MacBook options advice!

[sockwars]

I am on the verge of purchasing a nice new MacBook but I have been looking on the Apple site, software/hardware reviews etc and have a choice to make before buying...

Initially I was going to go for the mid-level MacBook - 2 GHz, SuperDrive, 512MB RAM plus an upgrade to a 80GB hard drive. But now I am thinking about Photoshop, which I use a lot, and the need for the extra RAM to power it on Rosetta before the new Intel version comes out. So for this scenario I have come up with the lower-end MacBook - 1.83GHz, no SuperDrive, 1GB RAM plus the 80GB hard drive upgrade.

The price difference is about 100 EUR, the 1.83GHz model being the cheaper of the two. These are the only two variations I can afford and I need some outside help to make the choice. What do you reckon? Less powerful computer with more RAM (but no DVD+RW)? Or more powerful processor but with less RAM?

Photoshop is the only major non-universal app that I use daily, but there's also Microsoft Office too, unless I can find some suitable replacement apps to use instead of Word/Excel.

Personally I think I would go for the 2GHz model, but I am worried about how Photoshop might be affected by the lack of decent RAM.

Thanks for any comments

EDIT
I just realised that I posted this in the Computers section, not the Buying tips section. Sorry for being a such a noob.

 

[ddrueckhammer]

EDIT
I just realised that I posted this in the Computers section, not the Buying tips section. Sorry for being a such a noob.

I'm not sure if you can get this in Europe but this is the most bang for your buck that you can get in a Macbook IMHO...

I have said this in a couple of other threads....Amazon has a $100 mail in rebate on the stock one which makes it $999.

Then, I would buy third party ram and a hard drive and install them myself because it is so easy...Also, you may be able to afford 2Gb of Ram with this option which will give you a small speed bonus for having a matched pair...and you can sell the ram and hdd that came in the macbook on Ebay to recover some of your $

The cheapest I have seen for ram is about $85 for either Gigaram or Patriot memory from Newegg. They both come with a warranty so that helps with the risk of getting a bad stick and both have good reviews from Newegg consumers who say they have Mac hardware.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820220078

Currently, it looks like the Gigaram is sold out though

Another option is getting a stick from Other World Computing. They are reputable and guarantee their product at $112 a stick.

http://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/Upgr...=Show+Upgrades

Personally, I would consider upgrading the hard drive to either a 7200 RPM model or a 160 Gb 5200 Seagate when they come out, depending on your needs, because Macbooks have user replaceable hard drives now.

 

[sockwars]

Thank you for your input

 

[ddrueckhammer]

Thank you for your input

Np

One more thing, you might actually consider keeping the original Ram so that if you ever have to send the Macbook in under Apple Care you can put it back in and Apple won't say the problem is due to third party ram...