Upgrading RAM or the mac book ????

[jacha]

Hi,

This is my very first mac book pro. Even though I've owned it for 4 years I am still learning about it. So, here is the question...I would like to upgrade to Snow Leopard from Leopard and then upgrade ilife from '08 to '11. I only have 2.16GB RAM and 28.74GB disk space available. I need 1GB of RAM for ilife (5GB disk space) and 2GB of RAM for Snow Leopard (10 GB disk space).

Since this mac book is over 4 years old (I think it's closer to 5yrs old. as I bought it used) do I get more RAM for it or should I just sell it and get a new mac book pro?

The reason I need to upgrade to Snow Leopard and to new ilife is because when I connect my camcorder (Handycam hdr-cx150) my mac book only reads the pictures not the video.

Any help/opinions/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I thank you all in advance.

 

[miles01110]

I think you are confused, so I don't know what you're asking. RAM, commonly referred to as "memory", allows your programs to run smoothly. Hard drive space is just how much room you have left to install additional things or hold files.

So- what are you looking to upgrade?

 

[jacha]

Hi Miles,

Yes, you are right, I am beyond confused. Originally I thought I had 28.74GB available to use. But then when I read the system requirements on SnowL & ilife it showed I needed disk space and RAM, which threw me a curveball and hit me with confusion...

All I want to know is if I have enough space to upgrade to SnowL & ilife. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[miles01110]

Yes, you should have space for it.

 

[jacha]

Is 28.74GB the number I need to look it (for future reference), and as far as the system requirements on the upgrades, what do i look at to make sure I have enough space? Also, my mac book pro came with Photoshop, my friend just didn't erase it when he sold his mac book to me). Will I loose the Photoshop once I upgrade? Thanks so much...

 

[ActionableMango]

You appear to have enough hard drive space and RAM.

Upgrading your OS to Snow Leopard will not make Photoshop disappear.

 

[DanielCoffey]

You should be aware that you are probably not licensed to use that copy of Photoshop, especially if the laptop's original owner retained the installation CD.

Just think of HDD space as "storage space in the filing cabinet" and RAM as "working space on the desk to do your paperwork". If you cut and paste your Macbook details (Apple symbol in top left, About this Mac, More Info, Hardware Overview (but don't show us the Serial Number and Hardware UUID)) then we can advise on whether more RAM is useful.

When you upgrade to Snow Leopard, it will overwrite Leopard so overall the amount of HDD space used should not change too much.

You can also ask specific questions over in the Macbook sub-forum (this is the Mac Pro desktop forum here).

 

[jacha]

Thanks so much too all of you who replied. Everything worked out fine. Knock on wood - I'm up and running.