RAM question. 2GB or 4GB.

I'm planning on purchasing my 13" MacBook Pro tomorrow. Me and my dad are trying to decide if we should buy the $100 upgrade from 2GB of RAM to 4GB. The "specialist" at the Apple Store said that I probably won't see the difference, but my dad and I figured for $100 isn't it worth it to boost the notebook's overall performance? Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks.

It depends on what you plan to do with your Mac. What do you plan to do with your Mac? My advice would be to buy it stock and then if you need more RAM, you can put it in yourself later. You would want to do this anyway because Apple charges much more for RAM than they should. In other words, you can get it much cheaper from a retailer than from Apple.

(I've found that most people who don't know if they need RAM usually don't).

Well... as far as what I'm using it for...

Mostly stuff for school. Typing essays, doing research, listening to music.

However, I'll probably use it for recreational video/music editing.

You probably don't need 4GB but if you do find yourself running low on memory on a frequent basis, I would advise (as I did earlier) that you purchase and install it yourself as it will be much cheaper.

Good price at newegg.

vansmith said:

You probably don't need 4GB but if you do find yourself running low on memory on a frequent basis, I would advise (as I did earlier) that you purchase and install it yourself as it will be much cheaper.

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not really since Apple recently revised their RAM upgrade pricing. 2 x 2GB of DDR3-1066 on newegg.com is $75-80 depending on the brand. apple is charging $100 according to the OP and with a quick check at store.apple.com... basically $80 + $20 to install it, and they warranty it.

if i had bought "now" and not "then", i would have gone the apple upgrade route simply for their $20 guarantee alone.

If you install it properly, you shouldn't need a guarantee above the manufacturer's warranty, which should cover defects and/or damage. There is no point paying for a warranty or guarantee if it comes included with a product.

vansmith said:

If you install it properly, you shouldn't need a guarantee above the manufacturer's warranty, which should cover defects and/or damage. There is no point paying for a warranty or guarantee if it comes included with a product.

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walking into a store with a defective item is easier, faster, and cheaper to resolve than dealing with the same problem but having to ship the item back and forth in my experience.

but hey, some people will go to great lengths to save a couple of bucks while others are willing to pay a negligible amount for convenience. my mother was the type to drive $10 in fuel to save $1 on lettuce, so it takes all types.

oakie said:

...[M]y mother was the type to drive $10 in fuel to save $1 on lettuce, so it takes all types.

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That's is not sound reasoning at all. Time + Money to save 1 dollar on something is not good judgment.

By upgrading the RAM yourself, you save the drive to the apple store. Then you get someone else touch your machine with their dirty hands. Loose however much time it takes them to install the RAM plus you fork over whatever they charge you.

I rather save the 20-40 dollars and not have some stranger touch my machine.

oakie said:

walking into a store with a defective item is easier, faster, and cheaper to resolve than dealing with the same problem but having to ship the item back and forth in my experience.

but hey, some people will go to great lengths to save a couple of bucks while others are willing to pay a negligible amount for convenience. my mother was the type to drive $10 in fuel to save $1 on lettuce, so it takes all types.

Click to expand...

if buying from apple.ca the cost of 4gb is $120 extra, so that would be a saving of $50, not to mention you can sell your old ram $25 to $40 ($75 to 90 saving). buying in the apple store would not be cheaper than DIY.

i've never ever had a problem with ram after 30 days, if i buy ram online or local shops i get lifetime warrenty, i dont think apple will warranty pass one year..