Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Upgraded Macbook 2ghz vs Stock 2.4ghz

S

Squirrely

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Well, you guys probably have seen many of these type threads of a similar dilemma. By using the search tool a bit, I have found this thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/586937/

and it's quite helpful and answered many questions, but I still have a few. (As this will be my first mac purchase, except my iphone, so kind of a Mac noobie, sorry 😀.)

My budget is around $1500 (educational discount can apply for me) and I really just want a solid laptop for the typical internet/photos/music/movies and a few games here and there. The 2.4ghz model is $1499, so I will be unable to upgrade it any until a later date (until my wallet can). But the 2ghz version I could stick 4gb of ram, and a better harddrive for around $1450, saving $50, but not have that .4ghz. I really don't need the illuminated keyboard, I can type quite well without looking down, but I also don't use my laptop much in the dark either.

But, when upgrading the laptop myself (Buying the (2x2gb) sticks and a bigger harddrive from newegg) does that conflict with the warranty/service any? Would they not service it because it does have a different harddrive and ram? Or would Apple hopefully not mind?

If they don't mind, then would 4gb ram/better harddrive really be that big of a boost? I plan to run Fusion (XP or Vista) for a few things, so the 4gb should help with the visualization. Also, if I was to get a bigger/faster harddrive as well, would a 7200rpm harddrive affect the battery life?

Thanks.
 
I'd personally recommend buying the 2.4. The upgrades can always be done at a later date but you cannot add a faster processor or a back lit keyboard. I can type 120wpm while touch typing, but I still appreciate having backlit keys. It's really cool 🙂

Adding memory or a new hard drive does not void the warranty... it's almost encouraged by Apple with their new computer designs. For obvious reasons, if a third party HD dies, Apple will not service it, and the same goes for memory. But if you bring your computer in for an unrelated problem, third party HDs/RAM will not conflict with your service.
 
Ok, thanks. The last part I was most concerned about. Is it too much of a problem to reinstall OS X on another harddrive? Or is it quite easy with the included disks?
 
kastenbrust said:
Its easy to install MAC OS X but please read the instructions first.
Click to expand...

Ah ok, will do.

With 2gb vs 4gb, would 4gb be much better for doing fusion + other things, or 2gb would be sufficent? Also, with upgrading the harddrive, would a 7200/more space (because of more platters) drive be much of a difference in battery life/heat? I've read a few places, but the views are sort of mixed, some say it is quite minimal, one I heard a 7200 320gb knocked 30-45 mins off the battery life.

Also, what type drives does Apple use? I think I saw Fujitsu, but not sure. Or do they change drive manufactures?
 
Squirrely said:
Ah ok, will do.

With 2gb vs 4gb, would 4gb be much better for doing fusion + other things, or 2gb would be sufficent? Also, with upgrading the harddrive, would a 7200/more space (because of more platters) drive be much of a difference in battery life/heat? I've read a few places, but the views are sort of mixed, some say it is quite minimal, one I heard a 7200 320gb knocked 30-45 mins off the battery life.

Also, what type drives does Apple use? I think I saw Fujitsu, but not sure. Or do they change drive manufactures?
Click to expand...

Apple uses a variety of HDD manufacturers. 4gb will definitely be better if multitasking between OS X and Fusion, but 2gb is sufficient. Like Snake said, you can easily add more RAM down the road (even 6gb). From my experience and manufacturer specifications 7200rpm will not noticably decrease the battery life over a 5400rpm drive.
 
Get the 2.4, you will always regret it otherwise. 2 gigs is enough to run vmware unless you are really running it hard.
 
SuperSnake2012 said:
I'd personally recommend buying the 2.4. The upgrades can always be done at a later date but you cannot add a faster processor or a back lit keyboard. I can type 120wpm while touch typing, but I still appreciate having backlit keys. It's really cool 🙂
Click to expand...

Agree completely, this says what needs to be said, and from experience I can also say that the backlit keyboard is really cool.

shoppy said:
Get the 2.4, you will always regret it otherwise. 2 gigs is enough to run vmware unless you are really running it hard.
Click to expand...

Again, agree. Get the 2.4, it's the better model.

Cheers and good luck
 
If you care about your money, get the 2GHz and leave the 2GB stock in there for a while and see how that goes. Upgrade the HD yourself, to a 320GB or 500, depending on how much you need space, of course. 250, at least, I'd say. And everyone needs an external HD, so just get a case for your 160GB.
I know the backlit KB is cool, but seriously, are you really buying a Mac because of its cool factor? This should answer your question.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back