MacBook Pro help

[jamescwarren]

I am (hopefully) getting a MacBook Pro in October and I just wanted a few questions answered.

1. On the computer, I am going to be storing a growing iTunes and iPhoto library and probably quite a lot of iMovie and iDVD projects etc... LOTS OF PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS!!! An applications folder around 20 GB. On the actual MBP, I have my heart set on the 120 GB of storage. But then saw that that is 5400 RPM and there is a selection for a 100 GB hard drive at 7200 RPM. Is 5400 RPM going to be slow or will it be just fine?

2. The MacBook Pro I will be getting comes with 1 GB of RAM in one slot, so there will be one slot left. I can get the price of the MBP reduced if I choose to use two 512 MB sticks. I would do this not only for cost, but the fact that I have heard that it is better to have both slots filled up. Is this right?

Is the glossy display on the MBP nice? Cos' my Dad has got the MacBook and it seems nice.

Thanks for any SpEeDy replies!!!

 

[steve_hill4]

1. I personally say storage over speed. Unless you are importing huge video/photo files, the difference between 5400rpm and 7200 will not be noticeable.

2. I would spend the extra bucks and bump it up to 2x1GB. Not necessarily through Apple, but buy another 1GB and stick with the single SO-DIMM from Apple. If you want to stick with 1GB for now and buy 2x1GB later, cost differences between 1x1GB now and 2x1Gb later may help you go for the 2x512MB. In theory it will help to have matched pairs, but as long as the total RAM is the same, it doesn't usually make as much of a difference as some suggest.

3. Glossy?? Matte all the way. Every person who I have shown both the MB gloss screen and the MBP matte, have always preferred the matte. Pop to your nearest retailer that stocks both and compare. They will be identical gloss screens on the MBP, if anything a little brighter. Still too reflective for my liking.

Hopefully the iMac will continue to matte for many years yet.

 

[steve_hill4]

Just spotted Isle of Man. Right, two Apple stores in Manchester and a John Lewis in the Trafford centre, (along with one of those Apple stores), will stock the MBP and have on display.

Try and get to Manchester between now and October.

 

[jamescwarren]

Thanks for your help.