MacBook - Worth going for 4GB RAM?

Phaser

Phaser

Phaser

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Joined
17 Mar 2004
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Hi all.

Ordered the white 2.2ghz MacBook last week (wouldn't have got the DVI adaptor had I know it'd take over 2 weeks to get here!) and I was planning on upgrading to 2GB RAM.

It isn't that much more expensive to get the 4GB - would I see a lot of difference? I'l be using it as my main machine (hooked up to a TFT and mouse/keyboard etc) and i'm hoping to get 3-4 years use out of it.

As well as the usual net browsing and email etc it will be used for photo and audio editing although nothing too hardcore. Will the 2GB be good enough for this?

Also from a quick read through of some Mac forums i've seen quite a few users having problems with 4GB in their MacBook's - is this a common problem?

(I wish the thing would hurry up and get here! :D)
 
How much more is it costing?

If youre going to get 3 years or so out of it I would probably go for it. I think 2GB is plenty though, even if you do some photo editing.

I'd research those 4GB problems you mention before buying though.
 
It seems that many people on various Mac forums are advising that the MacBook can only handle 2-3 Gig of ram. As I'm new to the whole Mac thing (and hold more faith in this forum than any other), could one of you kind people clear this up for me.

I was under the impression that 4 gig was the max, as per the Apple Store option when buying.

Many thanks
 
From what I can gather, 4 gig is ok in the 'New' MacBook's. Seems the new flux capacitor super-high drive can handle 4 gig, whereas the old ones cannot... unless the wise birds in here wish to de-bunk.
 
The old chipset wouldn't accept 4gb - as it partly wasn't 64bit compatable.

The Santa-rose is 100% 64bit compatable so will take 4gb, iirc the max on it is 8gb on it, but 4gb sticks arn't out yet.
 
£80 for 4GB? You'd be crazy to pass it up considering how long you're intending on keeping the machine.

However, I would try 2GB first, then either get 4GB if you find you need it, or just wait for prices to fall in a year or so; depends how flush you are :)

...and yes, your MacBook will support the full 4GB, should you choose to install it.
 
nam said:
what is the standard 1GB in the macbook is it 2x512MB, is it possible to just buy a single 1GB stick ?

thx
Click to expand...

Yeah 2 512MB.

You would need to buy 2 1GB sticks for 2GB as they need to be dual channel or 2 512MB for 1GB or 2 2GB for 4GB.
 
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To save from making another thread, like Quicksilver might do...:p

4GB in my iMac? Sounds like a must, but will it increase lets say Handbrake/iSquint encoding?

One thing that annoys me is that even though I have a great CPU, it still seems a 'bit slow' sometimes?

Wonder's if it is the RAM, or crappy HDD?
 
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