Looking at the refurb 1st Gen Unibody MacBook Pro with a maximum of 4GB RAM versus the new 2nd Gen Unibody MacBook Pro with a maximum of 8GB RAM, how important of a consideration is this?
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Max RAM limit, how important?
- Thread starter DewGuy1999
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Depends on what you use your computer for. For most people, 4 GB vs. 8 GB isn't a big deal. For more serious users it can be very important.
But NEVER buy RAM from Apple!
Some people would rather pay the premium rather than opening up their Mac themselves... they just aren't comfortable with it. To them, it is worth it. To each his/her own.
Woof, Woof - Dawg
Ram is important. My 2.16 ghz maxed out at 2gb, and it is not enough. On my Dell, I am usually addressing 5.3Gb of ram. This is holding me back on getting a MBP refurb.
This is just my honest opinion. Most average computer users don't need any more than 2Gb on a day to day basis. I went ahead and maxed out my 2.16GHz Core 2 Duo MBP out at 3Gb and its plenty. If you've got a machine that supports 4-8Gb, you're more than fine unless you're doing some hardcore processing and lots of multitasking.
Okay, at present I've got a G4 iMac with 768 MB of RAM, 1 GB would probably be better, but for the most part it works fine. To me, 4GB seems like a huge amount let alone 8 GB, that's why I asked. At present I do mostly email, surfing and watching YouTube, and a bit of Photoshop Elements, nothing too intense. If I get a new Mac I'll probably add iPhoto to that and maybe making some YouTube videos with the iSight and iMovie. I'm not adverse to upgrading my own RAM, as I've done it before, and would never buy Apple's overpriced RAM. Does that help.
The answer is it depends what you use your Mac for. I have 2GB in a Mini and a PC. Neither one has ever needed even half that RAM. While I'm not manipulating 2 Gig photos in Photoshop, I bet you aren't either.
I bet you'll never notice the difference. Or at least not before the rest of the computer is obsolete.
I bet you'll never notice the difference. Or at least not before the rest of the computer is obsolete.
4 GB will be plenty. These days, the 1 GB you are talking about can't even be purchased standard in an Apple, and for good reason. I'm running my Rev. A MBA and sometimes the 2 GB does limit me and what I can do. Using Safari 4 can sometimes lock up a lot of your ram, and I'm just getting into photography. With iPhoto it can slow a little (especially with safari / itunes / mail) all running, so I haven't even gotten brave enough to try editing with Aperture on this thing. Also, I am forced to use Boot Camp because I basically cannot run a VM on here while using any Apple programs.
But if you just get the model and max it to 4 GB, you'll be safe. Especially for your use.
But if you just get the model and max it to 4 GB, you'll be safe. Especially for your use.
$599 Mac Mini comes with 1GB. Pretty crappy eh? Especially considering how cheap 2 gigs is.