Macbook pro RAM/model question

After failing to find my perfect Windows Laptop for college next year (ive gone through 2 laptops that failed me already). I'm thinking of going the Mac Route.

Question is, how much difference does 2 gigs of RAM to 4 gigs of RAM make and is there any other difference besides spec in last seasons model to the summer model?

Through my schools computer store i can get the 15.4 inch macbook pro with a 2.4 ghz processor, 2 gigs RAM, 250 gig hard drive and 3 years apple warranty with a printer for only $1539.00.

Obviously this is not the newest summer model, so yeah...the question above...

Thanks for any help!

 

4Gb will definitely be better, but 2Gb is very usable. I'm personally going for 3Gb to save a few bucks --2 is not quite enough for me, while 4 is overkill.

 

I dont think i will really need the 2 gigs then seeing as the most difficult programs I will be running are the Sims 3 and WoW.

But does the old model have the nice LED screen like the new ones?

 

If you're talking about the pre-June Macbook Pros, then yes. Although I think something about the brightness or contrast, or something is not as good as the most recent MBPs.

 

My pre-unibody 15" MBP runs everything I throw at it (in Leopard) with just 2GB RAM and P8600 CPU. You'll be fine.

If you plan on doing lots of OS virtualization, it probably would be worth it to double the RAM. Having Leopard and Vista share 2GB isn't ideal.

 

The screen difference from the the Late 08 MBP and Mid June MBP are really not to different. The screens on the 08/Early 09 MBPS were great to begin with. There really isnt a big difference unlike the Unibody Macbook and the 13" Macbook pros.

 

There are very few programs that can effectively take advantage of over 2 GB of RAM. You won't notice a speed difference in everyday tasks.

 

Keep in mind you need both sticks to be the same in order for the memory to run in dual channel.

 

All though if you are going to be utilizing Virtual Operating systems like running VMWare Fusion, or Parralells 4GB of RAM will be very useful.

 

Yes, because the OP will use only ONE program.

 

You can use 10 everyday programs at once and it still likely won't use up all 2 GB of RAM. Have you actually looked at your RAM meter before crying "I need 4 GB"?

 

Right now I am sitting on an active 1.5gigs of ram being USED when im doing nothing. Although I prefer to have almost all the apps in my dock open.

 

You have to tell us your usage to really know if 4gb would benefit you.

Honestly with the release of snow leopard and 64 bit support, I wouldn't use anything less than 4gb, but than again I'm a poweruser.

Look at this way, $50 is the cheapest upgrade cost you can do for a laptop.

 

Actually, I check my RAM meter pretty consistently, and like MKang, 1.5Gigs being wired/active is pretty common even when only a few apps (Firefox with 3 tabs, Excel, and a few photos) are open.

I can't stand ignoramuses posting useless information that misleads others. Check your facts prior to posting and learn the definition of "sociopath" prior to labeling others with that term. You will sound less like a troll that way

 

Yea the one thing that I love about macs is that you can have programs "open" without having them open so when my laptop starts up I have, firefox, mail, ichat, terminal, text wrangler, itunes, utorrent, vlc, mplayer, word, final cut open and then the occasional VMWARE Fusion if I need something (With fusion my used memory goes up to about 2 gigs when idle). So i think 4 Gigs would be beneficial if you want to be able to save time and multitask. Not to mention if you game. When i game my used memory goes up to the occasional 3.5 +

 

Haha yea you're smart. MKang could have 10 programs open at once and use 1.5 GB of RAM while you manage to achieve it with 3 non-memory-intensive programs.

I know what a sociopath is. Do you?

 

You have a T8300 not a P8600

 

There is no need to argue I guess simply put if the OP wants to be able to multitask (like really multitask) and be able to play games here and there or do some Virtualization than 4Gigs of RAM would be very beneficial for his needs.

 

Oops.

I blame Apple for being less than completely forthcoming about their components

 

save a few bucks and kill your performance?

I'd rather have 2gb running in dual channel, than 3gb not running in dual channel...

 

3GB runs in dual channel, asynchronously. Synchronous (ie. same sized pairs) make no real difference, just like CAS latency and memory speed, because the processor can never use that much bandwidth (the benefits are all marketing). However, since memory is cheap (<$40 on sale), IMO you might as well just find any 2x2GB with lifetime warranty.

 

Too many people are victims of marketing.

I can live with 3Gb and save the $45CDN + tax on an extra gig of memory.

 

You know "what a sociopath is," so you call people who disagree with you about a $900 notebook "sociopaths"? You are either an imbecile who clearly doesn't understand the term or a pathetic troll (probably both) who needlessly offends others.

FYI, Firefox and Office can be very RAM hungry because (unlike you), the OS is smart and feeds unused memory to programs that need it.

Why does this forum not have an ignore button? Losers like this guy could really be rendered ineffective and impotent with a simple ignore feature.

 

Maybe CDN prices are different than the US, but 4GB isn't that much more than 3GB cost wise.

Through all my years building PC's, its always beneficial to get two sticks that are identical. You can guarantee this by buying a kit. If not for speed, at least for stability.

IMO go 4gb or stay at 2gb.

 

Or just get a single 3gig stick and then when SL comes out and you have more money saved up get another 3 gig stick so you can run 6gigs

 

They don't make 3GB sticks, the only way to get that amount is 1GB + 2GB sticks. Since he has already 1GB stick, it's cheaper to spend half the money to just get 1x2GB stick instead of a kit with 2x2GB sticks.