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15" PB - 4200 vs. 5400 HD?

m-dogg

m-dogg

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Mar 15, 2004
1,339
8
Connecticut
Hello - I'm looking to get a 15" PB and I'm not sure if I should spend the extra $125 on the 5400 HD.

Currently, I tend to use my [old] PC for internet, word/excel, and managing mp3s (about 30 GB worth) and digital pics (taken w/ 5 megapixel camera).

I don't currently do anything with digital video (other than short clips taken w/ my camera) but I do plan to get the superdrive model and play around with iLife, which means I can see myself getting into it more down the road. Oh, I'll probalby mess around with Garageband, too.

With that said, I'm curious what the thoughts are of other users - Based on my current and projected future uses, can I save some extra money up front, or will I regret it? Let me know what you think. Thanks.
 
Personally, I'd buy a 7200 RPM (not from Apple obviously) for about $200 rather than the 5400. But you will undoubtedly feel quite a difference with 5400 vs 4200, at least for most CPU/Disk intensive tasks.
 
tsk said:
Personally, I'd buy a 7200 RPM (not from Apple obviously) for about $200 rather than the 5400. But you will undoubtedly feel quite a difference with 5400 vs 4200, at least for most CPU/Disk intensive tasks.
Click to expand...

The problem with that is that you will void the Apple warranty. At least that's what I was told by an Applecare representative, and by two other separate Apple representatives. And that makes sense--the warranty covers what Apple builds and supports.

I was in the same position and got the 5400 RPM drive.

Best,

Bob
 
Naimfan said:
The problem with that is that you will void the Apple warranty. At least that's what I was told by an Applecare representative, and by two other separate Apple representatives. And that makes sense--the warranty covers what Apple builds and supports.

I was in the same position and got the 5400 RPM drive.

Best,

Bob
Click to expand...

Well obviously Apple won't cover the HD should it fail but it would come with a 3 year warranty anyways.

So I've heard you can get the HD installed and not void the warranty. Meaning that then you could sell the old HD and probably recoup that difference in price or more.
 
m-dogg said:
Hello - I'm looking to get a 15" PB and I'm not sure if I should spend the extra $125 on the 5400 HD.
Click to expand...


Hmmm.....I just looked at the specs from the desktop PC I bought 4 years ago and that was a 7200. Granted I'm going from a desktop to a laptop, but I'm surprised 5400 is the fasted HD available - I think I have to get the 5400 - I'm afraid the 4200 might be too noticable a difference from my current setup...
 
I have the 4200 and can't say I notice any shortcomings. The most common advantage I've heard touted for the 5400 is "it'll boot up faster", but with OS X being based on BSD there is rarely any reason to shut down your laptop completely or reboot. I just put it to sleep between sessions, after shutting down my programs.

Frankly if you have speed-intensive needs the 5400 isn't going to do the trick - you'll probably want to buy a speedy external Firewire drive.

I will say that I have noticed speed improvements since I upped my RAM to 1 gig last week. So if you're looking for worthwhile upgrades, I'd say definitely go for the 1 SoDIMM option for the memory (default is 512MB on two sticks).

Anyway, that's my $0.02US...
 
I specifically asked about whether the entire PB warranty would be voided by swapping the HD, the answer was yes. And as much as I hate to say it, that is a reasonable position--Apple tests, develops, and then warrants only certain drives--the ones they are positive will not cause problems. Whether or not other drives would also not cause problems is irrelevant as far as the Apple warranty goes.

Best,

Bob
 
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