Upgrading on my own

calrockx · Nov 29, 2008

Well, I'm a "switcher" and fixing to order my first Apple, a new Macbook Pro in the next day or two.

Seems it'd be less expensive to upgrade a couple of the components on my own, so that's what I'd like to do, but have some questions.

I'm set on the 2.4ghz 15" MBP. I'd like to bump it up to 4gb and a larger hard drive.

As for the RAM, is this a good bet?
4GB kit (2GBx2), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 upgrades for Apple MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (15.4-inch) Laptop/Notebook, CT687602 from Crucial.com
Crucial seems to be where it's at for RAM.

As for the hard drive, I'm not so sure. Where have you guys turned for ordering a notebook hd? I'm a fan of Seagate, and see this one (seems the same as the Apple upgrade, but less $$$) Newegg.com - Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9320421AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive (Bare drive) - Laptop Hard Drives
I like Seagate, but that's the largest 7200rpm one I see.

Also, how difficult is it to install RAM and a Hard Drive on these new Macbook Pros? Any online writeups?
I've tinkered around in my desktop PC, but never messed with a laptop.

Thanks

mdfuller · Nov 29, 2008

Looks pretty easy:

Hands on with the Macbook/Pro's removable hard drive

wxman2003 · Nov 30, 2008

calrockx said:
Well, I'm a "switcher" and fixing to order my first Apple, a new Macbook Pro in the next day or two.

Seems it'd be less expensive to upgrade a couple of the components on my own, so that's what I'd like to do, but have some questions.

I'm set on the 2.4ghz 15" MBP. I'd like to bump it up to 4gb and a larger hard drive.

As for the RAM, is this a good bet?
4GB kit (2GBx2), 200-pin SODIMM, DDR2 PC2-5300 upgrades for Apple MacBook Pro 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo (15.4-inch) Laptop/Notebook, CT687602 from Crucial.com
Crucial seems to be where it's at for RAM.

As for the hard drive, I'm not so sure. Where have you guys turned for ordering a notebook hd? I'm a fan of Seagate, and see this one (seems the same as the Apple upgrade, but less $$$) Newegg.com - Seagate Momentus 7200.3 ST9320421AS 320GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Notebook Hard Drive (Bare drive) - Laptop Hard Drives
I like Seagate, but that's the largest 7200rpm one I see.

Also, how difficult is it to install RAM and a Hard Drive on these new Macbook Pros? Any online writeups?
I've tinkered around in my desktop PC, but never messed with a laptop.

Thanks

Wish you would have posted this yesterday. APPLE had their black friday sale on their web page. You could have got your mac for $100 less than today.

calrockx · Nov 30, 2008

ooh good link. doesn't so much about the memory replacement, but seems it's not too difficult.

maybe i'll just go through apple for the hard drive, i forgot about the hassle of reinstalling the OS and programs again.

calrockx · Nov 30, 2008

wxman2003 said:
Wish you would have posted this yesterday. APPLE had their black friday sale on their web page. You could have got your mac for $100 less than today.

really? i checked it, i didn't see any discounts on the MBPs, just the macbooks...
oh well

CrimsonRequiem · Nov 30, 2008

The HDD is good I have that one in my MB right now.

The RAM that you want is kind of meh. I would get these. Cost less and is a lot better. These are a lot faster.

walkum13 · Nov 30, 2008

calrockx said:
really? i checked it, i didn't see any discounts on the MBPs, just the macbooks...
oh well

Yeah, I checked too, it was only for the MBs NOT the MBP

calrockx · Nov 30, 2008

good call on the newegg ram, thanks

calrockx · Dec 1, 2008

I just noticed that Kingston RAM is DDR2. Apple offers DDR3.
big deal or not?

CrimsonRequiem · Dec 1, 2008

calrockx said:
I just noticed that Kingston RAM is DDR2. Apple offers DDR3.
big deal or not?

What model of the MBP are you getting? If it's the newest model then you need to get yourself some DDR3 RAM.

calrockx · Dec 1, 2008

the new 2.4ghz 15" model, oh so it requires ddr3?

aye, looks like i only save a few bucks, guess i'll just go through apple for the 2 -> 4gb ram

BoiseAuctioneer · Dec 8, 2008

Is there a good step by step on replacing the hard drive on the older MBP's?

Thanks in advance and Yes I did try the search function

B&O · Dec 8, 2008

calrockx said:
I just noticed that Kingston RAM is DDR2. Apple offers DDR3.
big deal or not?

MBP DD2 runs at 667MHz and MBP DDR3 runs at 1067MHz. If you are going to put DDR2 in it, then buy an older model.