More HD memory or faster drive speed?

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KristenM


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I am in the process of purchasing (customizing) a macbook pro and am stuck on one decision...
250Gb at 5400 or 200Gb at 7200
Is a drive speed of 7200 significantly faster than 5400? I'd hate to give up space for a slight difference in speed.
I'm probably going overboard with the MBP....but, am getting it anyway....will be basically surfing the web, keeping up with home finances/correspondence, storage of music, storage of home video, and storage of photos (with occasionally some editing).
Please advise! Thanks!
 
chscag

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KristenM said:
I am in the process of purchasing (customizing) a macbook pro and am stuck on one decision...
250Gb at 5400 or 200Gb at 7200
Is a drive speed of 7200 significantly faster than 5400? I'd hate to give up space for a slight difference in speed.
I'm probably going overboard with the MBP....but, am getting it anyway....will be basically surfing the web, keeping up with home finances/correspondence, storage of music, storage of home video, and storage of photos (with occasionally some editing).
Please advise! Thanks!
Click to expand...

For what you'll be using the MacBook Pro for, I would go for the larger hard drive and more memory. As a matter of fact if you intend to store photos, videos, music, and so forth, you might also consider purchasing a large external hard drive to go with the MPB. The external drive can be used as a backup device for Time Machine and also for storage.

Regards.
 
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KristenM


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That's what I figured. My current computer (pc) is very slow so I am obsessed with getting a faster and more powerful computer! I want to max it out!!
I am considering purchasing an external hard drive, but also have yet to make a decision on this....am researching LaCie, Iomega, and Time Capsule. Any advice?
 
MikeFoden

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KristenM said:
will be basically surfing the web, keeping up with home finances/correspondence, storage of music, storage of home video, and storage of photos (with occasionally some editing).
Click to expand...

For those types of usage, the difference in HDD speed will not be noticable... and you will want more HDD space instead. :) The extra 50gb might come in handy someday!
 
MacBookProJoe

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I cant wait until someone comes out with a 500gig 2.5" drive that will fit in my 15.4 housing. As soon as that's here Im going to Apple swap it out for me.

Or maybe a WD320 7200 drive.
 
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MRT555


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Why not get the new Hitachi Travelstar 7k320. 7200 rpm, 320GB drive. It just started shipping, so should see it for sale soon.
 
Skyrider007

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I think you should go for the 2.4Ghz model and upgrade the HD.
 
nauset24

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External HD

KristenM said:
That's what I figured. My current computer (pc) is very slow so I am obsessed with getting a faster and more powerful computer! I want to max it out!!
I am considering purchasing an external hard drive, but also have yet to make a decision on this....am researching LaCie, Iomega, and Time Capsule. Any advice?
Click to expand...

I would be very interested to know what you end up choosing.
 
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KristenM


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Well.....I think I'm ready to order! Thanks for all the advice. I really don't know a whole lot about computers....only what I've read over the last few days (and I still don't understand a lot of it)! Here are the specs:
15", 2.6Ghz, 4GB RAM, 250GB (5400) hard drive, matte screen
Maybe when I get a little more tech savvy, I'll consider customizing myself....but, for now I'm ordering straight from the Apple website because I want it dropped on my front doorstep ready to go! (And, I admit, it's a Mother's Day/Birthday gift....so I spared no expense!)
Now.....hmmm.....to decide on an external hard drive.....
 
chscag

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KristenM said:
Well.....I think I'm ready to order! Thanks for all the advice. I really don't know a whole lot about computers....only what I've read over the last few days (and I still don't understand a lot of it)! Here are the specs:
15", 2.6Ghz, 4GB RAM, 250GB (5400) hard drive, matte screen
Maybe when I get a little more tech savvy, I'll consider customizing myself....but, for now I'm ordering straight from the Apple website because I want it dropped on my front doorstep ready to go! (And, I admit, it's a Mother's Day/Birthday gift....so I spared no expense!)
Now.....hmmm.....to decide on an external hard drive.....
Click to expand...

Happy Mother's Day and Happy Birthday! :D You made a good choice.

Fortunately, large external hard drives have really come down in price. Buy the largest you can afford and have fun.

Regards.
 

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