Storage Solutions HDD upgrade for Macbook Aluminum suggestions

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Vandal

Forerunner
The time has come for my hard drive upgrade. I'm considering a 320 GB or a 500 GB, not sure which size I'll bend towards because the 320 gig is VFM while the 500 gig is so tempting, size matters :P

Firstly should I look at a 7200 rpm over a 5400 rpm? Does this cause vibrations, or increased vibes at all? Also how much of a loss can I expect in battery life? What performance delta can I expect?

Also will a 500 GB VS 320 GB cause further fall in battery life?

I will upgrade my RAM later on to 4 GB, so no comments on that.

Finally - Seagate, Toshiba, WD or Fujitsu - which is the best?

Help please...
 
Yeh, I would also like know this... I'm getting Alu-MB soon, and would like to know about all the questions by OP regarding the same.
 
Need a Mac specific section, else threads like these get lost in the clutter :P

Qstn: What's the intended usage? OS X has substantially better memory management than XP/Vista ..so unless you are planning to extensively major memory sappers like a Photoshop, the default 2GB will see you sailing through anything you throw at it without slowdowns

Same for the HDD, a 7200 rpm HDD will lead to noticeable improvements in majjor disk thrashing programs like Photoshop / Garage Band etc.

For Safari/iWork/iPhoto etc., a 7200 rpm wouldn;'t give you a noticeable performance boost, although the battery life will take a small but noticeable hit

Also will a 500 GB VS 320 GB cause further fall in battery life?
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Nopes

Finally - Seagate, Toshiba, WD or Fujitsu - which is the best?
Click to expand...

Not much to differentiate really, though I'd stick with WD/Seagate for their hassle free warranty policy and support network in India
 
When you say small but noticeable, can you give me a rough figure? Will battery life crash even when I run mundane tasks like word etc?

BTW I have a friend in the States who worked with me. He upgraded from 2 GB to 4 GB and says his mac literally flies now. So I'm a little confused because of the mixed reaction I'm getting here.

BTW have shifted over from Office 2008 MAC to iWorks and like it. Faster too. I've got iWorks 09 and iLife 09 - free, for review from Apple!
 
Is a 500GB 2.5 internal HDD available here in India? I got mine (WD Scorpio Blue) from the States. Yet to reach me. Can give you an informed reply once I start using it on my unibody mac :)

And I have heard that the Seagates have serious QC issues. I'd stay away.
 
A close friend just bought the WD Scorpio 320GB and its working great on his unibody Macbook. I'm thinking of going for one too, can somebody check prices of the drive locally and work on a GO?
 
Anish said:
A close friend just bought the WD Scorpio 320GB and its working great on his unibody Macbook. I'm thinking of going for one too, can somebody check prices of the drive locally and work on a GO?
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Why not a 500GB drive? Want to know your reasons against it.
 
BTW I have a friend in the States who worked with me. He upgraded from 2 GB to 4 GB and says his mac literally flies now. So I'm a little confused because of the mixed reaction I'm getting here.
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It's easy to check if it's going to help you or not..

Spotlight>activity Monitor>System Memory

for me, with multiple browser tabs, itunes and Adium running, it shows 709 MB of free memory, and another 306 MB of inactive memory of the 1.06GB used

Adding another 2GB will make zilch difference for me, your case may be different
 
Anish said:
A close friend just bought the WD Scorpio 320GB and its working great on his unibody Macbook. I'm thinking of going for one too, can somebody check prices of the drive locally and work on a GO?
Click to expand...

I bought WD 320 GB WD Scorpion for Rs 3350 [shipped] from Amarbir [lynx-india] . Great value, ample space, highly recommended.
 
^ I'm sorry mate, I didn't inquire about it... is it something we could check ourselves by looking at serial # or something ?
 
^ thanks

seems like 5 year warranty to me

wdwarranty.png


It's a very good Laptop HD. Go for it
 
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