Upgrading Ram + External HD Suggestions

[Tumeg101]

When I get my mac, I am planning on upgrading the Ram from 1gb to 2gb, and i am also thinking about adding some hard-drive space, so I have a few questions...
1) How do I upgrade\add a memory\ram stick?
2) Will the warranty still be valid after I upgrade the ram?
3) What is a good external HD? I am looking for a cheap one, maybe 40gb-80gb, I found a 40gb one for for $50, then I found a 300+ gig one, for only $100, so idk which to get... I will spend up to $100 (before tax)

I am thinking of this external HD, Seagate 250GB FreeAgent™ Desktop Drive it is only $60 (after $20 rebate), it is the best selling external HD from circuit city,
Does anybody here have this HD? or have any experience with it?

 

[heySparky]

When I get my mac, I am planning on upgrading the Ram from 1gb to 2gb, and i am also thinking about adding some hard-drive space, so I have a few questions...
1) How do I upgrade\add a memory\ram stick?

iFixit.com has tutorials with photos for these upgrades.

2) Will the warranty still be valid after I upgrade the ram?

No. RAM and HD are user upgradeable parts for the Macbook and as such replacing them won't void the warranty unless you break something, which isn't likely.

3) What is a good external HD? I am looking for a cheap one, maybe 40gb-80gb, I found a 40gb one for for $50, then I found a 300+ gig one, for only $100, so idk which to get... I will spend up to $100 (before tax)

If it was me, I'd get one that has firewire. I know the USB externals are cheaper, but they are also noticeably slower on a Mac, at least in my personal experience.