QUOTE(dvlzplayground @ Nov 9 2010, 02:33 PM)
u have a few options
1) use SuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner to clone ur current hdd to the new one, then swap. the new hdd will be exactly like the old one, juz bigger

2) u can Restore ur current hdd to the new hdd too, using Disk Utility but need to boot from the OSX dvd
3) *if u have a time machine backup* install the new hdd, boot from OSX dvd n restore from time machine drive
i would recommend hitachi travelstar 7k500 500gb (~rm220) or faster seagate momentus XT 500gb (~rm460) hybrid drive. i bought the latter and will be upgrading tonight using method (3) bcuz only my time machine drive has a firewire800 port

QUOTE(smudger14 @ Nov 9 2010, 02:58 PM)
try using time machine. i've did an upgrade on my macbook recently and it's painless. it's so easy as mentioned by dvlzplayground. if u useSuperDuper or Carbon Copy Cloner, it's a paid software. if u don't have time machine back up yet, now is the time to do. just do a time machine back up on your ext hdd (u need to format it to hfs), then once u've install the new drive, just put in the os x dvd, boot, then do a restore. it will restore everything just like before on your previous hdd. no need to reinstall all the software.
hey guys. thanks alot for the feedback. really appreciate it.

for the hdd that you have recommended, its 500gb, but im looking to upgrade to 1gb considering the price is quite reasonable lately. i think with the right ratio of ram, the computer shud handle it just fine right?