MacBook [Late 2007 Model] Upgrades

mikeyquema · 25th August 2008, 13:01

Greetings to all!

I had been browsing the forums on this matter for quite some time now and i was maybe hoping to get some advice from my fellow Mac users.

I have a Late 2007 MacBook which will be about a year old this November. Now i was contemplating on upgrading it because it doesn't suit my needs as much as it used to.

Some of the major issues that have been bothering me are:
Lately i've noticed that a lot of my applications aren't as fast/responsive as before. I do not know if it has something to do with the recent updates.
The hdd space is not as roomy as it used to be.
And playing visually rich games has been a frustration.

I was thinking of upgrading to the MacBook PRO, the entry level model because i do not require the specs of the mid-ranged and high-end models. But i have been hearing a lot of rumors on updates and design changes to come. [IE New Aluminum MacBooks, Blue Ray Drives, expanded Multi-touch features. To name a few, its authenticity is yet to be confirmed.]
So, until they revamp their models, i was looking into some minor upgrades. Specifically:
RAM upgrades from 2gb to 4gb - According to iStyle Festival Mall, it will cost 660. Can anyone confirm this or provide a cheaper source?
HDD upgrade - I currently have a 120gb drive but heard about the latest 500gb and 1tb HDD. Can anyone recommend the largest HDD available locally, as well as its current price and which is compatible to the MacBook. Also, is it true that by upgrading the HDD voids the Apple Warranty?

Thanks for taking the time!

fangpyre · 28th August 2008, 15:30

RUmor is that the MacBook Pro will be updated.
Rumors say that it will be launched on Sept. 9th.

I don't really see why you would want to invest in a machine that you intend to lose soon.

Try going to Al Ain Plaza (Computer Center on Khalid Bin Walid St.)
They have a few stores that can help you out.
Replacing the HDD doesn't void the warranty.

But if you ask me, do the RAM upgrade and leave it at that.
Also try some spring cleaning.
You'd be amazed how much you might have lingering on your disks or memory.

mikeyquema · 28th August 2008, 16:22

Yeah, you're right. I think the RAM upgdare is the way to go. It just frustrates me that i can't have too much on my hdd. I love to download and i am currently following the Stargate SG1 and Atlantis series, plus Eureka and other shows. Its taking a toll on my hdd space and i really hate burning dvd's. Mainly because i loose track of them, they become unreadible due to daily abuse, and it wears down my superdrive.
I've recently started using Time Machine on an every other day basis. but i filled the WD passport drive i bought in less than a week. So much data and no place to store. I contemplated on the 1tb Time Capsule, but dang! for that money i think i can get those 2tb storage towers availble around the dubai.

I was thinking about buying the RAM online in the US, on the assumption that its cheapper, what are your thoughts?

Also, i was thinking about getting AppleCare extension and a thought popped in, when the extension of the AppleCare is about to expire, can i purchase another one to further extend the warranty?

I really can't wait to see what Apple has to offer in September. I wish they'd bring out a touchscreen or tablet already. But god knows how long that wil take.

fangpyre · 29th August 2008, 08:24

I don't think prices are that much cheaper in the US for RAM
As for downloading why don't u get a new hdd and download to that?
This will keep your internal hdd empty.

Also, make sure u exclude those movies from your time machine backups.
With so much media downloads will easily fill up your tm disks

25th August 2008, 13:01	#1 (permalink)
mikeyquema Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 53	MacBook [Late 2007 Model] Upgrades Greetings to all! I had been browsing the forums on this matter for quite some time now and i was maybe hoping to get some advice from my fellow Mac users. I have a Late 2007 MacBook which will be about a year old this November. Now i was contemplating on upgrading it because it doesn't suit my needs as much as it used to. Some of the major issues that have been bothering me are: Lately i've noticed that a lot of my applications aren't as fast/responsive as before. I do not know if it has something to do with the recent updates. The hdd space is not as roomy as it used to be. And playing visually rich games has been a frustration. I was thinking of upgrading to the MacBook PRO, the entry level model because i do not require the specs of the mid-ranged and high-end models. But i have been hearing a lot of rumors on updates and design changes to come. [IE New Aluminum MacBooks, Blue Ray Drives, expanded Multi-touch features. To name a few, its authenticity is yet to be confirmed.] So, until they revamp their models, i was looking into some minor upgrades. Specifically: RAM upgrades from 2gb to 4gb - According to iStyle Festival Mall, it will cost 660. Can anyone confirm this or provide a cheaper source? HDD upgrade - I currently have a 120gb drive but heard about the latest 500gb and 1tb HDD. Can anyone recommend the largest HDD available locally, as well as its current price and which is compatible to the MacBook. Also, is it true that by upgrading the HDD voids the Apple Warranty? Thanks for taking the time!

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28th August 2008, 15:30	#2 (permalink)
fangpyre Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,417	RUmor is that the MacBook Pro will be updated. Rumors say that it will be launched on Sept. 9th. I don't really see why you would want to invest in a machine that you intend to lose soon. Try going to Al Ain Plaza (Computer Center on Khalid Bin Walid St.) They have a few stores that can help you out. Replacing the HDD doesn't void the warranty. But if you ask me, do the RAM upgrade and leave it at that. Also try some spring cleaning. You'd be amazed how much you might have lingering on your disks or memory.

28th August 2008, 16:22	#3 (permalink)
mikeyquema Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 53	Yeah, you're right. I think the RAM upgdare is the way to go. It just frustrates me that i can't have too much on my hdd. I love to download and i am currently following the Stargate SG1 and Atlantis series, plus Eureka and other shows. Its taking a toll on my hdd space and i really hate burning dvd's. Mainly because i loose track of them, they become unreadible due to daily abuse, and it wears down my superdrive. I've recently started using Time Machine on an every other day basis. but i filled the WD passport drive i bought in less than a week. So much data and no place to store. I contemplated on the 1tb Time Capsule, but dang! for that money i think i can get those 2tb storage towers availble around the dubai. I was thinking about buying the RAM online in the US, on the assumption that its cheapper, what are your thoughts? Also, i was thinking about getting AppleCare extension and a thought popped in, when the extension of the AppleCare is about to expire, can i purchase another one to further extend the warranty? I really can't wait to see what Apple has to offer in September. I wish they'd bring out a touchscreen or tablet already. But god knows how long that wil take.

29th August 2008, 08:24	#4 (permalink)
fangpyre Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Dubai Posts: 1,417	I don't think prices are that much cheaper in the US for RAM As for downloading why don't u get a new hdd and download to that? This will keep your internal hdd empty. Also, make sure u exclude those movies from your time machine backups. With so much media downloads will easily fill up your tm disks