4 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD or 8GB RAM / 256 GB SSD ?
I'm deciding to buy a macbook for the first time and I'm having a hard time deciding which would suit me the best. I've narrowed it down to 13.3 inch, 4GB RAM and 128 GB SSD with retina or 8 GB RAM, 256 SSD and retina. I plan to use it for music, photos, video editing and typical school work. I'm mostly worried that the 4 GB RAM / 128 GB SSD isn't enough space for everything. Also taking in consideration of the price, theres about a $100 difference between the two but would the 8GB be worth the extra money?
Take note, the retina resolution is pretty high on a small screen. (take care of your eyes)
Get the extra RAM, hands down.
I use a 128gb disk, at any given time it's only half-full, but I offload alot of the data to external disks for video/photo work and processing.
So the size is your choice, just depends on how often you want to move data to the external.
Similar Messages
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Macbook pro 13 retina 4 ram 128 SSD or 8 ram 256 SSD
Hello,
I would like to ask, what config would suit my needs the most. I have read all these forum questions, but I am still undecided.
Here are things that I WILL DO:
- Safari opened (max 20 tabs), music (iTunes), mail, skype = these tasks at the same time
- Full HD video playback (youtube, etc...) = only this task with skype running
- Pages or word = only this task with skype running
- 27 Full HD monitor connected via HDMI
Things I WON'T DO:
- playing games
- photo, video editing
- I wont be instaling new versions of OS X (will be on mavericks forever)
- no storing of heavy filles (only some documents, iTunes library which has about 15GB and that is all)
That's it. I would like to ask if the retina 13 base line models can provide me smooth experience with no lags, slow downs, page reloads, etc.. Or if I shloud consider the middle range model (8 ram, 256 SSD). I don't want Macbook air.
Thank you in advance and have a nice day. (sry for english )Miselik,
Great clarity on describing your needs.
I use a 4 GB MBA on Mavericks with no issues. However 8 GB will future-proof the machine as applications get larger. So the 4/8 GB decision is not a heavy one. Either will work.
A bigger decisions is can you live with 128 GB of mass storage or would you prefer 256? From your description you indicate you will not need a lot of storage so 128 GB should do. If you run out of SSD space you can always offload some files on an external disk.
For only $200 more I personally would go for the larger model but your description indicates the smaller model will work for your needs. -
I would like to buy a Macbook Pro and it would be my first Mac device. I have selected this model MGX82HN/A MB PRO DUAL CORE i5 2.6GHZ/8 GB RAM/256 GB SSD/ Iris Graphics device. Please advice whether it would suffice a normal user who works in a management consulting industry with project presentation related software in work ? Thanks.
Saptarshii wrote:
instead of buying an Apple USB superdrive, is it safe to use third party usb optical drive ?
Not only would it be safe but less expensive as well. The tray loaders are deemed to be the most reliable. Apple does not support Blueray so avoid that.
Ciao. -
Can the 128 GB SSD part of a fusion drive be replaced with a 960 GB SSD dive for greater performance and added storage in a 2012 mac mini?
First, I suspect Apple fine tuned its choice of SSD size for the Fusion drive based on the best performance/price ratio. I'd be surprised if a larger SSD provided any improvement that would justify the added price of a larger SSD.
Second, if I could justify the cost of a 960 SSD drive I wouldn't bother with a Fusion drive! -
Problems with return of defective m4 128 GB SSD
Hi altogether, I am sorry to have "abuse" this forum for this, but the RMA request page does not work properly for more than two weeks now. I am always receiving a java.lang.NullPointerException error message after entering the serial number of my defective SSD - no matter which browser I use to access it.I also contacted the official Crucial support ([email protected]) but they did stop responding after announcing to send me some troubeshooting steps on 07/16.Hence, I just don't know where else to ask for further help... Can anybody please simply try to open a RMA request for a SSD (preferably a m4 128 GB) on Crucial's EU website and confirm that nasty error message I am always receiving after having entered the serial number of the drive? The problem is that my about two years old m4 128 GB SSD did stop working after I moved it from my former laptop (Sony Vaio) - where it worked like a charm - to an external USB 3.0 enclosure (model RaidSonic ICY BOX IB-250StU3-BH). When I connected the external enclosure to my PC the drive appeared in Windows Explorer (Windows 8.1 Pro) for a short period of time (1-2 seconds) and then disappeared without any warning / notice.
Disconnecting and reconnecting the enclosure did not solve the problem (there is still no response from the SSD).Installing a conventional hard disk as well as another SSD in the same enclosure for test purposes showed that it still works fine.
I also installed the m4 SSD in another enclosure as well as connected it directly via SATA to the mainboard of my PC without success.
Hence, I believe the drive is really defective and also cannot be "revived" by simple software troubleshooting.
Has anybody else also experienced similar issues and could there indeed be a way to solve it without a replacement (e.g. by a "blind flash" of the firmware)? And how can I claim a RMA for my drive as it is still under the 3-year warranty if the corresponding page does not work and the official support stopped answering?
Any help is greatly appreciated!
Best regards,
FNWHi targetbsp, thank you very much for your kind help !And sorry for my pretty belated reply... Although it sounded hard to believe at first, the "revival" instructions did indeed work perfectly for my "broken" SSD! I just left it connected to only power via an external SATA to USB adpator (which has an extra power supply) for 2x 20 minutes as described and it came back to life (and all my data were still present as nothing had even happened)! Unfortunately, it turned out that the external USB 3.0 enclosure seems not to be able to provide enough "startup" current to this SSD as it "broke" again after I re-installed it there and hooked it up to my PC.After performing the "revival" routine again (which worked perfectly), I guess I will use it in another laptop where it will get enough power from the internal SATA port (as this one is not limited to 750mA like USB 3.0 is)... But thanks a lot for saving me the hassle of an unnecessary return!Maybe I should have done some more research, but I simply didn't see any chance to get such a drive to work again...
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When I connected my iPod Classic or iPhone 4S to the right side USB port of my 2012 11 inches Macbook Air (128 GB SSD), I get a message from iTunes that I connected my device to a USB 1.1 port. I checked the specs, it's a USB 3 port. What's wrong?
When I connected my iPod Classic or iPhone 4S to the right side USB port of my 2012 11 inches Macbook Air (128 GB SSD), I get a message from iTunes that I connected my device to a USB 1.1 port. I checked the specs, it's a USB 3 port. What's wrong?
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Firefox became very heavy on my system and it some pages freeze for a second or tow second however my processor 2.4 and ram 256 how can i fix it ?
== This happened ==
Every time Firefox opened
== after firfox 3 and later versioni think your RAM is so low, i have 3gb ram and has some problem when firefox opened and worked for many hours.
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Hello everyone,
I am about to buy a MBA 11" for my early 2013 four week trip to Asia. I travel about 2 1/2 months a year and was wondering if the 180€ upgrade to i7 was really worth it?
Besides the obvious movies and web browsing I plan to be taking around 50 pictures a day with my Canon S100 and do some Lightroom 4 or Aperture 3 retouching on a dozen or so of them.
Any suggestions?
Best Regards,
VincentVincent,
I've been using Lightroom & Aperture on and off as a "casual enthusiast" for the past 4 years across multiple different machines (i3s with 2GBs of RAM, i5s with 4/8GB, i7s with 16GB) and I've come to the conclusion that it boils down to this -
1.) You can never have enough available resources/processing power. Whether it's RAM or CPU, you won't find yourself ever saying: "Man this computer is too fast for my needs." When you tell your computer to do something, you'll always be waiting for it to then perform that action. It might 1 milisecond or 10 minutes but you're still waiting even if it's so fast that it gives the appearance of an instant response.
2.) "Maxing out" a unit is an excellent strategy when purchasing a computer. Especially on computers, like the MacBook Air where upgrading them at a future point in time to keep it current is impossible. The CPU you buy today will be the CPU you'll have until you part with the computer. So bumping things up to the maximum like RAM and CPU capabilities would be considered as smart by people who like to "future proof." That being said, if you're the type of person (like myself) who upgrades their portabilities every 8-14 months this maxing out strategy may not be most beneficial. Especially considering, in my case, I sell my existing unit in preparation for the newer models and in order to reduce my out of pocket find that the base models resell much faster and with the best ROP (Return on Purchase, I don't consider a computer an investment).
3.) If you are the type of purchase, like my girlfriend, who buys a computer and will use it until the end of days (5 years typically) then maxing out every available slider, option or upgrade is almost a no brainer. Because in 5 years when the computer's hardware is barely relevant that extra oomph she purchased initially allows her to get a much better DOP (Duration of purchase) versus someone who didn't spend the extra money for the extra performance.
So personally, if you can afford the CPU upgrade, you intend to hold onto the machine for several years and you value your time as money then every bit helps. I'd say... Go For It!
However if the finances are tight, if you don't intend to make this 11" MBA your bread & butter, go to, workhorse then hold off and put that $$ to use on something like AppleCare, peripherals or accessories.
Yes, the i7 is faster. But at the end of the day it's still a dual core low voltage CPU and the differences between both CPUs in practical usage is not going to be so extreme that time will stop. -
Hello everyone,
Thank you in advanced for all of the support. This is my first post to the communities. I just bought a 2.9 GHz core 17 processor MacBook pro mid 2012 13" with 8 GB of RAM and I am in the process of upgrading it. When I bought the MacBook pro originally, I was told that I would never mac out the performance because I do not do a lot of photo/video editing. This is true, but I am an academic researcher and tend to multitask often, having 20+ safari tabs open, SPSS (a statistical program), full screen mail app, full screen calendar app, and preview, iTunes open all at the same time. I often get slow performance and error messages that state low memory. This is why I am interested in upgrading the laptop. I am getting ready to go to medical school and I want to have a powerful laptop. I also want to future proof because I plan on having a dual boot system to mac OS and windows OS.
Because I know I will be maxing out the performance of the computer, I want to take full advantage of upgrades, especially now because the cost of the components is reasonable at the moment. The following are the proposed upgrades:
1. Upgrade my current 8-GB ram (2x4-GB) with 16-GB ram (2x8-GB). I plan on using crucial RAM.
Crucial 16-GB Ram: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTBJFW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&coli d=2B1KHELSPJPNN&coliid=IYGJWGQDH8LV0&psc=1
2. Replace my optical drive with a hard drive. I will place a SSD into my current hard drive position and then install my current HDD into the optical drive bay with the optibay optical drive caddy. I am doing this because I plan to use the SSD as the boot drive and my current HDD as my backup and files drive. I am putting the SDD into the HDD because I have read it is better to place it in this bay for performance. I will put the other HDD in the optical drive because the performance of that one will not be as important.
Adata SSD: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008LTBJFW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&coli d=2B1KHELSPJPNN&coliid=IYGJWGQDH8LV0&psc=1
Optibay Optical Drive Caddy: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0058AH2US/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&coli d=2B1KHELSPJPNN&coliid=I3GI8MGWAKXY79
My questions:
1. Is the listed RAM appropriate and sufficient for my MacBook pro?
2. Is the listed SSD appropriate and sufficient for my MacBook pro?
3. Is the listed Optical Drive Caddy appropriate and sufficient for my MacBook pro?
4. Is there still a firmware problem that does not allow for SATA 3 (6Gb/s) support in the optical drive?
5. Would it be easier to format the new SSD outside of the MacBook using a SATA to USB adapter?
6. Does working on any of the listed components void my AppleCare (I plan on keeping all of the original components so I can replace them, if I ever need to see apple support)?
7. What is the best way to put Mavericks onto the SSD to make this my boot drive?
8. What is the best way to make all of my files remain on the HDD, but link to the SSD with the operating system?
9. Has anyone ever successfully upgraded to 16-GB RAM and used their optical drive for a secondary hard drive?
10. Is there any miscellaneous advice for this project?
Please feel free to give partial answers. I know this was a lot of information, but I wanted to be efficient in my post. I am very appreciative of everyone who will contribute.
Thank you!rmichaud91 wrote:
Hello everyone,
I just bought a 2.9 GHz core 17 processor MacBook pro mid 2012 13" with 8 GB of RAM
16 GB of RAM is the best you can do.
The optibay HD will null and void your warranty. -
What brand of 128 Gb SSD did Apple offer for 2009 MacBook Pros?
Anyone know what brand of 128gb ssd was stock for the mid-2009 MacBook Pro?
Was it a good one?
I'm thinking of buying a used MacBook Pro - MC118LL/A which has one in it.rmichaud91 wrote:
Hello everyone,
I just bought a 2.9 GHz core 17 processor MacBook pro mid 2012 13" with 8 GB of RAM
16 GB of RAM is the best you can do.
The optibay HD will null and void your warranty. -
MBA (fully upgraded) vs. MBP 15" (+ hi-res, 128 GB SSD)
Hi All,
I'm trying to decide on my first computer (that I own, anyway.) I'm a junior electrical engineering student, and managed to get by on campus computers and my mom's work laptop (2009 MBP 13".) But it's nice having my own computer for obvious reasons. Here's what I would be doing on whichever MacBook I get:
-Schoolwork, obviously (papers, spreadsheets, some circuit designing/programming, surfing, etc.)
-Music listening/movie watching
-Some gaming. I'm not a hardcore gamer, but I will dual boot and play. On Steam I own The Orange Box, BioShock 1+2, GTA IV, Dead Space, Mirror's Edge, and Batman: Arkham Asylum.
-Some Pixelmator, GarageBand, Logic Express, iMovie, etc.
The obvious choice is a MacBook Pro, I know, but I have a few caveats. I love the size/portability of the MacBook Air, and the optimizations that give it great performance for its size. Also, the 256GB blade flash memory is very hard to match for its price. If I get the Air, I'll upgrade the processor, RAM, and storage to the fullest. Still, the C2D seems a bit old and less future proof.
But if I go with a Pro, I'm going to get the base 15" with a hi-res glossy screen and a 128GB SSD. I want an SSD for its durability and speed (although I read somewhere that the blade flash mem is faster than a standard 2.5" SSD.) The 256GB SSD would be ideal, but it's so expensive (from 3rd parties, as well.) Of course I'd get a Quad-core and Thunderbolt, AMD GPU, etc. Again, I'm only a casual gamer, but it's nice playing with a good discrete GPU, etc.
I like the new MBP update, but I just wish the SuperDrive were removed (I don't need it), flash storage became standard (and expanded), and the chassis was made Air-like thin. I see no point in getting the MBP 13", because I may as well get the MBA 13".
Compared to the Air, is the MBP 15" really that much less portable, and really that much more disproportionate in speed for its size, even with an SSD? And how does the Air perform with the games and apps I've mentioned? I just don't want a big heavy relatively slow (but still fast) slab, or an under-equipped under-powered less future-proof luxury item.
Either way, I'm going to wait until summer so I can get Lion pre-installed (as a college student, I'm rich enough to get a Mac, but poor enough to want to save.) I kind of already decided on the MBP 15", but the Air is just soo tempting.
Any advice?
Thanks,
MichaelI like the MBA 13 inch base model, and I think it is a great computer. However, if you have the money, I totally recommend the MBP 15 inch. It is blazing fast. I think you should get a 64 or 32 GB Flash and an optibay. If you don't use your optical drive a lot, it is a great replacement so you can have the OS on the SSD, and all your main files on the big drive. It works well for a lot of people that I know of. The Air is light, and its screen is great. If your 2009 MBP worked fine for whatever you do, then the Air will be perfect. If you have trouble accomplishing some tasks on that computer, get the 2011 Pro. Good luck, and keep in mind you can return it within two weeks
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I am a twelve year old boy ready to get my first Mac computer. I already have an iPad 3 and I really like it. Now I'm going to start saving up for a Mac and I am down to two choices, as listed above. I'm going to be using it for web browsing, games, drawing, word documents, presentations, movies, video calling, messages, Windows 8 and I will be using quite a few apps from the Mac App Store.
Also could you tell me how long Apple support the MacBook Air with the latest version of OS X and how long they support the MacBook Pro with the latest OS.
I also want to know if it is worth paying £200 to upgrade a 128GB SSD to a 256GB one.If past history serves, Apple will support the 2013 models for 5-7 years with new OS upgrades but there's no guarantee. However that doesn't mean the computer will be worthless. I have a 10-11 year old Mac serving as a guest computer running an OS two versions old. It still does everything our guests would want to do while they are visiting.
The 128GB drive is the smallest I'd recommend and for a teen (who is likely to collect media and lots of software) I'd call the 256GB a very good idea - especially ince you indicate you want to run Win8 too.
The retina MacBook has a gorgeous display and has a faster processor but all those extra pixels push the GPU to the max. Until faster GPUs come along I'm avoiding the retina computers. -
How does the predator AG3 used the 128 GB ssd and the 2TB hdd together
I am contemplating buying a Predator AG3 from Costco. It comes with 128b ssd and a 2tb Hdd. How does the system use the two in combination? Is the ssd only for booting? Will Windows be on the SSD. Will the system know to go to the HDD for programs not on the SSD? I have no experience in using a system with two different type drives.
SSD is normally used as OS installation and some heavy load programs (video - audio - image editing)HDD is used as data storage or to install big size programs (mostly games). System doesn't know where you want to install things so, it asks during installation example C:\Program Files\gamenameXYZyou can tell the installer to use the HDD instead of C: on SSD so you will change C to D (if your HDD has D: as system letter)D:\Program Files\gamenameXYZ
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Does anyone know of an enclosure for 2009 MackBook Air 128 gb ssd
The screen connection to the body of my late 2008 or early 2009 MacBook Air broke so I took out the SSD and sold the rest of the computer for parts. I am looking for an external enclosure so I can use the 128gb SSD. Does anyone know of such a product?
Ah, are certain you have an early 2009 Air?
It doesnt contain a SSD, rather a wonderfully obscure in the extreme ZIF drive.
with zif connector.
http://www.amazon.com/KingSpec-Mobile-Disk-Enclosure-cable/dp/B003BWNC5E/ref=pd_ sxp_f_pt
http://www.amazon.com/1-8-inch-Enclosure-Toshiba-Connector-Assorted/dp/B001OYCJH I/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1387219369&sr=8-1&keywords=zif+connector
Yours contains this rare entity:
http://www.ifixit.com/Store/Parts/MacBook-Air-Late-2008-Mid-2009-120-GB-Hard-Dri ve/IF107-084
Open up the bottom and verify, if its as you say, thats it. -
I have a MacBook Pro Retina 13 inch late 2012 and my drive rated at 3007,6 mb/s read and 436mb/s write
I used Xbench 1.3. You can download it for free here:
http://www.xbench.com/
David
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