15.4" 2.16 mbp memory config question

Hello all. I wonder if anyone has an opinion on an issue. There are apparently 2 versions(part numbers) for the MacBook Pro 2.16ghz 15.4". MA466LL- uses 2 512ram cards and MA601LLA which uses a single 1gig ram card. Is there a reason why I would not want the two 512s other than expandability? Was there a difference or issues with the older model?

Thanks in Advance,

J

Likely a pricing "issue". At Apple prices a 512Mb SODIMM is $100, and 1Gb SODIMM is $300. Use 2x512 and you "save" $100.

As an aside - if you install a pair of SODIMMS the chipset activates dual-channel mode on the memory controller which doubles the memory bandwidth to the CPU. There's no real performance increase on the MBP as a single channel has enough bandwidth to supply the CPU.

The Mini and MacBook benefit from dual channel as the integrated graphics need additional memory bandwidth on the same bus hence why they come fitted with pairs of memory modules.