Some noob questions for a first time MBP buyer

[clarasdk]

HI all

So last week I pulled the trigger and ordered a shiny new MBP 15" i5 with High res anti-glare. My first Mac. Hopefully it will arrive soon here in Denmark even with the "Nature Disaster" going on and all.

I have a few noob questions that I hope some of you can help me with.

1. Regarding Ram update to 8 gigs. Can any DDR3 ram that is 1066mhz be used? Or is it only certain brands/models that will work?

2. The same question for SSD's? I guess a intel x-25 160 gigs should work or?

3. Regarding games in OS X. How is the performance for a game that is written for OS X compared to Win 7? For instance WOW, Spore and others? I OS X as fast as Win 7 or should I go for boot-camp Win 7 install and buy the games for Windows?

4. Does anybody have any good resources or tips on books for learning Objective-c development? I can program C, C++, Java and some C#.

5. What database are there for OS X? And which one can you recommend. Preferable something thats for free.

6. And last question if I have a 1 terrabyte external disc and want to use it for time machine backup is it possible to setup to use have the disc for time machine and let the other half be untouched for other files? Or will a time machine setup take up all space?

Thx in advance.

 

[McGiord]

1. Regarding Ram update to 8 gigs. Can any DDR3 ram that is 1066mhz be used? Or is it only certain brands/models that will work?
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_MacBook_MacBook_Pro/Upgrade/DDR3

6. And last question if I have a 1 terrabyte external disc and want to use it for time machine backup is it possible to setup to use have the disc for time machine and let the other half be untouched for other files? Or will a time machine setup take up all space?

Yes you can use Disk Utility to format and create your partitions and you will be fine.

 

[spinnerlys]

1. 204 pin 1066 MHz PC3-8500 DDR3 SDRAM is needed. www.macsales.com has some to offer.

2. Yes, every HDD and SSD with the 2.5" form factor will work.

3. MRoogle will tell you that, as it is asked and answered a lot, but the consensus right now is that games written for Windows and ported to Mac OS X at a later point run better in Windows.

4. MRoogle.

6. You can either partition your drive or use it as one big tushie partition, as TM only backs up to one folder anyway. And again: MRoogle.

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http://mroogle.*************/MRoogleSmall.gif

http://mroogle.*************/MRoogleSmall.gif

 

[clarasdk]

Thx for the help guys.

I did not know about MRoogle I do now