Take pity on a n00b...

I have officially decided that I am getting the MBP. Most likely at the end of the summer just before school starts. The questions I need answered ar as follows;

1) I am without a doubt gonna have 2GB of RAM. I just don't know whether I should just get it put in by Apple, or if I should do it myself. If I do it myself, should I have Apple put in a 1GB stick and buy another. Or, should I leave the 512 MB standard in and buy 2 GB sticks later? If I do do it myself, I am scared. I have very little knowledge of modern computers and I don't want to risk ruining the MBP.

2) My second dillema consists of the processor speed. Which one do I get? I feel like if I get the 1.83 gHz, I will be settling. I want it to last me most, if not all, of college (4 years). Any advice, other than "what my budget allows"?

3) I am aware of Rosetta, and it does slightly turn me off to the MBP, but I am wondering if I do get the MBP, and the software I want still isn't in Universal Binary, when it eventually does come out as Universal, will I be able to uninstall the PowerPC version (and possibly Rosetta if I don't need it anymore) and install the Universal version?

Thanks!

 

1) Installing ram is a snap and you should do whichever is cheaper when it comes to getting the 2gb. To my understanding mbp's along with other apple computers are picky about the type of ram so make sure whichever ram you pick up is recommended for it.

2) The difference in speed between the 1.83ghz and 2.0ghz is minimal and negligable (you will not notice it in day-to-day use).

3) l know nothing about apple software

 

you would be able to replace the power pc version to the universal version with out much problem, and i doubt you would be able to remove roesetta, which i don't think would be good to do as there will prolly be old mac software that doesn't get converted to universal

and if you can get proper ram for the mbp without getting it from apple, i would get it elsewhere, apples ram is pricey. it is easy to install ram.

 

RadcomTxx is right. Apple's memory prices are ungodly. I have purchased memory for my Macs from Other Wold Computing and never had a bum stick. I believe they also guarantee compatibility.

And uninstalling and installing applications in Mac OS X is a snap. You simply drag the old application out of the "Applications" folder and into the trash. Install the new application and you're done. Couldn't be simpler.

I don't think I'd worry about your notebook becoming outdated too fast, either. I am typing this on an iBook G3 900MHz that started out running 10.2 back in '03 and it's now running 10.4 and by and large is running it just fine. Has lasted me almost 3 years and it's definitely not the latest and greatest. I don't think you'd be settling at all.

 

Unlike Windows bloatware lol.

Great Choice, the MacBook Pro is really good.

 

I love my MacBook Pro it will be a great choice

 

I would recommend the 2.0Ghz model since it already comes preloaded with 1GB of ram. You'd only have to get another 1GB of ram instead of getting getting 2*1GB sticks in the end.