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Qwerty217

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Jul 16, 2014
3
0
I don't want to go over $1,800, so I can only upgrade to 16GB RAM with a 256GB SSD, or 8GB RAM with a 512GB SSD. I will be running a lot of VM's, so I was originally going to go for the first option, with 16GB RAM, but I heard that if you use more than 80% of an SSD's capacity, it degrades more quickly due to the way the wear leveling algorithms work. I'm intending to get at least 3-5 years of use out of this machine. In summary, which option should I go with? Thanks in advance!
 
I'd go with 16GB of RAM. You can upgrade the SSD later, I've seen OEM Apple PCIE SSDs on ebay.
 
agree w/ everyone
the ram is set in stone (ok metal)

the PCIe SSD is replaceable, and while there is no option yet.....
in 2 or 3 years there will be cheap upgrades available for your SSD if need be.
 
Or you could have both and get a rMBP 13 2.8/16/512 refurb for 1699. Just sayin'
 
agree w/ everyone
the ram is set in stone (ok metal)

Technically you WERE quite correct > > Metal truly is simply 'melted rock' if you devolve it.. Well done!! :D

And YES, I also think that if you think you may ever NEED 16GB of RAM before you wish to Upgrade computer again, you may as well go that way and then have the Option of an EXT Drive (which SSD's truly are becoming affordable) on either USB3 or T'bolt, and/or getting a larger Internal SSD once more readily available.. Good Luck!! :cool:

** and AGREED ^ I have had 2x Refurbs, and have several friends who also have had them, all with No Complaints!!
 
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I know you have made your decision already, but I was deciding the same thing a couple of weeks ago. Went with the ram and don't regret it, after looking around at storage it's easy to know it was the right decision - so many options, and with a thunderbolt ssd drive you probably won't even notice a difference in speed if that's what you need in the future. That said, I do have a NAS at home for the big media store, though large portable spinning-drives are hardly expensive these days either.
 
I'm in the same situation. I Just wanna know if 256 GB is enough for bootcamp.

I've also heard that SSD needs to have about 20% of it's space free in order to increase it's life. Is that true?
 
I'm in the same situation. I Just wanna know if 256 GB is enough for bootcamp.

Depends on how much you need tho store on each partition.

I've also heard that SSD needs to have about 20% of it's space free in order to increase it's life. Is that true?

From what I understand, low free space can shorten the life of a SSD. OSX also doesn't really like having less than 10% free, so it may be a good idea to go with the next size up.
 
Depends on how much you need tho store on each partition.



From what I understand, low free space can shorten the life of a SSD. OSX also doesn't really like having less than 10% free, so it may be a good idea to go with the next size up.

Thanks for the advice. 256 GB is enough for the OSX alone but for bootcamp I think going for the 512 is a wiser decision, as you said.
 
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