512 mb vs 1 gig

[pxpx83]

I've got a digi 002 on the way for my 1ghz powerbook. Is the 1 gig of ram really worth the huge price difference between the 512mb? I will mostly be tracking with the powerbook and using a minimal amount of plugins, since I have a access to a another studio to mix. Thanks!

[Chris Cavell]

512 will most likely work just fine if you aren't running any soft samplers or softsynths which can eat up ram. The ram in a powerbook is standard stuff. Ordering it from apple is unjustifiable when comparing the difference in price to the equivalent ram purchased elsewhere. If you want more ram, buy it from someplace like compusa or newegg or computergate etc.

[JFreak]

crucial.com

ram makes a difference, go for it, it's cheap. also, upgrade your internal hard drive to a hitachi 7k60 which runs at 7200rpm speed - that difference is even huger.

[mindnoise]

with 1GB you System will do far less diskfileswapping (something like "virtual RAM") - the "THINK Disc"-Icon will appear far less, leaving the resources for your recording, resulting in a smoother and more responsive workflow.

regs

[where02190]

It's most definitely a huge improvement, but don't buy it from Apple or have them install it, do it yourself. Order your laptop with 1-512 stick in the upper slot, this leaves the easily accessed lower slot available for user RAM install. Four screws and 5 minutes is all it takes. Check reputable venders on www.pricewatch.com for best pricing.

Also the faster HDD recommendation is an improvement as well, but not as much as the RAM, Provided you run a dedicated second drive (Firewire) for audio. You create and save all your Protools sessions to the external drive.