Future Proofing with MBP

[emptyCup]

Applecare is worth it, but with two caveats.

1. Don't buy it when you buy the machine itself; you have up to a year from the date of purchase to spring for it.

2. Don't buy it from Apple. That $300 AppleCare package costs under $200 on eBay (obviously check the seller's feedback, be smart about it, etc). Saving money means more cash to drop on Apple products.

1. If you are going to buy Applecare buy it as soon as possible. If you are spending $1200-$1500 and extra $300 does not seem like much. A year from now it will seem more expensive. Also, a year and a minute now you will not be able to buy it. Too many people forget and are sorry.

2. You can save money buying it elsewhere. If you are comfortable with eBay, fine. Otherwise Amazon or L.A. Computing.

 

[Nairmb]

electronics are outdated every half hour.

Which is why I'm trying to get input on a system that will last for a while so I'm not forced to get the newest and best system out there every other year like I have with low-end Dells.

 

[smartalic34]

Sorry to quote myself, but does anybody have experience with adding RAM to the new MBPs?

it's listed in the manual of the new MBPs... it's the same as the old unibodies, just with a few more screws.

its very easy to add RAM, provided you have the small phillips 00 screwdriver required. just because there isnt a battery bay that's "user accessible" doesnt mean the innards of the machine are impossible to get to

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270 and click on "Installing memory in the MacBook Pro (17-inch, Early 2009)"

it's the same for all the new mid-2009 MBPs, as all have the "sealed" bottom case with a non-removable battery

 

[cube]

I rushed to future-proof against Apple by getting a prev gen 15".

 

[Nairmb]

I rushed to future-proof against Apple by getting a prev gen 15".

What are the advantages and disadvantages of that machine as I've been looking at refurbs.

 

[cube]

The prev gen has:

- ExpressCard, which allow you to expand with many things, including SD reader.
- Removable battery, useful for intercontinental flights, for example
- No need to mess with screws
- Apple was offering an 8 GiB RAM kit for the 2.66 and 2.93, so nothing lost here. (There's a thread about running 6 GiB on the other ones)

The cons would be:

- The battery on the new one lasts longer if you don't carry spares with the older one. Also, I think it might live longer.
- The new screen is suppossedly better.

 

[Nairmb]

The prev gen has:
- ExpressCard, which allow you to expand with many things, including SD reader.
- Apple was offering an 8 GiB RAM kit for the 2.66 and 2.93, so nothing lost here. (There's a thread about running 6 GiB on the other ones)

The refubs that I have been looking at, which I assume are last gen, have not listed an ExpressCard slot nor expandability up to 8 GB of RAM

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FB471LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC026LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw

http://store.apple.com/us/product/G0G02LL/A?mco=MjE0NDk5Mw