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Aluminum macbook (pro) 4gb RAM -> upgrade worth it?

H

helix21

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Aug 25, 2009
296
57
I have the *collectors edition* unibody macbook 2.0Ghz (which then became the 13" MBP) which came with 2GB DDR3 preinstalled.

I am thinking up upgrading it to 4GB but the problem is cash is hard to come by right now and am wondering if the upgrade is really worth it.

Give your views

EDIT: As requested, here is a screenshot of activity monitor

igvr0i.png
 
helix21 said:
I have the *collectors edition* unibody macbook 2.0Ghz (which then became the 13" MBP) which came with 2GB DDR3 preinstalled.

I am thinking up upgrading it to 4GB but the problem is cash is hard to come by right now and am wondering if the upgrade is really worth it.

Give your views
Click to expand...

It really depends on the way you use your computer. If you use software that needs a lot of memory do it. If you just surf the web, IM, write documents etc you won't see any difference.
 
If you're not running Photoshop or other demanding apps or you only have one application open at a time. Then you can easily live with 2gig.

If you prefer to run with a few apps or like to use VMware/Parallels, or the other apps I mentioned then you will certainly see an increase in your performance. My general rule of thumb for this type of recommendation is that the majority of people will see an increase in performance but YMMV
 
Thanks everyone, i decided i will pass on it right now and will do it some time later. Instead, i will save up even more and spend it on the iPhone 3GS
 
Well, now i am reconsidering it again, and here is why

with safari 4, mail, itunes, preview and iCal open i just have 200MB of free ram according to my activity monitor.

Launching iMovie or word from here is a pain.

What do you reckon? 4GB really worth it?
 
helix21 said:
Well, now i am reconsidering it again, and here is why

with safari 4, mail, itunes, preview and iCal open i just have 200MB of free ram according to my activity monitor.

Launching iMovie or word from here is a pain.

What do you reckon? 4GB really worth it?
Click to expand...

Tell us all the details in Activity monitor under "System Memory".

The most important here is "free" and page-outs.
 
4 is way better than just 2

especially if the video card has shared memory

having more than 4 Gb is useless

4 is optimal
 
Some Guy 555 said:
You definately need more ram. You are using more than "0" page-outs which means its using the hard drive for memory now, potentially causing you to not get optimal performance. As well you are using some swap which is hard drive aswell (again, slower performance using the hard drive).

I would highly recommend upgrading.

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820146878
Click to expand...

Ok then, putting the iPhone on hold mode then and ordering the RAM tomorrow

Cheers, this is exactly what i needed, a pro-like analysis because something adding more RAM is just a waste
 
helix21 said:
Ok then, putting the iPhone on hold mode then and ordering the RAM tomorrow

Cheers, this is exactly what i needed, a pro-like analysis because something adding more RAM is just a waste
Click to expand...

No problem :D

Here is a refined power search I just did on newegg.com (U.S dollars) for ram that is compatible with the unibodies.

Requirements:

1. Must be a sodim (short sticks)
2. 2GB each stick (2 total).
3. Speed: PC3 8500 (1066mhz)
4. 204Pin DDR3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Value=3091:21118&PropertyCodeValue=3092:39101

EDIT:

I recommend the crucial ram down that list for $70.99. It got real good reviews (91% gave it a 5/5).
 
Some Guy 555 said:
No problem :D

Here is a refined power search I just did on newegg.com (U.S dollars) for ram that is compatible with the unibodies.

Requirements:

1. Must be a sodim (short sticks)
2. 2GB each stick (2 total).
3. Speed: PC3 8500 (1066mhz)
4. 204Pin DDR3.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...Value=3091:21118&PropertyCodeValue=3092:39101

EDIT:

I recommend the crucial ram down that list for $70.99. It got real good reviews (91% gave it a 5/5).
Click to expand...

I am in the UK so crucial UK it is. There doing it for a fantastic offer of £56. Its generally about £100 thanks to the EUs frankly ridiculous import tax laws and VAT
 
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