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OEM HD/RAM Upgrades v Self-Install

F

Franklyfresh

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Apr 21, 2009
6
0
I'm looking to buy a new MBP, but I'm not sure if getting lower options and self-installing would be cheaper than upgrading it directly from Apple.

I will be getting 15% off due to my friend's employee discount so the difference between a regular MBP and an upgraded MBP would be about $509. Would that $509 be enough to upgrade from 4gb to 8gb and from 500gb ATA HD to 128GB SSD?

So my question is, should I buy a baseline MBP from Apple and upgrade it myself, or just have Apple upgrade it.
 
Franklyfresh said:
I'm looking to buy a new MBP, but I'm not sure if getting lower options and self-installing would be cheaper than upgrading it directly from Apple.

I will be getting 15% off due to my friend's employee discount so the difference between a regular MBP and an upgraded MBP would be about $509. Would that $509 be enough to upgrade from 4gb to 8gb and from 500gb ATA HD to 128GB SSD?

So my question is, should I buy a baseline MBP from Apple and upgrade it myself, or just have Apple upgrade it.
Click to expand...
Upgrade yourself. You can get quality RAM from a vendor like OWC for around $150. Install is relatively easy on the new MBPs.
 
Also you can get a 640GB 5400rpm, or 500GB 7200rpm hard drive for under a $100. Coupled with the Ram it would be half the price of the apple upgrade route.
 
Franklyfresh said:
Okay, thanks.

I assume it's the same for the Solid State Drive also?
Click to expand...
Yup. Just another drive.

If you don't need the SuperDrive, another option you have is to swap out the HDD with the SSD and then get a kit to swap out the SuperDrive with the HDD. This will give you the combined beenfits of SSD performance and HDD space.
 
Do it yourself, it will take less then an hour, to instal the operating system and be up and running. Just don't get rid of the parts it comes with, you may need them if you send it in for warranty issues.

New Seagate Momentus 750GB 7200 RPM drive $110
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148599

Samsung 500 GB 7200 RPM drive $58 +free shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152236

Solid States, are where you start getting into a lot of performance versus price issues, and the size of the drive you want, really dictates your budget.
A good bet, is an Intel drive or any other drive you read alot about here.

Intel X25-M 120 GB Solid State Drive $240 + shipping
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820167035

OWC Mercury 120 GB Solid State $250 +shipping
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/internal_storage/Mercury_Extreme_SSD_Sandforce/Solid_State_Pro



8 GB Ram kit, Corsair $130
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145281

8 GB Ram kit, Kingston $120
http://www.buy.com/prod/kingston-ap...ddr3-sodimm-imac-and/q/loc/101/210663054.html

I just looked for 5 minutes at the current prices for things. So shop around first before you take these as being the best deals out.
 
Last edited:
Sweet, thanks for all the help.

Would compatibility be an issue for the RAM? Pretty much just buy two 4gb 1066mhz DDR3 and I should be good to go right?

What about the SSD?
 
Franklyfresh said:
Sweet, thanks for all the help.

Would compatibility be an issue for the RAM? Pretty much just buy two 4gb 1066mhz DDR3 and I should be good to go right?

What about the SSD?
Click to expand...
The safest thing to do is buy RAM from a reputable dealer like OWC. The two most popular SSD brands on these boards seem to be OWC and OCZ. There are tons of threads on advice for either of these.
 
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