WWYD? ~$70 for a new iphone 4s 16gb or ~$50 for 8GB Ram for a 2010 MBP?

[edgarbc1]

I had a small windfall of cash $70 which I was thinking of blowing on 8GB RAM
for my 2010 MBP $~$50. I could save on the overall cost w OWC by sending in the
4GB ram sticks for another $11 rebate.

Not bad, an easy upgrade, i dont need it, but ive been planning how I want to upgrade this
machine rather than buying new, this is step 1 of 3.

but recently the radio shack offer of $30 on a new iphone 4s is tempting.
i have a pristine 3GS 16GB which i can get $100 for. with the $30 off, the rough
total would be $70 for a new iphone 4s 16gb. The cons? probably they would tax me
on the $199 cost and only after take off the $30 and $100.

again i dont need it. it would be nice to have a better camera as i have noticed more and more
that the iphone 3gs is terrible in low light. When i got this pristine 3gs from an applecare repair
of my battered tattered 3gs i decided then to hold out for an iphone 5. but my lust for Siri and
location based reminders and a better camera is knocking on the door to my conscience.

WWYD?

[datbeme]

What do you want the 5 to have that the 4s doesn't?

[Winston]

The iPhone 3gs is nice, but the iPhone 4S is nice.

Of course it depends a bit on what you do with your MacBook Pro.

To add another wrinkle to the mix: SSD for the MBP? (Might have to save a bit more to get there.) Bet you'd find that more useful than increased RAM.


Good luck.

- Winston

[sekker]

iPhone will be a bigger jump unless you are video editing with your MBP.

[Kiva]

FYI, I believe you get taxed on the retail amount of the phone, not just the $199....

[Jimmypoo]

RAM is even cheaper if you look around...

however, if your $70 iphone also meant a $99 contract that you didn't already have, then it's not just $70,
it's $2400 (for a 2 year contract).

Here's RAM for 25% less.... http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-CT2KIT5126...001MX5YWI/

and even a few bucks less than that.... http://www.amazon.com/Crucial-204-pin-SO...003DZJQQI/ (DDR3 - PC10600 instead of 8500)

And Crucial / Amazon is as much a penny saver and headache free on potential returns as anyone, not just exchanges or store credit.

If you're going to have the phone regardless (at the plan rate) I don't see how you can go wrong by getting the phone, selling the GS, and making that nearly free or free. Tax on $200 -- what's that? $10?

Then save a few dollars more and get the RAM since the above is 25% less than the $50 you thought you'd spend.

The second CPU and capabilities for an iPhone 5 can't be that far apart - and potentially might be more along the lines of extended capabilities that you already wouldn't use ANYWAY (such as if they unlock the CMOS sensor to do full 1080 at 120Hz or whatever the capability of that sensor really is, vs. what they have permitted thus far, for power/battery/RAM savings, etc.).

With twin ARMs in the iPhone 4S, I find it highly unlikely you'll see more computing power in an iPhone 5, since the damned thing is already close to an iPad 2 right now!

I'd get the phone as you noted, because you'll probably, at that cost, be able to turn around the iPhone 4S (if that's an option) for just as good a gain/swap if the iPhone 5 is a "must have" and in the meantime, get the RAM as soon as an extra $35 permits.

You're talking about cash that is so close to zero (no morning stops for coffee on the way to work, and bringing a lunch for two weeks) that you've broken even right there. I find that if I just don't go out on a night like tonight, that I've saved $30+ right there, and so tonight it went into groceries that between freezing and current meals, will be on the table for over a week, instead of 2 hours of Bud Light with a pal while watching a game or Jug Gazing.

I'd be willing to bet with just a little planning (and very little at that) you'd be able to do both, and shop just a little harder for a slightly better deal on a few xmas gifts you've bought - and go get the credit/refund to put toward your tech quest.

btw... I'd never part with my stock RAM on such a new computer.

[testcase]

What??????



No choice for H & B???????



:wink:

[haikuman]

What Jimmypoo said. It is very sensible advice . . . Sounds like you can do both with some adjustments.

Rudie:priate:

[aquilles10]

Yup. You will be taxed on the full retail value. Not just the $199 price.