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GiGa · 07-02-2009

I am considering buying a basic 13" Macbook Pro (first Mac purchase) and upgrade to Snow Leopord and iWork'09. My usage will be normal browsing, emails, photos, videos, music and iWork'09. Considering the new machine will last me a good number of years, can anyone recommend / suggest if and how much extra RAM or HDD I should buy it with, so it can benefit from any additional features of Snow Leopord? Thanks a bunch!

**bendrucker** · 07-02-2009

Get as much RAM as possible. The HDD size depends on how often you will be doing the things you mentioned such as video. If whatever you use now is sufficing for your usage, I'd recommend getting 1.5 to 2x that large so you have room to make new content.

GiGa · 07-09-2009

Thanks for the response. I have decided to up my budget and go for a 15" macbook pro instead. It has double the RAM, 1.5 times HDD and slightly better processor. The bigger screen and better speakers should be an advantage. Also there is an Audio IN port which I may not use.

**bendrucker** · 07-09-2009

OK. Glad I could help you make a decision. Enjoy the new Mac!

notabadname · 07-09-2009

Excellent choice GiGa, you wont be disappointed

GiGa · 07-10-2009

Thanks for your responses so far. I have a new question I'm afraid... Comparing the screen sizes and display resolutions between the 13.3" and 15.4" macbooks which one is better?

13.3" macbook has 1280 x 800 resolution
15.4" macbook has 1440 x 900 resolution

I have a feeling that the pixels per inch (PPI) on the 13.3" macbook display is more than the 15.4" one which should result in richer viewing quality?

Thanks,
GiGa

houltmac · 07-10-2009

You really can't tell the difference between the displays on the 15" and 13" models. I would be more than happy with either and live with both most days.

GiGa · 07-14-2009

Got it.... yoohoo!!

JeremyK · 07-23-2009

Great to hear on your new Mac purchase!

The great thing is about Macs is the service, I finally got mine back today after a week, they fixed the spacebar which fell off and the whole eating all its ram thing...

GiGa · 09-07-2009

I am certainly enjoying it. There is a huge learning curve as I have always used Windows (and a bit of Unix) so far!!

07-02-2009	#2 (permalink)
bendrucker Assistant Store Manager Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,647	Get as much RAM as possible. The HDD size depends on how often you will be doing the things you mentioned such as video. If whatever you use now is sufficing for your usage, I'd recommend getting 1.5 to 2x that large so you have room to make new content. __________________ iMac Intel Core Duo 17" 1.83Ghz, 2GB Crucial RAM \| iPhone 3GS (16GB) Twitter \| Business Twitter \| Maplewood, New Jersey Professional Photographer: Ben Drucker Photography

07-09-2009	#4 (permalink)
bendrucker Assistant Store Manager Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 2,647	OK. Glad I could help you make a decision. Enjoy the new Mac! __________________ iMac Intel Core Duo 17" 1.83Ghz, 2GB Crucial RAM \| iPhone 3GS (16GB) Twitter \| Business Twitter \| Maplewood, New Jersey Professional Photographer: Ben Drucker Photography

07-09-2009	#5 (permalink)
notabadname Mac Specialist Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 403	Excellent choice GiGa, you wont be disappointed __________________ Dual 2 GHz G5; 20" ACD; MBP 15"- 2.5GHz-4Gb mem-250 Gb HD-512MB Video; iPhones 2G/3G/3GS; 40 Gb iPod; Shuffle (2nd and 3rd Gens)

07-10-2009	#7 (permalink)
houltmac Creative Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 1,222	You really can't tell the difference between the displays on the 15" and 13" models. I would be more than happy with either and live with both most days. __________________ Follow me on twitter: twitter.com/houltmac Read my blog: houltmac.com

07-23-2009	#9 (permalink)
JeremyK Personal Shopping Specialist Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 214	Great to hear on your new Mac purchase! The great thing is about Macs is the service, I finally got mine back today after a week, they fixed the spacebar which fell off and the whole eating all its ram thing... __________________ Once you go mac, you never go back! My macs: Aluminum MacBook, iPhone 3G 16GB, iPod Nano (5th Gen. Aluminum).

07-02-2009	#1 (permalink)
GiGa Operator Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8	I am considering buying a basic 13" Macbook Pro (first Mac purchase) and upgrade to Snow Leopord and iWork'09. My usage will be normal browsing, emails, photos, videos, music and iWork'09. Considering the new machine will last me a good number of years, can anyone recommend / suggest if and how much extra RAM or HDD I should buy it with, so it can benefit from any additional features of Snow Leopord? Thanks a bunch!

07-09-2009	#3 (permalink)
GiGa Operator Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8	Thanks for the response. I have decided to up my budget and go for a 15" macbook pro instead. It has double the RAM, 1.5 times HDD and slightly better processor. The bigger screen and better speakers should be an advantage. Also there is an Audio IN port which I may not use.

07-10-2009	#6 (permalink)
GiGa Operator Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8	Thanks for your responses so far. I have a new question I'm afraid... Comparing the screen sizes and display resolutions between the 13.3" and 15.4" macbooks which one is better? 13.3" macbook has 1280 x 800 resolution 15.4" macbook has 1440 x 900 resolution I have a feeling that the pixels per inch (PPI) on the 13.3" macbook display is more than the 15.4" one which should result in richer viewing quality? Thanks, GiGa

07-14-2009	#8 (permalink)
GiGa Operator Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8	Got it.... yoohoo!!

09-07-2009	#10 (permalink)
GiGa Operator Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 8	I am certainly enjoying it. There is a huge learning curve as I have always used Windows (and a bit of Unix) so far!!

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