Memory and Hard Drive question

[Drew017]

If I want to upgrade my RAM to 4GB, does Apple sell it, or do I get it from a site like Crucial? I really want Lion or Mountain Lion, but I just am not sure how fast it will run.

PS- this MacBook is the model that came out right before the unibody MacBooks, and currently, with Snow leopard installed, it runs wonderfully fast.

Also, If at some point the 120GB Hard Drive I have isn't enough, can I get a SSD drive? How would I transfer my OS and data? I have a time machine USB drive, but I didn't backup my system.

Thank You!

[GGJstudios]

If I want to upgrade my RAM to 4GB, does Apple sell it, or do I get it from a site like Crucial?
Apple does not manufacture RAM and charges more than you would pay with other reputable RAM providers.
Some great sources for Mac-compatible RAM are OWC (http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/), Crucial (http://www.crucial.com/) and newegg.com (http://www.newegg.com/).
Installation of user-installable parts such as RAM does not void (http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=13946) the Apple Warranty (http://images.apple.com/legal/warranty/docs/cpuwarranty.pdf) or the AppleCare Protection Plan (http://images.apple.com/legal/applecare/docs/AppleCare_Protect_Plan_NA_en.pdf), unless you damage something in the process.


MR Guide to Buying RAM (http://guides.macrumors.com/Buying_RAM)
MR Guide to Understanding Intel Mac RAM (http://guides.macrumors.com/Understanding_Intel_Mac_RAM)
MR Guide to Matched RAM on Intel Macs (http://guides.macrumors.com/Matched_RAM_on_Intel_Macs)


MacBook Pro: How to remove or install memory (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270)
MacBook: How to remove or install memory (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1651)
iMac: How to remove or install memory (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1423)
Mac mini: How to remove or install memory (http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4432)
You can find specs on all Apple products, including maximum RAM:
By visiting EveryMac.com (http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/index-apple-specs-applespec.html): Actual Maximum RAM (http://www.everymac.com/systems/by_capability/actual-maximum-ram-capacity-of-macs.html)
By selecting your model on the Crucial Memory Advisor™ Tool (http://www.crucial.com/) to find RAM information
By using Mactracker (http://mactracker.dreamhosters.com/)
By entering your serial number here (http://support.apple.com/specs/) to find specs for your model.
(Be aware that some models can use more RAM than Apple shows. Check EveryMac to verify actual usable RAM.)

Also, If at some point the 120GB Hard Drive I have isn't enough, can I get a SSD drive?
Sure!
How would I transfer my OS and data?
A simple way is to buy your new drive in an external enclosure. Then clone your existing drive to the new one, using Carbon Copy Cloner (http://www.bombich.com/). Now swap the drives, putting the new external drive in your Mac, and putting your existing drive in the external enclosure. You now have your system on a new internal drive, and you have another external drive for backups or additional storage.

[Drew017]

OK thanks! However, I don't have an external drive. I have a 2GB USB stick that I use for backups for my home folder. I could probably borrow one from someone, though.