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You are not logged in. [Log In] AppleCentral » Forums » Mods and Hacks » Laptop Mods
      » Hardware Mods » Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram.
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#469028 - 10/08/06 02:41 AM Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
trend Offline


Registered: 04/03/05
Posts: 18
Hey, I am looking at getting a new macbook when the new ones come out (rev2). But want you'lls opinion.

I think my first 2 and probably only 2 mods are going to be:
1)Upgrade the ram to max it out 2gigs
2)Upgrade my hard drive to a 7200rpm 8mb cache HD.

Will my Hard drive upgrade make that much a difference from 5400rpm? Will I notice it?

Any other mods you'll suggest to get more performance?

thanks guys!

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#469029 - 10/08/06 02:52 AM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram [Re: bakarastre]
trend Offline


Registered: 04/03/05
Posts: 18
Or should I go with the macbook pro to get the

1) better graphics card
2) larger screen/higher resolution
3) 667MHz frontside bus (or does the macbook really have that fsbus as well.. but just doesn't say it)
4) ddr2 (or does the macbook have that as well.. but just doesn't say it)

...hmm.. This is going to be a desktop replacement.. but my current desktop has 2 1280x1024 screens.. and I am thinking with F9, I can use just one 1280x800 screen..


Edited by (10/08/06 03:06 AM)

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#469030 - 10/08/06 12:32 PM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
mordaskyt Offline


Registered: 01/25/05
Posts: 360
If you can afford the pro model obviously go for it. The dedicated Graphics card on the pro is hands down in a league above the macbooks. The ram is the single smartest upgrade you can do in regards to performance. As for the hard drive keep in mind that both laptops us serial ata drives, and the 7200 rpm drives can be pretty pricey. look here for a review of some of the current offerings on the market. http://www.techreport.com/reviews/2006q1/mobile-hdds/index.x?pg=1
_________________________
PB G4 15" 1.2ghz - Pismo G3 400 mhz - iBook G3 500 "Jukebox"
"SawSmurf" G4 500 - Quicksilver G4 Dual 1ghz modding...

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#469031 - 10/08/06 03:18 PM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
macDeviant Offline


Registered: 02/14/05
Posts: 491
I've also been looking at buying a macbook pro (still don't like the name though) and you have the option for eiher a 100 gig 7200 rpm HDD or a 120 gig 5400 rpm HDD. If it's a desktop replacement i'd probably go with the 7200 rpm hdd. Keep in mind though, it will use up more battery life when it leaves the plug behind.

macDeviant
_________________________
2.4gHz 15" MacBook Pro, 1.66gHz Core Duo Mac Mini, 2.5gHz G5 QUAD, 733mHz Quicksilver, 450mHz G4 Cube, 700mHz G3 iBook, 350mHz Sawtooth G4, 350mHz Revs. A and B B&W G3, 16mHz Powerbook 100, 8mHz Macitosh Classic.

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#469032 - 10/09/06 01:58 AM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
trend Offline


Registered: 04/03/05
Posts: 18
Yeah.. I found the 7200rpm hds for laptop serial ata for around $110 on newegg for a seagate.. bit cheaper for other brands.

I think the extra money will be worth it.. but I really cannot justify a $600 price difference to get a larger screen and better graphics card.. I mean, it would be nice..

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#469033 - 10/09/06 07:18 PM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
zenstate Offline


Registered: 10/16/04
Posts: 586
Loc: Vancouver, BC Canada
I upgraded my mac mini's internal hd to a 7200 rpm and it made a noticeable difference.
_________________________
Mac mini C2D 1.83GHz - 2GB RAM - 200GB 7200rpm HD
Sawtooth w/G4 1GHz - 1GB RAM - SIIG SATA w/2x1TB HD
B&W w/G4 600MHz - 1GB RAM - 2x80GB HD
Sawtooth G4 400MHz - 512MB RAM - 40GB HD
Dell Ultrasharp 2007WFP 20" Widescreen LCD
2.94TB Total Storage

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#469034 - 10/10/06 12:42 AM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
trend Offline


Registered: 04/03/05
Posts: 18
Cool.. So I will def do the ram and hd upgrade.. but what about:


A) macbook pro's faster bus speed (or are both the same?)
B) better graphics card (yes, I know it is much faster.. but I don't do any gaming.. but I heard the new OS X ver needs a lot of 3d acceleration )

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#469035 - 10/10/06 02:27 AM Re: Thinking about getting a new macbook + upgrading HD to 7200rpm + upgrade ram. [Re: bakarastre]
trend Offline


Registered: 04/03/05
Posts: 18
Ok, to answer my own question

A)No both macbook and macbook pro have the same FsBUS

B) still don't know


C)(newly created) DVI output port on macbook is @ 1920x1200 pixels.. so This could tremendously help my large desktop needs.. Not sure if I should go large display and just use the one 1920x1200 display or should go dual monitors.. but will find that out once I get it smile

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