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Buying a MacBook Pro. Sceen and memory ?'s

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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
Alright, I'm buying a mbp but I'm having trouble figuring out which options to go with.

First comes the screen options. I'm an editor so I like the glossy screen for the enhanced color but I want a system that I can work on anywhere regardless of light conditions so maybe the anti-glare option would work better?

Wondering if anyone has used both or what your thoughts are on either one? Does the anti-glare look that much different then the glossy?

Also, I would like to go with the 8gb memory upgrade but it's a $900 extra. I found Mac memory upgrades though PRO Memory Upgrades (site link below) which would give me 8g's of RAM  for  $600 and let me keep my stock 4g's for whatever.

Wondering if anyone has bought  memory from this company and if so how easy is it to install in a new mbp?

Thanks.

http://www.memoryupgrade.pro/apple-memory-upgrades-mac-ram-expansions-macbook-pro-memory-macbook-pro-early-2009-17-inch-aluminum-unibody-8gb-apple-macbook-pro-early-2009-17-inch-aluminum-unibody-mac-memory-2x-4gb-mc016g-a-pc3-8500-ddr3-1066mhz-so-dimm-upgrade.html

Sep 15 2009 3:00PM
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Blandct
Posts: 1858 - Karma: 37
buy the ram somewhere else

as far as the previous generation MBP the ones without the black keyboard to change the ram you take out the battery and pop another think out and the ram is right there. but not sure about the new ones because the battery is not removable. but im sure it's easy to swap out
Sep 15 2009 3:08PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
Where would you recommend?

I'm a little worried about the swat because it seems like you have to take quite a bit apart to get to the RAM on the new mbp

Sep 15 2009 5:02PM
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horner
Posts: 2439 - Karma: 1,578
Don't buy memory from Apple, they rip you off so bad.

Buy your memory from here
http://www.crucial.com/index.aspx
Sep 15 2009 5:05PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,472
You really don't need 8gb of ram unless you're using like 3d animation or 100 programs at the same time...
Sep 15 2009 5:15PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
That's precisely why I need it.
Sep 15 2009 5:30PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
yeah don't waste your money. i used to run final cut express and a few more applications at the same time with my mbp that had 2 gigs of ram and a 2.4 gh processor and it ran fine. i recently upgraded to 4 gigs of memory from the site horner linked and it's plenty
Sep 15 2009 5:30PM
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Jacuse
Posts: 1792 - Karma: 1,549
in that case get 4 gigs and upgrade if you think you need more
Sep 15 2009 5:33PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
That's what i'm thinkin.
Sep 15 2009 5:49PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,472
Animation? word, yeah buy from the link horner provided. Make sure you get the one with the 512mb graphics card, but im sure you know that.
Sep 15 2009 5:51PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
If you are doing creative work on it, then the "enhanced screen" isn't really a good thing, because then whenever someone views it on a not "enhanced screen" everything is a little duller. Doesn't give you a true idea of what you are doing. I hate it, because I do print design, and colors are off enough on normal screens as it is.

The anti-glare really won't be a noticeable difference from what I have seen. Your best bet is to go to an apple store and check it out.
Sep 15 2009 5:54PM
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no_steeze
Posts: 23992 - Karma: 4,273
don't buy ram from apple, if you need 8gb search a lot but it's gonna cost you a small fortune for DDR3
Sep 15 2009 6:09PM
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LC.
Posts: 5952 - Karma: 2,423
The glossy screen is pretty horrible, especially if you're in a bright room or outside. The anti-glare is a bit better but still not great, the upgrade is only $50 or something like that though so go for it. Get a good monitor for it if you really care what the display looks like.
Sep 15 2009 6:15PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
That makes alot of sense. I have a great monitor so I wouldn't have to worry about the picture at home and the anti-glare would make life easier away from home so it's win win. I'll get the anti-glare. Now if I could just get the anti-glare screen with the glossy screens black border, the silver border's gross.

Thanks, this was helpful.
Sep 15 2009 6:26PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
That would be preferred but I don't have THAT much money. I'm doin' the best I can to get an all-n-one.
Sep 15 2009 6:29PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,057
4gb mbp in 13".. with hdmi cable out
Sep 15 2009 8:47PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
13 inch screens are absolutely horrrrrrrible to work on.
Sep 15 2009 9:16PM
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eheath
Posts: 61648 - Karma: 123,472
i think he implied the hdmi cable out for a second screen?
Sep 15 2009 9:54PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
oh, true. didn't thin the cable comment through. haha.
Sep 16 2009 4:38PM
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Josh_B
Posts: 255 - Karma: 34
ifixit.com has a bunch of shit about replacing memory and shit on your mac
Sep 16 2009 4:43PM
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freeskibum82
Posts: 6355 - Karma: 5,057
word. i have two cables, one for the 50" tv and a dvi one for my second monitor.. You can also get the mighty mouse and wireless keyboard and use the macbook in desktop mode. Apple even sells a nice lil stand for it to save desk space. 13" is perfect because you can travel with it easily but still get pretty good computing power out of it.
Sep 16 2009 4:59PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
Thats word. I have a 32" tv and a 20" monitor so I could easily go with the 13mbp but unfortunately it doesn't offer the CPU and GPU options I want so I gotta go with the 15 or 17.
Sep 16 2009 5:21PM
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ToySoldier
Posts: 199 - Karma: 5,795
Thanks for all the replies. Put my order in today on a 17"MBP with 4gb RAM and Anti-glare screen. Hopefully 4g's will suffice. If not I'll just have to upgrade through the links provided. Time will tell. Thanks again.
Sep 19 2009 4:32PM
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