The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Macbook Pro 17 inch unibody ( newest model) memory replacement questions...

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by Darthmaniac, Aug 16, 2009.

  1. Darthmaniac

    Darthmaniac Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey everyone, I just got the new Macbook Pro and its awesome!!!!! I was a PC user earlier but then I realized how Mac kicks a$$ .
    However I was wondering whether the Macbook Pro 17 inch ( newest model) memory can be changed, I got the 4 GB RAM and want to upgrade to the 8 GB ram. Any recommendations???

    Regards,
    Darthmaniac
     
  2. MidnightSun

    MidnightSun Emodicon

    Reputations:
    6,668
    Messages:
    8,224
    Likes Received:
    231
    Trophy Points:
    231
    Why do you need 8GB? 4GB of memory is plenty for 99% of purposes. Unless you have very specific needs, such as running multiple VMs, there is no need to dump hundreds of dollars for 2 4GB DIMMs (which is what you'll need to upgrade your Macbook to 8GB of RAM).
     
  3. WilliamG

    WilliamG Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    629
    Messages:
    1,421
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Yes it's easy to do. No it's not worth it for 99% of people.
     
  4. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    463
    Messages:
    2,326
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Make that 99.999% lol. I have 8GB in my desktop because it is darn cheap for desktop DDR2 right now. But even running 2 OS at the same time with like a bunch of windows open and a video running I dont even hit half the RAM.
     
  5. Darthmaniac

    Darthmaniac Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey thanks so I guess I'll stick with the 4 GB RAM. Another question, I know there is a big debate going on about this, but which screen is REALLY better the glossy or anti-glare screen???

    Regards,
    Darthmaniac
     
  6. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    3,799
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    it really depends on the end user. glossy guves you richer colours with better contrast whereas anti glare screens are matte and dull but can be used outdoors.
     
  7. Darthmaniac

    Darthmaniac Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey is the faster processor( 3.06 GHz) worth the $270 more or is the 2.8 GHz just fine??? Can I over clock the mac book pro like a pc???

    Regards,
    Darthmaniac
     
  8. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    You already have it or are just ordering?
     
  9. owais

    owais Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    15
    Messages:
    902
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    8gb costs a LOT at this moment in time.
    I cant even reach 4gb while parallels is running, itunes, safari, windows live, vlc and transmission
     
  10. wobble987

    wobble987 Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    543
    Messages:
    2,871
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    for various reason, i pick the glossy glass one. as the notebook is really designed to go with that one. not only for looks, but for rigidity reasons. the glass act like a reinforcing structure, just like the windshield on your car.
     
  11. Luke1708

    Luke1708 Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    352
    Messages:
    3,799
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    105
    also stick with the 2.8Ghz one. the faster the processor, the more heat it will generate and as we all know, macs are poor at dissipating heat.
     
  12. Darthmaniac

    Darthmaniac Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey thanks but can you overclock a Macbook Pro???

    Regards,
    Darthmaniac
     
  13. WilliamG

    WilliamG Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    629
    Messages:
    1,421
    Likes Received:
    6
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Actually, the matte is unusable outside, whereas the glossy IS usable, but reflects a ton more. :)
     
  14. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,745
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    What???????????

     
  15. Xirurg

    Xirurg ORLY???

    Reputations:
    3,189
    Messages:
    7,375
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    206
    ^ I think you should replace those "!" with "?" :p
     
  16. Darthmaniac

    Darthmaniac Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    101
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Hey can you answer my question please... can a mac book pro be over clocked???

    Regards,
    Darthmaniac
     
  17. S.SubZero

    S.SubZero Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    467
    Messages:
    1,348
    Likes Received:
    121
    Trophy Points:
    81
    If there was a "better", why would there be any other option?

    And while there are likely tools for tinkering with the clock speeds, I would strongly recommend not fooling with them.
     
  18. lixuelai

    lixuelai Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    463
    Messages:
    2,326
    Likes Received:
    1
    Trophy Points:
    56
    It is possible actually. Not the first time I read this. To me the benefit of matte is more in an office/classroom environment.