[happyware]

Okay my wife is a student and it's for her.

She uses it mainly for Graphics and Design. Is the 128MB Video worth it (very few games)?

We really want the hard drive upgrade but have also considered the risk of a voided warranty and installing a 60GB 7200 RPM Hitachi drive. (keeping the 80GB as an external backup just in case it did need to go in)

Finally, the 2x256MB option sure sucks compared to a single 512MB Chip! It means that free 512MB ram options from companies like expercom and others mean you are out 256MB of you have to sell one of the 256MB chips on ebay and be with only 768MB total.

Oh what to do. Prices below account for any applicable tax in Minnesota:

Thanks for your advice:

Apple Store 2x256 80GB 4200 64MB CDRW/DVD 2256
Apple Sore 2x256 80GB 4200 64MB CDRW/DVD 2305
Apple Sore 2x256 80GB 5200 128MB CDRW/DVD 2352
ExperCom 2x256 80GB 5200 128MB SuperDrive 2500
ExperCom 2x256 1x512 80GB 4200 64MB SuperDrive 2500
ExperCom 2x256 80GB 4200 64MB SuperDrive Free Apple Care 2570
MacZone 2x256 80GB 4200 64MB SuperDrive Free Battery 2520

[filmmaker2002]

LOL, I did this same thing when buying my Powerbook in September. The 128MB Video card for the extra $50 is a steal, so that's a no brainer. Graphics work = 5400rpm at least, so go with that. I wouldnt ugrade to a 7200RPM unless you really think you need it. I work in video on a 4200RPM now and it's fine...not fantastic, but fine. I would also go for the Superdrive and the 1 stick of 512MB RAM, because you can't really sell 2x256 sticks for anything. I've tried.

[capuchin]

Didn't see this on the list, but this is what I'd go for:


Apple Store 2x256 80GB 5400 64MB CDRW/DVD

You don't need the 128mb card, and probably not the superdrive, but the faster drive speed will be very useful.

If you don't want to waste a ram slot, go for the 512 as a single chip, or shop around for good, cheap third party ram and ditch one of the 256's. They look really cool on keyrings.

Oh, and take whatever savings you have and get a small firewire drive for backups. And use it religiously.

[happyware]

That if I would get the 4200RPM that I would most likely sell it on ebay as an "Apple Part" and surely get a pretty penny and with that cash purchase a 60GB.

Does the 128MB Video Make a difference?

So then question is.. Do I do the HD upgrade through apple or go 4200 RPM -> 7200 RPM myself?

[capuchin]

Depends how brave you feel. Check and see if transintl.com (ob. plug - they're my vendor of choice for drives/ram) will include instructions on doing it yourself. I think they do. If you decide to do it yourself, allot a couple of hours and take VERY CAREFUL note of what screw/part goes where.

If it were me, I'd throw in the 7200rpm drive, even though it's 20GB smaller. I'd put the original drive in an external 2.5" firewire case (about $100) and use it for backups, or to out back into the powerbook in case you have to take it in for warranty work.

The 128mb video card might be useful for VERY graphic intensive applications (ie, Halo), but the 64mb is probably all you ever need. I run the Adobe Creative studio apps on my powerbook with the 64mb card, and they're perfectly fine. 128mb is, in my opinion overkill, though great value for the extra money. Your call.