hi..I've finally decided not to wait any longer for the new intel ibooks...also i dont wish to risk my first mac to have problems like the ones in the macbook pro....so i'm certain i want an 12" powerbook now....i'll be using it for grad school at univ...i was thinking of upgrading its 512 MB ram to atleast another 256 MB RAM...But feel thats a little out of my budget even if i buy from a reseller with rebates....However if i get the usual config i do save atleast $150...so i want to know whether the extra ram will make any significant difference...considering the new ibooks due soon and i mite want to buy those later should i upgrade the ram?.....also how good is refurb?...if I get the 512MB config refurb i'll be saving $300....also i want to know abt the software with refurb....in the apple store website it says it may not have some software and also shows a different version of softwares like ilife 05 and not 06.....r there any major differences between the 2 versions?..wat should i do?
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do i need extra ram for 12" PB?
- Thread starter peanut48
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Get the refurb and some extra RAM. Not talking about much......just get it up to 1GB of total RAM.
And depending on what you're doing, I'd get the 12" iBook rather than a 12" PB unless you actually need the extra 32 MB of video RAM. By the way, this is coming from a 12" 1GHz PB owner who loves what he has (but wishes it was a 13" Widescreen MacBook Pro
).
And depending on what you're doing, I'd get the 12" iBook rather than a 12" PB unless you actually need the extra 32 MB of video RAM. By the way, this is coming from a 12" 1GHz PB owner who loves what he has (but wishes it was a 13" Widescreen MacBook Pro
).
grab a 12in powerbook or ibook, they're both great machines (i have the 12in powerbook), remember though, the powerbook also has a dedicated line-in, twice the hard disk, faster processor and screen spanning without the need of a hack.
A referb is a good idea
in terms of ram, i'd suggest maxing it out, no point getting a little extra only to have to throw it away at a later date.
A referb is a good idea
in terms of ram, i'd suggest maxing it out, no point getting a little extra only to have to throw it away at a later date.
Get another gig after the fact. I think I spent $100 on a gig stick from newegg. Crucial brand. Makes a huge difference. It's cheaper to do on your own anyway. And changing the ram is very easy.
student_trap said:apparently you have to really wack it in though, as if your going to break it
Nope, but the screws take a bit to break the seal on the cover. The old ram pops out quite easily and the new snaps right in.
jlcharles said:
sure..... putting RAM in my powerbook was frightening, push really really really hard.ram
ok.....thanx for all the info....i however wont be able to change the ram coz i'll be getting it from the US to asia and then taking it to australia...so am not sure abt how i'll manage the ram upgrade...and i have never opened a comp in my life
ok.....thanx for all the info....i however wont be able to change the ram coz i'll be getting it from the US to asia and then taking it to australia...so am not sure abt how i'll manage the ram upgrade...and i have never opened a comp in my life
I'm in the exact position you are (except I'm undergrad ). I need a 12" PowerBook now, and I can't really wait until June (July?) for Intel iBooks. Besides, it's one of the best portables Apple has ever made! The aluminum is less cost-effective, but the iBooks often have poor construction. That isn't to say the casing is bad, but it starts to separate, or the hinge breaks, etc...
For this reason, the PowerBook will retain some value over the iBook.
I'm hesitating because I'll need to resell in about a year... wasn't it declared "end-of-life" recently?
Murphy's Law, it will be released right after I get the 12".
It's hard to give advice without knowing his needs; not everyone needs that much RAM.
If he's a grad student, we can infer a lot of word processing, internet and basic computing. We also don't know what he's studying...
I would imagine 512MB is enough for those purposes. If you start running more than three programs at once, it may be a bit sluggish. The 12" doesn't use DDR2, so it runs at a higher voltage, but you may save a little battery life with 1.25GB.
). I need a 12" PowerBook now, and I can't really wait until June (July?) for Intel iBooks. Besides, it's one of the best portables Apple has ever made! The aluminum is less cost-effective, but the iBooks often have poor construction. That isn't to say the casing is bad, but it starts to separate, or the hinge breaks, etc...For this reason, the PowerBook will retain some value over the iBook.
I'm hesitating because I'll need to resell in about a year... wasn't it declared "end-of-life" recently?
Abstract said:
Murphy's Law, it will be released right after I get the 12".
jlcharles said:
It's hard to give advice without knowing his needs; not everyone needs that much RAM.
If he's a grad student, we can infer a lot of word processing, internet and basic computing. We also don't know what he's studying...
I would imagine 512MB is enough for those purposes. If you start running more than three programs at once, it may be a bit sluggish. The 12" doesn't use DDR2, so it runs at a higher voltage, but you may save a little battery life with 1.25GB.
peanut48 said:
If you can wait, I would. If you take a look around most MBP users, mostly the later ones, are quite happy. Referbs are great. The longevity of the MBp will be greater than a PB, that is because at some point Apple will not support OSX for non-Intel machines. Of course, that's a long ways off. It is only with the introduction of Intel into the lineup, that Apple has decided not to support OS 9.
When I purchased my referb, I bought the most recent version of iLife, as their website said that it would not be included. Lo and behold I found a NFR of the most recent version of iLife, at that time 04. I also found a second copy with the disks that came with the unit. So I purchased something that came with the computer (twice), and there was no reason to do it. I would hold off buying software until you get it in your hands.
If you don't need a computer, then it's just a want, and it would probably be better to wait. The 12" is a great machine. More memory is always better. Remember Apple Care, a good case, and a spare battery. If your really cash strapped and you can wait, remember that what ever unit your looking at now, will become less expensive. Each month you will have a little more cash in your coffers to buy what you want.