Upgrade RAM or Harddrive?

[NYC64]

I've got a 2.0ghz original macbook with the standard 1gb of ram (2x512) and the standard 60gb HD. I've been thinking about using parallels and bootcamp more, which would be better with more RAM and more HD space. Should I:
buy 1x1gb ram and 160gb HD ($250)
buy 2x1gb ram ($230)
buy 160GD ($130)

 

[bigandy]

Option one, while the most expensive, is probably the best bet.

If you've got the cash, spend what you can on it, it'll be worth it.

Buuut, while RAM is a no brainer for Bootcamp/Parallels, do you really need the extra drive space?

I thought about this when I had an Intel based Mini, but decided against it and just uninstalled all the crap on Windows / MacOS that I never used. Hey presto, there's another 10Gb+ on either partition!

 

[12991]

you could go with the 4th option and get an external hdd 200gb for about 100 or ecost has one today for 99 for 320gb... and get a gb of ram for about 90 from newegg... and get it all for the great price, just because will you really use parallels for anything that you wouldnt do outside your house???

 

[SolrFlare]

Definitely get the ram first thing. 2gb of ram will not only give you better parallels performance, but better performance in general on your Macbook.

As for Hard Drive, I also agree that getting an external drive would probably make more sense unless you absolutely have to take a lot with you all the time. It'll be cheaper and have the advantage of making a nice backup drive in case things go bad.

If you do upgrade your internal HD, definitely pick up an external case for your old HD as well. There is no sense letting the old drive go to waste.

Anyway, RAM should be your first priority. 2gb is really ideal for any macbook parallels or no.

 

[Grakkle]

I'd go for more RAM and a bigger HD. But 1gig of RAM is adequate for most tasks, if you only want to get one thing. In that case go for a larger HD.

A bigger internal drive would probably make the most sense, especially if you want to run bootcamp.

I have an 80gig HD running just OS X, and I'm planning to upgrade sometime. It fills up fast - you'll be glad to have the extra space.

 

[NYC64]

Is having matching sticks of RAM that important?

 

[phungy]

Is having matching sticks of RAM that important?

It's recommended though not necessary. I'd recommend getting matching RAM.

 

[holamiamigos]

go for the RAM get a hard drive later