Macintosh Laptops

Which processor, memory, and hard drive should I choose for my new Macbook Pro?

In the configuration section, Apple offers many, many options for upgrading or downgrading my new Macbook Pro. However, I have no clue which equipment to choose.

For processors, there are two options:

2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
3.06GHz Intel Core 2 Duo [Add $270.00]

For memory:

4GB 1066MHz DDR3 SD-RAM - 2x2GB
8GB 1066MHz DDR3 SD-RAM - 2x4GB [Add $900.00]

Apple gives five options for upgrading (or downgrading) the hard drive:

500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 5400 rpm
320GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm [Subtract $45.00]
500GB Serial ATA Drive @ 7200 rpm [Add $45.00]
128GB solid-state drive [Add $180.00]
256GB solid-state drive [Add $585.00]

Which one should I choose? I am going to be an architecture student at Penn State in the fall, and I want my computer to run as best it can.

Don't listen to the "don't get a Mac" people. They've never had the privilege of owning a Mac.

Don't listen to the price comparisons either. Macs are cheaper to own than Windows PCs You're not paying for anti-virus, you're not paying through the nose to upgrade your OS. You're not buying extra software just to make it run. You're not spending an hour a week managing patches, wondering how much slower Windows is going to be after the next round of updates. How much is that worth?

Leave Windows to the unimaginative.

Mac OS X is already a 64bit OS and can address all that RAM, but it's more efficient with RAM than Windows. I overspecced my machine. You just don't need as much. 4GB will see you through OK. More RAM means shorter battery life too.

The difference in CPU speeds is a small percentage, but the price is a big percentage. You always pay a premium for the faster CPU, I think you could save your money and use it to buy an external HDD to use with Time Machine (or even the wireless backup thingummy)

For HDDs, choose the biggest 7200rpm one. Wait until SSD prices come down (they will) then swap the drive (so easy if you have that Time Machine backup)

Upgrade Your Macbook Drive

Upgrade to 4GB (2X2GB) PC3-8500 1066MHz DDR3 SODIMM 204-pin for 13 MacBook Pro $144.99 This 4GB memory module designed to enhance the performance. Compatible with select Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models.

Upgrade to 4GB (2X2GB) PC3-8500 1066MHz DDR3 SODIMM 204-pin for iMac $199.99 This 4GB memory module designed to enhance the performance. Compatible with select Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models.

Upgrade to 4GB (2X2GB) PC3-8500 1066MHz DDR3 SODIMM 204-pin for 27 iMac $199.99 This 4GB memory module designed to enhance the performance. Compatible with select Apple MacBook and MacBook Pro models.

4CH SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM 500GB $631.99 4CH SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM 500GB

CHECKERB KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK $22.99 CHECKERB KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK

PORTUGUESE KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK $22.99 PORTUGUESE KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK

SWISS KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK $22.99 SWISS KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK

FRENCH KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK $22.99 FRENCH KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK

LARGE TYPE KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK $22.99 LARGE TYPE KBCOVER FOR MACBOOK

Apple Battery 13 Macbook $129 Apple Battery 13" MacBook

Apple Macbook Pro 15.4/2.4/2X1gb/250/Sd/256Vram $1499.97 Apple MacBook Pro 15.4/2.4/2X1GB/250/SD/256VRAM

Apple Macbook Pro15.4 Md322ll/A $2199 Apple MacBook Pro15.4" MD322LL/A

500gb Powerbay Single Hard Drive 4 Extra 500gb Replacement $228.99 500GB POWERBAY SINGLE HARD DRIVE 4 EXTRA 500GB REPLACEMENT

BODYGUARDZ 13 MACBOOK AIR $57.99 BODYGUARDZ 13" MACBOOK AIR

13 MACBOOK SATIN PEACOCK $42.99 13" MACBOOK SATIN PEACOCK

13 MACBOOK SATIN AUBERGINE $42.99 13" MACBOOK SATIN AUBERGINE

13 MACBOOK SATIN BLACK $42.99 13" MACBOOK SATIN BLACK

1GB PC2-5300 Module for MacBook MacBook Pro iMac + Installation $74.98 1GB PC2-5300 Module for MacBook MacBook Pro iMac + Installation

Apple Care Protection Plan For Macbook Air And Macbook Computers $249 Apple Care Protection Plan for MacBook Air and MacBook Computers

Lifetime Memory Products 4Gb Macbook/Macbook Pro Ddr3 $119.99 Lifetime Memory Products 4gb macbook/macbook pro ddr3

OB MACBOOK PRO INTERNAL SUPERDRIVE $102.63 OB MACBOOK PRO INTERNAL SUPERDRIVE

MOSH 7269PMBA PALMGUARD FOR MACBOOK UNI $34.99 MOSH 7269PMBA PALMGUARD FOR MACBOOK UNI

Apple Battery 15 Macbook Pro $129 Apple Battery 15" MacBook Pro

Apple Macbook Air 13.3 /1.7/4/128Flash $1299 Apple Macbook Air 13.3" /1.7/4/128FLASH

Apple Macbook Air 11.6 /1.6/4/128Flash $1199 Apple Macbook Air 11.6" /1.6/4/128FLASH

Apple Macbook Air 11.6 /1.6/2/64Flash $999 Apple Macbook Air 11.6" /1.6/2/64FLASH

Apple Macbook Pro 13.3 (Md314ll/A) $1499 Apple MacBook Pro 13.3" (MD314LL/A)

Apple Macbook Pro 17 (Md311ll/A) $2499 Apple MacBook Pro 17" (MD311LL/A)

17in Techshell Clear-Macbook Pro $59.99 TECHSHELL 17 MACBOOK PRO CLEAR

Techshell 17 Macbook Pro Black $59.99 TECHSHELL 17 MACBOOK PRO BLACK