Decided to buy MB over MBP -- now, 2 questions

[Digm]

I'm going to buy the souped up MacBook over the MBP because of the increased portability and significantly longer battery life. A few questions:

1. I've read all of the notes that the MB can actually support 3GB of RAM even though it says 2GB. I know that adding RAM doesn't void the warranty (I'm buying AppleCare). But would adding more than the supported RAM void the warranty? I want to buy the computer with 1 GB of RAM and buy a 2GB stick to put in immediately.

2. Will an updated MBP have more than the 4-5 hours of battery life that the MacBook has without sacrificing performance? I'm ready to order today but if there was a significant benefit to a thin MBP (though it would be a LOT more expensive) I might wait.

 

[Dynamyk]

I'm going to buy the souped up MacBook over the MBP because of the increased portability and significantly longer battery life. A few questions:

1. I've read all of the notes that the MB can actually support 3GB of RAM even though it says 2GB. I know that adding RAM doesn't void the warranty (I'm buying AppleCare). But would adding more than the supported RAM void the warranty? I want to buy the computer with 1 GB of RAM and buy a 2GB stick to put in immediately.

2. Will an updated MBP have more than the 4-5 hours of battery life that the MacBook has without sacrificing performance? I'm ready to order today but if there was a significant benefit to a thin MBP (though it would be a LOT more expensive) I might wait.

I don't think it voids the warranty. But it won't be dual channel.

And nobody can possibly know about the updated MBP. If it's still in your mind to go for the MBP wait a couple weeks till WWDC

 

[Digm]

I just noticed that the MB comes with 2x512 rather than 1x1GB. That would mean that I'd have to buy a 2GB stick to run 2.5GB rather than the 2GB that Apple would provide, for around the same price, so I'll stick with the 2GB.

I think that the future cost of a new MBP would be too prohibitive anyway.

 

[Shaduu]

I'm going to buy the souped up MacBook over the MBP because of the increased portability and significantly longer battery life. A few questions:

1. I've read all of the notes that the MB can actually support 3GB of RAM even though it says 2GB. I know that adding RAM doesn't void the warranty (I'm buying AppleCare). But would adding more than the supported RAM void the warranty? I want to buy the computer with 1 GB of RAM and buy a 2GB stick to put in immediately.

If you keep the original Apple RAM and switch your 3rd party RAM with the Apple sticks if you send it in for repair then no, your warranty will be fine.

2. Will an updated MBP have more than the 4-5 hours of battery life that the MacBook has without sacrificing performance? I'm ready to order today but if there was a significant benefit to a thin MBP (though it would be a LOT more expensive) I might wait.

We have no idea, to be blunt. To be on the safe side, I'd hold out to June 11th (WWDC) and we'll find out if new MBPs are on the cards.

 

[Digm]

In prior years, are products/new laptops announced at WWDC released for sale immediately, or is their future sale announced, meaning that they are available in a few months? I need this computer by the end of June.

 

[aquajet]

If you keep the original Apple RAM and switch your 3rd party RAM with the Apple sticks if you send it in for repair then no, your warranty will be fine.

That's not necessary. Third-party RAM will not void your warranty.

 

[kepardue]

Speculation on whether or not an updated MBP would benefit from having a $20 upgrade voucher for Leopard?

Or would that come closer on to October?

 

[Shaduu]

That's not necessary. Third-party RAM will not void your warranty.

I meant in relation to having 3GB of RAM in a MacBook when 3GB is listed as unrecognisable. As they say, it's better safe than sorry.

 

[epiphany]

new product releases

In prior years, are products/new laptops announced at WWDC released for sale immediately, or is their future sale announced, meaning that they are available in a few months? I need this computer by the end of June.

Generally, except for the iPhone and perhaps appleTV, new products are available within the week or two of a conference announcement, if not same day. They want to hook you while you're abuzz.