?
I have to admit that glass trackpad and backlit keyboard has me considering it strongly!
One other question, what is the process for adding ram and changing out the hard drive? Easy difficult?
Do you have to replace the existing ram or is there an open slot?
I think saving money where you can is a good idea! I agree with you on the .27 difference in processor speed.
What's your feelings on the graphics, that seems to be a hot bed of contention with these newer McBookPro's?
I have to admit that glass trackpad and backlit keyboard has me considering it strongly!
One other question, what is the process for adding ram and changing out the hard drive? Easy difficult?
Do you have to replace the existing ram or is there an open slot?
Apple actually provides a full install disc with the OS on it. Actually, they provide 2 - the other being one that contains things like iLife, iPhoto, Garageband, and all of the other extra iLife-like apps. The OS installer disc is usually (but not always) 'keyed' to only boot on the hardware type (MacBook Pro, Mini, etc) that it ships with.
Adding a new hard drive and RAM one the latest models is pretty easy - not as easy as the recent plastic black/white models, but it's mainly just removing 10 screws to remove the bottom. Easy access from there to the drive and RAM slots. The 2GB models ships with 2 1GB SODIMMS, so unfortunately, you have to replace both of them.
I can't speak to the graphics yet, really, other than the screen looks really really nice. Not sure how performance is, really, since I don't game. I've been hearing about issues with some of the graphics chipsets maybe having issues, but now sure about that yet for this model.
Oh yeah, forgot to add this link -- http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MBPRO_13inch_Mid2009_Hard_Drive_DIY.pdf
Shows how to replace the hard drive, but also shows what you need to do to replace the RAM, since it's all in the same area.
Adding a new hard drive and RAM one the latest models is pretty easy - not as easy as the recent plastic black/white models, but it's mainly just removing 10 screws to remove the bottom. Easy access from there to the drive and RAM slots. The 2GB models ships with 2 1GB SODIMMS, so unfortunately, you have to replace both of them.
I can't speak to the graphics yet, really, other than the screen looks really really nice. Not sure how performance is, really, since I don't game. I've been hearing about issues with some of the graphics chipsets maybe having issues, but now sure about that yet for this model.
Oh yeah, forgot to add this link -- http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/MBPRO_13inch_Mid2009_Hard_Drive_DIY.pdf
Shows how to replace the hard drive, but also shows what you need to do to replace the RAM, since it's all in the same area.
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I'm running 2 GHz on this thing with 1GB of memory and a 120GB. So even the low end MBP would be a significant upgrade. Plus Snow Leopard 10.6 by the time I get around to buying. Especially since I'm still running Tiger on this beast. 
ointlaugh:
ointlaugh:Thanks Jef, I am giving you some Rep points for your fine response. You guys are really making me want to pull the trigger on this baby!
Yay!
Noticing as I have been setting this thing up how nice it is to have a fresh OS install
Yeah, even with a Windows PC you'll always notice how nice it is when you've done a clean install. Though I don't think from what I've heard that the OSx is as bad about slowing down over time like Windows! Though that is speculation as I've never had the Mac OS long enough to know. 2 years ago when I got the original MacBook, I only kept it about 10 days before selling it on Ebay.
No we all have the same toy.
Mine is better though. :yesshake:
hehehe
Well mine has not arrived yet as I ordered it, but I just got notice of it shipping, so it looks like it will be here Friday! SWEET!!!
I don't use Windows much, but I do here and there for work or to help out friends and family with things. I do think that OSX is better about the sludge buildup, for sure. Heck, even my linux system seems to feel a bit bogged down over time. Something to be said for a nice new playground no matter what OS.
Oh, one note about the self-upgrade if you go that route - as MM pointed out, you will need the right screwdriver - a Phillips #00. I have all kinds of the smaller screwdrivers, but I know that a lot of people may not have them just laying around.
Oh, one note about the self-upgrade if you go that route - as MM pointed out, you will need the right screwdriver - a Phillips #00. I have all kinds of the smaller screwdrivers, but I know that a lot of people may not have them just laying around.
Yeah, I will likely have to install windows because if I use this thing in regards to work on the go sometimes, I will need access to IE and Active X because the state insist that their database and intranet only support that format, so using Safari or the Mac version of Firefox will not work. I can use Firefox under Windows using IE Tab, which basically creates an IE window within Firefox, but I don't that will be available on a Mac.
I do have several small tool kits so the Phillip #00 is not a problem! Thanks for the heads up.
By the way to my shock, but delight my McBookPro is on a truck for delivery. Seems this thing shipped out of Irving Texas which is about 5 hours from me.
Damn - thats fast service!
I hear you on the IE/Active X thing - thats one of the things I need it for since our BI reporting system uses it. I don't use it much, but I do have to make sure that things are working when we do upgrades, etc. VMWare works really well for that - though Parallels is a nice product too. Some people I know do the Bootcamp thing, but for me VMWare allows me to be in both environments at the same time. Guess Bootcamp is better for gamers, and those who may need hardcore Windows sessions at times.