What upgrade is more cost effective: RAM or Chip speed/model?

I need to buy a new 15" MacBook Pro (standard screen, no retina; hard drive, no SSD). I want to upgrade from a couple of the in-store configurations, so I know I have to uze the online store.
My *most* memory-intensive work is some occasional production (hobby) in Logic Pro, which does slog down sometimes on my existing '08 MBP with a 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo, running 10.6.8 Snow Leopard. And my 4GB RAM do get a bit constipated if I'm running Photoshop Elements with two or three other minor apps open. I don't do any games, and very little video.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The in-store standard is 2.3GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 512MB GDDR5 memory. For $200 I'll get a 2.6GHz Quad-core Intel Core i7, NVIDIA GeForce GT 650M with 1GB GDDR5 memory. (What's GDDR5?)
I'm comfortable enough paying an extra $100 to double the standard 4GB RAM to 8GB. And I'm fine with another $100 for the 1TB internal @ 5400rpm, as I have about 700GB data and I =want= to keep it all internal and physically local (plus external bootable clones in rotation). Given that the standard chip is only .1GHz less, is it worth $200 to hop up to the 2.6GHz? (It's another $250 for 2.7GHz—forget that.)             I'll appreciate any input on juggling which variables matter more. Thanks.

For one thing, I'd seriously consider getting a 7200 rpm hard drive - I find the standard 5400 rpm on laptops simply too slow. I upgraded mine to an SSD, but you could simply go with a regular one - see some examples here:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/hard-drives/2.5-Notebook/SATA
I'd also definitely get at least 8 GB RAM; I've not used Logic Pro, but I've read that it is resource heavy, so I'd consider more if the machine can handle it. Personally, I'd think the first machine is fine; the GDDR memory is the memory dedicted to the graphics card.

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View Solution.

Your processor is a 32 bit processor so you will not be able to fully utilize 4 gigs of RAM even if you could install it. The first thing to do is update the BIOS to the latest version:
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View Solution.

Your problem is that the program wants a good video card and a fast hard drive and lots of memory and you have none of the above. If you upgraded the RAM to 8 gigs and installed a solid state hard drive you might make the program useable but the real bottleneck is going to be the Intel HD graphics, which cannot be upgraded.
You do have an open slot to add one 4 gig memory module. This is an easy relatively inexpensive upgrade. See here:
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Hi
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This question was solved.
View Solution.

If there was a patch, it would have been made available for all right?
The board limits upto 8GB only
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**I'm a Volunteer, I do not work for HP**

The most cost-effective long-term solution, Upgrade or Buy Newer Computer?

I am looking for the most cost-effective long term solution for me as an self-employed interior designer. I need help making a decision: Is it reasonable to upgrade my iBook G4 (RAM, operating system)(+bigger hard drive)(+buy new rechargeable battery)(+buy new portable power adapter)?; or do I need to abandon it and buy a newer apple computer (0-2 years old)?
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Hi Cali and Welcome to Apple Discussions,
I think that decision would depend on how you plan to use this laptop. In addition it would depend on your client base and the image you need to project.
I used to be a commercial producer. If I was still doing that today I'd need to project a successful up to date image. My clients at the large agencies were/are attracted to the latest technologies. I would have the hippest iPhone apps and probably a 15" Unibody MacBook Pro.
I have a pro photographer client who wanted to buy an iMac a few years back but I insisted she buy a Mac Pro with at least two of the largest Cinema Monitors she could afford.
She has thanked me multiple times since she says her clients are so impressed with her images when she displays them on those large monitors.
So it would depend on how you're using the laptop and your client base.
The first thing I see with your iBook is that your RAM is pretty minimal. If you update that would be the first thing to do.
This is actually the iBook that I use and for me it's very cost effective. They're both 1.2 GHz machines. I use a 14" around the house and a !2" when we're traveling. It is very cost effective for me as I purchased them broken for under $125 total. I use salvaged drives and RAM. It works for me since my business is repair and the clients are impressed how well my 5 year old iBook works.
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