Windows to Mac Switch, but doubts...

[girmscheidb]

I just bought a MBP with 2.4 GHz Duo and 2 GB RAM with the GE Force Card with a 15" screen. I am going into engineering and aviation at University of Illinois and I am afraid I made the wrong decision on not getting the 4GB of RAM. How expensive is it to upgrade or is it not necessary. Also I heard something about an update in the fall for the Intel chip, do I have anything to worry about? Thanks in advance, I am a Windows guru and I switched to Mac because of their high reputation and of Vistas poor quality, you guys should be proud.

 

[Watabou]

You actually have made the right decision to not to buy RAM from apple. They are too expensive to buy from apple right now when you can buy 4GB for much cheaper at OWC, crucial, newegg. Last time I checked, they were $75-80. You would have payed Apple $200 to get 4GB. Waste of money. Almost all people go this route so you are not the only one.

And it's pretty easy to install it yourself. There are tons of helpful videos on YouTube.

And about the fall update, don't worry. This machine is still very capable. I don't think the performance in fall would go up significantly.

 

[chrono1081]

To the OP, you will love your mac. I got my first one in the beginning of april and I am still amazed daily how awesome it is. I use mine for programming, 3d modelling, art (corel painter X ), Adobe master collection (most of it), music, and email. You will love it to I am sure.

As far as the ram too ya, never buy apple ram. I bought 4gb from crucial for $90.

 

[Batt]

Don't spend any money on extra RAM unless and until you determine you need more RAM. 2 gigs may well be all you need.

 

[alphaod]

Don't spend any money on extra RAM unless and until you determine you need more RAM. 2 gigs may well be all you need.

Ditto that; extra RAM is so overrated...

 

[Jabberwocky246]

I too recently switched from 12 years of Windows (still a Windows computer tech) to Mac. Haven't regretted it even slightly. The only thing I can't do in the Mac OS is open my Publisher files, but XP under boot camp took care of that.

I got an older Macbook Pro (Core duo) that only takes 2GB of RAM and it has never even broke a sweat, no matter what I have thrown at it.

I'd recommend sticking with 2GB for a while, then later if it seems to need it you can always upgrade. The upgrade itself is a piece of cake, search www.ifixit.com for instructions.

Welcome to the dark side!

 

[pdxflint]

I too recently switched from 12 years of Windows (still a Windows computer tech) to Mac. Haven't regretted it even slightly. The only thing I can't do in the Mac OS is open my Publisher files, but XP under boot camp took care of that.

Welcome to the dark side!

Do you mean to say, "Welcome to the light?"

The ram issue is really an easy one - use it a while, and if you feel you're overwhelming your MBP, go get a couple of 2gig sticks from somewhere like Frys, or online. I've got 2 gig in my MBP, and I haven't really thought about it.

I also migrated over from a thinkpad A series running a lean, buttoned down Win2k which did everything I needed for 4+ years. I thought I'd be installing WinXP or at least win2k sometime shortly after unpacking it, but as more time elapses I'm wondering why I'd want to even bother. I've found great replacements for most stuff I used, and lots of new apps I hadn't ever had access to before. About the only thing I really miss these days is Picasa, just because I was all set up with it for my web publishing and photo management, But even with winXP installed I doubt I'd use it as much. It's nice to know I can go (back to the dark side... ) any time I want, which means I probably won't.

Good luck, and have fun with your MBP.