Bootcamp Question

[Dimitri5]

Exactly and with 4GB of RAM you should be able to run Parallels quite comfortably. Upgrading your RAM is the single best upgrade you can give your computer apart from getting an SSD!

I like using Amazon and it looks like they have 8GB for sale, same brand.

Is this something I could use? Would an 8GB upgrade be a ton better?

http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-8500-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2CP51264BC1067/dp/B001MX5YWI

Are there any cons to doing this?

 

[DavidBlack]

I like using Amazon and it looks like they have 8GB for sale, same brand.



Is this something I could use? Would an 8GB upgrade be a ton better?



http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-8500-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2CP51264BC1067/dp/B001MX5YWI



Are there any cons to doing this?

No there are no cons to upgrading your memory.

 

[Dimitri5]

No there are no cons to upgrading your memory.

Thanks for all your help.

 

[DavidBlack]

Thanks for all your help.

You're quite welcome it was my pleasure. So what's your decision?

 

[Dimitri5]

You're quite welcome it was my pleasure. So what's your decision?

I'm going to do a bit more research, but I'm leaning towards upgrading my RAM from 2gb to 8gb using http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-8500-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2CP51264BC1067/dp/B001MX5YWI.

Then, it seems like I won't have any issue running Parallels so I can use MS Excel in a Windows environment without having to reboot. I'll also have the option to run Bootcamp if I feel that I want the full Windows feeling.

Say I pay $100 for RAM, $100 for Windows 7. That's much cheaper than a crappy PC laptop.

 

[DavidBlack]

I'm going to do a bit more research, but I'm leaning towards upgrading my RAM from 2gb to 8gb using http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-8500-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2CP51264BC1067/dp/B001MX5YWI.



Then, it seems like I won't have any issue running Parallels so I can use MS Excel in a Windows environment without having to reboot. I'll also have the option to run Bootcamp if I feel that I want the full Windows feeling.



Say I pay $100 for RAM, $100 for Windows 7. That's much cheaper than a crappy PC laptop.

Whatever, you think is best for your current situation

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Whatever, you think is best for your current situation

Be sure to report how everything goes

 

[ZBoater]

I'm going to do a bit more research, but I'm leaning towards upgrading my RAM from 2gb to 8gb using http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-8500-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2CP51264BC1067/dp/B001MX5YWI.

Then, it seems like I won't have any issue running Parallels so I can use MS Excel in a Windows environment without having to reboot. I'll also have the option to run Bootcamp if I feel that I want the full Windows feeling.

Say I pay $100 for RAM, $100 for Windows 7. That's much cheaper than a crappy PC laptop.

Add $50 for Parallels, and you are still ahead of a crappy PC laptop...

 

[Dimitri5]

Add $50 for Parallels, and you are still ahead of a crappy PC laptop...

Ya, I'd feel like I would have to pay a lot to get a PC that is built as well as my MacBook...the thing is almost six years old, but still runs relatively well no doubt.

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IF anyone is following this thread...8GB is much cheaper than Amazon below.


http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/macbook-pro-(13-inch,-mid-2009)/CT3309352

 

[Dimitri5]

I was reading that adding a lot of RAM to a laptop could cause it to work harder, overheat, etc.

Will adding the full 8GB have any negative consequences? I see people add 4GB, but I would rather add 8GB all at once since it's really not that pricey.

 

[yjchua95]

I was reading that adding a lot of RAM to a laptop could cause it to work harder, overheat, etc.

Will adding the full 8GB have any negative consequences? I see people add 4GB, but I would rather add 8GB all at once since it's really not that pricey.

Adding more RAM actually makes it work less harder, and besides, RAM is RAM. There's no such thing as having more RAM to consume more power and generate more heat.

People who say that don't know what they're talking.

 

[Dimitri5]

Adding more RAM actually makes it work less harder, and besides, RAM is RAM. There's no such thing as having more RAM to consume more power and generate more heat.

People who say that don't know what they're talking.

Thank you

 

[KdParker]

I'm going to do a bit more research, but I'm leaning towards upgrading my RAM from 2gb to 8gb using http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-PC3-8500-204-Pin-Notebook-CT2CP51264BC1067/dp/B001MX5YWI.

Then, it seems like I won't have any issue running Parallels so I can use MS Excel in a Windows environment without having to reboot. I'll also have the option to run Bootcamp if I feel that I want the full Windows feeling.

Say I pay $100 for RAM, $100 for Windows 7. That's much cheaper than a crappy PC laptop.

You should get ram and update to window 10, or at least 8.1 or just start at 8.1.

 

[Dimitri5]

You should get ram and update to window 10, or at least 8.1 or just start at 8.1.

I don't really need the new OS though. Windows seven will do the trick for me and it will need less RAM

 

[yjchua95]

I don't really need the new OS though. Windows seven will do the trick for me and it will need less RAM

I disagree.

I've found Windows 8.1 to be more RAM efficient.

 

[Dimitri5]

I disagree.

I've found Windows 8.1 to be more RAM efficient.

Really? Won't disagree with that one. I appreciate the heads up. It's about the same price anyways.

Are you running parallels? If so, how much RAM do you give 8.1?

 

[yjchua95]

Really? Won't disagree with that one. I appreciate the heads up. It's about the same price anyways.

Are you running parallels? If so, how much RAM do you give 8.1?

I use VMware Fusion and the VM itself is stored in an external SSD.

I assign two cores (one physical core because of hyper threading) and 4GB of RAM (out of 16GB).

 

[Dimitri5]

I use VMware Fusion and the VM itself is stored in an external SSD.

I assign two cores (one physical core because of hyper threading) and 4GB of RAM (out of 16GB).

Do you mind explaining how that external SSD works? You just plug it in when you run windows? I was thinking about upgrading my HD to an SSD within my laptop.

 

[yjchua95]

Do you mind explaining how that external SSD works? You just plug it in when you run windows? I was thinking about upgrading my HD to an SSD within my laptop.

Exactly.

Note that you'll only see the SSD performance over USB 3 if connected externally.

Upgrade the internal drive to an SSD. It'll run fast.

 

[Dimitri5]

Exactly.

Note that you'll only see the SSD performance over USB 3 if connected externally.

Upgrade the internal drive to an SSD. It'll run fast.

Really appreciate your help. I think I'll start by installing 8GB of ram (upgrade from my current 2GG, of which my MBP is using 1.98 as I type).

Then, if I still want more speed, I'll look into the SSD. With the SSD it starts getting pricey compared to buying a new PC laptop.

 

[Dimitri5]

For anyone interested!

I decided to buy a cheap PC laptop, but I went ahead and upgraded my RAM from 2GB to 8GB.

HOLY COW My mid-2009 Macbook Pro feels like it's flying. I still have a lousy 160GB HD, but SSDs are still a little pricey for what I need. Maybe that will be my next project.

No more bouncing apps!