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Badguy · May 3, 2006, 09:37 PM

I have a 1.25ghz 15" powerbook, and I am interested in upgrading the RAM and hard-drive. I was interested in the Macbook Pro, but I am a photographer and heavy photoshop user, and I have heard that it is going to be a long time a universal version, so I am just going to upgrade the powerbook. In any case, I bought 1gb of RAM from Crucial, but when I was looking for a better hard drive, I found MCE Technologies. Their RAM is the same spec, but it costs literally half (crucial is 199.81 for 1Gb, and MCE is 109.00). Has anyone used their RAM? Is crucial's reputation worth paying an extra 90 dollars for?

Also, the hard drive seems pretty good. It is 100Gb, 7200RPM, and 250 bucks. They are in the Apple Developer Program, but I am not sure if it means anything. Basically, I was just wondering if this was a legit company and people had used them with good results. I really appreciate the help. I am moving abroad for a few months and I will be forced to use my powerbook as my main system, so I need to beef it up for heavier duty...

mduell · May 3, 2006, 09:59 PM

$250 for a 100GB 7200RPM laptop drive and $110 for 1GB generic DDR-333 laptop RAM are pretty poor prices.

Newegg has a 100GB Hitachi 7200RPM for $165 and 1GB Crucial DDR-333 for $99.

Newegg is my prefered online shop for computer hardware. Their prices are near the bottom, but they have great service and a strong reputation.

Badguy · May 3, 2006, 10:39 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

$250 for a 100GB 7200RPM laptop drive and $110 for 1GB generic DDR-333 laptop RAM are pretty poor prices.

Newegg has a 100GB Hitachi 7200RPM for $165 and 1GB Crucial DDR-333 for $99.

Newegg is my prefered online shop for computer hardware. Their prices are near the bottom, but they have great service and a strong reputation.

Thank you Mark for the advice. Will the powerbook take that drive without problems or install trouble? Also, is there any good reason why crucial memory is 99 dollars at newegg and 200 at their own site? I can understand a small price difference, but 100% more expensive? I have used Newegg in the past, so I am fine with them, I am just curious.

b1NARY73 · May 3, 2006, 10:50 PM

Yes, it will take that drive no problem....I know since I have one installed right now in my 12" Powerbook..... and it screams. The RAM is a great deal, and probably that price because they buy in such volume.... but what the heck do I know!

Badguy · May 3, 2006, 11:42 PM

Great, thanks binary. How have you found the noise? Is it significantly louder than the stock drive? Also, the other drive at newegg that seems good is the Seagate, which seems like it might be quieter. Has anyone compared them?

b1NARY73 · May 4, 2006, 12:48 AM

I have noticed no sound increase..... my book has always been quiet!

mduell · May 4, 2006, 03:17 AM

Originally Posted by StuartR

Thank you Mark for the advice. Will the powerbook take that drive without problems or install trouble? Also, is there any good reason why crucial memory is 99 dollars at newegg and 200 at their own site? I can understand a small price difference, but 100% more expensive? I have used Newegg in the past, so I am fine with them, I am just curious.

Yea, the drive is ATA-6 (not SerialATA), so it should work fine in your PowerBook.

The same part at Crucial is only $140. I'm not sure why the price climbs to $205 when you select it specificly for the PowerBook, but it may just be an indication of how much Mac users are willing to pay.