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.

    Take pity on a n00b...

    Discussion in 'Apple and Mac OS X' started by tj_chowdown, Mar 12, 2006.

  1. tj_chowdown

    tj_chowdown Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    13
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    I have officially decided that I am getting the MBP. Most likely at the end of the summer just before school starts. The questions I need answered ar as follows;

    1) I am without a doubt gonna have 2GB of RAM. I just don't know whether I should just get it put in by Apple, or if I should do it myself. If I do it myself, should I have Apple put in a 1GB stick and buy another. Or, should I leave the 512 MB standard in and buy 2 GB sticks later? If I do do it myself, I am scared. I have very little knowledge of modern computers and I don't want to risk ruining the MBP.

    2) My second dillema consists of the processor speed. Which one do I get? I feel like if I get the 1.83 gHz, I will be settling. I want it to last me most, if not all, of college (4 years). Any advice, other than "what my budget allows"?

    3) I am aware of Rosetta, and it does slightly turn me off to the MBP, but I am wondering if I do get the MBP, and the software I want still isn't in Universal Binary, when it eventually does come out as Universal, will I be able to uninstall the PowerPC version (and possibly Rosetta if I don't need it anymore) and install the Universal version?

    Thanks!
     
  2. Unreal

    Unreal Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    50
    Messages:
    734
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    1) Installing ram is a snap and you should do whichever is cheaper when it comes to getting the 2gb. To my understanding mbp's along with other apple computers are picky about the type of ram so make sure whichever ram you pick up is recommended for it.

    2) The difference in speed between the 1.83ghz and 2.0ghz is minimal and negligable (you will not notice it in day-to-day use).

    3) l know nothing about apple software :(
     
  3. RadcomTxx

    RadcomTxx Notebook Deity

    Reputations:
    101
    Messages:
    873
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    you would be able to replace the power pc version to the universal version with out much problem, and i doubt you would be able to remove roesetta, which i don't think would be good to do as there will prolly be old mac software that doesn't get converted to universal

    and if you can get proper ram for the mbp without getting it from apple, i would get it elsewhere, apples ram is pricey. it is easy to install ram.
     
  4. mach_zero

    mach_zero Casual Observer NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    215
    Messages:
    1,011
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    RadcomTxx is right. Apple's memory prices are ungodly. I have purchased memory for my Macs from Other Wold Computing and never had a bum stick. I believe they also guarantee compatibility.

    And uninstalling and installing applications in Mac OS X is a snap. You simply drag the old application out of the "Applications" folder and into the trash. Install the new application and you're done. Couldn't be simpler.

    I don't think I'd worry about your notebook becoming outdated too fast, either. I am typing this on an iBook G3 900MHz that started out running 10.2 back in '03 and it's now running 10.4 and by and large is running it just fine. Has lasted me almost 3 years and it's definitely not the latest and greatest. I don't think you'd be settling at all.
     
  5. Aero

    Aero PC/Mac...Whatever works! NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    733
    Messages:
    1,919
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Unlike Windows bloatware lol.

    Great Choice, the MacBook Pro is really good.
     
  6. gridtalker

    gridtalker Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    18
    Messages:
    2,976
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0


    I love my MacBook Pro it will be a great choice
     
  7. ericssonboi

    ericssonboi Notebook Guru

    Reputations:
    1
    Messages:
    56
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    15
    I would recommend the 2.0Ghz model since it already comes preloaded with 1GB of ram. You'd only have to get another 1GB of ram instead of getting getting 2*1GB sticks in the end.