MacBook Pro, yes or no?

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ardb wrote:

Adding hardware

Someone told me that it is possible to add RAM memory, the motherboard has the ability of 8GB RAM max.

But I was told that it is hard to add hardware to Apple products, is that true? I also wanted to add another

drive, a 2,5" 500GB HDD or a 2,5" 128GB SSD, is this possible?

You can add RAM and modify the hard disk on a MacBook Pro easily without voiding the warranty. Also, the Mid 2012 MacBook Pro supports 16 GB of RAM. You can buy RAM at OWC or Crucial.

Respecting to the hard disk, you can add a second drive if you take out your SuperDrive. In this case, warranty might be voided, but you can add another hard disk.

ardb wrote:

Question

My main question is: Is it possible to add another RAM memory of 4GB and is it possible to add another drive? (and do you recommend it?)

I know a MacBook is very fast already and in my opinion, 500GB is not a lot. So that would make the choice for another 500GB easy, but

on the other hand, I do use some Photoshop and other software like that, so a SSD drive would be an advantage in that case.

As I told you, you can install 16 GB of RAM and you can install a second hard drive. A lot of users do it and it's recommended if you need it. If you are going to use the second hard disk to store data, it's better to get an external disk.

Respecting to Photoshop, you should know that the graphic that both computers have isn't compatible officially although you can use it. You just won't have good performance.

ardb wrote:

Disadvantage

The disadvantage, in my opinion, is the videochip because you can't upgrade it. I am looking for a new laptop and one of the important

points is that I want a better videochip than I have in my current laptop. This MacBook still have the same videochip. The videochip is very

standard and you can't really game with it. I know that I shouldn't expect a good videochip in this MacBook, but I'm still a little disappointed.

The problem with the Intel HD Graphics 4000 is that it comes with the processor, so you can't replace it neither on this Acer nor on the MacBook.

If you want to play games, you will have to go for the 15-inch MacBook Pro, that includes a graphic card that will work properly with games and Photoshop.

ardb wrote:

Operating System

I am currently using Windows 8 and I really like it. I do want to use Mac OS X 10.7, but I heard that is also possible to use Windows 8 on a

MacBook by using software called Parallels. Can you tell me a little more about it? Is it a very limited version of Windows 8? Are you able to switch

between Mac OS and Windows in seconds? It would be great if you could tell me a little more about it. (I also read something about BootCamp?)

You can run Windows on a Mac in two ways:

1. With a virtual machine, using an application like Parallels, VMware Fusion or VirtualBox.

2. With Boot Camp, an application that allows you to install Windows on the hard disk, so it will have the best performance possible.

You can find the advantages and disadvantages in this site > https://discussions.apple.com/docs/DOC-3321

Note that you have to buy Windows 8 if you want to install it. Also, it must be a 64-bit version in order to use all the hardware.

ardb wrote:

Battery

Is it easy to replace the battery when the battery stops working as good as it did? The MacBook battery is able to recharge a 1,000 times, but

I still want to know this.

Apple doesn't allow you to change the battery yourself so you have to take it to an Apple Store or reseller. Also, if you want to do it yourself, it's difficult to find the battery for your model. A battery replacement, in the case of the 13-inch MacBook Pro, costs $129.

If you have any problem with the battery during the first year, it will be replaced for free.

ardb wrote:

Software

A lot of software is designed for Windows OS and won't run on other OS, am I going to miss out on some software that Windows does support?

There are a lot of applications that are only available in Windows. You will note it if you are a professional user, because a lot of applications aren't available for OS X and you will have to install Windows

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You can install RAM yourself. Read > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1270

If you want another hard disk, you have to remove the SuperDrive (the disc drive).

The SSD makes the MacBook much faster in read and write processes, so it's recommended. If you want, you can install one in the place of the SuperDrive.

Now, a lot of developers are making applications for OS X, so the problem isn't so big, but the big problem comes when you have a look at professional apps. For example, near all AutoDesk applications, except AutoCAD and a few more apps, aren't available for OS X

If you like Windows 8 and you don't want to use mac os x then I would not buy a macbook pro or any mac. Just stick to a Windows system.

You can put a HDD or SSD. Both fit. All the examples given work with that MacBook Pro

There are some peripherals, like external mouses or keyboards with a Bluetooth receiver, that will need additional drivers. Also, if you want to install Windows, Boot Camp Assistant will ask you to download the Windows support software, that contains all the drivers that Windows needs in order to detect the hardware

It will run better. Note that this MacBook Pro has got new hardware, even if it's not the best you can find in a MacBook Pro. After installing the Windows support software, Windows will run correctly

It depends. If you run it with 4 GB of RAM and the old computer has got 6 GB of RAM, you may experience a better performance on your old computer, but note the screen resolution. The old computer has got a 15-inch display that uses a higher resolution than the 13-inch MacBook Pro, so respecting to graphic performance, you should see better performance

It's the same graphic card, so it doesn't have to be better unless you use a smaller resolution