So I'm getting my Macbook, the low-end model, in a couple of months. I want to be able to have iTunes, Internet Explorer, and Word all open at once frequently while not freezing or being VERY slow. Do I need more RAM for my needs?😕
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Enough Ram?
- Thread starter JohnnyQuest
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hate to break it to you, but there is no IE for the intel-based mac.
as for ram, starting off w/ 1gb will be sufficient. you can always add more as needed.
as for ram, starting off w/ 1gb will be sufficient. you can always add more as needed.
Firstly, Microsoft Internet Explorer for Mac is no longer available for download or being developed, you should use other browsers, such as Safari, the built in browser on Mac OS X, Camino or Firefox.
To answer your question, it probably wouldn't be too slow, but some people would recommend you get at least 1GB of RAM no matter what. And you would need to make the decision soon, since I recently discovered that my first generation Macbook came with 2 256MB sticks as opposed to 1 512MB, filling up all available RAM slots - meaning you need to get rid of one or both of the sticks to upgrade.
wctaiwan
To answer your question, it probably wouldn't be too slow, but some people would recommend you get at least 1GB of RAM no matter what. And you would need to make the decision soon, since I recently discovered that my first generation Macbook came with 2 256MB sticks as opposed to 1 512MB, filling up all available RAM slots - meaning you need to get rid of one or both of the sticks to upgrade.
wctaiwan
robbieduncan
Moderator emeritus
512Mb will be OK. If you have the cash I'd get 1Gb as Word is not native so uses more RAM (until Office Mac 2008 later this year).
As an example I have opened Word and just showing the Project Gallery (basically a document type chooser for new documents) and no actual documents open Word is using just over 70Mb or real RAM and 800Mb of total Virtual Memory. The VM total is not as bad as it seems.
Opening a single blank document pushes real RAM usage to 80Mb. With a short 1.5 page text only document open it's nearly 100Mb of real RAM.
So as you can see with only 512Mb available you'll end up paging out quite a bit once you factor in the OS and the other apps you list...
As an example I have opened Word and just showing the Project Gallery (basically a document type chooser for new documents) and no actual documents open Word is using just over 70Mb or real RAM and 800Mb of total Virtual Memory. The VM total is not as bad as it seems.
Opening a single blank document pushes real RAM usage to 80Mb. With a short 1.5 page text only document open it's nearly 100Mb of real RAM.
So as you can see with only 512Mb available you'll end up paging out quite a bit once you factor in the OS and the other apps you list...
Buy as much as you can afford. You won't regret it.
I would say that 1GB is a good minimum threshold though.
I would say that 1GB is a good minimum threshold though.
johnmartin78
macrumors regular
If you want to keep price low,512 is probably allright,I bought my girlfriend a Macbook with 512 RAM,liked it so much I bought myself one with 1 gig 😛 .I don't notice a big difference between them for everyday stuff.However on mine I often have OSX,WindowsXP,and Ubuntu running at the same time,wouldn't try that on hers.Even on mine with 3 OS going it's a bit laggy lol..and the fan goes nuts.Whatever the case with RAM it's so easy to change,it's often time better to get the base ammt,and if you need more just buy more later.Its also cheaper getting your RAM from anywhere BUT Apple if you decide to go that route.
i got the same one. i suggest you get it as is and try it out. Then if you want more capability, it will only get better by upping the ram. don't buy from apple though, it's way overpriced. If you have a small screwdriver, you can install it yourself. If not, pay the apple store or licensed technician a few dollars to do it. Go to transworld, crucial or owc to check the prices. They seem to be the top 3 providers of quality ram. Personally, I have good experience with crucial and owc. If you want to run windows on your mac at the same time as OSX, more ram will definitely be handy.
siurpeeman
macrumors 603
my sister bought a core duo macbook with only 512mb ram, and it was painfully slow. she browsed the web, listened to music, watched television shows. just normal everyday stuff. occasional iphoto but nothing like photoshop or final cut pro. and the computer just lagged in everything it did. she upgraded to 2gb recently and it was like getting a whole new computer. she's finally happy with it now.
By the way, RAM has gotten cheaper again...About $80 per 1 GB stick.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145012
I got a pair of Patriot's 1 GB stick back last summer for $160. I haven't seen it this low since last summer. Might wanna go ahead and pick up at least a 1 GB stick if you can. Go for 2 GB if possible. Then you won't ever have to upgrade your RAM again if you do get 2 GB, and EVERY app will work at it's best, especially if you have a lot of programs opened up. Totally worth the money IMO. 😀
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145012
I got a pair of Patriot's 1 GB stick back last summer for $160. I haven't seen it this low since last summer. Might wanna go ahead and pick up at least a 1 GB stick if you can. Go for 2 GB if possible. Then you won't ever have to upgrade your RAM again if you do get 2 GB, and EVERY app will work at it's best, especially if you have a lot of programs opened up. Totally worth the money IMO. 😀
nc7r
macrumors member
That's disgusting.
Please don't support IE. IE7 reads stuff wrong and that's meant to be Microsoft's most advanced web browser available. Nice one.
Shame it can't render height:100%; properly.
Just http://www.getfirefox.com or use Safari 🙂
With Word, Safari, Adium, and iTunes open I was using about 1gb of memory. The macbook still ran fine with 512mb, but switching between applications (especially Word or Excel) was painfully slow. If you can, get 1gb, but 2gb is even better.
extraextra
macrumors 68000
I'd go with 1GB minimum.
Word runs though Rosetta which uses quite a bit of RAM.
Safari tends to hog the RAM as well. (You can always use Firefox though)
Word runs though Rosetta which uses quite a bit of RAM.
Safari tends to hog the RAM as well. (You can always use Firefox though)
With a MacBook with 1gb of RAM, I know it says it can go up to 2gb but is it true that we can go to more. So say say instead of buying one stick of 1gb, I got with 2gb for a total of 3gb, should everything be fine? And is it better to get it upgraded at an Apple Store or do it myself?