Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Upgrade MacBook or New Mac Mini?

V

VaatiKaiba

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Jun 12, 2008
253
0
I have a late 2007 MacBook (white, 2.2GHz, 2GB RAM, 120GB HDD), and unfortunately I've run out of hard drive space. So, I'm wondering whether or not it's worth my money to invest in upgrades or to get a Mac mini, and to use Back to My Mac / Screen Sharing to access my extended storage when I'm away.

I'm trying to weigh up the pros (eg, better graphics) and the cons (eg, cost) of getting the Mini, so I was wondering if anyone can give me any advice? I'd be planning to use the Mini as a media center connected to my HDTV, while use my MacBook for more current projects, etc.

Thanks in advance!
 
Well the Mac Mini also comes with a 120GB Hard drive, so upgrade the Hard Drive if you need more space. As to getting a Mac Mini, it would be a great choice for a media center.
 
MacMini2009 said:
Well the Mac Mini also comes with a 120GB Hard drive, so upgrade the Hard Drive if you need more space. As to getting a Mac Mini, it would be a great choice for a media center.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I was looking at the higher end model anyway for the extra RAM.

Speaking of which, is it true that increasing the RAM in my MacBook would mean a decrease in battery life?
 
You can just upgrade the hard drive in your MacBook to 500GB and get some more life out of it, I mean it's still a great machine, so I don't know why you'd give up the portability and upgrade to a Mini.
 
I agree with just upgrading your hdd and ram. It'll make your mac feel brand new :)

Plus, if you're just running out of space with 120GB, a 320GB or higher drive should last you a good while :)

Not to mention you'd either have to upgrade the mini's hdd or add an external since it's only 120GB as well.
 
Just to clarify, I'd be running the Mac Mini alongside the MacBook, rather than replacing the MacBook altogether.

If I'm just upgrading the hard drive, is any 2.5" SATA compatible, or do they have to be certain types?

Thanks for all your input!
 
VaatiKaiba said:
Just to clarify, I'd be running the Mac Mini alongside the MacBook, rather than replacing the MacBook altogether.

If I'm just upgrading the hard drive, is any 2.5" SATA compatible, or do they have to be certain types?

Thanks for all your input!
Click to expand...

Any 2.5" sata should work. If you even think you may need the extra ram, go with 4 gigs. DDR2 is dirt cheap right now, and your gma 950 is also leaching some of what you've already got.
 
Upgrade the MacBook and squeeze it to its last inch of life! (Then squeeze it some more! :D)

Max out the RAM to 4 GB with this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148201&Tpk=crucial%20memory

Then upgrade the hard-drive with either this if you're looking for space...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314&Tpk=wd5000bevt

Or this if you're looking for speed...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280&Tpk=wd3200bekt

If you're even a little squeamish about cracking open your MacBook, refer to this...

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/MacBook_Core_2_Duo

If you really want a separate monitor just buy a nice big one with the hundreds of dollars you saved from maximizing what you already have, then hook your MacBook up to it. If you need to take your MB on the road, just disconnect it from the monitor. It's the best of both worlds!:D
 
I absolutely love the Mac mini's...and with the latest update they are, again, the best bang-for-your-buck Mac value right now.

That being said...I'd upgrade the hdd (and optionally the ram as well) I your current MacBook.
 
If I were you, I would upgrade the macbook and get a mini. That is what I am planning on doing in September. Your macbook is a year newer than mine...I got mine in December of 2006. Of course, I have upgraded my hdd once and maxed my RAM out. Which is 1 GB less than your is capable of addressing btw...

So, my advice, max out the macbook with upgrades and get the mini...;)
 
Shawny D said:
Upgrade the MacBook and squeeze it to its last inch of life! (Then squeeze it some more! :D)

Max out the RAM to 4 GB with this...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148201&Tpk=crucial%20memory

Then upgrade the hard-drive with either this if you're looking for space...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314&Tpk=wd5000bevt

Or this if you're looking for speed...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280&Tpk=wd3200bekt

If you're even a little squeamish about cracking open your MacBook, refer to this...

http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Device/MacBook_Core_2_Duo

If you really want a separate monitor just buy a nice big one with the hundreds of dollars you saved from maximizing what you already have, then hook your MacBook up to it. If you need to take your MB on the road, just disconnect it from the monitor. It's the best of both worlds!:D
Click to expand...

I've made my decision, and I'm going to upgrade the MacBook, and leave the mini until I feel I really need one (or an iMac instead maybe).

And @Shawny D, great minds think alike! I'd seen 2 of the 3 things you'd recommended before, and those are the ones I'm going for - the 4GB RAM, and the 320GB 7200rpm HDD.

Thanks everyone for your advice, really helpful. No doubt I'll be posting somewhere asking for more advice on transferring my info, etc, in the near future!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back