MBP Upgrade Questions

Been seriously considering purchasing the intro level MBP due to the fact that the slightly better processor and increased GPU vram might not really serve me that much better as a video/graphics artist. No gaming.

I have a limited buget at the moment, and would like to purchase without all the additional frills.

Question: Is upgrading the RAM and HDD and easy thing to do with MBP's? Are there places (aside from the apple store) that can do these upgrades? Is warranty voided for upgrades not done by apple?

My main fear for crossing over from the PC world is that I'll be at the mercy of apple's service without any option of "doing it yourself." Not to mention that buying RAM and HDD's from anywhere but apple is cheaper.

 

upgrading RAM is very easy and does not void your warranty. there are instructions in the MPB manual and on the apple website. There are also some good videos on YouTube.

AFAIK upgrading the hard drive voids your warranty (although some people say they are not worried because if it is done well apple would be unlikely to notice).

I also recall seeing a YouTube video for changing the hard drive, I would say it is not for the faint hearted it was like watching an autopsy !

 

The MBP comes with 2GB out of the box, do you really think you need more? The RAM is easy to swap, there's a door on the bottom.

Hard drive requires disassembly = voided warranty. Apple Geniuses can do it for you though.

 

Yeah, upgrading the hard drive is not easy. See:

http://www.macsales.com/clicks/fclick.php?id=96

(this video also shows the RAM upgrade, which as hooly said, is much easier).

It's not to say it can't be done by yourself, just that its an involved process that you need to be careful with.

Technically speaking, pretty much any Apple Authorized Repair center could probably swap out the HD for you as well.

You might find that the internal hd does just fine for you though; you might especially find you want to use an external firewire 400 or firewire 800 drive anyway for things like video work, etc.

 

Ok, am fixing to get a mbp to and j/w how much does 2gb of ram cost?

 

Also what brands would compatible with mbp?

 

Any brand. Just normal sodimm PC5300 DDR2 will work. Same as for other laptops. Dont get the cheapest no name brand. Check here for prices: ram deals.

 

Below is a link to Newegg's Mac Memory page. I assume they created this specific section for all RAM compatible with Macs.

http://www.newegg.com/Store/SubCategory.aspx?SubCategory=551&name=Mac-Memory

 

for upgrading the hard drive, does it have to be bought from the apple store for the apple guys do it for you?

 

last q, When u get mbp stock are the 2gb stick individual or are there two sticks 1 gb each?

 

There are two 1GB sticks. So to upgrade to 3GB, you can substitute one 1GB stick with a 2GB and leave an old one or for 4GB, you have to get two 2GB sticks unless you want to spend an enormous and unnecessary amount of money to upgrade from Apple.

 

Honestly, at least for a while 2gb of RAM is pretty good. But once HDV becomes more the norm for prosumers, more ram will be nice.

Not to mention that in the world of motion graphics, people will do anything to cut down on render times.

Shame about the harddrives, but if it is that tough to change them, I'd rather pay someone to do it.

 

anyone know if u go buy a new harddrive of your own choosing... how much will apple charge to install it???

 

you don't need mass amounts of ram to play hd video...

2 gigs is plenty. you need a lot of processing power though. your 8 series gpu can handle that just fine.

 

see i want to run os-x plus windows vista or do u think xp pro is better? Anyway do u think 1gb for os-x and 2gb for vista? Or should just go on get 2x2gb and make 4gb.

 

Well, Windows Vista will definitely need more RAM. I prefer Windows XP over Windows Vista at the moment and will be installing Windows XP Professional when I purchase a MBP. I don't think you can utilize your RAM such as deciding how much each OS will use though.

I am planning on purchasing a 2GB stick for now and increasing to 3GB. I might purchase another 2GB stick later.

 

well, I do not think that you need to upgrade the ram, 2G is huge, except those guys who do some video editing, but for home use, 2G is absolutely enough.

 

I would like to know if you can get the hard drive upgraded by a certified Apple tech without voiding the warranty. I was going to get the 7200 RPM drive for my MBP but the prices they charge for that drive is pretty stupid.

Would like to get a nice Seagate 7200 rpm in there, instead of the 120 Gig 5400rom drive.

 

they will do it and not void the warenty but idk how much it costs for them to install. if anyone knows please chime in

thanks