Question about ordering MBP w/ larger HD
Is the online Apple Store the only place you can order MBPs with larger HDs? I'm in the market for a 15", and I also need the 200GB HD option. From experience in the past, I knew that the brick-and-mortar Apple Stores only sold 'base' models and could not do in-store upgrades for HDs like they can for memory, but it seems that MacMall, MacWarehouse, etc., also only offer 'base' HDs.
And is it true that going for 3GBs of RAM will actually slow the computer down unless I'm really using most of the 3 gigs?
Thanks for any clarification and Happy Thanksgiving.
And is it true that going for 3GBs of RAM will actually slow the computer down unless I'm really using most of the 3 gigs?
Thanks for any clarification and Happy Thanksgiving.
Comments
And is it true that going for 3GBs of RAM will actually slow the computer down unless I'm really using most of the 3 gigs?
If you are on 2 gigs (two 1 GB sticks), the system memory bus works in dual-channel mode, doubling theoretical memory bandwidth. If you go with 3 gigs (one 1 GB stick, one 2 GB stick), the memory works in single-channel mode.
If the work you are doing is memory-bandwidth constrained, it's better to go with 2 GB. If it's memory-size constrained, 3 GB is a better option. What are you going to be doing with the computer?
Thank you for your reply. I appreciate it.
If you are on 2 gigs (two 1 GB sticks), the system memory bus works in dual-channel mode, doubling theoretical memory bandwidth. If you go with 3 gigs (one 1 GB stick, one 2 GB stick), the memory works in single-channel mode.
If the work you are doing is memory-bandwidth constrained, it's better to go with 2 GB. If it's memory-size constrained, 3 GB is a better option. What are you going to be doing with the computer?
Does the MBP even operate faster under dual channel mode? Does it even have one? The only reason it would be necessary is for using the chipset's integrated graphics, otherwise the memory has twice the bandwidth the computer can use.