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jamz · Jun 3, 2007, 09:19 PM

Hello everyone. I am very new to the Mac world, being a PC user my entire life. I really want to learn more about Macs though and I'm thinking to buy a MacBook to get started.

I need some advice though. I am planning to get the base model (@ $1249 CDN) from the Apple Store online because I can get a student discount for it

. I'm thinking I'll upgrade the HDD to 120GB directly from Apple, but as for RAM my friend told me that DIY would be cheaper. Can anyone tell me how much cheaper this would be? Also, could you suggest what kind of RAM to buy and where I can find some good deals for it? (I live in Canada)

Also, is it a good time to buy MacBooks? Will they be making any big upgrades soon that will make me regret not waiting for? Or will they start giving away free iPods with MacBooks in a few months due to 'Back to School' season? Thank you in advance for any input!

Jasoco · Jun 3, 2007, 09:46 PM

The MacBooks were just updated. If you're getting just a MB, get one now. It's the latest model and won't be changed again for a while.

But if you wish you can wait a few weeks. Speculation says the Pro's will be updated within the next two weeks. Who knows, but it seems logical. Still, nothing is predictable with Apple.

Then there's also the silly rumor of a subnotebook. I doubt that one though.

You never know, there might be a free iPod promotion again. But not for a couple months really. When are you planning on buying?

zombiecx · Jun 3, 2007, 09:57 PM

I live in Canada too, and recently I bought a pair of 1GB directly from crucial's webside for 88 USD (130 CAD after shipping and duty). This is the cheapest i could find. PC village offer 65 CAD each but dun forget the tax on top.....

jamz · Jun 3, 2007, 10:36 PM

Thanks for that confirmation Jasoco. I was hoping to order it within the next few days. Still doing some research though.

zombiecx, thanks for the information. I guess that is a pretty good save because I think Apple will charge nearly $200 for a RAM upgrade. I just checked crucial's website, did you buy this kit: CT2KIT12864AC667 ? Is it working perfectly? I've read about some types of RAM causing crash problems ..

So I guess I might go with Crucial for my memory, unless anyone else has other options for me..

Aegis · Jun 4, 2007, 11:11 AM

Crucial and OWC (Memory Upgrade DIMM, DDR, DDR2, FB-DIMM, SDRAM, FPM, EDO, SIMMs at OtherWorldComputing.com) are both very reputable and have good warranties on their RAM. I think Crucial is a bit cheaper at the moment, so I'd opt for them.

zombiecx · Jun 4, 2007, 03:40 PM

my crucial rams are working perfectly. I dun remember the model number, but on the website there's this compatibility tool which select the compatible rams for u. Good luck

mduell · Jun 4, 2007, 07:36 PM

2GB kit (1GBx2), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 upgrades for Apple MacBook 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (13-inch White) Laptop/Notebook, CT613250 from Crucial.com for $93 CDN (plus whatever taxes you have)

zombiecx · Jun 4, 2007, 08:11 PM

plus shipping ($13) and duty&tax (~$20)

seivad · Jun 5, 2007, 12:33 AM

i waited until the new model was released and bought that. I got the 2.16ghz 1gb white with an upgraded 160gb hdd....well worth it though i am going to upgrade the ram to 2gb soon.

It seems the faster hings get, we still want them to go faster! but i do use linux and xp in the background with VMware 1/2 of the time!

2.16ghz for the price is basically the fastest core 2 duo on the market, it does linux, xp, OSX in the one unit without the need to restart! great time to upgrade from the PC world and join the mac-crusade

tiger · Jun 5, 2007, 01:38 AM

The Macbook is a great Machine, upgrade the Ram and you've got yourself a superfast laptop. I've got mine hocked up to a 20 inch HD display and it just works. Graphics wise, its not that cutting edge but does the job, and the new x3100 intel graphics don't offer much of an edge over the 950 anyways.

riley46 · Jun 5, 2007, 03:29 AM

Originally Posted by jamz

I'm thinking I'll upgrade the HDD to 120GB directly from Apple, but as for RAM my friend told me that DIY would be cheaper.

I am also new to this but I think there's no need for you to upgrade as long as you choose the MacBook (Black). Here's what this review, Macworld: Review: MacBook Core 2 Duo/1.83GHz and 2.0GHz , has to say about it: "As for hard drive capacity, the $1,099 configuration still comes with a 60GB Serial ATA hard drive, the same as before, but the $1,299 and $1,499 configurations now have 80GB and 120GB drives, respectively, up from 60GB and 80GB in the previous generation. (For all three configurations, Apple now offers drive upgrades to 160GB at 5,400-rpm, or 200GB at 4,200-rpm.)". The one that is priced $1,499 with the 120GB drive is the Black MacBook. Just my 2 cents.

jamz · Jun 5, 2007, 04:09 AM

Originally Posted by seivad

It seems the faster hings get, we still want them to go faster! but i do use linux and xp in the background with VMware 1/2 of the time!

That's great to hear! Are you dual booting as well? I was thinking about dual booting linux and xp when I get mine.

Originally Posted by tiger

I've got mine hocked up to a 20 inch HD display and it just works.

Sounds sweet

I'm curious though, could you tell me how you set it up?

Originally Posted by riley46

I am also new to this but I think there's no need for you to upgrade as long as you choose the MacBook (Black). Here's what this review, Macworld: Review: MacBook Core 2 Duo/1.83GHz and 2.0GHz , has to say about it: "As for hard drive capacity, the $1,099 configuration still comes with a 60GB Serial ATA hard drive, the same as before, but the $1,299 and $1,499 configurations now have 80GB and 120GB drives, respectively, up from 60GB and 80GB in the previous generation. (For all three configurations, Apple now offers drive upgrades to 160GB at 5,400-rpm, or 200GB at 4,200-rpm.)". The one that is priced $1,499 with the 120GB drive is the Black MacBook. Just my 2 cents.

Well, correct me if I'm wrong.. but, the reason I'm upgrading the whitebook and not going for the blackbook is: the blackbook costs about $100 something more just for its colour!

Plus, I won't be needing the SuperDrive.. I really do like the colour of the blackbook though

... Also, that review you linked is a bit out of date

Check out the Apple store, they've updated the MacBooks!

Thanks everyone for your input, its greatly appreciated!

jamz · Jun 5, 2007, 04:43 AM

Another thing that has come up..

I have a friend who is totally against me buying a macbook as opposed to a PC. What do you guys think I should tell him to convince him that I really should get a MacBook??

oneinnesja · Jun 5, 2007, 10:54 AM

I have a friend who is totally against me buying a macbook as opposed to a PC. What do you guys think I should tell him to convince him that I really should get a MacBook??

You should buy it and show it to him - that should convince him

tiger · Jun 5, 2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by jamz

Sounds sweet

I'm curious though, could you tell me how you set it up?

Thanks everyone for your input, its greatly appreciated!

The 13 inch screen is too small, specially if you work with a lot on your screen, I don't use it for intensive tasks and do most of the heavy lifting on the Mac Pro's.

I have it set up so that the 20 inch is my only display, so no spanning, no mirroring. The macbook's built in display is inactive. Its a 1680 x 1050 display and it works great. I even connected it to a 23 inch cinema, 1900 x 1200 and no glitches.

jamz · Jun 5, 2007, 05:05 PM

Originally Posted by oneinnesja

You should buy it and show it to him - that should convince him

lol my thoughts exactly!

Oh man! Ask and you shall receive!!! The apple store is offering free iPods with a purchase of a mac again!!!
I am one happy boy!

Jasoco · Jun 5, 2007, 07:42 PM

Funny that the day right after I said "you never know when they'll do a free iPod promotion" they do another promotion. I figured it'd happen, but didn't think it'd be this soon.

walkerjs · Jun 5, 2007, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by oneinnesja

You should buy it and show it to him - that should convince him

Yeah, I pretty much did that with my brother in law and ended up giving Apple two sales: him and his boss. Nice to have someone other than my wife to video iChat with from time to time.

seivad · Jun 6, 2007, 07:18 AM

dual boot? bah dual run! get vmware/parallels for free and run Linux whilst using osx!

I have been using PCLinux on 1gb 2.16ghz and i'd recommend 2gb if ur a keen user, i was just playing in the terminal and its good enough for all that. definitely upgrade the ram, when people say max out the ram instead of everything else....they are right!

Black tax sucks, i had a lengthy discussion about it with the mac salesman over the phone when i bought mine.