Final questions before my MacBook purchase

[FrenchPB]

Hey all,

Thanks for taking time to look at this other MB purchase thread. I'm about to get my black MB from an Apple store. I will wait for WWDC as I will in the US until the end of next week, but because I'm then flying back to Europe, I don't have enough time to buy it online.

So here are my questions:
- unless there's an announcement at WWDC regarding the MB or a brand new MBP that seems too good for me not to buy one, I will get the BlackBook. I don't need the extra HD as I have an external HD already, but I'm concerned about the RAM.
- can I trust 3rd party RAM?
- how much RAM would I need (I will use this MB for personal use, photo editing, music, watching DVDs, internet browsing and office applications).
- would it be smart just to get a 1GB of RAM to have 1.25 overall? I think I heard that RAM was more efficient if the two 'chips' were the same (like 512+512 better than 1+0.25 ?)
- will the RAM ship fast enough for me to receive it by next Thursday?
- am I better off asking the Apple store to upgrade the RAM of my BlackBook to 1GB, and have 512 + 512 in my machine?

Basically, my options are:
- ask the Apple store to upgrade the RAM to 1GB
- buy a 1GB of RAM from a 3rd party and install it myself to have 1.25GB
- I could also buy 2GB of RAM, but that seems like it wouldn't be necessary for my use

I will also need to get a second skin for my MacBook, and I'll be all set and ready to enjoy my new laptop. Thanks for your help 🙂

 

[gauchogolfer]

3rd party RAM can be trustworthy, if you buy from a reputable source like Crucial or OWC.

I would buy the 1GB stick, because the improvement from 1.25GB compared to 1GB will likely be more than any decrease from unmatched sticks. Plus, by buying the 1GB stick, you won't have to throw it away when you decide to upgrade to 2GB.

 

[FrenchPB]

If I go to http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgrades.cfm?model=248&type=Memory&TI=4032&shoupgrds=Show+Upgrades, I can see that I can buy different 1GB of RAM for very different prices. Is there any reason why I should pay more to get the same amount of RAM ?

I understand they come from different manufacturer, but will that affect me in the end? I'd rather buy the cheaper one, but is there a higher risk/lower quality involved with that ?

 

[FrenchPB]

There's also this memory here: http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr%2BProductline=Apple%2BMacBook&mfr=Apple&tabid=AM&model=MacBook+2.0GHz+Intel+Core+Duo+%2813-inch+Black%29&submit=Go

In the end, I don't know which one to get 😕

 

[gauchogolfer]

I think that this one would be fine. The OWC-branded memory has been good for me, and it has a lifetime warranty.

 

[miles01110]

Hey all,
- can I trust 3rd party RAM?

For the most part- the best way to determine whether or not RAM is good is to read the customer reviews. Also, get one with a good warranty.

- how much RAM would I need (I will use this MB for personal use, photo editing, music, watching DVDs, internet browsing and office applications).

1 GB is usually the minimum I recommend for ANY computer running OS X.

- would it be smart just to get a 1GB of RAM to have 1.25 overall? I think I heard that RAM was more efficient if the two 'chips' were the same (like 512+512 better than 1+0.25 ?)

Yes.

- will the RAM ship fast enough for me to receive it by next Thursday?

Order it today and get second-day air and it should come by Tuesday.

- am I better off asking the Apple store to upgrade the RAM of my BlackBook to 1GB, and have 512 + 512 in my machine?

I'm not sure they do in-store upgrades....

 

[drewmack]

You have plenty of time

Since you have until Thursday you may seriously want to consider doing a mail order. Not only will this will save you on any sales taxes, your new 'book will also cost you a little less. 😀

You can check for prices here:

http://www.pcprices.net/macbook.shtml

 

[FrenchPB]

Can't I get the taxes back at the airport since I am French ? Also, I will get the student discount because i'm doing my MBA in the US and have a student ID card.

 

[FrenchPB]

I don't understand, if I buy it in an apple store, will it be more expensive for me than buying it online at apple.com ? 😕

Then it might not be as interesting for me to buy it in the US. If I buy it online, it will never arrive before the end of next week, especially if I decide to wait for WWDC.

 

[gauchogolfer]

I don't understand, if I buy it in an apple store, will it be more expensive for me than buying it online at apple.com ? 😕

The prices will be the same, so don't worry about that. You can declare the sales tax to get them back when you leave.

 

[jds3266]

tax

Tax, if you have the ram shipped from you and the shipper is out of state then y ou won't be hit by a sales tax. We don't have a VAT so no worries. As for the tax on the apple product I don't think you can get it back. Also when entering the EU make sure that your macbook is not sealed in the box as new or you will be hit with VAT upon entry. CUSTOMS!!

 

[jds3266]

anyone know anything good or bad of this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820231069

1gb for under $80, anyone have coments?

 

[FrenchPB]

I guess this source is not trustworthy :/

 

[FrenchPB]

I read in an other thread something about the federal tax holiday this weekend.

Does that mean I can buy a MacBook this weekend in an apple store in Georgia and not pay any tax, then if I don't open the box, I can return it in case something about the MacBook is unveiled at WWDC ?

Are those assumptions true ?

 

[deepy]

Wow these questions are exactly the same as the ones i was gonna ask as soon as WWDC finished and i was ready to order my macbook.

Anyway...Is Corair Value Select any good. I'd like to know if anyone has used a 1GB stick of this in their Macbook to give 1.25GB and if its a success or not?

 

[twoodcc]

Wow these questions are exactly the same as the ones i was gonna ask as soon as WWDC finished and i was ready to order my macbook.

Anyway...Is Corair Value Select any good. I'd like to know if anyone has used a 1GB stick of this in their Macbook to give 1.25GB and if its a success or not?

i wouldn't buy it. i bought some of that for my Powerbook and it didn't work with it

 

[deepy]

i wouldn't buy it. i bought some of that for my Powerbook and it didn't work with it

Thanks. I think i'll post a topic to see what other people have thought with this in a macbook - it'll mean the difference to me getting a 1GB macbook or getting a 512mb macbook with 3rd party RAM because the corsair one, for me in the UK, is the cheapest one I can find and it'll cost me the same to use that or to just get a 1GB macbook.