Memory: What's the deal?
Ok, I'm wondering about memory. I'm buying an iMac soonish and I am definatly going to upgrade the RAM to at least 512. Should I buy from straight from Apple?, Is the memory they use better than other stuff? If I buy from say, MacMall, who offers 256 free RAM, will that differ from what I will get from Clubmac, or other stores?, Is it easy enough and a better deal to buy the RAM and install it myself(i would probably break the computer) There are different brands of memory, and differnt prices, does the price reflect the quality and performance?
People will probly think i'm an idiot but. . . Can I steal the RAM from the PC that I am ditching and put that in the iMac?
Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
People will probly think i'm an idiot but. . . Can I steal the RAM from the PC that I am ditching and put that in the iMac?
Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou
Comments
1) No, you should not buy directly from Apple. They probably have better more stringent QC as a vendor but their memory is the same from others (more on that).
2) The name brands such as Crucial, Kingston, etc. costs a bit more than generic no-name brands but I feel the quality and warranty is worth it.
3) It is pretty easy to install memory. I am used to doing it on a PC and was surprised by how intuitive it is on a Mac (iBook).
4) The price can be indicative of quality but the performance should be pretty much the same. Again, I would get it from a reputable brand or a vendor even though the price may be higher.
5) Yes, if the PC is a notebook that uses the 144 pin SODIMM format.
Good places to start:
<a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr+Productline=Apple+iMAC&mfr=A pple&cat=RAM&model=iMAC+%28G4-800%29&submit=Go" target="_blank">http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.asp?Mfr+Productline=Apple+iMAC&mfr=A pple&cat=RAM&model=iMAC+%28G4-800%29&submit=Go</a>
<a href="http://dealram.com/prices/14/512MB.html" target="_blank">http://dealram.com/prices/14/512MB.html</a>
Ithaca is gorges! (from my Cornell days...)
512 on two dimms (one 256 internal and one 256 external)---150 bucks at apple
512 on one dimm (one 512 internal)--250 bucks at apple
512 so-dimm from crucial--212 bucks with free shipping AND 50 bucks off coupon...it is a good deal and you will end up with 768 instead of 512 (and i didn't break my computer putting the ram in, only taking it out...i am ashamed to admit that....i don't think you will have any problems adding ram yourself)....but if i had it all to do again, i think i would go the apple route...but i am becoming more of a chicken in my old age......) g
<a href="http://www.crucial.com/store/couponpricing.asp?PARTNO=CT240377&model=iMAC+(G4-800)&ext_part_no_desc=Upgrade+for+a+Apple+iMac+% 28G4-800%29+System&BASEPARTNO=CT64M64S4W75&x=6&y=5" target="_blank">crucial link</a>
[ 07-31-2002: Message edited by: thegelding ]</p>
if you pay the extra 250 bucks to apple they put a 512 mb dimm in the internal slot instead of the 256...this is on the internal board that you as a consumer can not get to (easily, that is) and don't want to mess around with yourself....this 512 should be great for most people...if you feel like you need more later you can add so-dimm ram to the external slot...up to 512 more...for a total of 1 gig ram possible in the iMac....good luck and have fun....love my iMac, even if i did rip off the little plastic thingyies.....g