MacBook choice: RAM vs. GHZ

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marshall409

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If you were to buy a MacBook right now which one would you choose and how would you configure it in terms of RAM/CPU/COST. how important is RAM in relation to GHZ for the cost factor?

Adam
 
I would go for ram, the difference between the 1.83 and the 2 ghz is negligible but having 512 mb vs 2 gigs of memory is a big jump that you will notice
 
altitude909 said:
I would go for ram, the difference between the 1.83 and the 2 ghz is negligible but having 512 mb vs 2 gigs of memory is a big jump that you will notice
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I would go for GHz. You can always add more RAM later. You can't unsolder a BGA-mounted CPU from a logic board... or at least I can't.... :D
 
That is a hard decision. I used to have a AMD K-6 processor a LONG time ago, and ran around 768mb-1gb of Ram (those days that was a lot). It was pretty fast for it's time, but in today's world, I would choose processor over the minimal amount of RAM. Like was said, pick the fastest processor you can afford, and then just upgrade ram later on. Upgrading a processor on a notebook is a lot harder than upgrading RAM. RAM will the the more cheaper way to get a little bit of performance boost. Once you hit say 2GB of ram, regular everday use you won't notice a large increase. In processors, even on everyday use, you'll notice the increase, depending on how much you upgrade. If you go from 2.4 to 2.6, that's not much of an upgrade (saying if everythings' the same IE FSB).

TO choose between the 2, how much of a increase in processor speed your talking about?? If your talking about 1.8ghz vs 2.8ghz I would go with the 2.8ghz over ram. if your talking about 1.8ghz vs 2ghz, I would go RAM.
 
In audio processing the bump from 1.8 to 2 IS significant. That might be an extra reverb plug or a dozen more EQ's. Or the same amount of plugs as the slower system but with TONS more mix automation.

And don't forget that its TWO processors so the speed increase applies to both cores. That doesn't exactly double the benefits of the slight speed increase but it does make it more siginifcant that if you were thinking of a single core processor.

My bias is to buy the fastest processor when buying a laptop because it, along with the screen, usually can't be upgraded. Buying memory from the manufacturer is also usually the most expensive way to buy it. Maybe that has changed since I last looked, but I found extra memory for my last Mac at almost half the price Apple wanted for it.

Take care,
Chris
 
Thank you

Thanks guys. Ya the two choices would be 1.83 ghz up to 2 ghz. and also sorry, i must have been way more tired than i thought i was when i was browsing macboooks last night. its 200 bucks for the one up model for 1.83>2.00 AND 512>1 gig AND cd burner/dvd rom>Superdrive. so ya obviously the 1449 would be a hell of a lot more bang for my buck. 2 ghz dual core, 1 gig ram, dvd burner, a shit load of hours at swiss chalet..........


Adam
 
....

and now.....the real big question.

MAC or PC? :D

Adam
 
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